I don’t know if it matters whether this clip is real or not, but if it IS, well then that’s just bonus material!
Blog
-
ORYAN. New Paltzers FTW!
A very cool album cover, if I do say so myself. One of the coolest, I imagine.
Oryan are a self-proclaimed four piece folk/rock band from upstate New York. As a “Ryan” myself, I thought it worth sharing this band with you, a band which is helmed by Ryan Megan and Ryan Schoonmaker (there is a third Ryan in the mix, Ryan McCann, which makes one feel almost sorry for Adam Gosney, the fourth and only non “Ryan” in the band).
The lead singer Ryan Megan has a lazy, three-beers type of baritone with just enough gravel in his voice to keep things interesting. As a guy from New York (unless I have this wrong), I wondered where this heavy drawl came from. He slurs his scenes between staccato drums and fuzzy guitars, and the hints of Tom Waits are undeniable. But the songs themselves (while at times benign and others down-right offensive) benefit from an interesting bar-room country meets traditional folk blend.
I caught some faint yet pleasant Mark Eitzel undertones in lead-off track “The Ride,” and liked the partly sunny tones of “Goodbye,” as much as I disliked the disturbing “If Milbrook Got a Taco Bell.” “Helvetica,” is another nice track which starts out like something you might hear on any old decent country rock album but quickly evolves into something else once Ryan Megan’s vocals kick in.
There are some nice guitar and drum solos throughout, and you can see how the first two Ryan’s got their start just jamming together. Not sure I would put them in league with Deer Tick or Kings of Leon, but one could see where they may fit as the evil, outlandish step-brothers perhaps.
But with occasional, unforgivable lyrics such as: “If Millbrook got a Taco Bell / all the Arabs and Jews would make out / White folks would stop being scared of the blacks / And all the queers would feel free to come out,” I can’t help but wonder if there’s a joke here and I’m just missing it.
Stream album (at your own risk).
-
Dead Man’s Bones
Ryan Gosling and cohort Zach Shields have formed a band. It is called Dead Man’s Bones and their self-titled debut sounds something like Patrick Wolf on quaaludes. Or like Black Heart Procession on speed. Or both.
However, there is something interesting about a prim and proper (see The Notebook) and talented (see Fracture) actor joining forces with his long-time friend to make such a macabre, off-kilter album like this. Although I suppose he was the star in the twisted Lars and the Real Girl, so perhaps this shouldn’t be so suprising.
Much of the LP consists of sloppily played instruments arranged in catchy yet morose ways. There are the occasional up-tempo moments, but it is the eerily-choral murder ballad which serves as the album’s mantlepiece time and again.
It is the omnipresence of a zombie-like children’s choir, however, singing lines like: “Like a lamb to the slaughter, buried in water,” and “My body’s a zombie for you,” that raised my eyebrows with intrigue. It only helps to see press materials of this children’s choir dressed like an army of Charles Manson’s children going out to accost the neighborhood in their Halloween costumes (see above).
Perhaps this album represents the way Gosling remembers his time spent at the Mickey Mouse Club as a child? I would completely get it if that was the case.
Enjoy this Youtube clip, and check out their Myspace page to get a tasty preview of what should be a fairly successful debut offering.
-
Quote of the Week #048
“‘Remember when,’ is the lowest form of conversation.” – Tony Soprano
-
Auto-Tune the News
In perhaps one of the more genius concepts for a Youtube phenomenon, The Gregory Brothers have come up with the idea of “Auto-Tuning” the news. T-Pain approves of this one, and so do I!
