re:nvention

Mid August Revisit

2011-08-19T02:10:00.000-07:00

I'm re- treading. Revisiting and revising those things I've heeded to and those I've ingrained in my audiophilic brain. I guess my return to those things past is my first chance to retro-graphically map out the shapes and textures of music that have influenced me the last couple of years. So none of these songs are new but they are fine examples of folk, rock and electronica that comprise the majority of my harddrive. Here are a few songs that I would like to share with you this mid-August night.

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From a band that hearkens traces of Springsteen to a electronic duo that put on equally as astounding, sweaty performances.

Gayngs is the greatest find I've had in the past year. A band that possesses big names like Bon Iver and Sean Tillman, this band completely blows me away with its seductive, swaying jazzed soul. This band is more of an orchestra in that it includes a whopping 23 members.

Hope August is treating you all well.
Regards,

Signs of Sasquatch

2011-02-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

So the Sasquatch lineup was finally announced yesterday. I'm happy to hear that many northwest outfits are in attendance like Modest Mouse and The Decemberists. This is what makes this festival so unique compared to the others. There is so much I'm excited for. Deerhunter and Wolf Parade, or how about Flying Lotus and Major Lazer. Its music that fits right in with the texture that is the Gorge. Can't wait for it! Here is the rest of the lineup.

!!!
Against Me!
Alberta Cross
Aloe Blacc
The Antlers
Archers of Loaf
Axis of Awesome
Basia Bulat
Bassnectar
Beach House
Best Coast
Black Mountain
Bonobo (DJ Set)
Bright Eyes
The Bronx
CSS
Chromeo
City and Colour
Cold War Kids
Cotton Jones
Dan Mangan
Das Racist
Death Cab For Cutie
The Decemberists
Deerhunter
The Drums
Fitz & The Tantrums
The Flaming Lips
Flogging Molly
Flying Lotus
Foo Fighters
Foster the People
Gayngs
The Globes
Gold Panda
Guided By Voices
Iron & Wine
Jaill
Jenny & Johnny
K-Os
Local Natives
Major Lazer
Matt & Kim
Modest Mouse
MSTRKRFT
Noah & The Whale
Old 97's
Other Lives
Pepper Rabbit
Pink Martini
The Radio Dept.
Ratatat
Rebecca Gates and The Consortium
Reggie Watts
Rival Schools
Robyn
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
S. Carey
Sam Roberts Band
Secret Sisters
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Sharon Van Etten
Skrillex
Sleigh Bells
Smith Westerns
Stornoway
Surfer Blood
Talkdemonic
The Thermals
Tig Notaro
Tim Minchin
Tokyo Police Club
Trailer Park Boys
Twin Shadow
Villagers
Washed Out
White Arrows
White Denim
Wilco
Wolf Parade
Wye Oak
Yeasayer
The Young Evils
Young the Giant

Ramesh is back! Former Voxtrot singer is finally releasing EP.

2011-01-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

After a year of dissolution we are finally hearing news from the Voxtrot camp. Its been so long since the band issued its parting message to its fans that the band was breaking up. During their 7 years together only released only one album and a few EP's. Ramesh Srivastava, the former lead singer, is now releasing his own collection of songs on an EP titled EP1. Here is the link to Ramesh's own page and streaming of the EP.
Here is a classic Voxtrot track for you enjoyment. Gosh, I miss their sound!

re:nvention's Albums of 2010

2010-12-31T11:21:00.000-08:00

So 2010 comes to an end. It was a fantastic year for music once again. On a personal level, I discovered a lot of acts that I hadn’t given a chance but blew me away in the end. This list reflects that as half the artists were new to me this year.

10.Thank Me Later- Drake

Aubrey Drake Graham, native of Toronto had an amazing year rising to the forefront of the hip-hop scene. His first studio album Thank Me Later is impressive and why not, it has contributions by some of the biggest names in business like Kanye West, Jay Z, Timbaland, Lil Wayne. The album is cohesive as a whole but has standout tracks like Over and Show Me a Good Time.

