The Tobolowsky Files

My buddy Brett has provided a greatest hits list of one of my favorite podcasts - The Tobolowsky Files.

Here is the link:
http://brettwendle.blogspot.com/2011/09/tobolowsky-files-beginners-guide.html

He's listened to more of them than I have, but I would add this one to the list as well:
The Metamorphic Man

My Favorite Part of the Morning: Anderson Cooper - Gerard Depardieu

PopWatch's Summer Movie Body Count

I stumbled across this last week and thought it was amusing.  Mostly, because I find people who write sentences like this one amusing: "Hollywood is currently in the grip of a horrific PG-13 pandemic, which means many of the deaths that occur onscreen will be bloodless non-human deaths. This is because the MPAA doesn’t think a twelve-year-old should see a human being get comically decapitated, but they have no problem with showing the same twelve-year-old an image of Thor’s hammer slicing a Frost Giant in half. Hooray for ambiguously legislated morality!"

Here is their count.
Week 1: 88
Week 2: 155
Week 3: 187
Week 4: 191
Week 5: 264
Week 6: 269
Week 7: 299
Week 8: 308
Week 9: 386
Week 10: 388
Week 11: 566
(There are rules to their count, in case you are interested: http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/05/06/summer-movie-body-count/#more-137630)

There are many things that feel not-right about 1) the article(s) at Popwatch, 2) the amount of people we see killed on screen, and 3) how little we seem to notice it.  In regard to PG-13 movies, I think that they are frequently worse than R rated movies...probably more often than what we might think.  I wonder if the typical PG-13 movie maker falls into the category of Hollywood sell-out, let's-make-alot-of-money more often than the R-rated, there's-an-intended-message-here movie maker?  That (possibly unhelpful) question assumes that the better movie is usually the one trying to express something constructive than the one trying to provide a give-em-what-they-want buzz.

Here's their week by week list - http://popwatch.ew.com/category/misc/summer-movie-body-count/

Atlantic: What I Read

I found this Atlantic Wire series about 'media intake / what-people-are-reading' very interesting:

Here's the mothership: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/posts/media-diet/

And, a few to start with:
Neetzan Zimmerman
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2010/06/neetzan-zimmerman-what-i-read/19575/

Malcolm Gladwell
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/business/2011/04/malcolm-gladwell-what-i-read/37077/

Maria Popova
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/business/2011/07/maria-popova-what-i-read/39328/

Terry McMillan
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2010/04/terry-mcmillan-what-i-read/19999/

King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine

I was exploring NPR's "25 Favorite Albums of 2011 (So Far)" last week and came across King Creosote & Jon Hopkins' Diamond Mine. It's worth checking out.

I can't describe the album any better than Mr. Bob Boilen, so here you go...

Diamond Mine does what audio does best: It takes listeners far from the here and now. This labor of love, seven years in the making, opens on a cafe terrace in a Scottish town. It's a few minutes before these soundcapes give way to the unique quiver of King Creosote and the scope of this collaboration becomes clear. This is storytelling through sounds and with song. King Creosote (Kenny Anderson) and Jon Hopkins describe this unusual record as the "soundtrack to a romanticized version of a life lived in a Scottish coastal village." This is a record for your late night, or for your quiet Sunday; put it on when you when you need calm, and be grateful that in a world full of speed, King Creosote and Jon Hopkins stopped and took their time. (Bob Boilen)

Some other thoughts on the album:

• More from Bob Boilen
• Folk Radio UK 

Currently Prophetic: "Feathers, Rain, and Cash"

The fine folks at the newly birthed podcast "Currently Prophetic", two episodes in, are already scraping the bottom of the barrel...as yours truly is represented with a song in the most recent episode.

http://currentlyprophetic.com

Shawn Mullins.  Johnny Cash.  Listen with respect...

The Ghost Of Johnny Cash

Together At the Creek

I thought this video turned out well enough to be share-able...



Thanks, Mr. M Dot Ward, for the music: Duet For Guitars #3

Clarence Clemons

This is as close as I ever came to Clarence Clemons.  One of the many things that was memorable about this show was being close enough to notice the tears running down Clarence's face as Bruce sang about 9/11.  The guy seemed to be everything he was advertised to be.  

Recommended Podcasts 1 - Cyber Dating & Second Life

Here are a couple podcasts I enjoyed over the last two weeks. They have a common thread which (I think) has to do with wanting to be heard, wanting to be cared about, and wanting to be unique/special.

