The Blithering Idiot

a purge of whatever's going on inside my head right now, mostly related to film, music, etc, blah, blah, blahg....

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club - Top 20 of Fall '15 (or what I've been listening to)

Well it’s been a while since i posted, but I listened to this mix throughout the fall, winter and spring & the music is still in my head.  This mix ended up more dance/pop then some of mine, but also features tracks from a couple soon to be classic hip-hop albums.  Less sad songs, and more up tempo stuff so turn it up to 11.  As always if you want to hear the track or see the link to a video or live performance, just follow the link and enjoy.  Feel free to comment and share what you’re listening to? 

1.  TV Set - Spoon - single

As soon as the thumping drumbeat comes in I was hooked on the cover of The Cramps.  The link is to a live performance of the song on Conan that is just sick.  That performance features a longer guitar solo that’s pretty amazing and worth the watch.  The song also features in the terrible Poltergeist movie remake that I did not see.  Pretty dark lyrics though so it mighta worked in a horror film?

2.  TV - Coleen Green - I Want to Grow Up

Continuing with the TV theme on this mix, this is just a pretty basic alt indie rock song by LA artist Green.  I really like the lyrics as another Gen X child raised by the Tele.  “TV is my friend, and it has been always there for me in time of need”  Yup, been there.

3.  The Song Condemns Itself - Born Gold - single

This song has so much energy to it, just like the band.  BG was an opener for the opener of a show I saw last year @ 9:30.  Three guys behind keyboards performing like they just had 10 red bulls topped off with some ecstasy.  Really really fun act I can't wait to see again.  The link is to the official video that I can’t even try to comprehend. A man appears to birth a head of lettuce?

4.  Airstream Driver - Gomez - A New Tide

Even though this blog tends to focus on new stuff, I really try to not ignore older music.  This classic from like 7 years ago still rocks.  I’m doing the lists to keep up with artists, so as I type this I’m searching what ever happ[end to the great British group.  They appear to still be around but their last album hasn’t that well received.  Hang in there boys.

5.  King Kunta - Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly

Normally I post videos links to the track, or live performances.  For King Kunta I posted Lamar talking about influences to the song which I thought was really interesting.  Everyone’s heard of KL now and the album won tons of awards.  So I think it’s cool to hear the dude breaking down his music

6.  Kill Paris ft. Royal - Illenium - single

This song is practically an R&B jam vocally, which is normally not my thing, but I like what the DJ, Illenium (San Fran DJ Nick Miller) does with the track.  Very smooth, with some dubstep to it.  Nice chill music.  He’s a DJ I’ve always dug because he does a lot of really great remixes.

7.  World Spins Madly On - The Weepies - Say I Am You

Another oldie but goodie.  If 10 years is really that old?  I guess it is in the music world.  This song is on my list because I was reminded how great it is when it appeared on the amazing Netflix show, Sense 8.  That show had an amazing soundtrack, and i can’t wait to listen to the music in the second season.  Beautiful stop action/claymation video of the track from the folk/pop band comprised of a married couple out of Massachusetts.

8.  Don’t You Worry - Lucy Rose - Like I Used To

Rose is a talented singer/songwriter form the UK.  I discovered her via a random download and just fell in love with the sound of her voice.  Like many artists I think Sony produced her latest album and it appears they raised the production values, while trying to force her into a pop artist.  What a shame.  Her melodies are better stripped down in this link to a live version of the track.

9.  Sore Eyes - Braids - Deep In the Iris

A really interesting sounding synth heavy alternative rock band out of Calgary.  Another artist discovered as an opener at a show.  Focus of the band is the powerful vocals of lead singer Raphaelle Sandell-Preston.    Video link gives a shaky but entertaining taste of their live act.

10.  Death - White Lies - Death EP

This English band sounds like an 80′s progressive throwback.  Heavy Cure, and Echo & Funnymen influence in the WL sound.  Like they came from another era.  This song also produced a whole album of solid remixes. Might be a good song to listen to as you break out that old HS yearbook.  Unless you’re a millennial then I’m sure it sounds pretty “new and hip”?! 

11-20 (Honorable Mentions):  Just a list and links.

11.  Vulcan, AB - The Rural Albert Advantage - Mended With Gold

12.  Close Your Eyes - Run The Jewels - 2

13.  Chapel Song - We Are Augustines - Rise Ye Sunken Ships

14.  Reaper Man - Trevor Sensor - download

15.  I Don’t Need a Reason (Mampi Swift remix) - Dizzee Rascal - download

16.  Best People In the World - Elephant - single

17.  Ultraviolence (Hook n Sling remix) - Lana Del Ray - single

18.  Don’t Look Down - Matt Pond PA - The State of Gold

19.  Blaze Up the Fire - Major Lazer - Peace Is The Mission

20.  Nightclub Amnesia - Ratatat - Magnifique

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club - Top 20 of Summer '15 (or what I've been listening to)

Summer has come and gone, but I managed to listen to some good stuff while it was around.  It was more of a case of rediscovering some artists I know well then finding a lot of new stuff.  But in an age of come and gone, that’s pretty OK too?  As always if you want to hear the track or see the link to a video or live performance, just follow the link and enjoy.  Feel free to comment and share what you’re listening to?  Long live CD Club:

1 & 2.  Highway 1 (Interlude) & This Ain’t Me - Augustines - self-titled

This is both the instrumental into to their fantastic album, along with a fave song from it.  The link actually doesn’t have either song, but is instead a KEXP live performance.  They remind me of a blue collar American rock version of Mumford and Sons.  Lots of emotional, anguished vocals, and this live performance in a dingy studio still gives me the chills.  Great band and one of my favorite albums in a long time.

3.  All of Me Wants All of You - Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell

I could find several versions of this beautiful track performed live but none had the simple folky stripped down sound of the recorded version.  A beautiful heartbreakingly sad album, dedicated to his parents.  I’m glad after a really bad experimental album, Sufjan has returned to his roots and his signature sound.  This is an album to drink to, maybe in the dark?  No happy songs to be found here.

4. Catch Me - The Jezabels - Prisoner

A little late on this band, the album is several years old.  The Aussies have a pretty standard pop rock sound.  This live version doesn’t do Hayley Mary, the lead vocalist justice.  Her powerful sound is what really makes the band kick, and in this video she needs more volume, come on audio guy?!

5. Flood on the Floor - Purity Ring - Another Eternity

Another of my favorite albums of the year, PR can do very little wrong.  Their live show at 9:30 club this year was also my favorite show of 2015.  Their lighting grid alone must have cost $$.  Worth the price of admission.   The link is to another fan video of another show to get a sense of the stage.  Enjoy.

6. Precipitation - The Dodos - Individ

The Dodos are just a really solid sounding indie rock band,  The duo of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber, looks a little like two young high school kids jamming out in their parents’ rec room.  Actually these guys are experienced vets, considering Individ is their 6th LP?!  The link is to a KEXP live version of several other songs off their album.  Here’s a audio only version of Precipitation.

7.  Jackrabbit - San Fermin - Jackrabbit

This is a song that’s just catchy as hell.  Best of luck getting it out of your head.  San Fermin calls themselves a a baroque rock band out of Brooklyn.  Now I normally always buy the albums of the artists on my list, but I couldn’t bring myself to in this case.  I really like the vocals of Charlene Kaye, but the truth is I just can’t say I dig the band as a whole, especially the other vocalists. Just my opinion, but this track is still strong.

8. Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1 - Run the Jewels - single

Cant lie.  Heard all about the buzz on this rap group.  It wasn’t until I was watching an episode of Silicon Valley, and this track came on over the closing credits.  Great stuff.  The whole album is pretty good, but by now everyone knows all about RtJ.  Since I’m a parent, requisite warning that you’ll have to teach your kids some new words if you blast it around the house though?