9.Odd Blood- Yeasayer

The Brooklyn act that was known for its middle-eastern psychedelic pop incorporated much more pop to their second album. Odd Blood had heavier pop inclinations, this in part of due to the departure of their original drummer Luke Fasano who has a background in world music. Needless to say, the departure is captivating and seems like a middle grounds for the group. Yeasayer is gonna be big and leaves me wondering where they will go from here.

8. One Life Stand- Hot Chip

London, Electro-pop group Hot Chip released their 4^th full length album February 1^st, 2010 and with it their single One Life Stand. The album continued with their infectious electro-pop and unparalleled originality. Absolutely fantastic album!

7. Team Dream- Beach House

Teen Dream was Beach House’s coming out party. When I heard the single Norway, I reacted by listening to it on repeat for a full week. Finally when I downloaded the rest of their music, I was absolutely amazed. The aforementioned track is my most listened to track according to my itunes for 2010. For that and the rest of their fantastic second album it makes my list for 2010.

6. Swim- Caribou

Another artist I discovered for myself in year 2010. His first album since winning the Canadian Polaris Prize in 2008 for his album Andorra, Caribou or Dan Snaith, is a complete masterpiece of Electronica. Swim is like the beginnings, I hope, of a organic Canadian electronic scene. The album received critical acclaim across the board and has received recognition in almost every top 50’s list for 2010. I can’t disagree!

5. Contra- Vampire Weekend

I wasn’t a big fan of Vampire Weekend until I saw them at Sasquatch in May. They impressed me enough so that I gave their whole Contra album a chance. Its hard to describe how ahead of the curb these guys are. Their music is entirely original and is a true amalgamation of Caribbean, indie-pop and world music. He’s like a reincarnation of Paul Simon. That’s a good thing. They got it, and if you don’t believe just listen to the first track on Contra, Horchata.

4. Plastic Beach- Gorillaz

Damon Albarn is one half of the founding member of the super-collective that is now Gorillaz. From the early days when the band was only a band of animated characters, his side project has become one of the world’s most popular acts. Plastic Beach is the third and may be the last we hear from Gorillaz, as Damon Albarn has hinted at the dissolution of the group. Lets hope not for fuck sake!

3.This is Happening- LCD Soundsystem

Absolutely best concert I’ve seen in my life was LCD at Sasquatch. I knew these guys were something special when I became addicted to them about a year ago. This is Happening is full of tracks that get up in the range of 8 or 9 minutes and that totally take you in. Absolutely the best electro-dance album and my third favorite for 2010.

2. Age of Adz- Sufjan Stevens

Just when you thought Sufjan Stevens was going to become the crazy man that would create an album for each American state, he moves to Brooklyn, forgets his nationalism for the electronic music from which he started. Forge that with some hip-hop influences and you get a liberated Sufjan Stevens who creates nothing paralleled to it for 2010.

1. My Dark Twisted Fantasy- Kanye West

It seemed like the world spent 2010 just waiting for Kanye’s 5^th album. The single Power leaked in May to so much hype. Then came is Runaway performance in September and the release of his 35 minute film titled the same as the aforementioned Track. Kanye West’s empire is just continuing to grow. Finally, when the rough album leaked, it was like a veil being removed by something that one was awaiting for so long. This is by far my favorite album for the year, and by the looks of it, everyone elses. Cheers to Kanye, cheers to 2010.

Re:nvention- Barcerola/Sufjan Stevens, The National, Richard Perry

2010-12-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

Fresh from my exploration of Christmas music, I am gonna post this simple holiday song performed by some amazing musicians. Recorded a few years ago, Barcerola is performed by Sufjan Stevens with backings from Aaron and Bryce Dessner from The National and bass by Arcade Fire's Richie Perry. On top of that, they recorded Silent Night. Here's the link to the blog, Between Hipsters and God There is Sufjan Stevens, if you feel so inclined to listen to the whole EP.

Real Yuletime Tracks #25- Fairytale of New York/ The Pogues & Kristy McColl

2010-12-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Well, here is the final entry to Real Yuletime Tracks. Fairytale Of New York was released in 1987 with the help of Kristy MacColl and came off the album If I Should Fall From Grace with God. It has continually been regarded as the greatest Christmas song ever written. I can tell you its not bad! With that, hope you've enjoyed these songs as much as I have. I guess all I have to say is Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Real Yuletime Tracks #24- Merry Mutafuckin' X-mas- Easy E

2010-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Its the 24th. Hope you done all your shoppin'. This holiday just got started. Easy E said it best, "Merry Mutafuckin' X-mas!"

