I keep missing these Internet memes by weeks, months, even years:
I dare you not to laugh, and I double dare you not to have the song stuck in your head all day.
We can't omit the equally (if not more) powerful remix/sequel:
I dare you not to laugh more at this one, especially the "zap" part!
If you didn't play the above videos, the first one is the evidently Roman Catholic rock band Sonseed's "Jesus Is My Friend," and the second is the modified "Reefer Is My Friend." Of course everyone already knew that before me.
We are releasing virtually all of the music I wrote/arranged and produced for Élan Vital via our podcast at mutuni.com - about three songs every Monday until November 10. To prevent the plot of the film from being spoiled, we're releasing the soundtrack in alphabetical order (more or less).
The entire soundtrack will be released again, in its proper order, around the beginning of next year. Stayed tuned to Mutiny Universe for more information.
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the release of what I think is the finest Pearl Jam album to date - Yield. To me, it represents a culmination of the whole "grunge" phase of the band - from the out-of-the-gate commercial successes of Ten / Vs. / Vitalogy to the shedding of fair-weather fans (who moved on to the next MTV trend of the '90s) with No Code. Yield marks the beginning of the an era of sum-of-its-parts synergy from the band. Instead of being merely Stone's album (with Ed's lyrics) or Ed's album with some collaborations, each band member contributed to album with their own songs, in their personal style:
"Brain of J.," "Faithfull," and "Given to Fly" are Mike McCready's wailing rockers. Stone Gossard's penchant for groove and rhythms butting against each other are evident in "No Way," "Do the Evolution," "In Hiding," and "All Those Yesterdays." Jeff Ament contributes yet another melancholy song in "Low Light," and the emotional residue thereof is also glimpsed in the rocker "Pilate" and the spoken-word groover "Push Me, Pull Me." Of course, Eddie Vedder lent a hand in several of the aforementioned tracks, as well as penning some minimalist rock 'n roll with "Wishlist" and "M.F.C."
Not to be left out, then-drummer Jack Irons wrote a transitional track - the one labeled with a red dot - and in future albums, current drummer Matt Cameron has had several songwriting contributions.
Pearl Jam has since left their previous record label Epic (Sony BMG) in favor of a quasi-a-la-carte distribution deal with J Records (another Sony BMG label) and other media outlets (like Rhino/WEA), so consumers will probably be spared from some sort of special anniversary repackaging of the album with a bunch of bonus material or whatever record companies do these days to siphon money from people. It's something neither the band nor its fan base probably will tolerate, in any case. However, if you want to celebrate the album Yield with auxiliary material, the band released such material throughout the calendar year 1998:
1. In August of '98, the band released a making-of-Yield documentary film called Single Video Theory. 2. In November of '98, the band released a Yield Tour compilation called Live on Two Legs, which features the band in another transition, with former Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron keeping the beat.
So here's to my favorite album by one of my favorite bands. If you follow the syllogism, then Yield would have to be on my list of favorite albums.
Last Sunday's episode of The Simpsons totally rocked. While there have been issues about series continuity, everyone needs to realize that the children (at the very least) haven't aged in 18+ years...I mean, how many last day of school episodes for the same school year did they produce? Exactly. So roll with it, identify with the parody, and laugh. A lot. And possibly cringe. A little.
Here's a selection of songs by Homer Simpson's grunge band Sadgasm (check 'em out while they are still on Hulu):
"Politically Incorrect" sounds like Nirvana's "Lithium" with a bit of "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle."
"Save Me" is reminiscent of an L7 song and Nirvana's "Rape Me." Stick around a few minutes after the song for Weird Al's parody-of-a-parody "Brain Freeze."
Homer goes post-grunge - or as Spin magazine once called it, scrunge - with "Margerine," which is obviously is a reference to the Bush song "Glycerine" (ah, most of the '90s, when Bush meant the band Bush).
And for context, here's the entire episode, entitled "That '90s Show":
I was extremely disappointed to see the Academy Award nominations today, when it came to music nominations. Neither Radiohead guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood's score for There Will Be Blood nor any part of Eddie Vedder's Golden Globe-winning Into the Wild soundtrack were nominated for an Oscar. Apparently, according to Rolling Stone magazine:
"On the music front, Jonny Greenwood’s score for There Will Be Blood was disqualified from the competition despite already picking up a Critic’s Choice Award and getting nominated for a British Academy Award. Eddie Vedder’s omission is confusing, as his “Guaranteed” from Into the Wild seemed to be a shoe-in for Oscar love after winning a Golden Globe."
(By the way, I first received news of the nomination list from Rama's SCREEN, run by someone I knew from high school but have gotten to know better through blogging. There's a lot of great, late-breaking movie news at Rama's SCREEN.)