9.  I Love Lucy - Big Phony - Kicking Punching Bags

Just dig the lyrics in this sad little ballad.  A story about a girl that losing it slowly.  Maybe its depression, drowning in a bad relationship or just the monotony of life?  BP is a singer/songwriter out of NYC who writes beautifully mellow music. The song also reminds me of my grandmother (RIP), who also watched Lucy, just to set the mood?  Appropriately sad & odd video.

10. Dona Nobis Pacem 2 - Max Ricter - The Leftovers (Music from the HBO Series)

The funny thing is that the music, this track especially is the ONLY thing I like about this show.  I think Max Richter is an immensely talented neo-classical composer, and this is his take on a hymn of unknown origin.  Translated from the Latin it means, “bring us peace.”  If only the overwrought, bland show was worthy of Richter’s beautiful composition?

11-20 (Honorable Mentions):  Just a list and links.

11. Sprinter - TORRES - Sprinter

12. Blank Ocean - Meishi Smile - single

13. Strange Enough - Verite - Echo EP

14. When I Was Done Dying - Dan Deacon - Gliss Riffer

Awesome animation, no two Dan Deacon songs sound the same!

15.  Echoes - Pillar Point - download

16. Lifted Up (1985) - Passion Pit - Kindred

Just no way you can be in a sour mood listening to this band.

17. Emperor (remix) - Wilsen - Magnolia remix EP

and finally 3 repeats by three great artists and great albums:

18. Prisoner - The Jezabels - Prisoner

19. Walkabout - Augustines - self titled

20. Should Have Known Better - Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club - Top 20 of Winter/Spring '15 (or what I've been listening to)

This might be one of my favorite playlists that I’ve done.  Mostly because I felt like I discovered a ton of new artists that I immediately put on repeat.  And even though this list is months old by now, I’m still listening to 3 of the aritists in rotation (The Acid, MADE IN HEIGHTS, and ODESZA) and even repeated them on my list, which I usually don’t do.  As always if you want to hear the track or see the link to a video or live performance, just follow the link and enjoy.  Feel free to comment and share what you’re listening to?  Long live CD Club:

1. Amaranthine - MADE IN HEIGHTS - self-titled

This duo is a fairly simple straightforward DJ (Sabzi) & Vocalist (Kelsey Bulkin)  group.  But the electronic beats are super strong, and so are Bulkin’s beautiful vocals that blend right in. MiH has a hint of a Hip Hop vibe to it.  Relatively unknown, but I’m hearing them more and more on commercials such as an iPhone/Photo one thats viral right now, so by the time you read this you might be sick of them?  This debut album is great but their latest one moves more into a R&B sound that I don’t like quite as much.

2.  Koto - ODESZA - In Return

ODESZA is an American electronic music duo from Seattle consisting of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight.  I’m impressed they’re from the US, only because I thing the sound has strong world music feel to it.  Really really inventive beats and a epic head-bobbing vibe.  Link is to another song’s video on their site because I couldn't find more then audio online for this song.  I STRONGLY recommend the whole album.

3.  Basic Instinct - The Acid - Liminal

I must admit I first heard of this band from a friend that has good taste.  The Acid is trio of DJs/Producers hailing from the UK, US, and Australia.  They have a smooth chill electronic sound.  This is evidenced by the very trippy official video to the song which I’ve linked.  Actually the video almost seems to be a bit of a path down the rabbit hole to a very bad trip, pun intended?  I gather that its a side project for most involved, but I sincerely hope they stay around together and produce another Acid release.

4.  Bridges - Broods - Evergreen

OK, Broods is about as pop-ey as I can get.  New Zealand pop sibling duo, but I think they have a really nice mellow sound, especially with Georgia Nott’s vocals.  The whole album is good and the link is to a live performance on some overproduced Australian MTV-type thing.  I actually don’t love the Live version that much but it’s performed mellow with strings.  And EVERYTHING is better with a string section!

5.  The Apple of My Eye - Olafur Arnalds - Gimme Shelter (original soundtrack)

The Icelandic Arnalds is, I think one of the best composers of neo classical music working today.  I’m slightly embarrassed to add this track from a Vanessa Hudgens movie that I’ve never seen.  But the soundtrack mostly of OA’s work might even drive me to check it out, but probably not.  This a painfully sad short track.  I hope one day to get to see the very prolific Arnalds perform live, it doesn't seem like he performs in the US all that much.  No video for the song, so the link is to a small piano & string performance of a collection of his music.  Anyway, a hauntingly beautiful song.  

6.  Atomos XI - A Winged Victory For The Sullen - Atomos

OK, now I have to apologize for the pretentious section of my mix.  Another neoclassical track from a duet with the uber obnoxious sounding name, aWVFTS (ugh?) is a side project from a favorite composer of mine, Dustin O Halloran along with Adam Wiltzie.  O’Halloran has done a ton of soundtrack work, including the theme to the Amazon show, Transparent.  The duo met backstage somewhere and this album is supposed to accompany a dance piece.  Nice mellow ambient track, and thankfully the end of my pompous side.

7.  Above the Clouds of Pompeii - Bear’s Den - Islands

Just the song title is a bit flowery, the alt/folk band Bear’s Den certainly isn’t.  The English group out of West London have an amazing humble sweet live presence on stage.  Saw them as an opening act for another band and these guys couldn’t have been more charming.  Strong use of banjo in their work, and a lot of emotion in their lyrics.  Almost a quiet, shy cousin of Mumford & Sons (before they decided to become Coldplay?) Link is to a live performance, because the video is way too sad and would just make you cry,  Told you?

8.  Colour me in - Damien Rice - My Favorite Faded Fantasy

Everyone knows who he is.  No need to expound.  But the guy only releases every 5-10 years, so..?  This is my favorite song off of his latest album.  The link is to a live acoustic performance that's missing all the background instrumental crescendo.  But he’s one of the greatest musicians and songwriters alive, as well as one of the best live acts I’ve ever had the privilege to see.

9.  Small Things - Ben Howard - I Forget Where We Were

The Englishman singer/songwriter Howard has produced several good albums, but I think this one is his best.  This wandering track of sick guitar work has to be about a seriously painful breakup.  It’s an amazing build up to an incredible closing minute.  Incredible lyrics like, “I know she's home leaning on somebody loathing life”  The song ended his recent 9:30 club show, and it was an epic finale.

10.  Virgins - Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World

Another band that sadly took like 10 years to release another album.  These guys rock way harder then most of what I listen too.  I will never forget seeing them live on Conan maybe 15 years ago.  They dragged his old band leader, Max Weinberg on stage midsong and I was friggin blown away.  Wish I could find that live performance, but the evil Comcast/NBC has hidden it forever. This weird as hell official video for the track will have to do?

11-19 (Honorable Mentions):  Just a list and links.

11.  We Are Undone - Two Gallants - We Are Undone

12.  Dripping - Blonde Redhead - Barragan

Cool video by a band that incidentally has no blondes or redheaded members

13.  Go Quietly - Cold War Kids - Hold My Home 

14.  All the Places - MADE IN HEIGHTS - self titled

15.  Always This Late - ODESZA - In Return

16.  Ghost - The Acid - Liminal

Amazingly chill song and a video that will give you night terrors?.

17.  Peace of Mind - We Were Promised Jetpacks - Unravelling

WWPJ doing an amazing impression of Explosions in the Sky

18.  Look Away - Stars - No One Is Lost

19.  Vonnegut Busy - Sage Francis - Copper Gone

finally some damn hip-hop?!

