Tom Waits- Singapore (1985) it begins about 16 seconds in.
Chris
All posts by Chris DeCarlo
Rock and Roll Is Dead…
You can eschew the title, I simply employed that as an attention grabber. Is rock dead? Well, that’s for you to decide, because it means something different to everyone. I suppose. Anyway, the point of this brief rant is actually about the rise and fall of good, mainstream music. Now, I know there was plenty of fantastic music before the dawn of Rock and Roll, but you have to start somewhere and I’m starting with Rock and Roll in the 1950s. It was new, rebellious and danceable. Hell, it even broke the color barrier. Whether it was Chuck, Dick, or Elvis that kicked off the whole show in a big Fucking way is another story. As we move into the 1960s, the bubblegum remains, but it’s still passionate. The Brits invade and take over the charts, Americans fight back. The music of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and dozens of others becomes the soundtrack to a youthful Revolution protesting Western Civilization… and just having a gooddd time, man. By the 1970s, things start to become too commercialized. Right around 1973. Then tons of shit is splattered at us! We have dealt with shit before (see Patti Page), but not to this extreme. This begins, what Pete Townsend once declared “the fall of the Roman Empire.” And ever since then mainstream pop music has been more or less dominated by shitty, overly mersh music. The 90s did have various stellar mainstream bands (Smashing Pumpkins, RATM, STP, etc.) riding the wave Nirvana reluctantly christened. But, it appears to me that we will never again see the days of music with soul, integrity, and passion in domination as we did in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. But, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Most of the great music for you is unmainstream, if there ever were such a label. There have always been underground movements and especially uprisings against the corporate ogre and status quo which make Rock and Roll fun and exhilarating like it supposedly was in the early days. Right now could be the best time for music; in fact most of the best music I listen to is from the past few years and yet 90% (probably more) of people haven’t heard of it. I advise anyone and everyone to not get caught up in that phony, retro trend of thinking that most of the great music was from the 1960s and 1970s and today’s music just sucks ass. It is true that the “better” music was popular and dominated the radio back then and modern radio bares no resemblance to that, but don’t get sad, go out and discover new bands or dare I say start your own! Good Luck!
Chris
Dozens Possibly Dying…
Nataliya Vasilyeva, AP, AOL News
MOSCOW (Aug. 18) — Divers scoured the near-freezing waters flooding the cavernous rooms of Russia’s largest hydroelectric plant on Tuesday but the owner said it was doubtful that any of the 64 workers missing after an accident would be found alive.
The accident Monday, which drowned or crushed to death 12 other workers, shut down the massive Sayano-Shushenskaya power plant in southern Siberia and left several towns and major factories without electricity. The plant provides 10 percent of Siberia’s energy needs, according to Russian media reports.Two workers were found alive Monday in niches inside the flooded structure, RusHydro acting chief Vasily Zubakin was quoted as saying, but hope was fading for the 64 still missing.
“With every hour, there is less and less chance left that we will find somebody alive,” RusHydro spokesman Yevgeny Druzyaka told The Associated Press on Tuesday. RusHydro officials say the water temperature around the plant is around 4 C (40 F).
Regional Gov. Viktor Zimin refuted allegations that rescue teams had heard knocking sounds from inside the plant after the accident, saying the dam’s thick concrete walls would muffle any sounds from inside.
Federal investigators said an explosion destroyed walls and the ceiling in a room where turbines are located and caused the room to flood. One of the plant’s 10 turbines was destroyed, two were partly destroyed and three others were damaged, officials said.
The plant’s dam, a towering structure that stretches a kilometer (more than half a mile) across the Yenisei River, was not damaged and towns downstream were not in danger, Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
Former plant director Alexander Toloshinov said some workers trapped in the flooded control room could have survived by finding a corner with some air left.
Three groups of divers were searching for the missing workers both inside the flooded rooms and in the river outside, Shoigu said in televised comments, adding that the workers were now believed to have drowned or been crushed by debris from the explosion.
The accident also produced an oil slick that by Tuesday stretched over 50 miles (80 kilometers) down the Yenisei. Crews were struggling to stop it but so far had not.
Supplies from other power plants were being rerouted Tuesday to help cover the region’s shortfall but it was unclear how long other power plants would be able to keep making up for the energy shortage.
RusHydro said a faulty turbine at the plant, which began operating in 1978, was likely to blame. Investigators believe the accident occurred after a defective lid of one turbine was torn off during repair work, Yelena Vishnyakova, another RusHydro spokeswoman, told the AP.
Shoigu, however, said that was merely one of several theories about why the accident occurred, Russian news agencies reported.
RusHydro said replacing the damaged equipment at the plant may take up to two years but the undamaged turbines could be put back into operation in a month.
Shoigu said the repairs would be difficult.
