Tuesday Sundry
Posted on June 14, 2005 at 3:12 pm | No Comments
Should we talk about the weather? Naaaaah. Our humid hell is nearing a merciful end thanks to the remnants of the-storm-formerly-known-as Arlene.
So how about my complete lack of updates over the past week? Blame long days in a now-finished training class, which I survived only to be faced with a looming certification exam. I’ve returned to my downtown Boston office, studying when I can, and feeling sorta back to normal. Y’know, there really is no normal, so let’s just say that I’m back.
The Bradcast streaming music thing rolls on 24/7, although with all this heat I had to throw another fan inside the server case. You’ll notice I added a link on the ‘Nac main menu to the left, but may not have noticed that I’ve been tweaking the playlist little by little. I’m also messing around with a cross-fader plug-in, so it feels a little more radio-like. Yeah, there are utilities out there that allow listeners to capture, break up, and auto-tag streams as mp3s, so the cross-fading will probably screw that right up. If that’s the case then, well… mission accomplished. The stream isn’t here to fill anonymous mp3 folders… I’m just looking to let a few people share in what I’m listening to at work, maybe discover something new from my collection.
Oh, and can I tell you just how cool it is to get random song requests? If you feel like hearing something, just drop an AIM message to username ‘bradcast‘. If I’m at my desk, and I have what you need, I’ll queue it on up.
Ok, link purge GO!
Fellow Freaks and Geeks fans take note: Series co-creator Paul Feig is publishing his memoir, entitled “Superstud: Or How I Became a 24-Year-Old Virgin“, on June 28th, and he’ll be making an appearance in Boston to promote it. On July 6th, after a reading and signing at the Brookline Booksmith, he’ll introduce a special screening of his favorite Freaks and Geeks episodes across the street at the Coolidge. Tickets are just $5 at the Booksmith, so get movin’ because it’s sure to sell out.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that indie-comics legend Daniel ‘Eightball‘ Clowes will also be signing at the Brookline Booksmith this Friday evening. And next Tuesday the 21st brings the one and only Bruce Campbell, who will be reading and signing his new book, “Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way“, and screening his new film “The Man With The Screaming Brain“.
Colin Clary’s latest solo record is officially out on Asaurus Records, and it’s called “Sweater Weather or Not, These are the Songs I Got“. 15 songs long, and you can head over here to grab an mp3 of track 7, ‘The Mixtape on My Mind’. Ordering it from the site will run you a measly five bucks, so no excuses.
I caught a screening of Howl’s Moving Castle, the new Hayao Miyazaki film, last week and loved every beautifully animated minute of it. Although I usually try to see the non-dubbed versions, this was a freebie so I wasn’t complaining. Fortunately, the voiceover actors pulled it off: Christian Bale, Emily Mortimer, Jean Simmons, Billy Crystal, Jena Malone, Lauren Bacall, Blythe Danner… all excellent. It was a relaxing, mesmerizing movie, and I think I actually enjoyed it more than either Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke. Can’t recommend it enough.
If you’re like me, and you’ve read the first three books of George R.R. Martin’s amazing ‘A Song of Ice and Fire‘ fantasy series, then the four-year-wait for book four has been killing you, too. Well, that wait is just about over. Martin posted an update on his official site that says ‘A Feast For Crows‘ is finished and will be out next month. Unbelievable. Ends up that the book was so big he had to save parts for the next one, ‘A Dance With Dragons‘, so the wait for that one shouldn’t be nearly as long. I haven’t been this into a fantasy series in ages, and I’m really hoping Martin doesn’t pull a Robert Jordan and drag the story out… but I have faith in the man.
Coming in September: The Boston Videogame Expo ’05. Coolness.
Are there any longtime fans of the Cure left? The news that Mr. Smith booted Perry & Roger was (mostly) met with a collective yawn, but as a once-rabid follower, I’ve gotta admit that I’m a little curious how they’ll sound as a trio when they perform live tomorrow on Yahoo Music. I mean, jeez, they’re dusting off Fire In Cairo, M, The Drowning Man, and The Figurehead just for the occasion. Hell, that’s so old school they might as well just ask Lol (lol!) to sit in on drums. Now, if it was Robert, Simon, and Boris, I might actually get a little giddy. *Sigh*, it just hasn’t been the same since ol’ Boris left. Yikes, I’m totally regressing! Movin’ on…
I was a pretty big fan of Warren Ellis’ 12-issue Global Frequency comic series, and got damn excited when it was optioned and adapted for a hopefully-faithful television show. The pilot was written by John Rogers, the cast was assembled, and that first episode was filmed… and the story ended. Like many pilots, it was never picked up, it disappeared, and everyone moved on…
… until the pilot appeared last week on bittorrent-based filesharing sites. It’s leaking has prompted John Rogers to speak up, and he’s got some really interesting things to show and say. Head over to his blog, read up, and check out a bunch of pictures from the set. If you’re bold, you’ll track down the torrent like I didn’t, ‘cuz I’d never encourage that, ‘cuz it’d be totally illegal. And I’m definitely not watching it tonight after work.
From the latest Touch & Go newsletter: A new Dirty Three record is ready, and it’s due out in October. ‘Cinders‘ has 19 songs, and features a couple of great guests: Chan Marshall (Cat Power) and Sally Timms (Mekons).
