Where the Wild Things Are

There's a trend in Hollywood of taking beloved childrens material, dressing it up in CG, and releasing it for a summer hit. There have been few hits, and many more misses (anybody remember "Casper"?). Sometimes they get it right.

"Where the Wild Things" Are promises to be one of this years biggest hits. World famous music video guru, Spike Jonze undertook the task at the request of Maurice Sendak himself! To round out the writing team Jonze hired experience novelist Dave Eggers. I have read Eggers first novel, "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" and was amazed at how he was able to capture the feeling of being in your mid-20's. Watch the trailer here for this spectacular, spectacular!



Those of you who don't know, this film is also very personal. I have a Wild Things tattoo on my right thigh. I'll post pics of it later, but here's the general idea, without Max.



Another popular childrens book is getting the Hollywood treatment these days. The toddler tinkle tome, "Everyone Poops" is following closely in the "Where the Wild Things Are" spotlight. I'll let their trailer speak for itself.



Can't wait for that one. A real tear-jerker. (Poop-mover?)

Who's In The Spotlight Now?

Every once in a while my bravado meets its match. Today it has encountered gravitas of such extraordinary ability that surely it shall wither up and die inside me. Meet Lil' Nicholifavs from New York, New York! Talk about presh! He only blogs from the Mac Store on Fifth Ave. because he has class, but no cash. Kindred spirits.

Take a look at him getting 'jiggy with it' (relevance).



I've never liked that song so much (I hate that song, it was written by monkeys in front of typewriters who were only taught to type one sentence.) Next we see him in 'Stunners", or 'Stunnahs', or 'Sunglasses that have no glasses'. Check it out.



Check him out! Did you see those crowds? Lil' Kanyusher here has star quality, I just hope Justin Long doesn't take it personally when they replace him with New Michael Jackson here.

Pillow-Talk and Serial Killers

Well, it's been a long time, no? It's been a long time, yes! Just a quick blog about the state of our union. Our civil union. It's getting less and less civil. I understand wanting to make your voice heard, but if what you're looking for is answers you must be prepared to listen to them. Stop interrupting our public officials; I want to know what they have to say.

On the other hand, I kind of know what they feel. You see, I am not bursting to shout in some town hall about fictitious 'death panels'. No, instead I want to make some noise about love. Major love. Ground-shaking, earth-shattering, mind-blowing love. It's awesome. The only problem is the pillow-talk. I consider myself a hopeless romantic; but recently, when getting close and being sweet, I find it harder and harder to not sound like a serial killer. Let me paint a picture for you:

There we lay, limbs locked together in some lovely puzzle we try to put together in each others eyes. Spooning, I whisper into your ear, "I love your skin". So far so good, but I can't stop, "I love the taste of your skin". Uh-oh! Back off, Walter! "I just want to wear your skin all day". And there it goes. Now instead of a doting lover I am a mentally unstable, middle aged white male with a history of violence and childhood abuse.

So messed up. Don't judge me, just pray for me.

Cold War Kids

Chances are if you're from Orange County you've heard of these guys. Cold War kids formed in 2004 at an apartment in Downtown Fullerton. They're sound is pure North O.C. They're lyrics are visual and heart wrenching while they're instrumentals are intense and rolling.


They received instant success with their first EP Mulberry Street (named for the restaurant beneath their guitarist Jonnie Russel's apartment). After gaining some momentum they toured extensively through the US. While touring they released back to back EPs which afforded them more popularity. Their debut LP Robbers & Cowards featured the song "Hang Me Up To Dry" which was a minor success (#57) on the UK pop charts.

The band has returned to the studio to begin recording their second album which is currently untitled.


This band blows my mind. Their moving, visual lyrics are sung with grace by lead vocalist Nathan Willett. The track "Saint John" is especially moving. Every time I hear it a music video featuring a heroin junkie runs through my head.

"Old Saint John on death row...
He's just waiting for a pardon..."

I dare you to close your eyes and let this track take over...I double dog dare you.