Real Yuletime Tracks #23- I Wish It Was Christmas Today/Julian Casablancas

2010-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Julian Casablancas is known more for leading garage rock revivalist's The Strokes for much of the early 2000's and more recently for his solo work Phrazes for the Young. Julian takes on an unusual song in I Wish It Was Christmas Today by none other than than the folks at NBC's Saturday Night Live. Here is the hilarious original for your pleasure , featuring Horatio Sanz, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan, and Tracy Morgan. Below is Julian's much slicker and 80's garage rock induced version, although definitely not as hilarious as the SNL original.

Real Yuletime Tracks #22- Christmas in Hollis/Run DMC

2010-12-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC was released in 1987 as a single and included to two Christmas compilations. Since then it has become hip hop's greatest Christmas success. If you don't believe me, watch this video made by players of NBA team, Denver Nuggets as a Christmas greeting to their fans. This is a Christmas standard by now so make sure to have it on your playlist Christmas eve!

Real Yuletime Tracks #21- All I Want for Christmas/Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2010-12-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Karen O and her band Yeah Yeah Yeahs are one of those bands that you can almost see making a full fledged attempt at a Christmas album. This New York band hasn't done that yet, but has given us a glimpse of what might be if they do so in the future. All I want for Christmas was released in December 2008 as a single and only a few months before their third full length album Its Blitz.

Real Yuletime Tracks #20- Christmas in Harlem/Kanye West

2010-12-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Harlem is titled off a play of Christmas in Hollis and represents Kanye West's first Christmas track to date. When asked why he chose to write about Christmas in Harlem, New York rather than his native Chicago, Kanye offers the explanation that he's representing all those that contributed to the track. This caps off an amazing year for Kanye who released his 5th album Dark Twisted Fantasy to critical acclaim this past November and debuted in top spot on Billboards. The youtube I included is the instrumental version but I have attached a link to a HYPEM version here. http://hypem.com/#!/item/1799n/Kanye+West+-+Christmas+In+Harlem+Feat+Cam+ron+Jim+Jones+CyHi+Da+Prynce+Pusha+T+Big+Sean+Teyana+Taylor+Musiq+Soulchild+

Real Yuletime Tracks #19- Jack Frost/Ras Kass

2010-12-19T15:27:00.000-08:00

The controversial rapper Ras Kass has always enjoyed doing things on his own terms. From how his music should be distributed, to his innovative marketing strategies he is using for his album titled ADIDAS. Even when it comes to Christmas music, there is one way Ras will have it. It has to be real with no BS about it. He spins Jack Frost, with a ghostly Nat King Cole singing in the backdrop, as a reasoned rant against the tradition of Christmas.

Real Yuletime Tracks #18- Christmas Night of Zombies- MxPx

2010-12-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

Bremerton, Washington outfit MxPx have been on the punk scene since 1992. Christmas Night of Zombies was their contribution to A Santa Cause: It's A Punk Rock Christmas released on the label Immortal Records in November 2003 with proceeds going to AIDs Charities. This track just makes me wanna shoot some zombies, play in the snow and re-watch season 1 or The Walking Dead all at once.

Real Yuletime Tracks #17- Its Christmas Time- Yo La Tengo

2010-12-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

Long time Matador band Yo La Tengo have embraced the holiday season kindly ever since their humble beginnings in New Jersey. Every year during Hanukkah they put on a string of shows in their aforementioned hometown, with the help of dozens of other musicians and all the earnings proceed to different charities. I couldn't imagine a better way to contribute to benefit different causes then to play some holiday shows. Its Christmas Time comes from their 2002 EP Merry Christmas from Yo La Tengo and all three songs are covers. Its Christmas Time is a cover from doo wop Quartet including Sun Ra and Alton Abraham and was released under the band name The Qualities( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os3tQ8eXagA). Below
is Yo La Tengo's version.