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club - Top 20 of Fall'14 (or what I've been listening to)

Yeah, it's already months into 2015, I know, I know!  Life happens.  Now I'm gonna play catch up.  And in the interest of doing just that, I may switch to 3x a year to post these lists.  Also, since I'm calling these posts "CD Club", an homage to an old club I was in, I'm going to shorten the lists down.  A bit closer to what would fit on an actual archaic thing the kids used to call a "compact disc."  As always if you want to hear the track or see the link to a video or performance, just follow the link and enjoy.  Long live CD Club:

1. Passage - Exitmusic - Passage

Since this album is from 2 years ago, I figured this was a good song to start the list.  I'm sort of rediscovering it, as of late.  Aleksa Palladino's haunting vocals remind me so much of Beth Gibbons, from Portishead.  She's still pursuing  an acting career after playing the wife of Jimmy Darmody on Boardwalk Empire. She also will be joining the cast of another show, Halt and Catch Fire, but I really hope they get back to the studio to produce more new music so I can see them live one day? Cool video too.

2. Hold My End Up - Delta Spirit - Into The Wide

This very underrated band made one of my top 10 albums of 2014. Not a bad song on it.  Pretty straightforward, slightly indie/root rock band originally out of California, but now residing in Brooklyn. Two members started the band after meeting on a bench while one was busking at 2am.  The album features a lot of themes of masculinity and honor, so it might be a sort of guy's album?   Link is to a pretty cool live acoustic performance of the track.

3. Every Other Freckle - alt-J - This Is All Yours

Usually a band has a sophomore slump. Especially if their first album is epic and wins lots of awards.  Not these guys.  This whole album is best listened to from start to finish because of a lot of great instrumental interludes,  That said I think Freckle is my favorite track.  They still have an unbelievable ability to produce music that just sounds completely like nothing you've ever heard before.  The band made a "boy" and "girl" version of the song's video, which I also think is a cool thing.

4. Nothing to Show For - Nathaniel Rateliff - Falling Faster Than You Can Run

A singer/songwriter that I think is still just waiting to be discovered.  Rateliff has been quietly touring for years, and is out of Denver Colorado.  A lot of songs that build to huge crescendo.  This track sounds like a post breakup, polite FU to an ex.  Great soulful lyrics.  "It's not pealing, it's a tear,.. it's getting under my skin" sounds like something that just isn’t fixable?  Great album with a lot of  painful breakup songs, as illustrated by the album cover.  Video is a live rooftop performance in NYC.

5.  Looking Too Closely - Fink - Hard Believer

I give this British band a lot of credit.  They completely transformed their sound from their last album?!  They went from quiet folky, often solo vocalist and guitar to a full backing band with more of an indie rock/electronic, produced sound.  It sounds like a different artist, but another great album. Incredible voice though that sounds good in any genre.  Link is to the official video.

6.  Attak (feat, Danny Brown) - Rustie - Green Language

And now for something completely different.  And something NSFW.  I have an affinity for the grating sound of rapper Danny Brown's voice, but he's def either love him or hate him.  Rustie is a Scottish electronic/DJ that works with a lot of different, mostly hip hop talent.  Every mix needs some hip hop/rap I think.  I love his rhymes, especially stuff like a random buried Allen Iverson reference, "You taking bout PRACTICE??"  Good stuff.

7.  Stupid Boy - Owl John - self titled

Scott Hutchinson, the lead singer for one of my favorite bands, Frightened Rabbit, has released a solo project under the moniker, Owl John.  It’s nowhere near as good as the Scottish band, FR, but it’s better then most.  A lot of deep heartfelt lyrics about depression, jealousy, and other dark themes.  "How can I come to be be such a stupid boy, How can I ever be what you’re looking for?”  Every guy in a relationship at some point in time, has wondered what in the world a girl saw in them.  It’s also a nice counter to a whole world of songs about dumb male bravado?

8.  Sheep In Wolves Clothes - Little Hurricaine - Gold Fever

This a a pretty catchy fairly straightforward pop song by a San Diego duo. Kinda cool that in this duo it’s the female on drums, guy on vocals.  The song is memorable, but check out the link to a really beautifully shot music video for the song.  I think the director, Jordan Albertson is a name to watch out for?

9.  Elevator Song - Keaton Henson - Romantic Works

OK, time for something different.  Just a hauntingly beautiful classical piece by Henson, one of my favorite artists.  Henson’s voice is one of the most somber and sad sounding out there, so it’s nice to hear an album of his instrumental, string and piano works.  The Englishman doesn’t perform live much because of terrible stage fright, but has amassed a cult following.  Gorgeous music for a gloomy day.  Because of the title, this track reminds me of a long slow elevator ride up to an apartment, where a impending sad breakup is about to occur.

10.  Shut In - Strand of Oaks - HEAL

This indie album did get lots of play last year, so it’s probably not an unknown artist.  Sort of a Southern rock sound , though the group is a project by frontman Timothy Showalter out of Indiana.  He does have a sort-of John (formerly Cougar) Mellencamp sound to his songs.  Maybe with a sprinkle of Springsteen?  Really cool official video to the song that plays like a 60 minutes interview.  It’s cool, check it out.

11-25 (Honorable Mentions):  Mostly just a list and links.

11.  You Can't Stop Me - Andy Mineo - Never Land

Heard this rapper on a resume video for a football player

12.  November - Max Richter - Memoryhouse

Beautiful neoclassic track

13.  Counter Charm (feat. Gaspar Claus) - She Keeps Bees - SKB-007

14.  Let Me Be Mine - Spoon - They Want My Soul

15.  Gold - Sir Sly - You Haunt Me

Cool debut, cool video, cool album

16.  Health Dancing - Keaton Henson - Romantic Works

17.  The Night - Exitmusic - Passage

I could listen to this album anytime, anywhere.  Totally holds up.

18. Elastic Heart - Sia - 1000 Forms of Fear

19.  Yelling In Sleep - Rich Aucoin - Ephemeral

[theblitheringidiot]

My Top 10 Films of 2014

These lists usually begin with someone expounding on how great a year it was in film.  I actually thought 2014 was kinda, eh?  I really loved or was moved by a few, but not a lot wrecked me emotionally or wowed me in a way I hadn't been wowed before.  Just my opinion, although there were a few amazing ones on this list, especially the top 3-4.  Just not sure I can say that in 10 years I'll re-watch a ton of stuff from 2014.  Anyway, I do this list and commentary for when people ask me what I’ve seen, and what are my favorites of the year.  As the father of two young boys, my grown-up movie watching time has reduced drastically in the last few years. That said, I actually did pretty well overall in 2014, getting to see a decent amount.  As always for my film lists, it usually takes me half of the year to catch up with last year’s films, so there are a few older films that were actually released a year or two back, and a few late releases I haven't caught up with yet.   Anyway, in my humble opinion these were the top 10:

10. Nightcrawler  

I think this film is a perfect "sign of the times" film that in 10 years will still have resonance.  Jake Gyllenhaal is so unbelievably unsettling as a character who clearly has some mental or at least grave moral deficiencies, but makes up for it with a work ethic and self-promotion that's beyond compare.  He's a gaunt looking news paparazzi that even Perez Hilton would probably think was kind of a scumbag.  The fact that his acting job, which I thought was the best of the year wasn't even nominated makes the Oscars continue to seem like a joke.  Or at least the 97% of elderly white male voters that make up the Academy are?!  Gorgeous cinematography of the LA nightscape feels like another amazing character in this excellent film, which also features some amazing car chases.

9.  Mistaken For Strangers

I think that even if you've never heard the rock band, "The National", you would still find this documentary film pretty fascinating.  Tom Berninger, (the younger brother of the lead signer of the band, Matt Berninger) sets out to be part roadie for the band and part amateur rockumentary-style  filmmaker.  Mostly it's a favor to give the younger sibling something to do for a few months.  The final product ends up being a lot more of a film about sibling rivalry, arrested development, and desperately trying to find your creative self.  It has to be brutally hard to be the screwup younger sibling of a famous rock star?  The film does a great job of both letting the audience see the band, warts and all, as well as an emotional look at folks we all know that have a really tough time ever "growing up" in life.  Most families have them.  The music and performances doesn't hurt either, though its hardly the focus of the compelling documentary.

