things i think i think

With my personal blog now underway here, I thought I’d start actually posting some things of interest. I plan on making ‘playlist’ a regular (i.e. weekly or bi-weekly) segment. Basically, anything music or movie related will be posted here: noteworthy items, reviews, etc. Anything I’m listening to or watching that I feel is worth any merit will find its way here at the beginning of the week.

Since this is the first iteration, this week will be more of a catch-up/rundown of what’s been playing on my iPod during the past few months. Let’s get started after the break.

Music

Dear Science — TV On The Radio | This troupe really shook things up in my iTunes playcount last year when they released Return To Cookie Mountain; a sonic whirlwind that wavered into the industrial but kept its tracks in melodious melancholy. This time around they’re bringing ‘da beats’ hard and heavy with some serious dancers — check out the hotly political ‘Red Dress’ and the sweep-scan vibe of ‘Golden Age.’ This is a must-have album for fans of anything just beyond mainstream and just out of the reach of genre classification. Don’t Miss: the wicked techno-tribal ‘DLZ.’

For Emma, Forever Ago — Bon Iver | What heaven sounds like on a rainy day. Intrigued yet? Think Damien Rice with a softer acoustic edge and a sound that is more transcendental. Forget pop-anthems or even choruses in some cases; these songs float and then fly and we’re happy to grab hold to come along for the ride. Although I’m not fond of top-ten anything, this would surely be at the top of my album of the year list. Don’t Miss: the barely discernible ‘Blindsided.’ It’ll break your heart.

Only By The Night — Kings of Leon | To put this in perspective: I only heard about this band over in New Zealand, where apparently they’re incredibly popular. Of course, my first question: ‘So is this a local group?’ Silly me. The Nashville-based band represents the best of alt-rock during the 1990s but with more bouncy sex-appeal. The album flows extremely well: a complete work that doesn’t feel anywhere close to being eleven tracks. The production values here are top-notch but the vocals keep it raspy and just out of the pop-rock trap. Find out why the UK, NZ and everyone else gives them so much global love. Don’t Miss: the echoey carelessness of ‘Revelry.’

TV & Film

‘About Last Night’ — South Park, Season 12 Episode 12 | As anyone who knows me will tell you, I have no shame or pause in claiming South Park to be the most clever show on television and probably the best comedy series in history. While far from the best South Park has to offer, this episode, featuring South Park’s take on the results of the 2008 US Election, was completed just 23 hours after it was announced that Barack Obama would be the next President. This feat is basically unthinkable in any medium, let alone the strict schedule of TV. So, I give the SP team real credit on this one — it might not be top-notch comedy, but humor is all about timing and this one is spot-on.

Mad Men | Part of the drawback to living overseas for a time is completely losing all ties with current TV seasons. Since most overseas networks are behind by, if not a few episodes, at least a season, and so while I was abroad I basically abandoned all TV watching. Not having a television in the first place doesn’t really help either. Anyways, so I missed the Mad Men boat and have only just scrambled aboard, trying to catch up and finish both seasons before I’m exposed to any spoilers. Needless to say, it’s good. Very good. As a fan of The Wire, this show falls right into the same slow-paced, quiet-build framework… so far. Things are taking a turn for the weird, I feel. Lost in New York? We shall see. But damn, do I love the 1960s.

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That’s all for this week — any suggestions for shows/albums/films I should check out, please leave a note. Cheers!