Whatever you think, one thing is for certain, Cold War Kids are definitely on my list of bands to see at Coachella.

Three reasons the Linkin Park concert didn't suck...and 20,001 reasons it did.

Last night I had the dubious 'pleasure' of attending Linkin Park's Arena Tour '08 (thanks Carol!). This is Linkin Park's first arena tour and it is a success. The Staples Center was the venue for this mega-bands show. The Staples Center is a beautiful facility and this was my second trip there. The first was for a Clippers' game and now Linkin Park. Both are things I couldn't care less about, but, when a friend offers you free concert tickets, you go (once again, thanks Carol!!!).

Now, I give you, three reasons the Linkin Park concert didn't suck:

1:
The Staples Center. The huge-ness of this venue for a concert is staggering. The sound was mind-blowing and the lights bounced and popped creating a visual masterpiece. The only thing that threw me was the fact that both opening acts had AMAZING light shows while Linkin Park put all their efforts into using 6 flying digital screens with iTunes visualizer programs attached. It was like watching those music screensavers with the trembling lines and shit...kinda lame.

Secondively:
The opening acts didn't suck. Chiodos and Coheed and Cambria were there as openers and both put on decent shows. Check out both bands as they are totally decent. Chiodos is a little more melodramatic, but have moments of greatness. Coheed and Cambria are rock and roll. Simple rock and roll.

3rd:
Linkin Park. Are you ready for this? Linkin Park's new album Minutes to Midnight is not that bad. I know this may scare you, it scared me, but it's true. Just to prove it I've included a sample track. Give it a listen, go ahead...push play.




See?

And of course, 20,001 reasons this concert sucked.

1-20,000:
The Fans. My God, the fans. Where do these people come from? I haven't seen so many backwards caps ever. Period. EVER! I was in line with Carol getting beers when we were called over to the second line, you know, one of those, "Can I help the next person" things. When we get there she directs back into our original line, cause she worked at the Staples Center, so she was just fucking with us (does anyone else feel like this?). So, we slide right back into line where we were, and the douchebag behind us grunts, "Were you in line before". Yeah, bro, we were. We've been in front of you for about 10 minutes now. He had no idea...

He basically looked like this guy:




20,001:
Linkin Park. Let's face it, it was still a Linkin Park concert, right?

Les Savy Fav

"There was a band called Les Savy Fav. They made this noise that people couldn't get enough of."

So goes my rewrite of Les Savy Fav's song "Pots and Pans". Les Savy Fav is one of those rare finds in music. Their music is instantly recognizable at the first listen yet distinctive. Their lyrics are pure gold and their phrasing is poetic. The band's original lineup met in 1995 at The Rhode Island College of Design and have been rocking the house ever since.

Whether screaming or shouting Tim Harrington gets the point across. His on stage antics have always been unforgettable. He has been known to change costumes in the middle of songs and kiss random audience members. All the while the rest of the band plays on as if they don't notice anything out of the ordinary!

This, for me, makes the show a lot more inviting. I am not one to wait for the band to perform. By perform I don't mean "play their music". I mean perform. Les Savy Fav are quickly whetting my appetite for Coachella.



And now here's a clip from Les Savy Fav performing "Patty Lee" this last January on Conan.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2008

It's here again, Ladies and Gentlemen. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has arrived in all its glory. Well, maybe not ALL of its glory...

The lineup this year is less that star-heavy. Many Coachella veterans have sworn off the festival altogether, but not me. What the 2008 lineup lacks in names, it makes up for in talent. Golden Voice, the promoters behind the festival, have pulled together a lineup that may not be known now, but they will be.

From now until the festival begins I will be featuring some of my favorite talent from this years lineup. From Gogol Bordello to MGMT. From VHS Or Beta to Midnight Juggernauts. Even a group called Dan Le Sac Vs. Scroobius Pip! Every artist that I find interesting or exciting will be discussed AND heard. That's right, folks, I said heard! Along with every post about a band I will also include an embedded mp3 plyaer featuring the artists music.

So, get excited and get ready...