8.  Snowpiercer

Give this dark post-apocolyptic Sci-Fi film a chance.  Korean director Joon-ho Bong makes films that feel so dirty, dark and grimy that you feel the need for a hot shower by the end credits.  This film based on a French graphic novel is about various class groups at odds on the cars of a runaway train that literally never stops.  The wealthy elite in the front cars, while the poorest and lowest class starving in the rear.  The train also happens to inhabit the last people alive on the planet after an environmental disaster turns the world into an ice age, no longer capable of supporting human life.  To be honest, I don't think this film makes my top 10 except for a really awesomely over the top performance by Tilda Swinton (channeling Margaret Thatcher, Colonel Klink, and maybe Joan Crawford?)  as a cruel, shrill and abusive head guard with terrible oral hygiene.  She steals the film and along with a number of good cameos, make up for a somewhat blah starring performance by Chris "Captain America" Evans.  The production design of the bleakness of the back of the train as well as the nirvana of the front is also a star in the film.

7.  Locke

I can't lie.  This film is 85 minutes of a guy driving a car.  No, it really is.  The fact that it both looks so amazing (the passing lights in the windshield constantly bouncing around the car's interior are almost hypnotic) and makes you wonder at any moment if Ivan Locke (a brilliant Tom Hardy) is going to drive off a cliff as his life is falling apart.  No spoilers but most of the action comes from the character fielding cell phone calls as his work life and personal life are just falling apart as he barrels on down the road.  It's really an acting clinic that makes me think Hardy can do just about anything on screen.  Sometimes you say an actor is so good you'd watch them read the phonebook.  Watching Tom Hardy in Locke is sorta like that.

6.  Force Majeure

This was my favorite foreign film of the year.  That said, I missed a lot of them as the critically acclaimed ones often come out later in 2015 in the States?Force Majeure is a Swedish film about a family at a ski resort that has to deal with the aftermath of a near disaster and how very different some people react  in the moment of crisis.  Much more is in spoiler territory.  It's a great look at female and male familial roles, marriage, and what happens when the s hits the fan in a relationship?  It also features one of the most funny/awkward male ego-crushing bar scenes I've ever seen!  Ugly adult behavior surrounded by beautiful breathtaking Alps' scenery.  Another inexplicable Oscar snub, but the director's (Ruben Ostlund) clearly fake (freakout) youtube video over hearing the news makes me believe he doesn't care anyway, 

5.  Blue Ruin

You know your super-indie film is pretty damn good if lots of folks say it really reminds them of Blood Simple, the Coen brothers' first film.  This had to be made on a shoestring budget, but clearly money can't buy really great, suspenseful filmmaking and the film never looks cheap.  A revenge film about someone who just is in no way capable of pulling said revenge off in real life.  Every actor like the excellent lead, Mason Blair looks real, and the scenarios play out as you'd think they might in the real world.  No one is cool, no one is without reproach.  Like in the masterpiece, Unforgiven, killing someone is actually damn hard and gets very complicated.  Along with lots of other folks, I can't wait to see what the director, Jeremy Saulnier can do for his next film with a studio budget? 

4.  Calvary

I'm not a religious guy, but this film is to me one of the best explanations to a non-follower of some of the bases of Catholicism, as well as deft handling of what it truly means to be a, "man of the cloth" in our times.  If the film sounds heavy, it is a bit.  It's much less of a comedy then, "The Guard" the filmmakers first work.  However, the dark oddball characters writer/director John Michael McDonagh creates in this film are so compelling to watch, especially Brendan Gleeson, the small town priest of the small town of Calvary.  (Gleeson has seriously never been bad in a film that I've ever watched?!)  The film also has an incredible opening confessional scene where an unknown parishioner tells the Father (Gleeson) he's got one week to live because he had been molested another member of the church, but since that man has passed, plans to take out the revenge on Gleeson.  (Not a spoiler since it appears in the film's trailer.)  It's a really riveting, thought provoking film set in the gorgeous and bleak Northwestern coast of Ireland.

3.  Whiplash

If you've ever played competitive sports, or aimed to acheive a competitive level of anything you've probably encountered a coach/mentor/uber-bully like JK Simmons' Fletcher character in Whiplash? The amazing part of this film is the way that despite the monster that his bandleader/teacher (Simmons) is, the film portrays him in a way that you still have at least the tiniest bit of sympathy for what he's attempting to do. Despite the insane physical and mental abuse he dishes out on Miles Teller's Andrew, the audience never gets the feeling that at least in Fletcher's mind, he really is trying to create perfection. That's not to say he isn't criminally emotionally & physically harming the kid, but the film never exactly judges.  It lets the audience enjoy the dazzling, frenetic musical performances and decide on its own. I think that's a sign that Director Damien Chazelle made a truly great film.

2.  The Lego Movie

Let's address the elephant in the room. Even Uni-Kitty can't "stay positive" in response to this film not even getting a animation Oscar nomination.  As a parent, I have to watch a ton of bad animated films and I have to say this one is so brilliant I would choose to watch it for the 501st time.  Even over most adult fare.  It is the funniest, most original, most visually creative animated film in years.  The voice acting is incredible.  The tie-in to the philosophy of creativity trumping blind rule-following is great.  Even the music from Tegan and Sara and Shawn Patterson is,..well....you know?  In any other year, a year when I think there was a bonafide masterpiece of a film, this would've been my pick for the best film of the year.  My only solace is that this movie will join films like Hoop Dreams in the hall of Oscar shame as the greatest films that were overlooked completely by the Academy, but never forgotten by audiences.  By then my boys will have seen it 1000 times?!  I'm OK with that though.

1.  Boyhood

I almost have no words for how moving this movie is.  I'm fairly certain that being a father of boys like Mason (Ellar Coltane) has a lot to do with it, as does the impossible to ignore groundbreaking fact that you're witnessing the same actor actually physically grow up for 10-15 years within a film.  The thing is, it just such an emotional experience by the end, but as a viewer, you're not really sure why?  Richard Linklater's brilliance is that he let the natural experience of boy transitioning to man totally stand alone.  No director EVER has the nerve to do that.  They usually have to get their greedy, grimy hands and egos all over the viewing experience with overwhelming music, flashy edits, and bombastic wide tracking shots that prove they at least know someone who can fly a helicopter.  There's no part of this movie that forces a "important defining moment" on you.  So many other directors and studios would have said, "we have to have a graduation scene, or a losing his virginity scene, or any life changing instant.  It's more like Linklater found a way to show you a gentle, seamlessly transitioning slideshow of mundane moments that all together show a life.  A life, just wholly influenced by the imperfect people and world around it. Like I said, no words necessary for a masterpiece. 

Honorable Mentions: (there's a bunch)

Short Term 12 (great indie from last year), Life Itself  (the sad, beautifully personal Ebert bio documentary for film lovers) Interstellar/Edge of Tomorrow/Guardians of the Galaxy (really excellent popcorn Sci-Fi),  Rich Hill (great indie doc about kids that are in true poverty &, painful situations), The Babadook (Aussie film that was my scariest film of 2014) The Gatekeepers (2012 Israeli film) &  Raid 2 (2014's best action and amazing martial arts)   All of these were great, but I unfortunately just couldn't find a place for in my Top 10.  I also never got a chance to see Selma, Citizen Four, Leviathan, The Overnighters, or A Girl Walks Home Alone or they might be on my list?

