MOG - lilja88's Posts

if you're not gonna get down, get back

lilja88 — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:46:40 GMT

A Romanian friend of mine tells me that according to an old Romanian superstition, you are supposed to make a wish every time you do something that you've never done before. Last weekend I got to make one of these wishes because for the first time in my life, I went to a concert sans personne. I figured that I had been to enough concerts with friends and have usually ended up being more disappointed in their lack of enthusiasm than grateful for their company. So I decided that this time I wouldn't bother inviting anyone else. I had to see The Kills and everything had to be perfect. I didn't want to risk inviting anyone else who would spoil it somehow.

So after I get off work on Saturday I get all gussied up and embark on my independent mission to Slim's in San Francisco. I give myself 2 hours since according to my directions it only takes an hour and 30 minutes to get there from where I am. I inevitably get turned around a few times and decide to give up the guide and instead trust the compass of my intuition. Sort of a bad idea. I end up going the right direction, but taking what feels like the longest route possible. Luckily, it is the perfect time of night for speeding. There are only a few cars on the road (which hastily make way for me) and not a single CHP in sight. I manage to keep my trusty Subaru going at about 100 mph for a while (another new experience) and finally make it to the outer limits of San Francisco within the allotted time period. I begin to breathe easy until I realize that my printed out directions are completely useless now, since I have taken a different route than the one recommended. Of course I do not remember at this time that I have about 7 maps of San Francisco sitting in the car door pocket less than three inches away from my left knee.

After driving in aimless, semi-panicked circles for about half an hour - meanwhile thinking about nothing except that San Francisco has way too many one way streets and is seriously lacking in its public restroom facilities, as I desperately need to relieve myself - I finally pull over when I see a decent looking woman (i.e. not homeless or insane) walking down the hill on my right side. She looks like she is from around here. She's holding a paper cup of what is presumably soup. I'm sure she will help me. Sure enough, the soup woman is very kind and willing to give me accurate and concise directions. Luckily, I am not far off from the mark. In five minutes I hit my desired destination.

I park in a lot that charges $10 and has about four cars in it which makes me somewhat suspicious but I don't have time to waste. I run across the street to Slim's. I stand in line and chat up some radio show guy who assures me that I'm not late for the show. I get stamped and stand in another line which leads me to a marvelously sanitary toilet. The Kills are still not on yet, so I make my way to the merchandise stand where I buy the very last "No Wow" T-shirt. It's in my size! Luck is on my side tonight.

After 45 minutes of standing around, tapping my foot to a recording of Radiohead's "In Rainbows," and staring at the chic haircuts and tattoos of the hipsters surrounding me, (one guy has the same tattoo as Bjork - I immediately take a liking to him), the band finally comes on.

They are everything that I expected and nothing short of spectacular. I want to dance! I want to jump up and down and scream! But alas, most of the hipsters around me seem to have tragically frozen in place after standing around trying to look cool for so long. So I spot the few people who are still alive and dancing in the center of the crowd and I make my way over there, surely to the annoyance of my zombie peers who do not want to budge from the rigid 2-foot spaces they have provided themselves. I don't care. I imagine them rolling their eyes at each other and pretending to jab the back of my skull with tiny invisible daggers and I just smile. I smile and dance behind the two or three others who are dancing and try to forget about everyone else because I go to concerts with every intention of getting down.

Nothing matters but the two gorgeous rock stars up there on the stage putting all their passion and rage out there for everyone to taste. Nothing matters but everything that we feel when that music is pulsing through our hearts and veins like heroin. So immobile hipsters, if you're not gonna get down, get back.

And now, the NEW video for "Last Day of Magic" - watch Allison and Jamie beat the shit out of each other! Raw! Fierce!

Photos by yours truly.

black attack

lilja88 — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:17:08 GMT

Put on your Ray-Bans, summer is just around the corner and The Black Keys are back -- this time bigger, bolder, and better than ever before. While some tracks may easily be compared to The White Stripes, The Black Keys have a deeper and more soul-searching sound that cuts to the bone of blues rock. Their 2008 album, "Attack & Release" is more ferocious than all of their previous records put together and seals their fate as a classic blues rock band suitable for barbecues, beach parties and festivals in the park.

wanderlust

lilja88 — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:02:10 GMT

This was originally intended to be a post about Cut Copy but I couldn't come up with anything to say about them. Thus, the song is just an accomplice to my scattered, abstract thoughts...so do what you will with it.

"It is true, I am only a wanderer, a pilgrim on this earth! But are you more?" The Sorrows of Young Werther, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog, Caspar David Friedrich, c. 1818

j'adore les artistes

lilja88 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:34:14 GMT

Latest obsession: Santogold

While she is most frequently compared to the musical style of M.I.A., her own music is all over the map, which makes her much more accessible to the general audiences. In Santogold's music I can hear inflections of Pixies, Breeders, YYY's, Tegan & Sarah, and even some Joy Division (the male voice (Trouble Andrew) in the background of "I'm A Lady") And there is nothing more admirable than an artist who refuses to limit herself to a single genre.