“We’re probably talking about years rather than months to restore three of the 10 turbines,” he said on state-run television.
More than 70 percent of all energy from the Sayano-Shushenskaya plant goes to four Siberian smelters of Rusal, the world’s largest aluminum producer. Rusal reported Monday that it was operating as usual with smelters being powered from other plants.
Analysts said the lack of energy from the Sayano-Shushenskaya did not pose immediate risks for Rusal, but could seriously impede its development if the metals market picks up next year.
The company was talking with the government about reducing output to free up energy supplies needed elsewhere in the region, Rusal said in a statement.
Aging infrastructure has long been regarded as a key obstacle to Russia’s development.
Analysts have warned that Russia needs to boost its power production significantly to meet the growing demand of industrial producers or it will face regular power shortages. Monday’s accident put Russia’s plans to increase its power capacity in jeopardy.
RusHydro said each bereaved family would receive 1 million rubles ($31,300) in compensation for their loss. The 12 dead workers are to be buried on Wednesday and Thursday.
Chris
Film Review: Funny People
Title: Funny People
Year: 2009
Director: Judd Apatow
Writer: Judd Apatow
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
My Rating: C
NOTE: 7s on IMDB are like 8s or Bs, because the currently highest rated film, The Shawshank Redemption, is 9.2. So, this movie geek’s rating is slightly lower than the movie geeks’ rating over at IMDb.
SPOILERS!: DON’T READ, IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN FILM YET!
Plot: Old yeller, bitter comedian, George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is suffering from a terminal illness and is simultaneously still in love with the woman he cheated on over a decade ago, whom has moved on and his married with children. He enlists a young, up start comedian, Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) as his personal assistant and joke writer. Simmons becomes closer to the people in his life, now that he is losing his life, until he learns that the illness has faded and he will be fine for now. Simmons comes to the conclusion that he can’t fix the issues in his life and have everything he wants. The film closes with Ira and him happily working on promising comedy.
NOTE: not full plot, go to other sites or wikipedia for a better description haha.
My Opinion: It was a decent flick, but I’d advise y’all to rent it, watch it on demand, or you can go through your illegal means of acquiring it, I don’t care. But, I’d say it’s not worth paying the ludicrous amount of money it is for movie tickets these days. I went in (based on the trailer) thinking this would be in the same vain of other Apatow flicks like The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, which greatly combined comedy and drama. With there being mostly memorable comedy, with some drama carefully calculated into the recipe. But, instead it was mostly drama. I only laughed out loud a few times, not enough for a “comedy.” In fact, my cousin went as far to state it should have been called “Serious People” ahah. Also, the movie was way too long. Wayyy too long. 146 minutes is dragging on. On the other hand, the acting was good, the characters were fairly well developed and the comedy that was there was funny, particularly Jason Schwartzman’s character.
Chris
Tarantino’s Top 20 Since ’92!
I love his enthusiasm. He could make a movie about the lives of McDonalds employees and I’d see it. I seriously doubt he would do that though haha. He seriously makes me appreciate Unbreakable more though. I’ve seen 9 out of the 20 and I’m familiar with most. I’ve had Audition on my never ending list of movies to see for so long! Dazed and Confused(2), Fight Club(6), and Boogie Nights (16)appear on my top 20 list as well. He hit the nail on the head on Dazed, but I can’t imagine going a few years without watching it! I used to watch it once a month!
P.S. It’s FRIDAY Quentin!
Chris
Peltier Update
As attorney Eric Seitz has said regarding parole, the Peltier case is one of “original jurisdiction”. That classification is the result of a number of factors–including the seriousness of the “offense,” the fact that Mr. Peltier is serving life sentences, and also because this is such a high-profile case.
Procedurally, this means the examiner made a recommendation sometime following the hearing on July 28. The application for parole was then forwarded to the regional commissioner apparently, who also reviewed the case and made a recommendation (the same as a vote, in this instance). The case was then forwarded to the four sitting executive commissioners in Washington (or Chevy Chase, MD, right outside of DC). The parole decision will be made by majority vote.
According to parole guidelines:
“Upon receipt of an original jurisdiction case, the National Commissioners, where feasible, shall process the case within 21 days. Cases shall be voted on sequentially.”
It isn’t known when the National Commissioners received the Peltier application for parole or when the 21-day clock began running. Also, generally, reference by the government of “days” means business days, not calendar days.
It isn’t known how many parole applications were received prior to Peltier’s application or if a backlog exists at the U.S. Parole Commission.
It isn’t known if all four National Commissioners are available for the review and a vote at this time. It’s August and, traditionally, Washington pretty well closes down during the month of August. Members of Congress return to their home districts for the month and they and the President generally vacation during this period. Government bureaucrats often do the same.
Our point: There are many unknowns. But this is something we DO know. There is great potential here for there to be a delay — intentional or not — with regard to the parole decision. The words “where feasible,” tell us so.
