Stuff of the Week

Record of the Week: Roc Boys (And the Winner is...) - Jay-Z

Jay-Z put out an album called American Gangster back in 2007. He said the album was inspired by the 2007 Ridley Scott movie of the same title. This record was produced by Kanye West, and features a cool horn part. There is really nothing that can be said about Jay-Z's incredible lyricism that hasn't already been said. Let's just say, the lyrics are great on this record too.

Movie of the Week: Melinda and Melinda

This 2004 Woody Allen movie has quite a fun concept. Over dinner two playwrights argue if life is tragic or comic. A story is told to them and they are asked to understand wether it's tragic or comic. So, each of the two tell the story in a comic and tragic way respectively. It's fun, and interesting, despite the classic Woody Allen-esque over-intelligent characters. The characters are intelligent to the level where you find you are being condescended to on occasion. That's the only real downside.

Album of the Week: Futuresex/Lovesounds - Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake's most recent album features Timbaland producing on all the tracks. There are so many great hooks on this album, it almost makes me cry. It's a very Prince/Michael Jackson/Timbaland sound. A lot of it is great, sexy, romantic, and downright awesome. It's one of the best albums of 2006. Check it out.

Indie Musicians of the Week

The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips are a great Oklahoman group  with awesome electro-rock sound and awesome lyricism. The only word to really describe them: Awesome.

88-Keys

88-Keys is a one man hip-hop operation. He recently put out a great concept album called Death of Adam, which is certainly worth anyone's time and especially a fan of hip-hop's time.

Stuffs of the Week

I owe an apology to the blogging world. I forgot to keep up with my blogging. these next two posts will be double strength.

Songs of the Week: Prospekt's March/Poppyfields - Coldplay & Sequestered in Memphis - The Hold Steady

Coldplay's Prospekt's March is an EP they put together from B-sides from Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends. It's a wonderful collection of songs, and is especially worth checking out if you liked Viva La Vida or Death and All of His Friends. Of these, this rings most relevant to me. Probably because I'm a sentimental sap, but I think this is a really well put together song. As always, Chris Martin's falsetto never fails. It's pretty damn good.

This past year, The Hold Steady put out a great record called Stay Positive. The album sounds like what would have happened if Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band grew up in the emo generation. This song, of the most humorous, and catchy on the album features it's main line as "Subpoenaed in Texas, Sequestered in Memphis". Perfect for the song, the album, and it's a great introduction to those who aren't familiar with their music.

Movies of the Week: Burn After Reading & Rain Man

The Coen brothers put together another great movie. A perfectly cast movie about stupidity. American stupidity, Russian stupidity, just stupidity. Pretty much every character in this movie is at least slightly stupid. Sincere, real people, just not of the most practical, or sophisticated level.

Despite my contempt for Tom Cruise's acting in general, he does particularly nicely in this movie. However, it is Dustin Hoffman, the extremely bright light of this movie, that really makes everything seem relevant. The script is good, the directing is plain, but the acting is truly phenomenal.

Albums of the Week: Word of Mouth - Jaco Pastorius & The Fragile - Nine Inch Nails

Bassist extraordinaire put out this album in 1981 while he was still playing for Weather Report. This was his second studio album, and a pretty damn good one. The first song really shows the acid jazz that he later became more well known for.

Trent Reznor. That is all.

Stuff of the Week

Song of the Week: Sure 'Nuff 'n' Yes, I Do - Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band

Starting out with a nice slide blues guitar, the song (and album for that matter) start off pretty damn well. Captain Beefheart's voice is wonderful on this track. Perfectly raspy with enough insanity in his eyes so that he can really sell it. Like, really sell the insanity.

Movie of the Week: Dan In Real Life

In honor of the nearness of Valentine's Day (which is on saturday) I decided to put a somewhat romantically involved movie. I think that Steve Carrell really brings out his acting in this movie. He shows that he isn't just a joker, and that he certainly is not Two-Dimensional. The Photography is pleasing. It's not blatant. It's enjoyable. The music is also very nice, and works splendidly in the movie.

Album of the Week: Waiting for My Rocket to Come - Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz's major label Debut, "Waiting for My Rocket to Come" is rather incredible. Throughout the album, several things are proven. Firstly, Mraz has an incredible voice and plenty of passion in his music. Secondly, you don't need to write something concrete lyrically, to get a good lyrical sound. Lastly, that everything sounds better with complex chords and perfect production.

Indie Band of the Week - Ryan Montbleau Band

Ryan Montbleau Band is a great Blue Eyed Soul/Jam Group. They may just have a shot at hitting it big. It wouldn't be surprising if they did. Big in the indie scene. They are talented musicians with fun lyrics and obvious but enjoyable chord progressions. Check them out. My favorite record of theirs is One Fine Color. Check it out.

Stuff of the Week

Song of the Week: Carnival Town - Norah Jones

Norah Jones is incredible. This song is beautifully written and arranged. The Lyrics are perfect. Simple, and mellow. This is a great Pop/Jazz song. It's simplistic sound makes it even better. With only a piano, guitar, two string instruments, bass and vocals, the song holds together very very well.

Movie of the Week: The Usual Suspects

This is the movie that gave director Bryan Singer the credit he deserved. The actors are all very good at acting their specific roles. The Script, while needed some acting to support it, had very good dialogue and plot line. This is one of Singer's best, one of Spacey's best, and certainly one of McQuarrie's best.

Album of the week: The Joshua Tree - U2

The Joshua Tree is Brian Eno's third album with U2, and probably their most popular and critically acclaimed album. This album goes to show that great, simplistic melodies and chord progressions can bring you far with good lyricism, and incredible production can truly bring you very far.