Anyway, check out the trailer for There Will Be Blood, with bits and pieces from Greenwood's score:
And if want to hear some more Greenwood ASAP, your best bet is to download the album through Amazon.com's DRM-free MP3 service: There Will Be Blood.
Eddie Vedder's "Guaranteed" won the Golden Globe for Best Song, but Vedder's work has been snubbed in favor of not one, not two, but three songs from Enchanted. At least Cate Blanchett's two nods come from two different movies (the Elizabeth sequel and I'm Not There). Anyhow, check out the music video for "Guaranteed":
The quickest way to hear the rest of Vedder's soundtrack is to download it through DRM-filled iTunes, as the album hasn't made it to DRM-free iTunes Plus or DRM-free Amazon.com MP3 yet: [Deluxe Version] |
Before I try to provide some analysis to my lamentations, let me just quote what I wrote in the comments of the Rama's SCREEN Oscar Nomination entry: "It’s a bit reassuring (in a masochistic way) that these 1990s alt-rock heroes are still underrated by the mainstream…the establishment. The spirit of D.I.Y. ethos and not selling out lives on, I guess…"
The moral of the story is that the establishment doesn't have to recognize fantastic artists, as it often doesn't. And so what if the mainstream often rewards things that are more popular and less timeless? It's a cliché, but it happens all the time. It shouldn't - and doesn't - stop some really wonderful, timeless work from being produced, regardless of acclaim.
If it's any consolation, not having a Golden Globes ceremony and not being nominated for the currently green-lit Oscar show actually saves Vedder the trouble of being part of a potentially awkward situation. The only thing left is this year's Grammy Awards, in which Vedder is nominated and could win and could say something like twelve years ago:
Other than spinning the fine music heard at Radio@MU, I haven't consumed much music in 2007. Early in the year, I cut demos to some of the Elan Vital soundtrack. In the middle of the year, my band The Society of Gloves recorded a couple of tracks. At the end of the year, and continuing to this day, I've been tracking music for the Elan Vital score. Instead of listening to new music, I've produced music and grooved to a bunch of classics released in previous years.
Anyhow, here's a sadly brief (but great-sounding!) list of three good songs released last year. They're not necessarily my top favorites from 2007, but each song comes from some of the new albums I spent a great deal of time to listen last year:
1. Radiohead "Reckoner" | Amazon.com MP3 BAD. ASS. You can't get anymore badass in 2007 than Radiohead's In Rainbows and the way it was initially for sale - and Mutiny Universe broke the news (at the same time as virtually everyone else), too! "Bodysnatchers" was initially my favorite track off the album, that is, until "Reckoner" got under my skin! Here's a video of a live performance of "Reckoner," and it is IMPERATIVE that you concur that the song is badass:
2. Eddie Vedder "Hard Sun" | Into the Wild is a fantastic soundtrack/solo album by Ed. I haven't seen the film, but I've heard great things about it. I'm also partway through the book of the same name, and my brother (who read the book before me) says great things about it. Ed has written great songs, and continues to do so - but this selection is a cover song, which goes to show that Ed can consistently record great cover songs, with or without Pearl Jam: "Love, Reign O'er Me," "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," and "Last Kiss," to name a few. Here's a music video that promotes the film:
3. Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin "United States" | Amazon.com MP3 On paper, they're called the Smashing Pumpkins, but since they recorded the album Zeitgeist and their latest EP American Gothic with neither the two other original or the three new Pumpkins, they might as well stick to calling themselves BC/JC. Anyhow, Zeitgeist was a better-than-average comeback album that has been tainted by typical record company greed: Multiple versions and album colors, as well as Ford commercial airplay. Ironically, the previous Pumpkins album, Machina II, was a loud-and-clear F-YOU to the record industry, as the band gave the music away for free online. On any other list that involves new Pumpkins tracks, I would have written "Bring the Light" instead, but "United States" is a nearly-ten minute heavy rock epic, and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin recorded the drum track in ONE TAKE and NO CLICK TRACK. Supposedly, there's one flubbed note in there, but I'll take a Jimmy Chamberlin flubbed note any day to my flubbed notes! Here's a live performance of the song:
So that's my short list. It's definitely missing a lot of good stuff from 2007, so I guess I'll have to catch up in 2008.
Since it's that time of year where virtually everyone writes a list or two about their favorites from the year before, I think I'll join in with my insignificant opinions about random stuff. I've been creating more media than consuming it in 2007, so these lists will be rather short.
Anyhow, here are my Top 5 new computer programs, installed in 2007:
1. Upgrade to Pro Tools 7.3 - I wouldn't be able to properly score Elan Vital without the video function. 2. Digidesign Strike - I loves me my robot. Requires Pro Tools.