Here is the official video for her song, "L.E.S. Artistes" (my personal favorite off her self-titled album) Warning: Contains artistic violence. May not be suitable for younger audiences.

Santogold, a.k.a. Santi White

Santogold & MIA...these ladies kick ass!!!

konk

lilja88 — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:11:53 GMT

The Kooks released their latest album, "Konk," on April 11th. It sounds pretty much the same as their previous one, but with a bit more "pop" to it. I don't know what it is, but there is something about British pop that tickles my fancy. Here is the video for their single, "Always Where I Need To Be."

burning bright

lilja88 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:05:58 GMT

As I was browsing the Internet for some information on William Blake's "The Tyger," I came across this little gem, a splendid and imaginative animated short film directed by Guilherme Marcondes which pays artistic homage to the famous poem. I liked it so much that I just had to post it for everyone to watch.

The music is by a Brazilian group called Zeroum.

i want expensive sadness

lilja88 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:33:35 GMT

I love this video. It's on my favorites on YouTube. For those of you (jaded folks) who are bored and tired of Pop Art, you may want to avoid watching this one. But how could you? It's The Kills!

I sort of have this fantasy that someday I'm going to become best friends with Alison Mosshart and then marry Jamie Hince. Is that too idealistic?

Anyway...I can't wait for their next album, Midnight Boom to hit the states on March 17th. The Kills are also hitting up Slim's in S.F. on May 17th! I guess 17 is my lucky number this year.

itune, you tune, we all tune into neptune

lilja88 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:18:45 GMT

So I was perusing iTunes for some new music and getting frustrated because I didn't think there was anything worth shelling out the money for when I came across The Duke Spirit. I didn't buy it right away but something kept me going back to it. Lead vocalist Liela Moss has a voice that emulates Ari Up from the Slits as well as PJ Harvey and Emiliana Torrini -- but manages to be much easier to rock out to than any of them. The Duke's latest album, Neptune, was released two weeks ago, and is available for a mere $7.99 on iTunes. If you ask me, it's well worth it.

Exactly why so many cool girls have maiden names that involve the word "moss," I'll probably never know. Kate Moss, Liela Moss, Alison Mosshart...there's something behind all this, I just know it. Kate Moss resembles Liela Moss to the point where I wonder if they are actually related, and she's dating Alison Mosshart's bandmate, Jamie Hince. Perhaps Kate is the one who started all of this mossy madness in the first place. If you asked, "which came first, the egg or Kate Moss?" the answer would be Kate Moss. I mean, obviously. She is the root of all coolness. Why else do you think bangs are so in style right now?

I'm also tempted to buy Duke's 2004 release, Cuts Across The Land, if not only because I'm obsessed with the cover art:

not in love

lilja88 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:32:29 GMT

Talking Heads. One of the few things in life that still has the ability to help keep my spirits soaring on the loneliest day of the year. I suppose if I were to say I was in love with anybody at the moment, it would be David Byrne...

new year, new soul

lilja88 — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 19:04:58 GMT

Yael Naim was born in Paris to Jewish-Tunisian parents. At age four, she moved with her family to Ramat HaSharon, Israel, where she served in the Israel Defence Force and sang solo in the Israel Air Force Orchestra. Naim sings in English, French and Hebrew. She learned to play the piano at a young age. She says, “After I saw the film, Amadeus, there was only one thing I wanted to do and that was to write symphonies.” Her love of classical music eventually faded when she heard the Beatles for the first time. “At home my father would play his Beatles records and that’s how I discovered Sgt Pepper and Abbey Road, at age 12. And also when I forgot my classical ambitions.”

we ain't born typical

lilja88 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:53:59 GMT

OK, so I first heard about The Kills when they opened up for Bloc Party or Interpol or something like that a while back. But for whatever reason, at the time I didn't quite catch on to how ridiculously fucking cool they are. Now that they are back on my radar, I am wondering how this all happened. It's sorta like in those epically romantic novel-based-movies where the female character (usually played by Keira Knightly) is convinced that she despises the male character (usually some dreamboat like James McAvoy) and then all of sudden - POOF! - the stars align and she suddenly has a revelation and realizes that they are soul mates and they are truly, madly, deeply in love. That's the only way I can really describe how I feel right now.

Seriously, HOW DID I MISS THIS? Perhaps I shall never know. But no matter, as I always say: better late than never. Watch the video for their new single, "URA Fever," and then go check out their website. It's fun and interactive and jam packed with cool art and photographs. I especially dig the photobooth gallery.