In the ‘new but not quite new’ department: Greg Dulli’s Twilight Singers will soon be officially releasing ‘Amber Headlights‘, the album that was supposed to precede 2003’s ‘Blackberry Belle‘. From the Summer’s Kiss newsletter…
“Before summer’s end, you’ll have the chance to get your hands on the elusive set of tracks that were almost the follow up to Twilight. Some of the songs took new form on Blackberry, others are becoming live favorites, and some you’ve never heard before. Watch Summer’s Kiss for more information closer to the release date.”
Lookin’ forward to it.
Must. Get. Tickets. Sigur Ros is playing the Boston Opera House on September 15th. I repeat: Must. Get. Tickets. No on sale date has been set. I’ll be over here, clicking refresh.
The record will show that I’m not much of a Pitchfork fan. I go there for the news, I run screaming from the reviews. Well, in case you missed this, as I did… you’ve gotta read this David Cross piece, titled ‘Albums to Listen to While Reading Overwrought Pitchfork Reviews‘. It’s hilarious, completely made up, and in response to a couple unsurprisingly pretentious, mind-numbing reviews that Pitchfork gave his ‘It’s Not Funny‘ album. Really, go read it. I’d almost give Pitchfork credit for publishing such a blatant call of their bullshit, but I’m not feeling that generous.
What city is noticeably absent on Teenage Fanclub’s upcoming tour itinerary? Yes, a Boston stop. And Bloc Party plays the first of two nights in NYC tonight… but do they stop over in Boston? NoooooOOOOooooo. Where is the love?
Sebadoh and solo-guy Jason Loewenstein isn’t ignoring us, though… he’ll be playing at TTs on Saturday, July 16th with Dressy Bessy. I still listen to his ‘At Sixes and Sevens‘ record often… one of my faves. Think I’ll queue a song or two up on the Bradcast right now, actually.
Also not skipping Boston: The New Pornographers, whose fall tour will bring them to the Roxy on October 11th.
The Pernice Brothers officially release ‘Discover a Lovelier You‘ today, and they’re heading out on a month-long tour in mid-July. Looks like the end of the trip will bring a sort of homecoming, as it finishes up at the Middle East on August 14th.
It’s been too damn long since I’ve seen my pal Tom McManamon, but I’ll get a chance in a few weeks when his band, Honesty, plays their first ever show at TT the Bears in Cambridge on Tuesday, July 5. I’ve never seen him on that stage, and I absolutely cannot wait.
This Thursday night is gonna be a little bit hectic; not only do I have to work until like 10 or 11pm, but there’s a whole bunch of stuff going on in Central Square that I wanna check out. I really want to catch NYC’s Dirty on Purpose at TTs, but around the corner will be Drew O’Doherty and Tom Thumb & the Latter Day Saints at ZuZu. Meanwhile, Jonathan Richman will be rocking below at the MidEast Down. Too much music, not enough me-clones.
I’ll close out this entry with a sincere thanks to Matthew over at Beat The Indie Drum. When I put that Paypal donation button over on the left, I didn’t think anyone would actually see it, much less use it. Well, Matthew was kind enough to drop me a little cash as in appreciation for all the Also-Rans and Starlight Conspiracy mp3s that he’s grabbed. So thanks, Matthew… you just helped me pay for part of this Twilight Singers DVD. Aces.
Tomorrow, I spend the day at Fenway. Ok, go ahead, be a little bit jealous. While you’re at work, I’ll be having breakfast in the 406 Club, followed by some tech-seminar thing, then a full-on tour of our precious little park. I can bring one co-worker, but no one’s available… wanna tag along?
[Live MP3s] The National in Cambridge, MA 2005
Posted on June 7, 2005 at 8:36 am | No Comments
I’m a relatively new fan of The National, thanks mostly to a pal’s enthusiastic insistence that I pick up their latest album ‘Alligator‘. Admittedly, it didn’t grab me right away, and I briefly worried that ck’s perfect recommendation track record was at risk. National singer Matt Berninger has one of those rumbling voices that sits squarely in it’s own personal low-toned pocket (think Stephen Merritt or Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner), but unlike those guys, he cuts loose when the rock requires it.
It was the music that won me over, though… the songs themselves, the dual guitar interplay (my soft spot), the tasteful, snappy, and energetic drumming. Once it all clicked, the singing style made sense, I suddenly got it. I’m generally not a patient listener… when I love an album I know it immediately, and there’s so much other stuff out there that I move on when something doesn’t. I’m glad I didn’t give up on The National, though. The patience paid off.
And so did their performance last Saturday night at TT’s in Cambridge. Even if I didn’t like ’em before, that show would no doubt have converted me. A fifteen song set pulled from their four releases, and here it is…
live at TT the Bears
Cambridge, MA
June 4th, 2005
[ download the full set in one .zip file ]
All the Wine
Murder Me Rachael
Driver
Lit Up
Cherry Tree
Baby We’ll Be Fine
Geese
Wasp Nest
Secret Meeting
Abel
Daughters of the Soho Riots
Mr. November
About Today
Available
Slipping Husband
I took a couple of photos (including openers Pela & Charlene) which are up here. For far better pics from the show, check out Bob Sanderson’s gallery right here.
Grab a few mp3s from The National’s site here, one from Insound right here, and a few from the Brassland label site here. And finally, for last week’s complete live set from the Khyber in Philly, go here, but hurry as they’ll supposedly be removed sometime soon.