Worst Film of the Year:

(tie) The Amazing Spiderman #?/Couples Retreat

I actually managed NOT to waste my time with many awful films this year.  I've learned life's too short to stick it out with anything you know is going to suck.  These two movies were exceptions to that.  I could go on a old curmudgeon-ey rant about the first film being a clear sign that the super hero genre is so tired and out of new ideas, but the fact that this is the 5th Spiderman film?! in the last 10-15 years makes that fact pretty obvious.  Not an awful film, but we've seen enough of shy Peter Parker already.  Make less boring retreads and do something new with superhero/fantasy like Guardians.  Please!  The second film from a couple years back is just a stupid, dreadful film of a different genre with an absurd premise.  If any of my friends asked me to go on a counseling couples retreat with them, I'd assume they were piss drunk and laugh at them.  I knew it might be bad, but as a parent of two little kids, if my wife and I have the opportunity to watch a mindless RomCom together, and we choose to turn it off in the first 10 minutes, well then your movie REALLY stinks.  Two films that may just be good examples of how to kill a successful genre.

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club - Top 25 of Summer'14 (or what I've been listening to)

As always, I’m behind.  But I said I’m doing these 4x a year, and dammit I’m sticking to it!  Here’s my playlist for Summer’14.  Fall’s coming right around the corner too.   The list is basically an answer when folks ask, what am I listening to?  I put in my commentary, or liner notes for the top ten.  They’re enjoyable to do because I always end up finding out interesting, weird stuff about the artists,  as well as scrounge up links to cool videos or live performances.  Basically, if you want to hear the song click the link?  Long live CD Club:

1.  Swing - Dawn Golden - Still Life

Saw this electronic solo artist, Dexter Tortoriello as an opener @ 9:30 club late on a Tuesday.  Zero support from a small crowd that came to see the headliner.  Amazing stuff.  Sounded flawless, and reminds me how hard it must be for artists that get no support to tour night after night.  He’s a Diplo disciple.  Love the emotion and crescendo of this breakup song.  ”Maybe we’re both f-ed, …Maybe I’m just bad luck?”  Beautiful, sad stuff.

2.  Coffee - Sylvan Esso - self-titled

This electronic duo from Duram, NC has a self titled album thats one of favorites of the year. Simple strategy, soulful vocals (Amelia Meath) plus amazing original sounding beats (Nick Sanborn).  Side project for both who are in other groups.  Put on an incredible live sold out show @ Howard Theatre.  Place was rocking out.

3.  Operate (Neptune) - Asthmaboy - Wanderers

Another artist that is so unknown, for all I know they may be out of the music business due to lack of support? So go buy their album.  Asthmaboy is Glindon Marten and John Boone from Seattle, WA. These are the artists that I love to discover.   I found about them listening to a random movie podcast that I follow.   I really love the slow ethereal sound and vocals.  Clearly an appropriate space theme as each song sounds like floating in space.  Floating weightless, drifting….

4.  The Enemy - Andrew Belle - Black Bear

I am aware there’s a pretty strikingly similar sound to Coldplay.  But you know what, a long time ago I really liked CP.  A lot of hipsters did too?  Belle is actually a Yankee and this is a pretty poppy album for sure, but one I like a lot.  On his webiste he clearly has some religious undertones, but it doesn’t come out in his music so I won’t hold it against him. He also sounds a bit like Greg Laswell. The link is a making-of video for the album.

5.  Coming Down - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Only Run

CYHSY is a band I’ve liked for a while now.  They’ve been on hiatus for a while due to losing several members, but this self produced album is a strong comeback and is one of my favorites of the year.  This track has a guest spot with Matt Beringer of The National.  Fairly straightforward IndieRock sound.  Lead singer Alec Ounsworth was the kind of distinctive voice you’ll either love or hate.

6.  Brighter (Bassi Mt.Wolf remix) - The Ramona Flowers - Brighter - EP

This Bristol UK Band obviously takes their name from the Scott Pilgrim character.  It’s a band I like but since they’re so heavy electronic they lend themselves to remixes which I tend to dig more.  Sort of a stadium rock with a lot of electronic sound.  Still waiting to get much of a stateside following.

7.  Valuska - Vígh Mihály - Filmzenék Tarr Béla Filmjeihez

And here is where I might lose folks.  This is a hauntingly beautiful classical piece from the Hungarian composer, Milhaly.   It features prominently in an early 00’s art house foreign film called Werckmeister Harmonies.  Anything else I could say about it is pointless and would just make me sound like an uber-obnoxious film or music snob.  Watch the link which is an incredible single take clip from the film. Words do it no justice.  

8.  The Riverbed - Owen Pallett - In Conflict

Pallett is the artist and composer who used to be known as Final Fantasy, a reference to the video game.  He also worked on the soundtrack to the 2013 film, Her and was nominated for an Oscar.  He’s Canadian and his art rock sound is a little similar to Andrew Bird with a ton of eclectic instrumental sounds.  Check out the cool video featuring a bad ass old dude?

9.  Awake - Tycho - Awake

Tycho is a one man ambient electronic band out of San Francisco.  He is actually a designer/artist that evidently dabbles in music.This title track, Awake just sounds like a soundtrack to a really, really cool film.  Very modern, and I’m going to steal a youtube comment.  ”This sounds like Xanax feels.”  Never tried, but the comment made me chuckle.

10.  25 Bucks (feat. Purity Ring) - Danny Brown - Old

No list is complete without some Detroit Hip Hop?!  I came upon this song because I like Purity Ring, that does the vocals.  I’ve come to be a slight fan of Danny Brown and his way out-there rhymes.  This track actually has somewhat of a slight political message to about poverty and making ends meet 25$ a braid.  You can see what someone in a bad situation might go a lot further and “sling” just to put food on the table?  Nice mix of rap and electronic.

11-25 (Honorable Mentions):  Mostly just a list and links.

11.  Ruth and Sylvie - Daniel Hart - Ain’t Them Bodies Saints soundtrack

Beautiful soundtrack and love the hand claps

12.  Hey now (Arty remix) - London Grammar - If You Wait (remixes)

13.  Don’t Say - Hannah Cohen - Child Bride

14.  Still Trying - Nathaniel Rateliff - Falling Faster Then You Can Run

Great singer songwriter album

15.  GO - Grimes (ft, Blood Diamond) - download

16.  Take It As It Comes - J. Roddy Watson & The Business - download

17.  Feels Like Coming Home - Jetta - Start a Riot EP

nice song, but as pop as I can really go

18.  Divisionary (Do the Right Thing) - Ages and Ages - Divisionary

19.  The Fifth Day - The Airborne Toxic Event - Such Hot Blood

20.  The Cold - Exitmusic - Passage

Lead singer also plays Jimmy Darmody's wife on Boardwalk Empire

21.  It Always Comes Back Around - Michael Kiwanuka - House of Lies Soundtrack

22.  Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene - Hozier - Take Me to Church EP

23.  Chandelier - Sia - 1000 Forms of Fear

24.  Cigarettes and Loneliness - Chet Faker - Built on Glass

25. Palace - The Antlers - Familiars

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club - Top 25 of Spring'14 (or what I've been listening to)

So I admit it.  I once belonged to a CD Club.  It was a good CD club. We could never come up with anything more original for a name, so it just stayed “CD Club”.  Lasted for a long, long time, almost a decade.  That is, until the group of friends finally got old, and busy with life, and finally gave up on it.  So now to keep the fond memory of that club, I still make the CDs, or at least playlists now.  I loved putting them together and discovering new artists in the process, and so the club lives on in the online form.  I still really enjoy music, so I figure, what the hey?  This is my list for Spring’ 14, and I’m going to try to keep up doing these 4x a year, but the list is basically an answer when folks ask, what I am listening to?  I put in my commentary, or liner notes for the top ten.  They're enjoyable to do because I always end up finding out interesting, weird stuff about the artists,  as well as scrounge up links to cool videos or live performances.  Basically, if you want to hear the song click the link?  Long live CD Club:

1.  Beneath The Brine - The Family Crest - Beneath The Brine

If I am under oath or intoxicated I may or may not admit to having played the flute as a kid.  So I have a soft spot in my heart for any band that manages to successfully incorporate one into their "rock" song?  TFC is an orchestral indie rock group out of San Francisco.  This album was a Kickstarter funded release, and it starts off with this amazing track.  The powerful vocals of the frontman, Liam McCormick and rising flood of backing strings make the song.  But the flute is a nice touch too?