"[URA Fever] is about Dalston, the neighborhood where we live in London. It's really poor, really rough, and it’s one of those last bastions where artists can live, because it’s so cheap, and it’s really rare to find that kind of thing in London now. I love the area, it’s dangerous as hell, but I love it. You see all these couples walking around, just sort of daydreaming about their lives. And the song is just sort of two mundane love stories, about not really doing anything, just wandering around. Hanging around, buying a drink, playing fruit machines, and just being ecstatically happy and feeling like you’re something special, because you have to feel like that just to get through the day in Dalston." - Jamie Hince

"URA Fever" is the first single off The Kills' third album, available March 2008.

www.thekills.tv www.myspace.com/thekills www.nylonmag.com/?section=article&parid=889

music for insomniacs

lilja88 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:56:03 GMT

When it's 6 in the morning (like right now) and I STILL can't get my eyes to shut peacefully or my thoughts to calm down, I turn to my iPod for comfort. Here are some of the songs that frequent my iPod during those cold, dark hours of sleepless nights.

"Lately" - David Gray

"Do You Sleep?" - Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories

"Stay" - Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories

"Little Star" - Stina Nordenstam

"Fade Into You" - Mazzy Star

"Talk Show Host" - Radiohead

"Wild Horses" - The Sundays

"Secret Heart" - Feist

"Green Eyes" - Coldplay

"We Never Change" - Coldplay

"Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N Roses (Weird, I know)

If I count all of them, can I please go to sleep?

R.I.P. Heath

lilja88 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:15:34 GMT

Must life be so cruel and unfair? Must the brightest stars always burn out the quickest?

if ye cannot bring good news, then don't bring any

lilja88 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:15:49 GMT

Downtown at my local music shop today, I was suddenly compelled to buy the soundtrack to "I'm Not There," even though I haven't seen the movie (yet). Included in the thirty or so contributing artists are the likes of Cat Power, Sonic Youth, Mason Jennings, The Black Keys, Jack Johnson, Yo La Tengo, Karen O, Sufjan Stevens and Charlotte Gainsbourg. It is quite an epic compilation, spanning 34 tracks over two CDs, and it was well worth the price (although I admit...I probably wouldn't have bought it if it hadn't been on sale). It's missing some of my favorite Dylan songs like "Lay Lady Lay" and "Shelter From The Storm," but otherwise, it's a well-rounded album and includes most of Dylan's greatest hits, such as "Highway 61 Revisited" (performed by Karen O and The Million Dollar Bashers), "The Times They Are A Changin" (performed by Mason Jennings), and "Just Like A Woman" (performed by Charlotte Gainsbourg and Calexico). I highly recommend it to any and all devoted Bob Dylan fans.

(Props if you can name this Bob Dylan impostor)

D.I.Y. conceptual art: featuring björk and michel gondry

lilja88 — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:32:44 GMT

This is another one of those whacky but brilliant inventions that make you go, "Dang, why didn't I think of that??" It seems like a pretty simple D.I.Y. art project. Really, you only need a few common household items...

1. piano 2. "Spin Art" machine 3. video camera 4. wires, boards, duct tape 5. icelandic singer and visual arts mastermind (optional)

I almost forgot how cool those "Spin Art" things were. Brings back fond memories of third grade day-care...

the man, the moon, the moving walkway

lilja88 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:57:47 GMT

Leslie Feist's cheekbone structure is almost as gorgeous as her singing voice. And this video is almost as awesome as the song itself. The next time I'm at an airport, I totally want to try this...

björk strikes again

lilja88 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:00:17 GMT

According to today's news reports, Björk allegedly assaulted a photographer in New Zealand on Sunday following his attempt to take pictures of her at Auckland International Airport. The photographer claims that he did not provoke her in any way or speak to her before she grabbed him by the t-shirt, ripped it, and fell down.

Sound familiar?

now you're on the trolley!

lilja88 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:19:52 GMT

Norah Jones has never been one of my favorite artists, mainly because most of her songs sound exactly the same to me. So I was pleasantly surprised when I came across "Sinkin' Soon," a kicky tune from her latest album. The combination of the piano, banjo, trumpet, and sultry voice of Miss Jones makes me want to throw on my glad rags and curl up in a booth at a swanky juice joint with a cold glass of giggle water.

romance and rogaine

lilja88 — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:54:01 GMT

Ingrid Michaelson's songs are like Valentine's day cards. Lines like, "I love the way you say good morning," and "I'll buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair," bring to mind construction paper hearts and secret admirer notes sealed with lipstick kisses...

in memory of the king

lilja88 — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:58:11 GMT

January 8th was also the birthday of another important popular culture and musical icon...Elvis Presley!

Some fun facts:

-He was known to many as "The King of Rock N' Roll"

-To date, he is the only performer to have been inducted into four music halls of fame.

-He was the second of identical twins—his brother was stillborn and given the name Jesse Garon.

