Comic Books, Drag Race, & Life in New Zealand
by krisis
I just had my first “hmm, when is it exactly that i get to go to sleep?” moment. Perhaps it’s time for another cold shower. And then some strawberry-cheesecake ice-cream… mmmm… nothing like cramming an entire piece of cheesecake into an already full pint of ice cream to really make me salivate.
by krisis
At first I thought that i was hungry. Two in the morning, lying on my back on top of the covers thinking that maybe, perhaps, i was hungry.
There was definitely a sensation of roiling unease in my stomach, and i had definitely jogged two miles between the last time i ate and the moment i resignedly turned to my side and pulled the covers over my midriff. I could go have a snack if i really wanted to, but i was already dangerously close to staying up for an entire twenty-four hours. I didn’t relish the idea of doing it twice in one week. I would eat in the morning.
I wasn’t hungry. The bowl of Cheerios stared back at me, scores of tiny unwinking eyes returning my blank gaze. Never a blink. Probably wondering why i poured them in the first place. The spoon and i were like a assembly line machine, working with deliberation rather than care to finish one task and move on to the next. I finished unenthusiastically, my stomach still adrift. I wasn’t hungry.
I claim to be immune to stage fright, but having a big mouth doesn’t equal star potential. In fact, it can be exactly the opposite. Lately, our entire apartment and all of our significant others (oh, and Ernie) have become hooked on Fox’s American Idol. Somehow the show avoids the nauseating generic pop culture that most other Star-Making programs of late have engaged in, instead opting to lead with the contestants and their voices. On each show they sing a song… they can dance or smile if they want to, but really they’re just there to sing. Live. In front of over 10 million viewers. For the chance to be a superstar.
Lindsay and i are invariably amongst the first people into our building on Wednesday mornings, and as we both delve through endless boxes of records we talk about what songs we would choose to sing on teevee. Underneath all the laughter and bragging, i know that i wouldn’t make it. Even with the quality of my voice left wholly aside, i know that i could never walk out on stage and stand still – knowing that a number of eyes beyond my ability to count were on me. And so i settle for watching, for being nervous on their behalf, and for dreaming about being in their midst.
Blogathon is not a top rated teevee show… last year my hits for the 24 hours were in the thousands, but people who actually listened to my songs were probably only in the tens. However, this year looks like it’s shaping up to be a lot bigger than last year, and i really have no way of predicting how many people will visit my page or listen to what i have chosen to invest: a dozen of my most valuable possessions – my songs – plus another dozen covers of some of my popular favorites. In three days they will appear, one per hour, for thousands of people to sample and form opinions on. And my stomach is aflutter. 72 whopping hours left until i have to go live with my my first song and i already want to duck out the stage door and either be sick or hide.
Elise pointed out i have to record a song every three hours to get all 25 of them done by Saturday morning. I would like to point out that thanks to two very generous pledges i have now raised as much money for Planned Parenthood as i have spent on recording equipment for Saturday. Which is now 71 hours away.
I think i might be hungry, but i’m not sure. Back to work.
by krisis
So, we’ve all seen blogs with comments via YAACS, like cool indy music blog Buzzgrinder, right? Even Kat has them. Well, have you ever noticed that they’re hosted via RateYourMusic.com? Really? Well, have you actually looked at it? It’s a site where you can spend endless hours ranking your favourite (and least favourite) albums and writing capsuled reviews of them. So, if you were wondering what i was doing with the rest of my night, just remember: i own approaching 400 cds :p
by krisis
I am trying to land a position writing music reviews for the Philadelphia Independent – a new $.50 paper that has only released two issues so far. Their main page essays come off more like revised and extended blog entries, but their music section is brief and to the point. My challenge (from the editor)? Review two new records that aren’t my typical fare in a constrictive 100 words or less. My (personal) editors? Only the best: Martha, Andy, Jill, Maggie, and Liz. The results?
Wilco – Yankee Foxtrot Hotel
Grade: A+
Wilco is ambiguously labeled as an Alt-Country band, but more than anything else their newest release is a Rock record. Nearly every song is loaded with eclectic multi-instrumental riffing and studio buzz, but never enough to obscure the tunes at their root. The disc’s relatively vague lyrics are surprisingly introspective despite giving the sense of magnetic poetry assemblage. The album seamlessly combines sound collage techniques with catchy pop songs – sometimes within a single track. Borrowing as much from rock classics as from country standards, Wilco’s tunefully intricate acoustic sensibility is ultimately impressive and effective.
Standout Tracks: I’m The Man Who Loves You, I am Trying To Break Your Heart
Lauryn Hill – Unplugged 2.0
Grade: B
Unplugged is an unusual record, featuring 13 new songs performed solo rather than a glossy hit parade. The stripped down medium allows for an undiluted delivery of this hip-hop dissertation, complete with both rambling and eloquent spoken interludes. Lauryn plays uncomplicated acoustic guitar, but her MC abilities prove to be difficult to perform while strumming along. Though her playing occasionally suffers, her superb vocals are still silky and soulful. A few cuts are too long or simply lack a hook, but the strongest songs stand stronger alone than they would on a produced studio album. Overall Hill has scored one for her talent and musicianship – if not for her ability to produce hip grooves.
Standout tracks: Just Like Water, I Find It Hard To Say
There’s also an erstwhile Sheryl Crow review on my hard drive that i practically had rewritten for me by my first three review reviewers, but that had no bearing on whether i get the job or not. So, seeing as my typical reviews are more in the realm of 1,000 to 3,500 words, i’m tempted to ask you how i did. However, as much as i’d love to see your comments, i cringe at the thought of editing either of these any more – especially considering the fact that they are definitely not the ready-for-print versions should i get chosen to review for the next issue.
Argh, they’re still cutting down trees.
by krisis
Still digesting Star Wars after seeing it tonight; the story was excellent, the graphics were stunning, and the dialog was better than bearable. However, one thing i’d like to mention before the details become hazy to me is that it is entirely obvious that George Lucas had at some point considered scripting the rape of Padme by Anakin (click for spoiler). It was often remarked upon on spoiler boards well before a working print of the movie was ever screened, so i have to assume it never made it out of the scripting phase. In fact, large portions of the script would not have worked out properly had their been a rape. Despite all of this, i definitely regret that the SW franchise is PG by definition, as a PG-13 version of the film would have taken several very interesting turns. Otherwise, Ewan is absolutely stunning, Jar-Jar is exactly as evil and stupid as we had already surmised, and Natalie Portman has some really delectable abs.