Stuff of the week

Record of the Week: Kanga-Roo - Big Star

Alex Chilton's band Big Star was awesome. I have no idea why more people don't remember them when it comes to great music. The music may not have been revolutionary, but it was damn good. The lyrics are amazing. The song starts off with "When I first saw you/You had on blue jeans". It's so beautifully American. In the terms of finding the beauty in things with little quality as well. The sound is great. The noise level is perfect to compliment the lyrics. The music is absolutely simplistic.

Movie of the Week: This is Spinal Tap

This 1984 mockumentary about a hair metal band is absolutely speldid. It's absolutely hysterical. The performances are so damn good from the entire cast, it's hard to not believe in their existence. It all seems so possible. Even with Rob Reiner playing documentarian Marty Dibergi, the whole thing is so Reiner at his best. Also, it needs to be said that Spinal Tap (yes the joke band) are releasing an album that is up for pre-order here.

Album of the Week: Strange Weirdos - Music from and Inspired By the Film "Knocked Up" - Loudon Wainwright III

Let's start by skipping the fact that this was the soundtrack for the (awesome) movie, Knocked Up. Loudon Wainwright III is (coincidentally) the father of Rufus Wainwright, the artist of last week's album. This album is really good. No incredible revelations, but the lyrics are funny and offbeat. The tone is so organic, and clean. The music is not boring, but it's not some incredibly complex thing that no one could ever write. It's just that no one has. The melodies are strong, the lyrics are fun, the tone is good. At the end of the day, you probably won't make any huge musical revelations, but you'll sure have a damn good time.

Indie Artist of the Week

Phoenix are a very cool french pop band that sings in english. The hooks are good and catchy. They sort of sit on the line between indie and mainstream especially with their recent success with Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

Stuff of the Week

Record of the Week: My Girl - The Temptations

This song is absolutely an undebatable classic. Truly a beautiful Motown tune with beatiful melody and harmony. And there's something truly joyous about such a happy song. There isn't anything else I want to say, except "CHECK IT OUT!"

Movie of the Week: Up

It is probably too early to say, but I already think this is going to be the best movie of the year. It's truly a beautiful movie. The visuals are absolutely stunning, as per usual on Pixar's films. The script is perfect. It's absolutely heartfelt and complex emotionally, but keeps itself relevant to kids. The voice of Ed Asner alone is such a great contribution to the overall perspective this movie has. Most importantly, it's an adventure movie. That's a type of movie that hasn't really been done well in decades. This movie is absolutely incredible. Go see it in theaters while you can!

Album of the week: Poses - Rufus Wainwright

It's interesting about this album. It's extremely refreshing. The lyrics are funny and contemporary. With songs like "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" it would be hard to deny a proper intelligence, if not a good sense of humor. The album is not trying to be anything, it's pretty catchy and full of emotion. It's worth the listen. I promise.