-A nervous Presley's legs were said to have shaken uncontrollably during his first live performance. His wide-legged pants emphasized his leg movements, apparently causing females in the audience to go "crazy." Presley consciously incorporated similar movements into future shows.

-Presley was seen as a "definite danger to the security of the United States." His actions and motions were called "a strip-tease with clothes on" or "sexual self-gratification on stage." They were compared with "masturbation or riding a microphone." Some saw the singer as a sexual pervert, and psychologists feared that teenaged girls and boys could easily be "aroused to sexual indulgence and perversion by certain types of motions and hysteria—the type that was exhibited at the Presley show."

- The Beatles were big Presley fans. John Lennon said: "Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadn't been an Elvis, there wouldn't have been a Beatles."

I would like to remember him as he was before a fatal combination of prescription drugs and ultimate stardom brought him to an untimely (and rather embarrassing) end...

R.I.P. and happy birthday, Elvis: The King of Rock n' Roll.

happy birthday bowie

lilja88 — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:03:03 GMT

A few facts about our beloved Bowie...

-Born January 8, 1947 in Brixton, London as David Robert Jones to an Irish mother and English father

-At age 15, was punched in the left eye by his friend, David Underwood, during a fight over a girl. Doctors operated but could not fully repair the damage, leaving his pupil permanently dilated. It appears brown to some people, but the iris is naturally blue.

-Bowie's interest in music sparked at the age of nine when his father brought home a collection of American 45's, including Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Of listening to "Tutti Frutti," Bowie would later state, "I had heard God."

-Chose "Bowie" for his stage name after the Alamo hero Jim Bowie and his famous Bowie knife.

- In October 2004, Bowie was hit in his dilated left eye with a lollipop stick while performing in Oslo, Norway. Bowie reportedly stopped the concert and screamed, "You fucking wanker! You little fucker!" at the lollipop thrower. The concert resumed and Bowie later apologized for his harsh reaction.

And a few images...

(Honestly, what could be better than David Bowie in The Labyrinth as the Goblin King...in spandex?? And oh, the hair...)

(Or as Nikola Tesla in The Prestige? What a spectacular entrance)

Happy Birthday Bowie!

dag er afmli

lilja88 — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:34:59 GMT

Today is a birthday. Yes. Mine! (And Elvis, and David Bowie...but more on that later) I will not overtly reveal my age due to confidentiality measures, but here is a clue: The Sugarcubes released their album "Life's Too Good" containing their hit single "Birthday" the year of my birth. The single itself was actually released the year before. But who cares how old I am. My favorite color is turquoise (although recently I have grown rather fond of yellow, it just exudes Happiness) and my favorite flowers are dahlias. I like birds a lot. And all kinds of cats. Except for those freaky hairless ones...

I decided not to post all of the lyrics to the song, because they don't really make a lot of sense to most people. Anyway, it's so much better to sit back and listen rather than dilly-dally about "what it all means" and so on and so forth. Here is my favorite verse though:

"Today is a birthday they're smoking cigars he's got a chain of flowers and sows a bird in her knickers"

Look out for the Icelandic version in the comments.

Here's a little background info about the band:

"The Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band. They received critical and popular acclaim internationally. They first came to notice in the UK when radio DJ John Peel played "Birthday," later voted by his listeners as a single of the year. The band's music was characterized by psychedelic sound, whimsical yet heartfelt lyrics, and the imploring, girlish voice of vocalist Björk Guðmundsdóttir, who later went on to great success as a solo artist. The band's name was assumed by its fans to be an LSD usage reference; the drug had regained widespread popularity while the band was releasing music. While not as successful as Björk's solo career would be, the band is still very highly regarded and was the most influential Icelandic group until the rise of Sigur Rós."

(This is a direct quote from Wikipedia, which I consider a credible source for worldly information, despite what most college professors will have us believe.)

how to feel

lilja88 — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:31:14 GMT

There's a great line in the romantic comedy "Love Actually" when Emma Thompson's character says to her husband, (played by Alan Rickman, another fine actor), "Joni Mitchell taught your cold, English wife how to feel." Certainly anyone who doesn't feel something after listening to Joni Mitchell has a heart made of stone.

Her song "Come In From The Cold" seems appropriate for my life at the moment. Not only metaphorically appropriate, but literally -- I am actually writing this in the midst of a violent winter storm.