Real Yuletime Tracks #16- Christmas at the Zoo- The Flaming Lips

2010-12-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas at the Zoo comes off the 7th Flaming Lips album Clouds Taste Metallic (1995). The tune is the first real Flaming Lips song I have given multiple listens and it has grown on me like a scab that I like to scratch. In fact, now I'm listening to that entire aforementioned album and can't believe how good it is. Described as a band that makes sci-fi space rock, The Flaming Lips achieve to create a totally awesome Christmas song that is fantastically weird but entirely catchy. Now, if they only played this repeatedly in department stores, maybe I'd give Christmas shopping another chance!

Real Yuletime Tracks #15- Star of Wonder/None Shall Pass//Sufjan Stevens/Tor

2010-12-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

Star of Wonder is originally off Sufjan Stevens's Songs for Christmas 5-disc collection and was remixed by Montreal based producer Tor to include Aesop's Rock's None Shall Pass. Both these songs are amazing on their own and blend well together. This shows Tor's competence and ear for blending music that is so entirely different in style and feel. On the merit that Star of Wonder is a Christmas tune, Star of Wonder/None Shall Pass finds its place Real Yuletime Tracks.

Real Yuletime Tracks #14- X-mas Time is Here- My Morning Jacket

2010-12-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

My Morning Jacket does X-mas Fiasco Style was released in Fall 2000 as an EP. The band from Louisville, Kentucky accomplished what almost every alternative band have failed to do- create a good Christmas record. All five of the tracks are perfectly suited to My Morning Jacket's sound, including a cover of Nick Cave's New Morning and Elvis Presley's Santa Claus is Back in Town.

Real Yuletime Tracks #13- Christmas Wrapping/The Waitresses

2010-12-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

Pure and simply a great Yuletime Track. Listen to it now, listen to it often.

of Shame, The Return

2010-12-13T03:45:00.000-08:00

BITE INTO HISTORYY

EASTVAN

No Teeth

Real Yuletime Tracks #12- Christmas (Please Come Home)/ Death Cab for Cutie

2010-12-12T15:08:00.000-08:00

I'm not a fab of Death Cab for Cutie but I must admit this is the best version of Christmas (Please Come Home) that has ever been released. Ben Gibbard's voice and style really makes it sound like a different song altogether. So here it is!

Real Yuletime Tracks #11- Ludachristmas/ Ludacris

2010-12-11T13:29:00.000-08:00

Such a time like the holiday season needs yuletime tunes that can get festivities going. This track by Ludacris does that with jingle bells and a phat beat. Look out, "here comes santa clause!"

Real Yuletime Tracks #10- Just Like Christmas/Low

2010-12-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

So every once in a while a band loves their fans so much that they make an album personally for them. In the case of fans of Duluth, Minnesota band Low, it happened to be a Christmas album. The fact that it was a fan favorite from then is just yuletide icing on top.

Real Yuletime Tracks #9- Yuletide Throw Down/ Blondie & Fab Five Freddie

2010-12-09T08:24:00.000-08:00

In 1982, Blondie and Fab Five Freddie re-recorded their hit Rapture, the first song to hit #1 on US Billboard charts that included rap, as a Christmas song and titled it Yuletide Throw Down. Just as the original recording, the yuletide version shows how well these artists collaborated and complimented each others style. Check it out!

Real Yuletime Tracks #8- White Winter Hymnal/ Fleet Foxes

2010-12-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

Fleet Foxes is an outfit from Seattle that topped most of the alternative charts in 2008 with their debut self-titled album. White Winter Hymnal is the introductory track on the album and is the first Fleet Foxes song I heard, I knew then that I had come across a special band. When I saw them play that Fall I was completely blown away. This isn't a Christmas song but is full of Yuletide imagery and just as timeless. No doubt it will be sung many years from now during this season.

Real Yultetime Tracks #7- Christmas Rappin'- Kurtis Blow

2010-12-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

Kurtis Blow Christmas Rappin’has been ma christmas jam since 1979! I know that sounds impossible since I was born in 85’, but tell that to Keanu Reeves and he'll pop a red pill in your face! I was pretty much born saying these wise words:
Throw your hands in the air, and wave ‘em like you just don’t care! Young ladies shock the house, rock the house!

