Modestly Ugly

We might as well get this post off to a good start with my weekly “listening choice” list…

• Ugly Casanova – Sharpen Your Teeth


• Modest Mouse – The Moon and Antarctica


• Donny Darko – Music from the motion picture


• Failure – Fantastic Planet


• J. Mascis and the Fog – Free So Free

Clearly, this week’s chart was quite different from last week’s. For starters, Donny Darko toppled Kid A from its spot of prominence, using its own synth music to pass the rainy days. Green Mind fell prey to Failure’s fantastic planet, but the Lord of the Loud saw fit to return the blow with my sudden interest in his new album Free So Free.
But the real winner this week was indie-rock superstar Isaac Brock. His experimental album the Moon and Antarctica hit it big with me this week, but he wasn’t content to let it end there. His side-project Ugly Casanova was the other heavy hitter this week. Huzzah!

So gentle bloggers, all bright-eyed and wistful out there in blog-land, what do you plan to do with your weekend, aside from posting on your respective blogs of course? My parents are going to a little shindig tonight, complete with cocktails and small chat, so chances are I’ll probably go see The Two Towers again. My brothers haven’t seen that yet, and I’d like to see it again. Until later!

Brock

Rollin'

I've been wasting most of my time at work today looking for new tires for my new car. There really isn't a whole lot of tread left. After that I need to upgrade the stereo and speakers. Nothing too fancy, just better than what I have. Word.
Congrats Brock on the Essay! Watch out world, watch out!
I'm glad you got to see One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest. It's a great movie. Road to Perdition is out on video. Have you checked out the special features? I haven't yet. Apparently there are a lot of deleted scenes and a good commentary by director Sam Mendes.
Late,

Not Right in the Head

Well, it looks like the weather is finally starting to clear up a bit here in Phoenix. Although, there are still some wicked black looking storm clouds hanging over the valley. Nice weather though, if not a touch chilly. There's one heck of a wind out there that seems to cut right through the thickest jacket and into bone.
To say that this has been a good week would be fairly true, although I didn't feel too well last night. Headache, dizzy, tired and really to call it a week...maybe my uncomfort has to do with the fact that today was the day I turned in my first major 100+ point essay for college. I hope it goes over well, this is the big stuff now. No more cruddly little 20 pointers, we're in the big times now.

A shame that there aren't any good films out right now, cause I'm in the movie mood. I watched One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest for the first time on Wednesday. Talk about a movie, that film has everything. Conflict, human behavior, drama, well known actors before they were stars, and a climatic, touching ending that ranks among the best of all time.
Let's go... Very dynamic.

What'd you say about my Grammy!?

I'm so out of the loop. I didn't even know the Grammys were on. I do want to point out that a couple of Arizona artists were totally snubbed from even being nominated. Michelle Branch and Jimmy Eat World. I'm not a Michelle Branch fan, but she has a lot more talent than her contemporaries. And Jimmy Eat World put out an excellent album that greatly outshined their peers! Someone has something against Arizona.

Simon and Garfunkel together again?? Wow, I would like to have seen that.

CEO Doorstop

Yeah, I heard about those brawls. That's pretty crazy. Sounds like they're having fun on tour though...
Great top 5, I especially like the Ugly Cassanova selection (Hint hint, Ugly may very well be a big name on this week's top 5).

Well, I can officially say that I'm pooped. Long day at school, long week at school, long month, and already I'm raring for a break. This Friday though is a big day, a communications quiz and an essay is due in composition. Oh yes, it's going to be one heck of a Thursday and Friday.

Did anyone watch that travesty that goes by the name of The Grammys? I only saw half, but man, talk about your bad awards show. True, I'll admit that most awards shows suck, it's a natural science right up there with gravity and the theory of Pi. But man, this one was really a cop-out. I think the best part of the entire show was when Simon and Garfunkle (I probably spelt his name wrong...) performed. I'm sure the network tape that holds the show is currently being used as a doorstop to the CEO's office somewhere in Cali.

Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc. It'll be an interesting experience, that's for sure. In all honesty, I don't know much about Arc, other then the fact that they're one of the breakoff bands that formed after the end of Captain Jazz. Oh yes, and they're mellow, soft spoken, but artistic. Well, I'm looking forward to it.

Rain, rain, go away!

We don't get much rain in Phoenix, but I'm tired of all the rain we're getting now. After all, I bought a convertible!

Top 5 of this week:
Jeff Buckley - Grace
Small Brown Bike & The Casket Lottery - EP
Ugly Cassanova - Sharpen Your Teeth
Small Brown Bike - Dead Reckoning (still)
Onelinedrawing - Visitor

Brock, did you read about Hey Mercedes tour adventures, especially the bar brawl?? That's crazy!

Phoenix Show Reminders:
March 3rd - Joan of Arc
March 10th - The Fire Theft

Frankly my dear...I don't give a damn!

Hey hey folks, how’s it going?

I’m doing pretty well myself, although I’m a bit rained out. Right now in Phoenix it’s overcast and murky, the aftermath of a day of cold and bitter rain. But by no means am I complaining, I’ve always loved the rain, and down here it’s a precious commodity we don’t experience too often.

Gabe, it’s good to hear that things went well! Welcome back! That long drive can be killer, especially going through Texas. I’m glad the car works well, sounds like you had fun. I’ll throw out a new top 5 this Saturday, but I’ll tell you right now that two of the strong contenders are, “Free So Free” by J. Mascis and the Fog, and the Donny Darko soundtrack. The Donny Darko soundtrack is especially moody on a rainy, overcast day like this.

So, get this…today was supposed to be the first day of a cinema class I enrolled in. My future profession of choice is to be a director, to make films and hopefully, to show up Steven Spielberg (just kidding). So naturally, this film class was a no-brainer choice. As I sit in class the teacher makes small talk with the other students as if he knows them well. This struck me as odd considering that this was supposed to be the first day of class, but I let it go. After sitting through 3 hours of Gone With the Wind, the class finally ended and I approached the teacher telling him that I signed up for his class but that I felt like I was jumping in on a class that was already in progress. Well, apparently, I was. Doh! My class doesn’t start until March 25th. Oh well, I looked at the bright side of things in that I got to see Gone With the Wind. Before now, I had never seen that film, nor did I have the desire to.

Later folks,

I'm back!

Well, I made the long, 1600 mile, or so, journey from Mississippi. The care looks and runs great! We ran into some freezing rain and icy road conditions in west Texas. A bit scary. The car slid around here and there but no mishaps.
Good call on the weekly top five, Brock! I'll try to keep up with you.