2.  Up All Night - Alex Clare - The Lateness of the Hour

This song just rocks.  Among the rumors I've read about Clare, I've heard in the past he dated Amy Winehouse and also is orthodox and only performs in public as long as it doesn't interfere with Sabbath or any religious holidays which means he tours only sparingly.  You may have heard his other single on various ads, including one for Microsoft.  I'll let that sin go though, as long as he keeps producing excellent pop/rock.

3.  Lola Suzanne -The Chain Gang of 1974 -Daydream Forever

Besides having a great band name, this strong sophomore effort by Kamtin Mohager has been called "indietronica."  Fairly dance oriented, I think he sounds like the music that should be played at a rave or dance party at the beach, with waves crashing in the background. Recreational chemicals optional.  No video or live performance on the link, just the song off YouTube.

4.  Don't Run Away, Emilie - Torres - Torres

This singer/songwriter made one of my favorite stripped down albums of last year.  Mackenzie Scott is out of Georgia by way of Nashville, and most of the album sounds like a woman on an empty stage.  An incredible voice, and pretty unknown, but I'd be shocked if she doesn't make it big someday with her songwriting skills alone.  The link is a fan video thats just, eh?.

5.  All I Want - Dawn Golden - Still Life

I really hope Dexter Tortoriello keeps making music.  This is his side project (or is it his main, not sure?) of quiet electronic stuff.  Stick with the song, the crescendo in the second half is pretty incredible and for once, the beautifully shot video does it justice.  Still Life is quite possibly my favorite album of 2014.

6.  Swan Dive -Waxahatchee - Cerulean Salt

Katie Crutchfield is the band Waxahatchee, named after a creek in Alabama, which kinda makes it sound like you should be hearing the dueling banjos, & the theme from Deliverance in the background?! She's got a really stripped done singer/songwriter sound, a little bit country, but a beautiful, soulful voice.  Her honest lyrics and simple guitar and vocals compositions are what got me listening.  This track is a bit of a downer since it clearly deals with crippling fear and doubt at the beginning of a relationship, but I'd love to see her in some tiny dive bar, around closing time. Entire album is strong.

7.  Slave - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito (Deluxe Version)

I have to admit though I kind of liked Karen O and YeahYeahYeahs, I've never been a big enough fan to actually buy an album.  I loved this track though and bought Mosquito.  I'm a little embarrassed I slept on them.  This song has a nice buildup and really rocks, and the whole album is solid.  Very curious to see what her upcoming solo album is like, since I really liked her song/duet in the film, Her?

8.   Beth's Theme -Ólafur Arnalds -Broadchurch (Music From the Original Soundtrack) - EP  

This has got to be one of the saddest songs I've ever heard.  It's from incredible soundtrack from the BBC show that is being remade in the US.  Just gut-wrenching neo classical piano ballad from a guy I can't stop listening to, Olafur Arnalds.  Go out and listen to anything of his you can find?  The guy is a genius.

9.The Mother We Share (We Were Promised Jetpacks Remix) [Bonus Track] -CHVRCHES -The Bones of What You Believe (Special Edition)

I have to confess that I am a huge fan of We Were Promised Jetpacks, the Scottish band that did this remix of this Chvrches song.  The original song is fine, but I love the sick layered vocals in the remix.  A great remix has elements of the song, but morphs it into something very different.  This track def qualifies.  The only link I could find was a live version of the original on Fallon.  Bummer, buy the remix if you can find it? The band, incidentally has no religious affiliation, they just changed the name to avoid confusion if you googled "churches".

10.  Watch Out For This (Bumaye) [feat. Busy Signal, The Flexican & FS Green] - Major Lazer - Free the Universe (Extended Version)

Yes, my taste in music is crazy eclectic!  I've always liked dancehall reggae though, I can't lie.  Love how this song (and ML) turns dancehall and with producer Diplo's help adds elements of electronic and dub step to the mix.  This whole album is great stuff if you like the dancehall genre?  It can be an acquired taste, I know?  "Major Lazer" is supposed to be some sort of  imaginary Jamaican super hero.  With one machine gun arm?!  Can't make that stuff up.

11-25 (Honorable Mentions):  Mostly just a list and links.

11.  Hey Doreen - Lucius - Wildewoman

Just a really solid pop-ish debut album worth a listen

12. Broken Heart (Live) - Dr. Dog - Be the Void 

13.  Son - Warpaint - self-titled

14.  Sahara pt_ II - Bear's Den - Without/Within EP

15.  212 (feat. Lazy Jay) - Azealia Banks - 1991 - Ep

So, so very very NSFW!

16.  You (Ha Ha Ha) - Charlie XCX -  True Romance

17.  Gamblers - Emily Wolfe - Night & Day - EP

18.  Take Heart (Elbow Room) - Reid Jameson (Cowboy Junkies cover) - download  OK, another painfully sad track.  This time featuring cancer!!

19.  Can't Kill Us - The Glitch Mob - Love Death Immortality

20. Stay Alive-Jose González - Secret Life of Walter Mitty soundtrack

21.  Song For Zula - Phosphorescent - Muchacho

22.  Don't Think Twice, It's Alright -Marcus Mumford & Justin Hayward-Young - download

23. The Perfect Life (feat. Wayne Coyne) - Moby - Innocents

Remember Moby??  I always liked the dude.  And his random forays

24.  Silhouettes - Of Monsters and Men -The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]

25. Ghost - Sir Sly - download

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club - Top 25 of Winter'14

So I admit it.  I once belonged to a CD Club.  It was a good CD club. We could never come up with anything more original for a name, so it just stayed “CD Club”.  Lasted for a long, long time, almost a decade.  That is, until the group of friends finally got old, and busy with life, and finally gave up on it.  So now to keep the fond memory of that club, I still make the CDs, or at least playlists now.  I loved putting them together and discovering new artists in the process, and so the club lives on in the online form.  I still really enjoy music, so I figure, what the hey?  This is my list for Winter’ 14, and I’m going to try to keep up doing these 4x a year, but the list is basically an answer when folks ask, what I am listening to?  I put in my commentary, or liner notes for the top ten.  The liner notes are fun because I always end up finding out interesting, weird stuff about the artists,  as well as scrounge up links to cool videos or live performances.  Basically, if you want to hear the song click the link?  Long live CD Club:

1.  Agape - Bear’s Den - Agape EP

Hard to believe there was a time when I didn’t like the sound of the banjo.  Felt like an instrument reserved for the old, old TV show Hee-Haw, or square dances somewhere far, far away from where I’m from.  This English folk band uses the instrument to evoke a lot of emotion in all their songs, but especially this one.  I first discovered them as an opener for  a very different sounding band, Daughter.  Catching the opener(s)  for me has usually been a fantastic way to discover new artists.  I remember BD had an incredibly relaxed report with the crowd that mostly wasn’t there to see them.  By the time they finished their set they had a ton of new fans.  The link is to a lovely live version of the song.

2.  Black Out Days - Phantogram - Voices

It has taken a lot of bad luck for me to miss this Greenwich, NY band live.  I’ve missed them live several times, and the latest reason I missed their show was a relative in the hospital, but I’d love to catch them the next time they’re in town.  Assuming I don’t get struck by lightning, or come down with smallpox?   I was going to link to their video for this great track, but having seen them a few times on TV performing, the live act is strong.  Unusual for an electronic/dance act to be so entertaining to watch on stage.  I love Sarah Barthel’s vocals and Josh Carter’s beats.  Voices is one of my favorite albums of 2013.