(#1 USE THE SUPER SOAKERS TO GET AL QUAEDA WET)
(#2 YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE AN ANGRY GORILLA TO BE ANGRY WITH YOU)
(#3 A THAW IS POSSIBLE)
(#4 MAYFLOWERS MAY BRING LEAD POISONING)
(#5 GETTIN’ BLESSED BY JOE BIDEN FROM SPACE)
(#6 WAKING UP IS A STRANGE REASON TO DIE)
(#7 PEOPLE ON THE ROAD CAN TURN AN “LOL” INTO A GREAT BIG “OMG”)
(#8 I HAVE A MASSIVE DEBT & DEFICIT DRAGON CHART)
-
Danish Inventions
This one is for you, Kim; a succinct list of Danish inventions, in no particular order:
- The LEGO
- Danish Pastry
- Femidom (female condom)
- Hans Christian Anderson
- Syno-pal (skid-resistant highway surface)
- The Typewriter
- Krarup cable (submarine loading cable)
- Femi-X (female viagra)
- The O-Ring
- C++ Programming
- Drum Motor (used to power conveyor belts)
- Ussing Chamber (measures electrical currents through tissue)
- Magnetic Wire Recorder (NOT magnetic tape, as used in casettes)
- Dry Cell Battery (sort of, later: Duracell)
- Fiber Trim (a diet pill)
- The Corn Thresher
- pH scale
- Dogme 95 (avant-garde filmmaking movement)
- Electromagnetic Coil (used in tattoo machines and doorbells)
- Telegraphy (long-distance transmission of messages)
- Triplane (airplane with three wings)
- Aqua Wall (indoor waterfall)
- DiaTest (saliva collection kit)
- Hex (board game)
And here’s a fairly useless (and mostly incorrect) Youtube tribute to some of the “top” Danish Inventions…
-
The Mayweather/Kellerman Debacle
So . . . Floyd Mayweather easily beat the smaller, slower Juan Manuel Márquez in a fairly clear victory from all sides of the ring. There was a knockdown in the second round, a nice counter left hook perfectly timed by Mayweather, and sending a dazed Márquez to the canvas. But beyond that, the most action we fight fans got to see was after the final bell had rung.
Enter Max Kellerman, HBO’s attempt at finding a younger, more quippish boxing expert/analyst to replace the increasingly verbally meandering Larry Merchant. Max does the post-fight interviews now, and tonight it seemed he had more than he could handle. It all started simply enough, with Kellerman asking standard questions about how Floyd felt he did etc., and Mayweather sending the standard shout-outs to everyone from God to Reebok.
But then two things happened that were ill-planned…
1. Max asks about the Mayweather not making weight, and how it was reported that Márquez received $600,000 for the two pounds over the limit Mayweather came in at ($300,000 per pound). Mayweather didn’t want to talk about it. Max did. Max pressed the issue. Mayweather said: “I’m not here to talk about money” (ironically just after he admitted to conducting his shout-out commercials to make his seven digits).
2. Max mentions the competition. We all know Manny Pacquiao is on the top of everybody’s mind. But apparently Max isn’t just a boxing expert. He’s a boxing expert with an ego problem. He thought it would be profound to make it known that he has someone else in mind for Mayweather. And that man is Shane Mosley. Oh, and Shane is standing in the ring, as part of Golden Boy Promotions. Oh oh oh, and Mosley really wants to call Mayweather out right there during the interview.
Whoops!
You see Max, not only did you lose control of the interview by not softening up Mayweather before going in for your “I’m so knowledgeable I’m going to throw you off your game” questions, you also failed (or maybe didn’t fail) to notice that Mosley was standing to your left when you asked about Mayweather ducking him.
Things quickly became heated when Mosley stepped to the mic and said “Floyd, we just want to get it on,” or something to that effect. Mayweather didn’t appreciate being disrespected during his interview, and some chatter flew back and forth, with (surprise) Bernard Hopkins joining in for good measure.
But this is where it gets annoying to the point of unacceptable. The whole time Mayweather and Mosley were verbally fighting, proud Mr. Max Kellerman refused to offer the mic to either party, opting instead to hold it close to his chest until he could do the talking himself. By the time Max finally got his words in, it was to change the subject to another challenger, Pacquiao. But by then Mayweather had had enough of Kellerman’s amateur shenanigans.
“Let me talk,” Mayweather said to Kellerman. “It’s my turn to talk. You talk too much.”