Talking to Machines - Radiolab

http://www.radiolab.org/2011/may/31

Life 2.0 - NPR: On the Media

http://www.onthemedia.org/episodes/2011/06/10/segments/159314

New Bon Iver album - Streaming at NPR

I've listened to the new Bon Iver album a few times over the last week. It comes out on June 21st, but you can stream it on the NPR website. The voice blends so perfectly into mood of the music that it's basically an instrumental album in my mind. I find it soothing, relaxing, and full of other adjectives that you'd find on the various lotions my wife displays around the house.

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/09/136855313/first-listen-bon-iver-bon-iver

Helvetica vs. the World

The documentary Helvetica is about the typeface (a.k.a. font). I think it's also about culture, design, art, sticking it to the man, marketing, and social networking. I hope to watch it again sometime.

Favorite Song of the Week 5: "Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" by My Morning Jacket

"Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" by My Morning Jacket...off the new album 'Circuital'...which is excellent. And, of which you can get a free download of not-my-favorite song at their website. Go to www.mymorningjacket.com/circuital

(As of 6/3, Circuital is $5 at Amazon)

In regards to Wonderful, I picture a guy who has been a little beat up by life coming to a nice peaceful patch of time. And, he's not taking anything for granted. In fact, as the backdrop of where he's been lingers in his mind...maybe he's a little surprised, or maybe he's too exhausted from the ride to have anything but an honest appreciation of his current situation. Listen. Your life will never be the same.

Danger Mouse - Rome

The album that I haven't been able to get enough of this week is Danger Mouse's Rome. Rome is like listening to a familiar melody (Sketches of Spain) or watching a familiar movie (a spaghetti western). It's a nice feeling.

- Coming soon...U2 and Danger Mouse

Two articles: 1) Eddie Vedder, 2) Reformed Pastor on Super-heros

Two articles I enjoyed today...

1. Here's an NPR article on the new Eddie Vedder ukulele album coming out.
   http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2011/05/26/136625347/eddie-vedder-giving-a-modest-instrument-a-turn-in-the-spotlight
   
   
2. And, here's another one from a pastor in the Grand Cayman Islands about why the recent comic book movies are no good. I think he's on to something:
   http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2011/05/31/fallen-super-heroes
   
   "...honestly, I’d have to say they’ve all thus far been colossal flops (I haven’t seen Captain America yet).
   
   There’s one reason really. All the heroes are essentially adolescent, irresponsible, and immoral. There’s no “hero” in them. They barely manage to be courageous, and out of costume most are essentially over-sexed mysogynists.
   
   I realize that good literature refuses to keep everything nice and tidy, good kept to one side and evil to the other. In great literature, tragic realities and horrific pasts give sometimes dark motivations to the noble hero. And occasionally, even the villain has a streak of good running through them.
   
   But to a one, these films have all disappointed me in their failure to depict any significant virtue."
   

Best albums of 2011 - so far

I offer you a break from the surprisingly consistent 'favorite song of the week' posts. This week I'm imposing on you - 'favorite albums of the year - so far'. (Somehow this blog has turned into a 'favorites' blog...the music-only blog...and, the sell-out/overly-linked-to-Amazon blog. Things could be worse.)

Tier One of Favorites

1. The Decemberists: The King is Dead - Easily my favorite album of the year. "Easily" means you might want to spend your hard earned money on it.


2. The Head and the Heart: The Head and the Heart - This album came out last year. I'm breaking the 2011-only rules. I'm ready for the chaos. This has been the most highly played album in the our home over the last month (of course, it's hard to say how much Muse my wife listens to when I'm gone, ignorance is bliss).


3. Paul Simon: So Beautiful or So What - I've listened to this one 5 or 6 times and have highly enjoyed it each time. He's clever. He's telling nerdy, Paul Simon, lyrical jokes...and, he's processing life through stories. That's a hard combination to beat. ($5 is added bonus - 5/28)


4. Wanda Jackson: The Party Ain't Over - This is a honky-tonk, rockabilly, horn-filled house-party in the Caribbean. I think Loretta Lynn is jealous (Jack White produced an album for both of them...this one is better, in my opinion).

Tier Two


5. Brett Dennen: Loverboy - I can't stop listening to Sydney (I'll Come Running)...it has a catchy melody and a cougar reference. What else do you need? It's one of many good songs, though.


6. Shawn Mullins: Light You Up - The Ghost of Johnny Cash...you can't beat this creepy, awesome song about Shawn and the man in black. For what it's worth, I think Shawn Mullins is a great song writer...his down-side is that his albums can feel more like a bunch of songs thrown together than a cohesive album. This album feels that way.


7. Peter Bjorn and John: Gimme Some - It's a good album, and yet...missing something. I would give it one thumbs up, instead of the three that it arrogantly gives to itself.