3.  Love Don’t Go - The Family Crest - Beneath the Brine

This San Fran, CA band clearly owes success to the folks at Kickstarter.  They crowd-funded their first 2 LPs.  They classify as indie/rock, but with a ton of members I think they have a orchestral choir sound to them.  The brainchild of Liam McCormack, I love the band’s build to crescendo pattern of a lot of their songs.  Beautiful stuff, and I can’t wait until the band gets out to the East Coast as they strike me as a great live act?  Link is to a pretty original video of them performing on a city street, with performer appearing and disappearing in one long single take.  Props to the director, crew, and steadicam op who shot what must have been a grueling video to shoot.  Very very cool though, check it out.

4.  Donkey - Ola Podrida - Belly of the Lion

This band was one of my favorite discoveries of 2013.  David Wingo started the band that’s name means loosely, a strew of old ingredients.  Besides this project, Wingo has done a ton of solo soundtrack work.  This song is from an older album, but I love it.  Again, a banjo that builds and builds to a huge sound.  Such an incredibly emotional song, the link is to one of the few live versions of the track.  I feel like its a song that should be played around closing time in some dive bar, and thats exactly what the link is.  Please don’t forget to tip your bartender?!

5.  Run Me Out - Zola Jesus - Versions

Let’s be straight.  Folks either love or hate the sound of Zola Jesus’ voice.  Powerful, but with a slight tone issue.  She’s a trained opera singer that went a slightly different route with her music and this album has her backed with a full orchestra which sounds great.  I saw her once at a festival and she did a cool thing where she disappeared off the small stage and reappeared in the back of the crown to finish her set from there. The link is to a live performance with strings in Berlin.

6.  Lucky I Got What I Want - Jungle - single

This UK electronic/R&B band is a straight-up mystery.  I couldn’t even find a decent image of the artist?!  I originally discovered them as a free download, but have yet to figure out much about them.  They may or may not be releasing their first full LP in 2014, and so far only singles.  A seriously smooth sound with lots of use of soulful vocals and organs and synths.  Check out the very cool, super-duper chill unofficial video with some amazing dancers.

7.  Comrade (All Tiny Creatures remix) - Volcano Choir - Repave

Still can’t get enough Justin Vernon’s falsetto voice.  I like this side project band of his because his vocals go well with all of the layered electronic instrumentals, just as it does with the stripped down acoustic stuff.  But really, its his killer voice, auto-tune be damned.  I couldn’t find a video of the remix, so this is the album version.

8.  Down Down the Deep River - Okkervil River - The Silver Gymnasium

This is a cool song, but it really requires multiple listens because of the poetry of the lyrics.  The lyrics of this song and the whole album go round and round detailing, images and events of the childhood locale of lead singer, of OR, Will Sheff. The whole album sort of works like chapters of a great novel, but it’s hard to pick it up on just one listen or read?  The link is to a live (but shortened) version of the song on Conan.  The actual long form video to this song is part of a Kickstarter campaign and what I’ve seen previewed looks impressive.

9.  Dissolve Me (Ben Lovett remix) - Alt-J - Summer Remix - EP

This is a collection of remixes from my favorite album from Alt-J , from a couple years back.  The band lends itself to remixing, I think because most of their originals sound like remixes themselves, like a audio Pintrest page of collected sounds and beats.  The Ben Lovett remix really does a nice job with adding the dreamlike background vocals.  The band just lost a member, but I can’t wait for their sophomore album.  They are really phenomenal live, so I linked to a live performance of the original track.

10.  Film Credits - Olafur Arnalds - Living Room Songs

And now we switch over to the classical portion of my mix.  Must be getting old, or something?  Another of my favorite discoveries of last year, this Icelandic artist came from a background as a hard core metal band drummer, to cross over to classical, or neo classical, a term I like.  It’s really, really good stuff and I snatched up everything I could find by him.  He produced some soundtrack work including all the music from the BBC television show, Broadchurch.  Very sad, achingly beautiful layered strings.  This guy is clearly an incredibly talented composer.

11. Strobe (Adagio in D minor)/Flying Home - London Music Works - Kick Ass Soundtrack

Normally I only list details and images of the top 10.  But like Spinal Tap, this one goes to 11!!  It’s not classical, except that Adagio is one of my favorite classical pieces.  The movie has its ups and down and is by no means great, but for the song that goes along with this death scene.  Nichoals Cage sometimes is truly awful, but sometimes he pulls out all the stops and just kills it like this way way over the top scene, the death of Big Daddy.  LMW, has done countless really great film soundtrack work in the past and this track is another.  Don’t believe me. watch the film clip. “TAKE COVER CHIIILD!!”

12-26 (Honorable Mentions):  Mostly just a list and links.

12.  Royals (Reimagination) - Lorde - (Until the Ribbon Breaks remix)

I know everyone’s tired of Lorde and this song, but I like this completely stripped “Reimagination”, which I think also means “pretentious”?  It also gives me a chance to point out that the song is actually not about Brit royalty, but instead has something to do with George Brett and a pic of him in his KC Royals uniform that the singer saw as a child?!  No, I am not making that up.

13.  Crystals (GTA V exclusive) - Clams Casino - GTA V Soundtrack

My first song directly from a video game.

14,  Lonsome Dreams - Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

Beautiful cinematography in this official video.

15. Tears for Animals - CocoRosie - Tales of a Grasswidow 

16.  Young Fathers - Typhoon - White Lighter

My fave album of 2013, strongly recommend!

17.  Where’s Your Heart Lie - Tim Kasher - Adult Film

Nice angry ballad by former lead singer of Cursive

18.  Y.A.L.A. - M.I.A. - Matangi

Reincarnation anthem, You Always Live Again.  Watch out for karma!

19.  Spilling Lines - POLICA - Shulamith

20.  Come To My Party - Black Joe Lewis - single

Old school nasty James Brown-style funk

21.  Revolution (feat. Faustix & Imanos and Kai) - Diplo - Revolution EP

22.  Unlucky Skin - Shakey Graves - single

23.  It’s Just Forever - Cage The Elephant feat. Alison Mosshart - single

Finally some straight up RnR on my list?!  Took long enough.

24.  Eyes (feat Mindy Gledhill) _ Kaskade - Fire & Ice

25.  It’s Never Over (Oh Orpheus) - Arcade Fire - Reflektor

Hard to believe, but in like 2001, I was telling people about this little amazing Canadian indie band no one had ever heard of.  In August I will see them live for the first time at Verizon Center along with another 20K or so?  Funny how times change?

[theblitheringidiot]

My Top 10 Films of 2013

First off, I love movies. At times, people ask me what I’ve seen, and what my favorites of the year are so I put together this list, along with a little commentary on each film. As the father of two young boys, my grown up movie watching time has reduced drastically in the last few years. I actually did pretty well overall in 2013, getting to see a decent amount, except for foreign films.  For that reason, that particular genre is conspicuously missing from my list.  As always for my film lists, it usually takes me half of the year to catch up with last year's films, so there are a few older films that were actually released a year or two back.   Anyway, in my humble opinion these were the top 10:

10. Star Trek - Into Darkness

This film surprised me.  I didn't particularly love the first in this series, and am generally not a J.J. Abrams fanboy, but this sequel really reminded me of the feeling I had watching the Star Wars films.  (Episodes 4-6, if anyone even had to ask, come on??)  There was great originality in the visual effects, a brilliant villain of Khan played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and a fairly original story and script with lots of cool locales.  J.J. even managed to chill out with his ridiculous overuse the lens flare effect.  Have to say, as far a popcorn flicks go, this was a strong, original one and left one non-Trekkie cautiously optimistic about his reboot of the very sacred Star Wars franchise.