"Back in 1957 We had to dance a foot apart And they hawk-eyed us from the sidelines Holding their rulers without a heart And so with just a touch of our fingers I could make our circuitry explode All we ever wanted Was just to come in from the cold

We really thought we had a purpose We were so anxious to achieve We had hope The world held promise For a slave to liberty Freely I slaved away for something better And I was bought and sold And all I ever wanted Was just to come in from the cold

I feel your leg under the table Leaning into mine I feel renewed I feel disabled By these bonfires in my spine I don't know who the arsonist was Which incendiary soul But all I ever wanted Was just to come in from the cold

I am not some stone commission Like a statue in a park I am flesh and blood and vision I am howling in the dark Long blue shadows of the jackals Are falling on a pay phone by the road Oh all they ever wanted Was just to come in from the cold

Is this just vulgar electricity Is this the edifying fire (it was so pure) Does your smile's covert complicity Debase as it admires (just a flu with a temperature) Are you just checking out your mojo (oohoo) Or am I just fighting off growing old (just a high fever) All I ever wanted Was just to come in from the cold

I know we never will be perfect Never entirely clear (when the moon shines) We get hurt and we just panic And we strike out Out of fear (you were only being kind) I fear the sentence of this solitude 200 years on hold (for my loving crime) Oh and all we ever wanted Was just to come in from the cold

When I thought life had some purpose Then I thought I had some choice (I was running blind) And I made some value judgments In a self-important voice (I was out of line) But then absurdity came over me And I longed to lose control (into no mind) Oh all I ever wanted Was just to come in from the cold"

[lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

just 'cause you say it doesn't make it true

lilja88 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:11:10 GMT

Mason Jennings. (Wikipedia definition, in brief) Born in Hawaii, moved with his family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Learned to play guitar and write his own songs at age 13, later dropped out of school and moved to Minneapolis to pursue his career. Produced self-titled debut in 1997 on an analog four-track in the living room of his rented home (manning all instruments and vocals himself, of course). Jennings provides two songs for the 2007 Bob Dylan biopic, "I'm Not There:" "The Times They Are a-Changin'" and "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll."

Based on the (beautifully written) lyrics of the song, "Jackson Square," my assumption is that Jennings is referring to the one in San Francisco, California. However, there is also a Jackson Square in Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Ontario...

"dustcloud comin' off an old dirt road it leads up here, to this little graveyard seven mats in a perfect row under each slab is a police car just because you say it doesn't make it true you can say that i'm guilty man i just don't care you can burn my body black just don't make me go back to jackson square

i met you on decatur street with your little bare feet and your violin i was walkin' by with my guitar in my hand you smiled at me and i jumped right in before i knew it you were all i knew every moment together was an answered prayer after a while we had some money saved up and we rented a room over jackson square

and one day everything changed your eyes got strange you didn't seem yourself you go to tell a story and you'd start out fine halfway through it you'd be somewhere else and i started having the strangest dream i held a string and looked up in the air and you were glowing with the strangest light drifting out of sight over jackson square

life is something that you can't control when you try to hold onto it it makes you let go

things are alive like they were before i can hear her crying through the bathroom door she says she hears spirits all around the room and they're telling her things that make her feel scared i have no idea what to do were both in over our heads on jackson square

i woke up with a weight on my chest people were screaming on the street below i reached for you, i was alone in the bed wind was blowing through an open window and suddenly i was very old in a little boat absolutely nowhere staring at the sight of the universe and your tiny body down on jackson square

and don't tell me that there ain't no end there damn well is and it waits in the wings i see you kneeling on that center stage in your tiny cage made of angel wings but i'm here every night loading my gun and trying not to go there anyone who says that life is clear has never seen a mirror or been to jackson square."

[lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

Michel Gondry solves Rubik's cube with his feet

lilja88 — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:44:53 GMT

Warning: this post has absolutely nothing to do with music.

As I was browsing YouTube for more Michel Gondry videos, I came across this one and just had to share it. How I envy the French. Even their feet are more sophisticated than mine.

just 'cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there

lilja88 — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:32:13 GMT

If you've ever dreamed about wandering through a dark, mysterious forest only to discover a secret world of furry stuffed animals that have sprung to life in order to seek revenge upon mankind...then these two videos are for you.

1. Radiohead: "There There (The Boney King of Nowhere)"

2. Bjork: "Human Behavior" (Bjork and Michel Gondry...it just doesn't get any better...)

writer's blog

lilja88 — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 05:43:02 GMT

There is always that song that you've heard a million times at a club or party but have never really bothered to think about, until eventually that revelatory moment occurs and you make the connection between that song and the artist that created it. Perhaps you’re having a conversation with a friend and s/he says, “Have you heard of [insert artist name here]?” and you say, “No, that doesn’t ring a bell,” but then s/he plays that song for you and the light goes on in your head and you say “Ohhh, I love that song! So that’s who it’s by…” For me that moment arrived when I discovered the Swedish band Peter, Bjorn and John (not to be confused with Peter, Paul and Mary) also known as PB&J (not to be confused with peanut butter & jelly). Of course for me that song was “Young Folks” and upon further investigation I was glad to discover that Peter, Bjorn and John are not just a one-hit wonder. For the past few days I’ve been listening to their latest album, “Writer’s Block” and the whole thing is absolutely divine, but “The Chills” seems to be the one that gets stuck in my head the most. (I also recommend "Amsterdam" and "Let's Call It Off")

arcade fire, j'adore

lilja88 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:00:51 GMT

In case you needed another reason to love Arcade Fire: they have proven that an orchestral septet can successfully perform in an elevator.