That’s why everyone has to keep up the political pressure.
We know you’ve written letters, made calls, sent e-mails. First, thank you. Thank you very much for all you do on Leonard’s behalf.
But now you have to do it again. And again. And again. Please. Do it and keeping doing it until Leonard Peltier is home with his family.
Call the White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1112;
AND
Fax a letter to the White House: 202-456-2461;
AND
E-mail the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.
Take all three actions every single day.
And the message?
Mr. President. Free Peltier NOW!
Again, thank you.– Electricbrave, Earth Friendly Media 2009
Chris
Song of the Day!
Enjoy!
Chris
CD Review: Matador Singles ’08
Artist: Jay Reatard
Title: Matador Singles ’08
Year: 2008
1) See/Saw– 10- My personal favorite from Jay Reatard. It’s heavy, catchy, funny, surely one to get stuck in your head! To me, it exemplifies everything great about Jay’s music. He creeps me out, but he creeps me in again.
2) Screaming Hand– 9.8- A nice tale about the young Reatard singer and how he was different from everyone else and started his band. I love the “You are my hero” and “oh No No No.” Extremely catchy. I find that SH goes well following See/Saw.
3) Painted Shut– 9.5- Simply Classic Reatard
4) An Ugly Death– 10- I try to avoid giving out more than one 10 on any album, but this definitely deserves it! I think this was the first Jay song I came across and it is very powerful to say the least. I love the epic guitar opener; it just makes my ears anticipate what will happen next. Even after listening to the tune a ludicrous amount of times, I still can’t get over those powerful, yet simple chords. When I’m shuffling songs and AUD pops up on my ipod, I can never muster the will to turn it down. My actual favorite part of the song is the “for you, for me, for all to see” the vocals and guitar are just perfect. I also dig the ominous lyrics meshed with the upbeat music.
5) Always Wanting More– 8.8- One of my least favorites on this compilation, but nonetheless a hooky and genuinely decent tune.
6) You Mean Nothing to Me– 9.0- Typical Reatard. It gets stuck in my dome from time to time. In terms of lyrics, People being meaningless to Jay seems to be a recurring theme.
7) Fluorescent Grey– 9.2- This is a Deerhunter cover. Having never heard the original, I don’t know how it holds up, but I enjoy it very much. Giving the nature of Deerhunter’s music, this one is a bit softer and more experimental than previous Reatard singles/songs, lacking the familiar chainsaw guitars and pop hooks. It works though and foreshadows future Reatard talents.
8) Trapped Here– 9.6- Haha, I always find myself laughing at Jay’s disturbing, malicious lyrics! Violence, particularly one villain torturing his victim and remind them that they can’t escape and that they will soon parish is a frequent theme in the long haired punk’s lyrics. Memorable lyrics include “Relax, Relax, Relax, my little victim” and “You have nowhere to hide and you have everywhere to die.” Haha, the music itself, menacing, perfectly compliments the creepy lyrics.
9) Hiding Hole– 9.4- Another signature Reatard tune. Extremely, catchy, loud, fast guitars, fast, shouted vocals.
10) DOA– 9.8- One of the more popular singles and it’s certainly easy to see why. One of the heavier and yet absolutely endearing songs from this album. It includes perhaps the best example of the classic Reatard technique of slowing down the guitars and drums and simply shouting one line over and over again till its burned into your brain. In this case “It’s No Fun! It’s No Fun! It’s No Fun!” for whoever is dying on arrival haha.
11) No Time– 10- Once again, a rare 10! I love this song so much! Completely Unreatard. One (you’ll see) of the softest Jay songs I have ever heard. When I first heard this I was confused, I thought I may have put on a different artist. In this number, we see a gentle Jay (it sounds so strange) expressing his deepest emotions. “It seems I never have the time to make my mind feel fine,” Jay’s best lyrics and one of the best lines I ever heard period!
12) You Were Sleeping– 9.8- It gets even stranger! I can picture this and the former pissing some Reatard fans off. Especially some serious Blood Visions motherfuckers. Most of the previous statements I made about “No Time” apply here. It’s a sensitive song, I couldn’t even imagine Jay playing live when I saw him.
13) I’m Watching You– 9.7- A fabulous closer to a fabulous record! Softer than most Reatard songs, but heavier than the previous two. Unlike the other two though, it’s an upbeat single, but it’s similar to them in the sense that they all violate the typical Reatard format. I always smirk whenever I hear the line “You see, to me, you always were a cunt.” Haha. This is much better than the Watch Me Fall version in my opinion.
Grade: A:One of the best albums (though it’s technically just a compilation of singles) I’ve ever heard and certainly of the past few years. Probably the best from 2008. Jay and the gang bring their roaring flying Vs with them from Blood Visions and Singles ’06- ’07 and mash them up with more pop and delve into previously unknown or unforeseen territories! Foreshadowing their next effort, Watch Me Fall. There’s a notable progression that is perfectly displayed here.