ZING!
What would proud Mr. Kellerman say to that, you wonder? Better yet, what would Larry Merchant do? I think Merchant would have said something like “Okay, Floyd, you’re the one they want to hear anyway,” and passed it off.
But not Kellerman. Oh, no no no. Max, instead, gets mad like a schoolgirl on a date who isn’t getting enough attention, and passes it off to Jim Lampley at ringside, thus ending the interview at its climax.
Way to go, Max.
A word to the ever so wise: The next time you have media gold on your lap, try not to be offended by the celebrity you are paid to interview. Instead, let the fans see the fireworks they paid to see but maybe didn’t get during the match itself.
And by all means, do not join Jim Lampley and Emmanuel Steward at ring side to defend your useless opinion of what happened in the ring. We all saw it, and we can all make our own judgments. What happened in the ring had nothing to do with Mayweather having a chip on his shoulder against the media, or having the audacity to not like you, Max. I know, it’s an outrage to think that he might not like you as an interviewer, since you are apparently one of the only ones who actually likes him because he’s a pure boxer.
It had to do with Mayweather thinking you were an amateurish interviewer who likes to hear himself speak, more than anybody else in the stadium (including Floyd).
And can we really disagree with the boxer we love to hate and hate to love? I sure can’t.
HBO, please reinstate Merchant as the boxing analyst/expert for championship PPV fights. He may be slower on the uptake, but he is entertaining in his own special way, and much more seasoned at pandering and prodding the most egotistical of boxers big and small.
Or, if nothing else, find someone else. Max has moments of insight, but for the most part he is a poser, the type of expert you hate to hear talk because he’s usually doing it to impress.
-
Grace Says “Dey Is, Poobear.”
*Translation: “Oh look, it’s Winnie the Pooh!”*
-
Quote of the Week #047
“How we die: as deeply doe-eyed as we start.” – Hayden Thorpe
-
Five Song Mixtapes. 006.
“World Tour”
The premise here was simple: simple find a nice mix of songs wherein the band names reflected different countries, continents or providences around the world. I omitted cities and states because who knows, I may do a 50 states mix at some point in the future, or a City Life theme. Anything’s possible. At any rate… Enjoy!
1. Boards of Canada Music Is Math
2. Manitoba Skunks
3. Afrika Bambaataa Planet Rock
4. Portugal. The Man Lovers In Love
5. British Sea Power Man of AranDownload Mixtape.
-
Game of Thrones Cast (So Far)
EDIT: Season 2 Cast List HERE.
As you may have noticed I’m a fan of Fantasy and Science Fiction literature. Well HBO is too as they’ve ordered a pilot for Game of Thrones the first book in George R.R. Martin’s epic Fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. Kings queens bastards zombies imps you name it this series has it.
The author and show producers have been taunting fans with casting clues tormenting us for days on end before a new actor is announced for a role. You have to remember this series is on par with Lord of the Rings in that the characters are larger than life as epic as the story they are beholden to.