To see the full-length version of this film, please visit http://www.blogotheque.net/article.php3?id_article=2868

(This post is dedicated to Bartleby, for without him, I may never have discovered the wondrous world of La Blogotheque)

and the award for best original score goes to...

lilja88 — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:47:15 GMT

Into the Wild, directed by Sean Penn and supported by Eddie Vedder’s rugged vocals and acoustic guitar strokes, really packs a punch. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to watch 22-year-old Emile Hirsch (Chris McCandless a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp) starve to death in the Alaskan wilderness due to an overwhelmingly brazen desire for a life uninhibited by social constructs and responsibilities. Although I thought the book was much better (and I usually do), the film intends to grab us in the heart and stir some wild animal that slumbers within us. The soundtrack is perfect for such a conquest. I imagine it would make good road trip music. Picture yourself, cruising into the sunset along a deserted highway towards some unknown destination, blasting this song. Wouldn't everything just feel so much more meaningful?

mog.com

More about this song

(the iTunes verson that I downloaded is protected and apparently won't allow mp3 comversion, so this was borrowed from rocknrollpimp)

Another great soundtrack is the one for Dan In Real Life, featuring original songs by Sondre Lerche. Here's your homework little Moggies: If you could create a soundtrack for a movie about your own life, which artists or songs would you choose?

what will you have?

lilja88 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:38:00 GMT

Here's a little Monday Morning Music to start the week off. Kings of Convenience. The perfect musical accompaniment for sipping Earl Grey at the breakfast table in the early morning sunlight.

Just be careful not to get too excited about this post and spill your tea all over the place like I just did...

daft hands

lilja88 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:44:20 GMT

You gotta hand it to him, the kid's got talent. He must have had a lot of time on his hands when he made this. Please put your hands together for the amazing, the incredible, Daft Hands!!! Ok enough with the puns, just watch.

australians in santa cruz

lilja88 — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:36:15 GMT

Two nights ago Architecture In Helsinki came to Santa Cruz. They played at a teeny tiny venue called the Rio, which is more of a movie theater than anything else, but despite the awkward arrangement I found them to be much more entertaining in concert than on any CD. These guys had personality. They had originality. They had stage presence. At one point at least twenty fans (including one in a silver jumpsuit) had stage presence too. The roadies looked more worried about instruments and cords getting trampled than anything else. All in good fun though. Although the name of the band was inspired by a city in Finland, these guys hail from Melbourne, Australia. If Kellie Sutherland's koala sweatshirt wasn't enough of a clue, their adorable accents surely blew their cover.

Here is the last song they played, which has been stuck in my brain ever since:

do the dance!

lilja88 — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 07:54:18 GMT

I might have said this before, but I've become very fond of dance music lately. My housemate recently introduced me to Justice. This song in particular is F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C. I can't get it out of my head. These guys just might be the new Daft Punk.

The video is G-E-N-I-U-S. I need to find out how to get my hands on one of those magically transforming t-shirts...

what's that on your head?

lilja88 — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 01:45:36 GMT

The B-52’s have just completed recording a brand new album, their first in 15 years, with producer Steve Osborne (KT Tunstall, New Order, Manic Street Preachers) and programmers Damian Taylor (Bjork) and Pete Davis (New Order). Set for an early 2008 release, it maintains the band’s classic party vibe, but with a more modern direction. "There's more electronica on it," he said. "It's up-tempo and a bit sexed-up. It's sexier than ever,” says Fred. There’s no doubt that fans are looking forward to this new release. Thirty years into their career, the B-52’s continue to keep the party going, serving up their own unique blend of music and showmanship to millions of people worldwide, and with no signs of slowing down. (http://www.theb52s.com/bio.html)

I grew up listening to the B-52's and had the rare opportunity of seeing them perform at the Fillmore in SF about 5 years back. It was a good deal of fun, although I couldn't help but notice that they were getting up there in years. It was after all their 25th anniversary tour.