3. FXpansion VST to RTAS Adapter - RTAS plugins cost money. Lots and lots of money. Several VST plugins can be found on the Net for free, and some of them are pretty darn good. Only really useful to wrap VST plugins for use in Pro Tools.
4. Upgrade to BIAS Soundsoap Pro - Awesome. I tried it a little bit last year, but I'll really put this program to the test when I get back to dialogue editing for Elan Vital. Works in Pro Tools (RTAS), as well as other host programs (VST, etc.).
5. Upgrade to the latest iTunes ("iTunes Plus" with the DRM-free mp3s for sale) - Because I think I've run out of 2007 programs to praise. Anyhow, Amazon.com has a competing high-bitrate, DRM-free mp3 store.
This is a video for a song by the brilliant and wonderful Alessandra Celletti from Rome. One of her masterpieces is featured in our upcoming film, Elan Vital. She is a genius on the ivory keys and it is rare that you hear her voice - especially in English. This song and video is guaranteed to make your day.
Please take a moment to check out her website - AlessandraCelletti.com. Like the classical masters or modern maestros, her music does not disappoint.
David Lynch received an upgrade to "officer" in France's Legion of Honor. The filmmaker's entry into the prestigious legion came in 2002 when he became a "knight" — the first rank of five. President Nicolas Sarkozy called Lynch, the mind behind some of Hollywood's eeriest films in recent years, "a profoundly normal guy" as he presented the award.
"What is really strange is that people think you are a very original guy," Sarkozy said. "What's crazy is life, not the perspective that you bring to life."
Lynch, 61, has received Oscar nominations for "The Elephant Man," "Blue Velvet" and "Mullholland Dr." Charlotte Rampling and Roman Polanski attended the ceremony for Lynch at the French presidential palace.
Across town, The Police, fresh off a reunion concert in Paris, received a French award for their contribution to the arts Monday. French Culture Minister Christine Albanel honored the rock trio of Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers as chevaliers of the Order of Arts and Letters at a Paris ceremony.
"We are very happy to be among your knights," said Sting, speaking in French. The Police are known for hits such as "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle" and "Don't Stand So Close to Me."
As a big F-YOU to the record industry, iconic alternative - and I do mean that sincerely - rock band Radiohead will release their new album In Rainbows via digital download around October 10, 2007. A physical "discbox" will be available sometime this December. Anyhow, here's the price breakdown:
1. YOU get to choose the price for the digital download-only option. You can pay as low as ONE PENCE* but as much as you want to pay the band - who isn't signed to a record label anymore.
2. A physical discbox to be delivered by December 3rd, containing the album on vinyl and on CD, as well as an enhanced CD with photos 'n stuff. These customers will also get access to the digital download on October 10. The price for this package is £40 (probably a bit more than $80 USD...seeing as how the US dollar is not as strong these days).
So head on over to the official Radiohead website for more information. *Plus 45 pence surcharge (about 90 cents USD) for credit card orders. Okay, technically you can "buy" the album for free, but I want you to join Radiohead's new music revolution and change the way business is done...hell, I'm a part of a corporation, too! Join the Big Bang Band Boat Revolution, Baby!
I truly admire all three bands...no offense intended to the bands. With that said, you choose which definition fits where (answers may be used more than once, or not at all). As defined by Answers.com...
first (fûrst) n.
1. The ordinal number matching the number one in a series. 2. The one coming, occurring, or ranking before or above all others. 3. The beginning; the outset: from the first; at first. 4. Music. The voice or instrument highest in pitch or carrying the principal part. 5. The transmission gear or corresponding gear ratio used to produce the range of lowest drive speeds in a motor vehicle. 6. The winning position in a contest: finished the season in first. 7. Baseball. a. First base. b. A first baseman.
1964:
hom·age (hŏm'ĭj, ŏm'-) n.
1. Ceremonial acknowledgment by a vassal of allegiance to his lord under feudal law. 2. Special honor or respect shown or expressed publicly. See synonyms at honor.
1992:
par·o·dy (păr'ə-dē) n., pl. -dies.
1. A literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule. See synonyms at caricature. The genre of literature comprising such works. 2. Something so bad as to be equivalent to intentional mockery; a travesty: The trial was a parody of justice. 3. Music. The practice of reworking an already established composition, especially the incorporation into the Mass of material borrowed from other works, such as motets or madrigals.
2006:
cop·y (kŏp'ē) n., pl. -ies.
1. An imitation or reproduction of an original; a duplicate: a copy of a painting; made two copies of the letter. 2. One specimen or example of a printed text or picture: an autographed copy of a novel. 3. Material, such as a manuscript, that is to be set in type. 4. The words to be printed or spoken in an advertisement. 5. Suitable source material for journalism: Celebrities make good copy.
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