Music

Oracular Spectacular – MGMT | Dirty electronica with an indie feel and vocals reminiscent of disco kings like The Bee Gees or even shades of journeyman Neil Young. This duo is all over the charts right now and are getting heavy play on college radio networks across the country, so I’m a bit late to the punch on this one but this is a must-have of 2008. Unfortunately the record does suffer from the first-to-worst syndrome; that is to say that ‘Time To Pretend,’ the first track on the disc is a bouncy, melancholic anthem and by far the best the group has to offer — the rest of the album is good, it just doesn’t shine. Don’t Miss: the slinky-techno pop of ‘Electric Feel’.

In Ghost Colours – Cut Copy | If MGMT had an emo lovechild, Cut Copy would be it. Keeping with the pulsing heavily synthesized theme, Cut Copy brings everything-sonic to the table: synth flurries, pounding beats, sing-song vocals and dated manipulation effects (talk box, etc) that give it an 80s vibe. Yet it somehow manages to feel cutting edge and atmospheric. This is what The Killers wish they sounded like. Don’t Miss: the sonic adventure ‘Feel The Love’.

Parc Avenue — Plants and Animals | Like coming to an indie-rock buffett table, this group brings it. Unfortunately, like Oracular Spectacular, this record busts the doors open with the sweeping ‘Bye, Bye, Bye’ (no – not an N*SYNC cover) and then sort of fades into the distance. Nevertheless, there’s a lot on offer: from quiet crooners to the roof on fire ‘Mercy.’ If they can find more consistency, watch out. Don’t Miss: the bluesy barn-burner ‘Mercy’ — with an epic rock ending.

Words

The Road — Cormac McCarthy | Desolate, spartan, depressing and ultimately claustrophobic, there is something eerily prophetic about McCarthy’s latest novel, written in 2006 (it’s due to be released as a major motion picture with Viggo Mortensen in the upcoming year.) The world as we know it is in complete shambles, eternally blanketed in ash and gray snow following some sort of apocalyptic event. It’s brutal and brutally honest. Is this the world we’re destined for?

GOOD Magazine | Anybody who reads Adbusters should also pick up a copy of GOOD. Less anarchistic, but far more practical and accessible, GOOD is all about, well, doing good. Or finding it, anyway. Most issues concentrate on a single subject — take this month’s issue, for example — on our attempts to recover the world economy and change the way we do business. It’s a great read and the graphic design is superb and vibrant. Plus, you subscribe for next to nothing ($20) and it goes to the charity of your choice. Now that’s good.

–

That’s all for this week, I’m still recovering from my 72 hour mad-dash move in to my new apartment in Evanston. It’s a nice place for the price and certainly is more home-y than a dorm.

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.

–

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