Real Yuletime Tracks #6- Don't Shoot Me Santa- The Killers

2010-12-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas based band released this single during Christmas season of 2007. It was made to raise money for AIDS charities. As is the case with almost every Killers music video, it takes place in some dessert. This Santa is a bit crazy! We always knew he was a bit creepy, climbing down our chimneys like that.

Real Yuletime Tracks #5- Listen, the Snow is Falling/ Galaxie 500

2010-12-05T12:40:00.000-08:00

Galaxie 500 formed in the mid-80's by a few Harvard students, Dean Wareham, Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang. They recorded three albums but split in 1991. Their sound was described as atmospheric slow-core. Listen, the Snow is Falling is the 6th track off their last album This is Our Music (1990) and is originally written by none other than Yoko Ono. Here is the song performed recently by Dean Wareham @ Seattle's The Crocodile. It's completely a winter hymn and worthy of being Yuletime Track #5.

Real Yuletime Tracks #4- Just Like Christmas/ Snoop Dog, Lil 1/2 Dead, Twins

2010-12-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

So would you believe me if I told you Snoop Dog made a Christmas album? You would have to because its legit. He did with the help of many different contributors like tha Dogg Pound, Soopafly, Bad Lucc, Damani, J. Black and it was released in December of 2008 titled Snoop Dog Presents Christmas in the Dogg House. Just Like Christmas is the 10th track and overall the album holds its own and highly recommended for your Christmas gatherings. Remember to visit my Youtube Channel to see previous Yuletime Tracks! http://www.youtube.com/user/Megadvd14?feature=mhum

Real Yuletime Tracks #3- Put The Lights On The Tree- Sufjan Stevens

2010-12-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

Sufjan Stevens has been creating Christmas music since the beginning of his career. This is mainly because of his Christian faith. Many of the recordings were intended to be gifts to those only in his circle of friends and family, but in 2006 he decided to release all of his Christmas EPs together in Songs For Christmas. This box set includes 5 CD's, Five Christmas stickers, extensive liner notes and short stories by Sufjan Stevens and many more tidbits. Its totally worth the price and available on the Asthmatic Kitty Records website (http://asthmatickitty.com/songs-for-christmas). Also it includes the animated music video below. Also, this man is my hero!!

Real Yuletime Tracks #2- The First Song/Band of Horses

2010-12-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Here is the second song of Real Yuletime Tracks. The First Song is off Band of Horses' Everything All The Time (2006). This Seattle band just does its thing, rock, soaring and completely epic.

Real Yuletime Tracks #1- Christmas Reindeer

2010-12-01T08:39:00.000-08:00

To start I thought I'd include pretty much my favorite sibling duo in the world. I can't believe siblings can make such amazing together. The Knife are from Sweden and are comprised of Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer, the former taking care of vocals and the latter responsible for the hypnosis that comes along with listening to The Knife. Reindeer was originally not a Christmas song but it is about our Santa and about a reindeer. It was thus remixed later to include bells, shortened and renamed Christmas Reindeer.

Real Yuletime Tracks

2010-11-30T11:27:00.000-08:00

So the Holiday season starts tomorrow. We welcome the holiday season with an awkward smirk and red runny nose. The fall seemed too short and time for celebration and grief is upon us. We all know the traditional collection, repertoire of yuletide songs and that they give us headaches and nosebleeds. We have all been there- rather than spread world peace, they make you want to kill strangers. With that in mind, I propose to spread cheer and share good music. These are Real Yuletide Tracks. I will blog a new song each day starting December 1st and continue until December 25th. I will include them in my blog and also have a playlist on Youtube that will grow each day with the song of that day. So let us gather 'round the Yule log and drink some rum-nog.

Summer Dusk 2010

2010-09-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

So with the end of Summer 2010, we greet the falling leaves and grey skies and pay a solemn farewell to those Summer days at the beach, the biking and the festivals we love so much. Here are five songs that will remind me of this past summer, and a few honorable mentions. Simply click on them to hear them on youtube.

