Full Title: Rear Window Director: Alfred Hitchcock Year: 1954 Comments This is arguably the greatest offering from the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Hitch’s 1954 classic more than holds up and is perhaps just as suspenseful now as fifty-six years ago. Briefly, the plot concerns the dull day to day life of Jeff (James Stewart) a wheel chair bound photographer as he has nothing left to do but satisfy his carnal base needs through spying (via binoculars) on his neighbours. As the movie progresses, we sympathize with Jeff because we have, ourselves, become voyeurs just like him as the film is through his point of view. The suspense kicks in further when Jeff stumbles upon a murder from one of his neighbours. The rest of the film is Jeff trying to convince everyone else that a murder took place and the killer should be brought to justice. Only Hitchcock can take this story and make it as thrilling as it is. Fuck Disturbia (2006)! In other words, if you haven’t already, watch this film, it’s amazing; not as good as Psycho (1960), but what is?
>Grade: A
Introduction: “The following video tape was a free concert given for the patients at the California State Mental Hospital in Napa, CA on June 13, 1978 by The Cramps who where (sic) on tour from New York and the Mutants from San Francisco.
Lux Interior: “We drove 3000 miles to play for you. And somebody told me you people are crazy, but I’m not so sure about that.”
Comedian Greg Giraldo has died at age 44. He died of an accidental prescription overdoes. It was not a suicide attempt. Giraldo died in the hospital in New brunswick, New Jersey. Giraldo made many appearances on roasts, where he was known for being particularly brutal. He was also a host on “Last Comic Standing.”
Myself being a stand up connoisseur, Giraldo had an expert delivery and wit. He was smart and insightful. However, when he wanted toy and was allowed, he would be the bluest man in the room. This is a great loss to the world of stand-up. Since I know he would’ve wanted to leave us laughing below is a clip from his stand up. RIP Greg Giraldo.
Rapper: Lil Wayne Release: 10/2010 Label: Young Money
1. “Gonorrhea” – B 2. “Hold Up” – C+ 3. “With You” – A- 4. “I Am Not A Being Human” – C- 5. “I’m Single” – C+ 6. “What’s Wrong With Them” – B+ 7. “Right Above It” – A 8. “Popular” – B- 9. “That Ain’t Me” – B- 10. “Bill Gates” – B
Comments: Lil Wayne is an interesting fellow. He has an adoration of playing around with words. He particularly utilizes metaphor and simile. His rhymes range from cheesy Weezy to fairly intelligent and thoughtful. Beats have never really been a focal point for Weezy, especially on non-singles. He almost can’t be taken seriously, nor can his guest rappers, but some how they always end up with something called a song. It’s striking. On the R&B slow jam “With You,” we get a good sense of what Wayne is capable of in terms of sensible writing. He effectively tells a romantic story without much effort. What I’m saying is “With You” doesn’t sound forced or random. “Tonight it’s moonlight and candles and shit.” That’s all. It’s so Human Being. Imitating Beastie Boys rock-rap style isn’t Weezy’s thing. He made a terrible rock-esque album earlier this year, didn’t he? Let Wayne shine. He doesn’t need power beats or abrasive guitars. I was expecting Nicki Minaj to rap not sing a chorus on her feature in “What’s Wrong,” but I must say she doesn’t do that bad of a job. Wayne’s verses are solid. “Right Above It” was the first single (featuring Drake) from this record and contains the record’s most distinguishable beat/chorus. It deserves all the accolades it has/is getting. I didn’t expect much out of this relatively short LP. There are high points and other points that just seem to exist without much fanfare.
Both were released in 1964, both captured two distinct and highly influential pop styles of the era (Surf Pop and Girl Group ballads, respectively) and both masterfully represent the teen tragedy concept of early Rock and Roll; with someone dying in a road accident in each song. In fact, both are set up the same, musically and as a story. So, which one do you think is better?
I personally dig “Dead Man’s Curve” more, but both are classics. Check em out.
Band: Cum Stain Release: 6/2010 Label: Burger Records
1. “Bachelor’s Life” – A+ 2. “Broke My Dick” – A
3. “No Hearts/Big Mean Maniac” – A- 4. “Just A Kid” – A+ 5. “Vicdumb” – A- 6. “Slip It Off Slip It In” – A- 7. “Smoker” – B+
8. “I Want It Now” – A
9. SuckHer4U” – A
10. “Jack Shack” – A
11. “Cum Stain” – A+
Comments: Just when I thought I heard the ‘last of the libertines’ so to speak, I hear this. Cum Stain. Whether the composers of Cum Stain realized it or not, they boldly described bachelor life from start to finish. Literally. When push comes to shove, the narrator is just another “cum stain on your rug.” This man is a heavy drinker, a heavy smoker, and a passionate lover. Except, he doesn’t actually love you or want to. Well, he wants to, but he figures that’s just a waste of time. He just wants to do it and get it over with. On “Bachelor’s Life” we learn a little bit about the dude. Every hour he “masturbates” and “just sits around and watch cartoons.” On a more positive note, he stocks whiskey and rum. “Broke My Dick” is pretty self-explanatory, but the narrator offers an alternative like none other: “slap you in the face while it’s limp.” Might as well do something, right? In a proto-hardcore punk, let me tell you what’s up kind of way, the narrator reiterates on “No Hearts/Big Mean Maniac” that he has no heart and that he is a maniac. The guy is straight nuts. Fuck, he even invented his own fetish: throwing manure in the faces of grade school children. So, just a quick recap. The dude is in his 20s, but he’s purely “just a kid.” He exemplifies that word, but puts an added spin on in it. I’m not really sure what he’s going for on “Vicdumb.” It seems like he is necessarily stating the obvious. Anything anyone does to you makes you a mere vicdumb. Perhaps the “dumb” instead of “tum” allows him to get away with whatever he wants. You’re the dumb-ass, not me for screwing you and then leaving. Vicdumb. “Slip It Off/Slip It In” is probably the maniac’s fantasies after a long day at the beach. Oh yeah, and everything you learned about smoking is all a bunch of shit. Smoking is for winners and the more the better. Another thing: impulse control? This guy has none and doesn’t care. If you can’t give him what he wants (as he says on the apropos “I Want It Now”), then he’ll go find it. Peace! It seems as if maybe there was a possibility for a relationship at one time (“SuckHer4U”), but he just couldn’t commit to anything more than casual. “Jack Shack” tells of a ride down to a “Gentleman’s Spa” where no (sleazy truck driver) knows your name. I must say, this is one of the best stories I’ve ever heard. The lyrics aren’t genius or intricate in any regard, but the narrative comes across very clearly. The music is incredibly lo-fi garage pop (similar to Nobunny circa Love Visions). It makes you think, too. Is this your average single guy with a job or an unemployed psychopath who has never had any women in his life?
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 