Chris
Fire Kills 40+ in 3 Minutes
From AOL News:
KUWAIT CITY (Aug. 16) – The fire at a wedding tent in Kuwait that killed 41 women and children consumed the structure in a blazing inferno lasting just three minutes, the fire department chief said Sunday.
“It was a horrific scene with bodies and many shoes stuck to the ground at the only exit, they must have trampled over one another,” said Brig. Gen. Jassem al-Mansouri, the day after the disaster. Kuwaiti officials said 41 women and children died when a fire broke out at a wedding party in Kuwait City on Saturday. The inferno lasted just three minutes. Authorities said 58 injured were still in hospitals, including seven people in serious condition with severe burns. Here, burnt debris litters the area. He said Kuwaiti authorities were running DNA tests to identify the 35 women and six children killed in the fire, which left many victims unrecognizable.Authorities were investigating the cause and al-Mansouri said it could have been faulty electrical wiring, a problem with the equipment used to keep the wedding food buffet warm or the coals used for burning incense.
He added that the fire in al-Jahra, a tribal area west of the capital, was the worst he has seen in his almost four decades of service in this small oil-rich state and close U.S. ally.
Photographs of the scene show the tent was erected in an urban area. The interior was strewn with blackened debris, including the metal frames of chairs and tables, and burnt out air conditioners, a necessity in this hot country where night temperatures in the summer are often above 100 degrees (40 degrees Celsius).
Wow. Our hearts are with the families of the victims.
Chris
CD Review: Blood Visions
Artist: Jay Reatard
Title: Blood Visions
Year: 2006
1) Blood Visions– 9.5- Perfect opener: loud, fast, simple catchy, a great foreshadow to everything else Jay would later do on this album and beyond.
2) Greed, Money, Useless Children– 9.2- Quick, little catchy number. Employs the classic Reatard pop technique of slowing down the guitars and drums and simply shouting one line repeatedly, in this case- “Greed, Money, Useless Children.” It is clearly effective and we see this over and over again.
3) It’s So Easy– 9.7- Lyrically this is classic Reatard. Apathetic… to the point of not caring when your friends die haha.
4) My Shadow– 10! Arguably the band’s greatest offering (actually “See/Saw” is my favorite!) or at least a major fan favorite. And it’s not hard to see why. The song begins with simple and slow, but menacing guitars then erupts into a heavy motherfucker with Reatard hollering MY SHADOW at the top of his lungs! The best track on this album by far.
5) My Family– 9.2- Funky guitars, spooky/disturbing lyrics, it works for me! Displays Jay’s bizarre interaction with the other humans or “assholes” haha in his life. This theme continues on this album and throughout his current discography.
6) Death Is Forming– 9.0- The classic Reatard technique is exemplified on this track. See #2 I dig how he evolves “Death is Forming” into “Forming Death” haha.
7) Oh It’s Such A Shame– 8.5- Decent, nothing wrong with it, but for some reason, just doesn’t stand out.
8) Not A Substitute– 8.8- Another typical Reatard track…. actually a bit shorter, but it works here.
9) Nightmares– 9.5- Excellent Pop song, sounds more like a track off Matador Singles ’08 or Watch Me Fall. Fabulous love/hate song. The lover Jay speaks of causes him to have horrible nightmares, yet he keeps “Searching” for her. Good Stuff
10) I See You Standing There– 9.0- Jay Stalker haha. Just listen to the lyrics to understand what I’m saying. Musically, very catchy and endearing. I especially love the final line, which is shouted extremely fast: “DON’T MOVE!” ahaha.
11) We Who Wait– 9.0- Great sing along. You could march this one haha. Once again we see lyrics containing themes of isolation and generally misanthropic thoughts.
12) Fading All Away– 9.9- Amazing! Hilariously savage. Lyrically this is a extremely malevolent tune about an apparently psychopathic/sociopathic/schizophrenic miscreant who will go to no end to kill his victim because of “the voices in my head.”
13) Turning Blue– 8.2- Eh, it’s a decent track, but comparatively it’s just ok. For some reason it doesn’t do all that much for me.
14) Puppet Man– 9.2- Cool, catchy, funny, somewhat short.
15) Waiting For Something– 9.9- Sums up Jay’s outlook on the people around him and his situation at the time. Waiting for something bigger to happen and get away from all the "creeps" surrounding him. Perfect title for the brief documentary on him, which I advise all fans to check out!
Grade: A: A fantastic example of modern punk music with undeniable pop hooks and elements of noise rock. One can hear glimpses of the incredible (noisy) pop Jay and his crew unleash in their future material.
Chris
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 