Le Scaphandre et le Papillon

the Diving Bell & the Butterfly
I watched this movie for the first time last night. I say first time because I know it's something I will watch many more times. It is easily one of the most beautiful, unique and creative movies I've seen in some time. I can call it a Michel Gondry film based in reality. Director Julian Schnabel is an artist first. He has made two other films, each a biography of artists. Basquiat and Before Night Falls. Here in Le Scaphandre et le Papillon(Original title in French) he tells the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, a high society editor of Elle magazine, who suffered a stroke at the age of 43 -leaving him completely paralyzed save his left eye. A couple of speech/communication therapists devise a way to communicate and with blinking, he is able to hold true to his publishing deal he worked out before the stroke.
It's quite an inspirational (and unbelievable) story, shot beautifully. I recommend it to everyone.

...trail of dead and buried

I've been an on and off fan of ...and you will know us by the Trail of Dead since I first heard their Madonna album in the late 90's. I still enjoy their 'breakout' album Source Tags & Codes but recently I found a copy of their last album So Divided for $3 and I got it. I have been meaning to get it since it came out in 2006. IT IS TERRIBLE. At the end of 2007 singer/songwriter for the band Conrad Keeley came out with tirade after tirade about the big music biz (since his band signed with Interscope in the early 2000's). After hearing this album it makes him look like an even bigger whiny jerk. Did those big, bad record executives make you put out an album of radio ready alt pop? Did you sacrifice your good songmaking for big label dollars -and then turn around and bite that hand?
Sure seems like it.

This has to be one of the worst albums by a good band. I think I'd rather listen to the second Clap Your Hands Say Yeah than this piece of junk. Good work Trail of Dead. yikes.

drrrrty projectors

I go through waves of really loving Dirty Projectors, followed by getting a little too annoyed and losing my patients with the music they make.
For the past few days I have fallen back in love with their album Rise Above. It's such a great/original concept and visualization. How could you not be impressed. Pitchfork posted this today and it's effing beautiful. I never thought a reinterpretation of Black Flag could sound this good:

and the album version of the same (cover) song:

original (Black Flag):

the Last Shadow Puppets

Pitchfork has given this album a 7.7
My review:
The Last Shadow Puppets
The Age of the Understatement 8.9/10
Arctic Monkey-boy Alex Turner and friend Miles Kane (of a UK group called the Rascals) have formed a side project called the Last Shadow Puppets. Their mod- throwback 1960's cinematic soundtrack could score any/every James Bond rip-off movie from the mid-to-late 70's. Seriously inspired by Ennio Morricone, this album - along with its vintage spy guitar licks contains the string section to the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Final Fantasy's Owen Pallett. That along with a lot of other guests and producers have concocted fast paced, enjoyable record that sounds a lot more complex than your usual thrown-together side project.
Full review: the age of the understatement
Even the video for their first single looks like it cost a pretty penny.

I've always been a fan of cinematic music. Listening to this album makes me feel like I'm watching the coolest 70's noir spy movie that was ever made.

out with the old

As of Monday, April 21st - I am technically unemployed. The Ad agency I have been working for since October lost a few accounts they were banking on, and therefor let go of 40% of its workforce, including yours truly.
The people and workplace I will miss the most. Everyone in the office was great and the location was ideal. My actual job position could have been better, but it had plenty of down time allowing me to do some freelance writing as well as writing of my own.

I will be collecting unemployment for the first time in my life (which I had to sign up for online and will be getting a 'gift card' for payment... weird).

I have to get something to cover the medical costs of my household. Stacey was covered by my insurance... so now I'll be looking for some work.

In the meantime, we got a theater to open.

oh boy...

dododododo

I've been into the Dodo's FRENCHKISS debut record: visitor for a while now. I've also been appreciating Pitchfork TV since it debut earlier this month. Here's a clip of the best of both worlds! Dodo's great song Fools from their awesome album (first under the Dodo's moniker... they used to be called DodoBirds and have an album called Beware Of The Maniacs - and Pitchfork TV::::

Dodo's: Fools

official Man Man review

I posted a quick review here in response to the Pitchfork review,
but my official review posted yesterday on the Tripwire:
Rabbit Habits