Animal- Miike Snow
I know, this is from spring... but to be fair its such a good song, its endured for two seasons and I still havn't heard enough of it. Its also a song that everyone can relate to.

Yes- LMFAO
EVERYDAY I SEE MY DREAM EVERYDAY I SEE MY DREAM...what more can I say?

Pursuit of Happiness- KID CUDI
The centerpiece for so many of those summer parties. I loved singing along to this song with people I love. From the bottom of my heart. Thank You Mr. CUDI.

Home- LCD Soundsystem
Can't speak highly enough of this band. I loved them the first time I heard them. Saw them at Sasquatch which was memorable for more than a few reasons...anyways...this is my favorite track from This Is Happening. We may never see these guys again as they have suggested they would break up after their third album. My hope is that they'll just continue making amazing music.

Odessa- Caribou
The Ontario native who became an overnight sensation electronic artist blew my mind with this track and so many others on his newest album. I missed caribou at Sasquatch because I was too hungover to get to the mainstage but I'll be seeing him soon enough. October 3rd!!!

And here are a few more I'd like mention

O.N.E- Yeasayer
One of my favorite bands released an album this year and although it was quite different than their first album, this song was just perfect along with another track Ambling Alp. Everytime it came on at house parties I would easily loose my shit.

Sweepstakes- Gorillaz
Simply my favorite song on their Plastic Beach album. Can't wait to see them in November.

Home- Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros: This song blew my mind when I first heard it. I saw this group twice this summer and the highlight of both shows was singing my heart out to this song.

Scoop(2006)

2010-04-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

Written and directed by Woody Allen, Scoop is a quirky story that surrounds the mystery of the Tarot Card Killer. Woody Allen's character, Sid Waterman aka. Splendini becomes involved with a budding journalist, Sondra Pranski, played by Scarlett Johansson, after she recieves a scoop about the true identity of the Tarot Card Killer from a source beyond the grave. Sid then poses as her father to help her solve the mystery. Sondra sets out to investigate the named suspect, Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman). This aristocrat woos her and it becomes a matter love and death. This Woody Allen flick is only the second one I've seen and the magic of the movie is Woody's performance as Splendini, a most "sincere" magician who flatters his audiences. Woody and Scarlett play well off each other on screen and the it fits right in with the irreverence of the film. For those of you who want me to give it a rating, I most justly give you a number pulled from a hat: 4

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

2009-10-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

When the news of Heath Ledger's death shake the actor's community last year, all eyes were fixed were on his performance as the Joker in the Dark Knight installation of Batman. He went on to win the Oscar for his late performance. Heath was also in the middle of another film being filmed in both London and Vancouver, Canada. The final product is The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam.

The story involves a 1000 year old monk (Christopher Plummer), his daughter and his traveling troupe sideshow players, Percy (Troyer Verne) and Anton (Andrew Garfield). The shows greatest attraction is his imaginarium, a mirror which subjects pass through and are taken to the depths of their imaginations. Doctor Parnassus is also a man of ill fortune when it comes to gambling with the devil and foe, Mr. Nick (Tom Waites), even losing his immortality and gambling away his daughter Valentina(Lily Cole) who becomes Mr. Nick's possession once she turns 16.

The narrative starts three days before the dreaded 16^th birthday of Valentina's, at which point Mr. Nick makes one last wager, giving Dr. Parnassus one last chance to retain his daughter if he is able to beat Mr. Nick to an alloted amount of disciples. After, the troupe comes across a mysterious man hanging, they save him and load him into the back of their traveling stage. This man, played partly by Heath Ledger and subsequently by Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrel following Ledger's death, wakes up with no idea who he is, joins the troupe in gratitude for their benevolence and gains the name, Tony.

Much of the tension rides from Tony's arrival, of which Heath Ledger gives a colorful performance. Tony gains Valentina's affection simultaneously as he is irritating Anton, who has had a long time romantic interest in her. This classic romantic triangle plays a part in the momentum of the story but the real obstacle is retaining Valentina from the hands of Mr. Nick with only three days before her 16^th birthday. What results is a fantastical ride into the imagination of all involved as they try to win the wager proposed with Mr. Nick.