8. Bob Dylan: Brandeis University 1963 - Masters of War is the stand out song to me. I like the show as Dylan history...it's 'interesting'. ...Not my favorite assembly of 7 Dylan songs, though. ($5 - 5/28)

Eight albums is all you get...let me know what I should add to the list...

Favorite Song of the Week 4: "Dust Bowl Dance" by Mumford and Sons

Favorite Song of the Week = Dust Bowl Dance

Apparently I hadn't listened to Mumford's lyrics close enough on this one. Inspired by the Currently Prophetic podcast, I gave it a closer listen. This time it came through my earphones as a song about the repercussions of misplaced trust...which rejuvenated its lifespan on my MP3 player.

"I placed all my trust at the foot of...this hill." When your trust ends up in the wrong spot, you end up feeling alienated, hateful, spiteful, angry at whatever let you down. I guess it's good to make sure your trust is at the foot of something stable.

(I thought this make-shift way of sharing the song would be preferable to making you watch a YouTube video.)

- For those interested, the runner-up this week was Everybody Needs Love by The Drive-By Truckers. A nice little ditty about how everybody needs love.

Seeking Discomfort?

This blog post is good.

http://sashadichter.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/tune-in-for-mindless-affirmation/

Favorite Song of the Week 3: "Lost In My Mind" by The Head and the Heart

Favorite Song of the Week - Lost In My Mind.



Other stuff:
- The Head and the Heart. In my mind, they are good...good like Mumford & Sons - 2010. You can download two of their songs for free on their website. The price is likely cheaper than anything at the Mumford & Sons website.
- If I ever need a music video made I will find Christian Sorensen Hansen and ask him to do it. Here is his website: http://www.internationalfilingsystems.com/
- 50% of the music I listen to was discovered at http://www.fuelfriendsblog.com/. This is no exception.
- Runner up for Favorite Song = My Maria by B.W. Stevenson. A long-lost love song from the 70s.

Favorite Song of the Week - "June Hymn" by The Decemberists

Favorite song of the week = "June Hymn" by The Decemberists

It's a good song for Spring & (bonus) it uses the word panoply. If you like the Spring and panoplies, you are in for a real treat this week.

Other items of interest:

- Runner up favorite of the week "Devil's In The Jukebox" - Ray LeMontagne.

- All time favorite song with a bonnet reference - Return Of The Grievous Angel's "calico bonnet" (June Hymn references yellow bonnets)

- Number of words in favorite song of the week I needed to look up in the dictionary: 5-10

Favorite Song of the Week: The Tallest Man on Earth - King of Spain

New feature on my blog. You get my favorite song of the week.

If the new feature would have been in affect last week you would have been graced with "Sydney (I'll Come Running)" - Brett Dennen.

Odds of this lasting more than 3 consecutive weeks 1:8.

Enjoy...



"...an ode to the transformative powers of love..." - Stephen M. Deusner

The Johnny Cash Project

Click on this link, then another link, wait a long time for the video to load - and you will be happy.

http://www.thejohnnycashproject.com/

10 Favorite Albums of 2010

1. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

I'd be very embarrassed if you knew how many times I listened to the first half of this album this year. "Sigh No More" wins the favorite song of the year award. Mumford is getting bigger. Someday they may rule the world.

2. The Black Keys - Brothers

Blues, rock, brotherhood, coolness...all of my favorite things triple-coated through the whole album. It will make you happy while you listen to it.

3. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

I feel as though I was able to enjoy this album more now that my address has Milwaukee in it. I can now credibly pity the poor folks in the 'burbs, so do the Arcade Fire (...I think, I'm still not sure I follow the whole storyline of this album).

4. The National - High Violet

A little dark/depressing...but, repeated listens shot this album way up the list. ("Sorrow found me when I was young / Sorrow waited, Sorrow won". ...It sounds better than it reads.)

5. Josh Ritter - So Runs the World Away

Probably the coolest song of the year is "The Curse"...you should listen to it.

6. Neil Young - Le Noise

The whole album has a good dose of awesomeness, but I especially like the first half...it is noisier.

7. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

Also worth checking out is the EP she did with Mumford & Sons in India.

8. Ray Lamontagne - God Willing' & the Creek Don't Rise

No one does sad and depressing much better than Ray...someday I will figure out how to say his last name.

9. Matt Pond PA - The Dark Leaves

Best song = "Remains".

10. Mavis Staple - You Are Not Alone

Staples Singers...Produced by Jeff Tweedy...it had to be on the list, I even listened to it a couple times.

I like you. Thanks for reading my list.