Wednesday, 25 Jan 2006
Here is a trailer for Top Gun 2: Brokeback Squadron.
Also, what is this guy crying about?
Chromewaves links to a new track by Neko Case. Her new album comes out March 7, and will be called “Fox Confessor Brings The Flood.”
Jacob from Cannot Be Trusted is calling it quits from blogging, go wish him well.
Pitchfork reviews the new Arctic Monkey’s release [7.4]
It would be nice to think that a democratized music industry would mean the kids are tossing up alternatives to what they’re already getting, but the Arctic Monkeys are, at their heart, the same sort of meat’n'potatoes guitar rock that has dominated the UK since the emergence of the Strokes, if not Oasis.
I guess Stylus Magazine isn’t feeling the new Arctic Monkey disc either, they give it a C.
The Arctic Monkeys are the most cynical band ever. More cynical than Menudo, S Club Juniors, or Athlete. A band who’ve planned every single gig, press release, hype burst, chart assault, each and every single level has gone through 50 A&R guys and a street team with the manpower and delusion of the Elite Republican Guard.
Stylus does have a new web-design and they give the new Cat Power an A-.
January 25th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
you have a brokeback link on the “crying guy”
January 25th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
I actually think Pitchfork’s review was kind of positive, if a realistic take on the band hailed “next biggest thing.” I’ve really enjoyed the Arctic Monkeys album (and am looking forward to seeing them in Chicago) but agree that it doesn’t change the musical landscape of popular rock like Oasis’ “Def Maybe” or the Strokes/Hives/Stripes did years ago. (Remember rap-rock? Ugh.)
That doesn’t change the fact that the Arctic Monkeys have created a very vivid and resonant portrait of being a suburban lad in England right now. I think that’s what people have latched onto. It’s not the music they’re revolutionizing, but the content. They aren’t arty (Franz) or junkies (Babyshambles) or rock Gods (Razorlight)… just regular guys who know how to express their boredom and desire to have a little fun to distract them from returning to the mundane come Monday morning. And other regular blokes have responded.
Anyways, I think Pitchfork hits it right on the head in that respect. And overall it’s not at all a negative indictment. Let the boys be boys, why should we expect/demand more? There’s other bands for that.
I will say, though, that I find their lyric s infinitely clever.
January 25th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Andrew, well put. I dig the album, thanks for your comment.
January 25th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
Shit. Damn NBA moves quicker than I do.
Yeah, it’ll be a good show.
Note to self: Never mention anything about Islam in blog. Got some pretty crazy comments, as well as some pretty heated emails. I guess I’m only good for the T n’ A.
January 27th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
The Stylus Magazine man’s piece on the Arctic Monkeys is possibly the most poorly researched, ill-conceived and cynical (yes cynical) review I have had the misfortune to read in the last 30 years. May his next shit be a porcupine.