Friday, September 10, 2010

(Interpol)

Just finished my first listen-through of Interpol's new album... "Interpol".

Let me start by saying that I absolutely LOVE "Antics" and was pleasantly surprised when "Our Love To Admire" kept a very similar tone.  I saw "Our Love" as almost a sequel album.  Throwing them on shuffle together made it just seem like it was just a double album.  Normally, people might be against a band not really 'growing' with their next album, but I dug it.

Between "Our Love" and "Interpol", Paul Banks, lead singer and guitarist, took up a side project, "Julian Plenti" and released the first album, "Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper".  Because Bank's vocals are so unique, this album sounded very similar to his work with Interpol. Thought, this time, he kept it very minimal and tried to go a little more experimental with it.  I enjoyed it enough, but not nearly to the lengths that I loved "Antics" and "Our Love To Admire".

That's where "Interpol" comes into play.  It sounds more like a Julian Plenti album than an Interpol album.  That's both a good and bad things.  No, screw that; honestly, it's a bad thing.  Of course, the album is FAR from bad, but it's also far from what I was hoping for.  I'm not going to waste too much time going in depth about its actual musicianship because I'm not that kind of listener.  I don't try and dissect things, especially during the first listen-through.  I just didn't really "feel it".

I might just need more time to digest it.  And normally, when I don't like an album off the bat, it's a good thing.  All of my favorite bands, minus Ratatat because they're god-tier, have taken multiple listens for me to even begin to realize their greatness.  Hopefully, this will do just that.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Tales From Beneath Your Mom


Blink-182 is the first band I ever remember really liking.  To this day I'll argue that The Mark, Tom and Travis Show is one of, if not the best live albums ever; improving on songs in every possible way while including side-splitting "stand up" between them.  They were supposed to be the first band I ever saw live; I had my tickets and everything.  If I recall, it was supposed to be in September.  I think the 12th.  Back in 2001.

We ended up not making the show, due to unforeseeable events on the day proceeding the concerts.

When they announced they were coming out with a book I was beyond excited -- and scared; does this mean I'd actually have to learn how to read?  Fortunately, the words were small enough for my young mind to comprehend and I was treated with an extremely enjoyable read -- I think.

I actually don't remember much about the book.  I remember bits and pieces, like the part where, after screen-printing their own t-shirts, and realizing that they had burnt their fingerprints off in the process, they went on a rampant "crime spree" (as much of a crime spree as three jerk-offs from a shitty band could pull off).  But not much else.

Did anyone else read this?  Does it hold any value for anyone outside of fans?  Or is it just the moronic ramblings of a band that refuses to grow up?

Please note: I still love this band.  I love everything about them and I'm beyond stoked to see what their new album will sound like.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Growing Up Changes Things

.. and sometimes it doesn't.

This movie is still beyond fucking creepy.  There's just something off about it; it feels almost like a nightmare.

Love it.