Using his magic mirror, Doctor Parnassus is able to take his subjects into the depths of their unfathomable and often dark imaginations. As fantastical as the imaginations of the subjects are, they are subjected to real decision making. The story is a moral fantasy, in which there is a battle between the good and the horror. The story is not dark and cynical but describes how the decision's we make manifest often in dreams and can ultimately create our destiny.

The lasting image of this movie will be Heath Ledger and his peers in Hollywood in their performance as Tony. His death stopped production and funding, but ultimately the movie went forward and with the fine acting of others. What results is one of the most arresting portrayal of a character that has been scene in film in years.

4.5/5

Surrogates

2009-09-26T02:04:00.000-07:00

Surrogates
In the not too distant future, injury and murder rates are non-existent. Human-like Synthetic surrogates perform everyday work and interactions while their owners control them remotely from the safety of their homes. When the homicide of a surrogate also fatally kills its remote owner for the first time in history, Agent Greer, played by Bruce Willis, determines to solve the crime. After his surrogate is destroyed in pursuit of the killer he is forced to continue his investigation without his synthetic persona. When he learns of the truth behind the murder and the weapon used, he finds himself caught between a hidden power struggle that leads him to face a decision that will determine the future of humanity.
Surrogates is yet another sci-fi graphic novel adapted to the big screen, and whereas other adaptations have had great translation on to the big screen, Surrogates lacks in its overall delivery. Despite being a Hollywood production with big stars and an even larger budget, it coincidentally leaves you wondering if they used the robots to write the script. Although, it has a promising start and abundant action sequences, it fails to focus on importance of the plot, preferring to unnecessarily emphasize Bruce Willis' crippled marriage, rather than focus on communicating its complex plot twists. In turn, the delivery of the story seems unfocused and hurried at times and relies more on its Hollywood action sequences to keep audiences engaged.
2/5

Muse- The Resistance

2009-09-18T00:46:00.000-07:00

Muse- The Resistance

There is something behind Muse of late. They are mostly known as a rock band with progressive, soaring cacophonies and symphonic influences but now Muse is showing us a new side. Black Holes and Revelations showed us a Muse that wasn't afraid to show us its pop inclinations with songs like Starlight and Supermassive Black Hole, and The Resistance continues on the same path.

Uprising starts things off driving and pulsating, at one point relying on the intonations of soccer hooligans at the local pitch to provide sonic punctuation. The title track Resistance follows with masterfully competent piano, synth and suffocating bass progressing in the Muse tradition before fading out. The album moves better than previous Muse offerings, combining both Muse's brand of new prog with a stronger glam rock influence in United States of Eurasia, Unnatural Selection, MK Ultra. A heavy Queen influence is obvious, especially on The Resistance. Matt Bellamy's vocal overdubs are clearly the “royal property” of Freddie Mercury and Queen's glam rock tradition is blazingly apparent in much of the rest of The Resistance's anthems.

Another evident influence for this album is George Orwell's novel 1984. Matt Bellamy has expressed his cynicism towards western democracy and its methods of manipulation in the past, even once suggesting the probable involvement of the U.S government in the attacks of 9/11. On this album his tendency towards conspiracy theories and a paranoia of government intelligence is clear on songs like MK Ultra, United States of Eurasia, Resistance, and Uprising. Here he uses Orwellian language and uses the opportunity to portray the western establishment as a big brother, using its power to blind citizens towards its own totalitarianism. What this implies about the American's continued “war on Terrorism” is straightforward.

As if the album wasn't heavy and dramatic enough on its own, its finale is made up of a three part symphony highlighting the Muse sound. Titled Exogenesis, it rightly feels like something created outside of our world. The overture is absolutely stunning and Bellamy's falsetto marvelously appropriate here. The second movement begins with Bellamy's piano and a backing of angelic voices which rises as Bellamy paints the ascension of a savior leaving behind a perishing, post-apocalyptic earth, and the third part builds with a similar structure before rising to grandiose levels halfway through. What sticks out most is the cosmic enormity of the rock symphony and the affective lyrics that Bellamy renders with his gifted pipes. Ultimately, The Resistance is a success in its sonic audacity and its dystopic imagery.

8.3/10