Despite the fact that these guys are pretty old, they are nowhere close to being burnt-out. I look forward to their 2008 release with hopeful anticipation. In honor of their upcoming album, I thought I'd play one of my favorite songs off of "Time Capsule: Songs For a Future Generation." A fitting title seen as most of their songs were recorded a decade before I was even conceived.

a love song to a cranberry tree

lilja88 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:14:27 GMT

Another more up-to-date monster song to rock out to on Hallow'd Eve: "Monster Hospital" by Metric. I can't say I know much about this band except that the lead singer Emily Haines is pretty fucking rad. "When I was a little kid I would creep downstairs to the piano and write rudimentary songs about imaginary places. I’m told the first song I ever wrote was a love song to a cranberry tree." (undertheradarmag.com)

do the mash!

lilja88 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 07:49:07 GMT

In the spirit of Halloween, I thought this would be appropriate to get us in the mood for a few thrills and chills:

"Vatever happened to my Transylvania Tvist?"

top 5 part 2

lilja88 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:17:07 GMT

Top 5 albums for cold, rainy, foggy, snowy, lonely, or otherwise dreary and wistful autumn days:

1. Coldplay - Parachutes 2. Bjork - Post 3. The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead 4. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans (or, The Postal Service - Give Up. they do have the same singer, right? I can't tell the difference between them anyway) 5. Jeff Buckley - Grace

top 5 records

lilja88 — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:09:38 GMT

Inspired by the fantastic film High Fidelity, as well as my love of listmaking, here are some of my "top five records" at the moment.

Top 5 Records of the 80's and 90's:

1. The Cure - Staring at the Sea 2. U2 - Joshua Tree 3. B-52's - Cosmic Thing 4. Talking Heads - Speaking In Tongues 5. Bjork - Debut

(more to come soon!!! feel free to add your own lists. Top Five Records About Love, Top Five Records to Play at a Funeral, etc.)

bonkers

lilja88 — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 01:19:14 GMT

I just want to apologize to all my trusty moggers...I do realize that my latest blog was reposted four times...and I swear it's not my fault...MOG is off it's rocker!!! So sorry for the inconvenience of all those damn e-mail notifications.

Anyway, have I mentioned how adorable Jenny Lewis is?

as the story goes

lilja88 — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:26:03 GMT

I had heard of Rilo Kiley before, but never really gave them a listen. I finally bought their latest album yesterday when I was browsing for new music at Streetlight Records in Santa Cruz. I was instantly hooked. There are so many styles and genres going on in this album. "Dejalo" has a conspicuous latin pop influence, "Dreamworld" could be mistaken for a Fleetwood Mac song, and "The Moneymaker" is slightly punk rock. There are about a million songs titled "Silver Lining," but this one reminds me of waking up on a sunny morning to the smell of coffee and feeling oddly optimistic and happy-go-lucky. It's a good feeling.

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More about this song

And I'm not going back into rags or in the hole and our bruises are coming but we will never fold

and i was your silver lining as the story goes i was your silver lining but now im gold hooray hooray im your silver lining hooray hooray but now im gold.

And i was your silver lining high up on my toes well you were running through fields of hitchhikers as the story goes

hooray hooray im your silver lining hooray hooray but now im gold hooray hooray im your silver lining hooray hooray but now im gold

And the grass it was a ticking and the sun was on the rise i never felt so wicked as when i willed our love to die

and i was your silver lining as the story goes i was your silver lining but now im gold hooray hooray im your silver lining hooray hooray but now im gold hooray hooray im your silver lining hooray hooray but now im gold but now im gold but now im gold but now im gold

Viva Las Vegoose

lilja88 — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:12:53 GMT

I have never even heard of the Vegoose Festival until just now, but I can't believe the line up. I mean...

HOLYMOTHERFUCKINGSHIT!!!:

Daft Punk Iggy and the Stooges Rage Against the Machine Muse M.I.A. Theivery Corporation The Shins Cypress Hill Blonde Redhead Ghostface Killah Ghostland Observatory Michael Franti and Spearhead

Among others...and they are playing in Las Vegas!!! On Halloween weekend!!! Oh my god, I can hardly breathe right now, just imagining being able to see all of those bands within a two day period...I think I would honestly die and go to heaven...

ooh la la

lilja88 — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:26:55 GMT

OH MY GOD. Everything about this video makes me want to cry. Take me to Paris in the 1960's, please!!!

do you want to go to the seaside?

lilja88 — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:11:02 GMT

_I'm just trying to love you any kinda way but I find it hard to love you when you're far away_

Bloody Beautiful British Boys:

The Kooks

The Libertines

great scot

lilja88 — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:40:55 GMT

Maybe it's all the coffee I've been drinking...but lately I've been really into dance music. I just discovered this Scottish guy named Calvin Harris, who has a new album out called "I Created Disco." Every song is good enough to turn up loud and dance yourself silly to, but "Disco Heat" is like cocaine. Highly addictive.

