Happiness, More or Less
(In lieu of actual content) Here's a list of some of the things that have been occupying my time lately:
Directors Label DVD's Boxed Set Vol. 2
I scored these last week and they haven't left my DVD player since. There is some fascinating material on here, and I'm not just talking about the videos. I love listening to the director's talk about their creative process, their lighting techniques, their editing decisions, etc. In fact, I like the documentaries and commentary more than the videos themselves. I'm not exactly the biggest Mark Romanek fan in the world, but if wants to talk about his inspirations and techniques for each of his videos, I'm listening. The funniest thing about these four DVD's? Bono is interviewed on at least three of them (and he's probably on the Glazer DVD, I just need to doublecheck). The Corbijn DVD is easily my personal fave, although they left off the video for Depeche Mode's "I Feel You" (The really stark black and white one) in favor of some of his weaker work. *shrug*
Tom Vek - We Have Sound
The first few times I listened to this CD I thought half of it was brilliant and the other half was crap. A few more listens have really brought me around. His "sound" is basically playing an acoustic guitar over some drum loops and samples, but it works. He's playing the Black Cat next week and I'm very excited to see how he recreates his sound in a live setting. Especially in a room like the Black Cat's backstage.
Beta Band - The Best of the Beta Band
So best. I love this band, although I'm a bit puzzled as to why they left off "Broken Up A Dingdong" off of this disc. The extra CD with the live concert is incredible. I've been searching for a decent live version of "Dr. Baker" since their first disc came out and I finally have it! Also, best greatest hits cover art ever.
Beatles - 1962-1966
So essential. It's been on endless repeat ever since I saw Macca a few weeks ago.
Emusic - I've been using my subscription much more than I thought I would when I signed up. This really is a great option to try out new music for just $10 a month. It's hard to beat. This month I picked up the new Ladytron album, Alligator by The National, Underworld's seminal classic Second Toughest in the Infants (thanks for the heads up Coolfer), and half of the Danger Doom record.
Goldenfiddle.com
Spencer gets a special shout out (in addition to his top notch blogging skillz) for totally hooking me up with two entire discs of live Super Furry goodness. Man, I am so looking forward to their upcoming US tour (which starts next week!). Which leads me to my next item...
I think I have decided on the Canon Powershot G6 for my next camera. It's bigger than I originally wanted, but it should take much better pictures than what I'm used to. Hopefully I'll have it in time for the Super Furry tour madness at the start of next month. Thanks to Frank Chromewaves for the advice. You talked me into it.
People, it's time to party! We are making progress!
Coolfer has a We Are Scientists MP3 for your downloading pleasure.
Although I am very mich an East Coast kind of guy, IF I lived on the West Coast, I would be making some plans to catch The Silver Sun Pickups touring with Brendan Benson. That is a great bill with two artists I'm dying to see. Benson's latest record, The Alternative To Love is climbing my year end Top 10 list by leaps and bounds each time I listen to it.
Loving these concert posters. [via Largehearted Best]
Oh no! I'm 100% sure I'm the only person on the planet that cares about this, but now who's going to annouce the second round of next year's NBA Draft? Yes, these are things I think about.
My We Are Scientists interview will be up on DCist later today.
I can't remember if I told you that I went through all my old CD's a couple weeks ago and found a copy of Lapalco. Guess I already did like him and didn't remember!
You won't regret it, Kyle. The G6 is a fine piece of photograph-taking technology.
Tiny cameras are for girls.
come on now - bono is only on the corbijn and sednaoui dvds.
i really like the interview with flea on the sednaoui one.
the way he pitched the video concept for give it away "you see this photo of this girl on this rock? it will not be like this. not at all." how classic.
you will not regret the purchase of the g6. i own one and it's my absolute favorite thing in the entire world. the pictures look great too.
Bono is on the Romanek DVD too. He's in the documentary part babbling on about Romanek, although sadly, he does not use the word "milieu". I wouldn't make this stuff up.
that camera is sweeeet..."feature rich!".
brendan's back in san diego nov. 14! how i'd like to see him live again, and with the silver sun p'ups too. *sigh*.
those posters are great too--i want the walkmen one santa!
wow, i can't believe he's on the romanek one, too.
talk about overkill. did he even ever make a video with romanek? or does he just babble about how great the johnny cash video is?
ah, fuck it, now i have to watch that dvd, too.
peace
I'm excited to hear the new Beta Band disc. Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who likes these guys. I've been telling all my friends about them for years now (thankfully saw them on the tour with Radiohead some years ago) but no one seems to get it. The Beta Band made some amazing music, can't wait to hear the live disc.
okay, finally watched the romanek dvd. very minimal bono presence, but yes, i admit now, he was on it :)
but i thought romanek's was the best dvd in the set.
the fiona apple interview especially, and really all the artist comments on romanek were quite intriguing/revealing/entertaining.