I have amassed a running tally of the cast so far. Most all of the major players for the pilot have been filled so I thought it a good time to show you all what to expect (hopefully) come winter of next year. You’ll probably be seeing “Winter Is Coming to HBO” posters next Fall don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Series Regulars (Alphabetical)
Mark Addy is Robert Baratheon
Alfie Allen is Theon Greyjoy
Sean Bean is Eddard Stark
Emilia Clarke is Daenerys Targaryen
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is Ser Jaime Lannister
Peter Dinklage is Tyrion Lannister
Michelle Fairley is Catelyn Stark
Aidan Gillen is Petyr Baelish
Jack Gleeson is Joffrey Baratheon
Iain Glen is Ser Jorah Mormont
Kit Harington is Jon Snow
Lena Headey is Cersei Baratheon
Isaac Hempstead-Wright is Bran Stark
Harry Lloyd is Viserys Targaryen
Richard Madden is Robb Stark
Rory McCann is Sandor Clegane
Sophie Turner is Sansa Stark
Maisie Williams is Arya Stark
Featured Cast (Alphabetical)
John Campbell-West is Samwell Tarly
Ron Donachie is Ser Rodrik Cassel
Jerome Flynn is Bronn
Conleth Hill is Varys
Jason Momoa is Khal Drogo
Donald Sumpter is Maester Luwin
Guest Cast (Alphabetical)
Amrita Acharia is Irri
Roger Allam is Illyrio Mopatis
Josef Altin is Pyp
Gethin Anthony is Renly Baratheon
Ciaran Bermingham is Mord
Esmé Bianco is Ros
David Bradley is Ser Walder Frey
Susan Brown is Septa Mordane
Dominic Carter is Janos Slynt
Antonia Christophers is Mhaegen
James Cosmo is Jeor Mormont
Charles Dance is Tywin Lannister
Joseph Dempsie is Gendry
Kate Dickie is Lysa Arryn
Stephen Don is Stiv
Emun Elliot is Marillion
Lino Facioli is Robin (Robert) Arryn
Elyes Gabel is Jhogo
Ian Gelder is Ser Kevan Lannister
Julian Glover is Grand Maester Pycelle
Jefferson Hall is Ser Hugh of the Vale
Ben Hawkey is Hot Pie
Rhodri Hosking is Mycah
Margaret John is Old Nan
Wilko Johnson is Ser Ilyn Payne
Dermot Keaney is Gared
Sibel Kekilli is Shae
Susie Kelly is Masha Keddle
Mark Lewis Jones is Shagga
Simon Lowe is the Catspaw Assassin
Francis Magee is Yoren
Clive Mantle is Greatjon Umber
Joseph Mawle is Benjen Stark
Brendan McCormack is Ser Vardis Egan
Ian McElhinney is Ser Barristan Selmy
Luke McEwan is Rast
Roxanne McKee is Doreah
Kristian Nairn is Hodor
Rob Ostlere is Ser Waymar Royce
Art Parkinson is Rickon Stark
Aimee Richardson is Myrcella Baratheon
Lalor Roddy is the Wineseller
Dar Salim is Qotho
Eugene Simon is Ser Lancel Lannister
Jamie Sives is Jory Cassel
John Standing is Jon Arryn
Mark Stanley is Grenn
Conan Stevens is Ser Gregor Clegane
Owen Teale is Ser Alliser Thorne
Peter Vaughan is Maester Aemon Targaryen
Natalia Tena is Osha
Eros Vlahos is Lommy Greenhands
Bronson Webb is Will
Callum Wharry is Tommen Baratheon
Miltos Yeromelou is Syrio Forel
-
Quote of the Week #046
“The Inept take meetings as the Adept take naps.” – merkley
-
Avatar vs. Delgo
I’m trying to figure out which of these will, historically speaking, suck more.
Avatar Trailer
Delgo Trailer -
Five Song Mixtapes. 005.
“Indie Falsetto”
I decided to limit the falsettos here to just the indie genre, though the likes of Roy Orbison, Prince, Frankie Valli and Michael Jackson belong in their own hall of fame altogether. Enjoy!
1. Sigur Rós Gobbledigook
2. Bon Iver Brackett, WI
3. The Low Anthem Charlie Darwin
4. Shearwater The Snow Leopard
5. Jeff Buckley Corpus Christi CarolDownload Mixtape.
-
A. Bird in a Church.
Here are a couple of reasons why Andrew Bird deserves three or four times more respect than he thus far has received. We have our preconceptions of one man bands, guys with harmonicas rigged in front of their faces, holding accordions and guitars strapped across their backs, maybe some foot controlled drums.
But this is a different kind of one-man band. This one is a classically trained, obscure lyricist, premiere whistler and a helluva composer it seems.
Enjoy!
P.S. Apologies in advance for the advertisements. Not my doing.
Legacy Flash video removed. See surrounding links in this post.
Legacy Flash video removed. See surrounding links in this post.