I don't know what it is, but there is something about the British men that I absolutely adore. Their offbeat humor? Their pale complexions? Their darling accents? I don't know...but I do know that Calvin Harris is the latest great thing to arrive from Great Britain.

a spoonful of sugar

lilja88 — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 02:38:19 GMT

My current musical obsession (next to Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse) is Spoon. I am absolutely addicted to their song "Don't You Evah." It's one of those songs that I JUST HAVE TO DANCE TO. Yesterday I went to the Treasure Island Music Festival and got to see a bunch of awesome bands perform, but my favorite act by far was Spoon. If I could, I would give them the award for sound quality as well as liveliness on stage. They were simply the best. They beat Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (satisfactory, yet barely audible) and Devil Makes Three (not bad but not romping enough). Granted, Modest Mouse would probably have been just as amazing (if not better) but I missed out on them unfortunately because a few minutes before the highly anticipated performance began, I almost fainted due to a near fatal combination of too much beer, too many cigarettes, dehydration, low blood sugar, claustrophobia, exhaustion and general overstimulation. I begged my friend to let me stay and watch them but she convinced me to leave after the third song. Hey, at least I got to hear them play one of my favorites, "Dashboard," and I got a Modest Mouse t-shirt. Plus I have a damn good excuse to go see them again. Maybe next time I'll drink more water...smoke fewer cigarettes...and NOT stand in the sun for eight hours beforehand.

Anyway...listen to this song. AND DANCE!!!

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tired of tryin'

lilja88 — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:13:50 GMT

The sun is setting on my summer holidays. School is about to begin, the air is getting crisper, the leaves are getting crunchier, and the feeling of freedom and whimsy that the summer season once enlightened my spirit with is beginning to diminish. It's the perfect time of year for listening to sweet, melancholy music like this.

And how could you not love a name like Ferraby Lionheart?

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the book i read

lilja88 — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:31:47 GMT

You know how it is. How certain things seem to reoccur in your daily life, and suddenly you begin to think they mean something? Right now it's the Talking Heads. This morning, as I'm drinking coffee and reading "The Time Traveler's Wife." I take note of the fact that one of the main characters is a fan of the Talking Heads. At one point, the character goes to a party and hears "Once In a Lifetime." Then, as I'm listening to "No Compassion" on iTunes and floating around on the internet, I notice that this video of "Burning Down the House" is on the front page of MOG. I get the feeling it's not just a coincidence. If the gods could talk to us they would probably be saying "LISTEN TO THE TALKING HEADS!!!"

re-volta-ing

lilja88 — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 07:46:41 GMT

To quote a film I recently watched (the Girl in the Cafe), Bjork is pretty much "the coolest woman on the planet." Of course I am somewhat biased because I am 50% Icelandic, but I honestly do think she's amazing. (I don't care what anyone else says, I LIKED the swan dress!) I have to say though, her last two albums were heartbreakingly disappointing. It took me a long time to really be able to listen to her old stuff, but back then I was a prepubescent kid listening to stuff like Alanis Morrisette and (sin of all sins) The Backstreet Boys. Now that my musical ear has matured, I can handle the intensity and strangeness that is Bjork Gudmundsdottir. I love Debut, Post, Vespertine, all that jazz. But her latest work has simply gotten wayyyyyy too far out for my taste. I can listen to the B-52's, the Talking Heads, M.I.A., The Slits...a lot of far out music. But I can't listen to Bjork's Medulla or Volta. It's just not enjoyable. I'm praying that her next album is a little more down to earth (is that even possible?) because I love her so much!!!

t.g.i.t.i.m.f.

lilja88 — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:09:55 GMT

I'm officially obsessed with M.I.A. and I listen to her pretty much every single day. There are a few songs on her latest album that haven't quite gained my absolute affection but it's a great album nonetheless. I'm in love, especially with Paper Planes, Jimmy, and Come Around, which features Timbaland, who by the way has been collaborating with some pretty cool people lately, including M.I.A., Bjork, and Nelly Furtado.

On another note, I have two tickets to the Treasure Island Music Festival for Sunday, September 16th. I really want to go on Saturday though because that's when Thievery Corporation and M.I.A. are performing. Does anyone know how I can swap or sell these tickets because Ticketmaster is lame and won't let me?

cold moon kids

lilja88 — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:32:24 GMT

Ok, so I'm a little slow on the uptake...but I just realized that I kinda like this band called the Cold War Kids. I'm sure you've heard of them. I realized it this morning, when I went on Astrology.com (I read my horoscope every day) and did a Native American medicine wheel chart thing and found out that I was born under something called the Cold Moon. That makes me a Cold Moon Kid, which sorta sounds like a Cold War Kid. So I guess we have a lot in common. This song makes me want to be a little kid and slosh around in the mud.

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kiss kiss bang bang

lilja88 — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 06:27:15 GMT

I just have to say that I am super excited for M.I.A.'s latest album, which comes out tomorrow (technically in half an hour!!!) and I can't wait to listen to the whole thing. I think out of all the songs I've previewed illegally so far, "Paper Planes" is the one that has me most entranced. "Come Around" has the most danceable beat though. We'll just have to see what else grows on me as I replay the entire album repeatedly until I get sick...

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