9.  The Spectacular Now

This film had a few small issues with the pacing, but I think overall the writing was solid, and characters seemed like incredibly realistic portrayals of high school age kids and their problems.  It felt like a fairly honest portrayal of a young romance, alcoholism, and being stuck in that incredibly difficult stage between high school and what comes next.  Both lead actors (Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller) are also excellent and I look forward to seeing them in the future.

8.  Rush

Two major reasons why I had no business liking this movie.  First off, I am not a fan of almost any of Ron Howard's films.  I tend to think he's too showy, and usually produces trite, unoriginal mainstream stuff that the masses tend to eat up.  Second, this film, as evidenced by the poster, is poorly marketed as a story about pretty boy race car driver, James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth).  It's anything but.  The film is ostensibly about the rivalry between Hunt and fellow driver Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl, who steals the movie).  The very original, true story blew me away, especially the details about Lauda's horrific car accident and lightning quick recovery.  Howard and Bruhl both deserve credit for an excellent racing film.

7.  American Hustle

Truth be told, after a second viewing of this film, I probably moved it down several slots on my list.  Something to do with style over substance, perhaps?  Russell is still one of my favorite directors though, and I look forward to him doing more original, groundbreaking stuff (like Three Kings & I Heart Huckabees) in the future.  He has a knack for getting really amazing performances out of his actors like he did with most of the great cast (especially the females) in this film, very loosely based on the ABSCAM scandal of the 1970's.

6.  Fruitvale Station

Criticism for this film seemed to center around the idea that it was a bit heavy-handed in how it portrayed the main character, Oscar Grant (played by Michael B. Jordan) in a overly positive light.  Perhaps, especially in a scene where he carries an injured dog off a city street.  I'd argue though, that he isn't portrayed as a saint, but instead as somewhat of an irresponsible, angry young man at times too. Considering the character can't speak for himself, and was killed in an act of sad injustice, I thought the filmmakers conveyed that and it was an effective, emotional film.  Jordan has been good all the way back to roles in the series' The Wire and Friday Night lights.  This film also just has an effective, day-in-the-life documentary feel to it.

5.  Before Midnight 

The most amazing thing about this movie to me wasn't just the incredible script that was nominated for an Oscar.  I think it was the way this film so accurately captures the way couples disagree and the honest way that they  fight.  A simple disagreement sometimes devolves into insecurities, which devolves into full on verbal haymakers, often aimed way below the belt.  Hawke and Delphy are great in every movie in the trilogy, but this one felt like they were the most honest in their portrayal of what a very real, long term relationship is really like.  It shows that the ability to recover and make up is more important then the art of avoiding inevitable conflict.  I'd love to binge watch all 3 of these films someday.  With a few adult beverages.

4.  Mud 

Mud felt like a true "indie" film to me, based around fundamental good storytelling.  The beautiful cinematography captured an unidentified deep south setting, and riverbank environment that serves as a background character in the film. In 2013, Mathew McConaughy was clearly in a lot of really strong roles such as True Detective and Dallas Buyers Club, the latter of which I still need to catch up with. As the larger-then-life title character in this film he's excellent, and the child actor co-stars are also very strong, especially Tye Sheridan who was also great in Tree of Life.

3.  12 Years a Slave 

Chwetel got straight up robbed.  Not that there weren't other good performances in 2013, but as Solomon Northup no other actor delivered a performance as soul crushing and powerful as he did.  Director Steve McQueen got an Oscar and a lot of well deserved credit, but I'd argue that the film only succeeds because it's impossible to get the sad eyes of Ejiofor, and the haunting look on his face when he returns to his family after years of cruel enslavement.   Everyone should force themselves to watch 12 Years, though admittedly it's not a film I could ever put myself through multiple viewings of.  But that's also just a testament to what a really great film sometimes does to its audience?

2.  Stories We Tell

Along with foreign films, I really didn't get a chance to catch up to very many documentaries in 2013.  This was an exceptional one though.  SWT is almost impossible to describe, except to say that it's a really incredibly personal collection of the family history of the filmmaker and actress, Sarah Polley.  Various, often unidentified family members and friends all tell stories about their own personal versions of what went down during events in the family's past.  The interesting part is how often their own personal interpretations of what happened are vastly different from each another.  Its effect on the viewer is to have them wonder if what they themselves have been told about events in their own family are accurate, or if they are merely the view of a biased storyteller.  Did wacky old Aunt Edna really get her facts straight about Uncle Joe?  Or did it happen the way someone else in their family said it did?  I have never seen a movie in my life where the filmmaker so completely exposed their own very personal family issues and family members for the world to see.  Incredible documentary storytelling, and I thought one of the most interesting films of the year.

1.  Her

When I was trying to decide on my favorite film of the year it was a close race between the top 3.  The thing that stood out about Her to me was along with the originality of the story of a lonely man making an artificial romantic connection with his OS, the fact that it made me think the most afterwards.  It strikes me that in 10 years this movie may stand out as the most accurate film about it's time.  A futuristic fantasy, but not that far off.  Jonze is so smart in the visual way he depicts the near future, with Joaquin Phoenix' odd mustache, a bizarre fashion trend of high wasted pants, and an increased inability to make real connections with other human beings. (see Apple, Christmas iPhone advertisement) Another film that is incredibly honest at depicting the rise and fall of the romantic relationship.  A really touchingly sad and brilliant film.

Honorable Mentions:

Gravity - Just didn't stick with me because I think the visuals were great but the story lacked?

Elysium - Flawed, but i waited so long for the director of District 9 to make another film, I probably give this too much praise

A Seperation - Best foreign film from 2012 that almost cracked my list

Bernie - A goofy film I finally caught up with by Richard Linklater about a small town murder that uses some hilarious "testimonials" by non actors.

Worst Film of the Year

(tie) Only God Forgives & Oz the Great and Powerfui

As much as I like picking the best, I do love thinking about the worst of the year, though I know a tie is a bit of a copout. This year was hard, but a conversation with a co-worker reminded me of  the so very forgettable, OGF.  What a steaming pile of pretentious junk it is.  Just absurd, without any slight redeeming quality to make up for the unearned glorified violence.  I really like Gosling, but enough of his mute, seemingly mentally challenged antihero.  As far as Oz goes, I just remember looking forward to the visuals and making (3?) attempts to watch before it putting me to sleep each time.  Franco should be as ashamed of Oz, as he should be trying to pick up 17 year olds on social networks.  I blame Sam Raimi too who apparently sometimes phones it in like he did with the 3rd Spider Man film.  Sad.     

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club - Top 25ish of Fall'13

So I admit it.  I once belonged to a CD Club.  It was a good CD club. We could never come up with anything more original for a name, so it just stayed “CD Club”.  Lasted for a long, long time, almost a decade.  That is, until the group of friends finally got old, and busy with life, and finally gave up on it.  One could say a particular friend in the club (I’ll just call him, “Phil Schmoldman”) may have killed the club when he lost his hard drive and never turned in his CD.  But no one was to blame, it was time.  So now to keep the fond memory of that club, I still make the CDs, or at least playlists now.  I loved putting them together and discovering new artists in the process, and so the club lives on in the online form.  I still really enjoy music, so I figure, what the hey?  This is my list for Fall’ 13, and I'm going to try to keep up doing these 4X a year.  I put in my commentary, or liner notes for the top ten.  The liner notes were fun because I’d always end up finding out weird stuff about the artists,  as well as scrounge up links to cool videos or live performances.  So if you want to hear the song click the link?  Long live CD Club.  Damn you Phil:

1.  100 Years - Typhoon - White Lighter

This is off my favorite album of this year.  And it wasn't even a hard choice.  Not sure where I first caught the large, sometimes as many as 12 member ensemble band from Portland, Oregon, but I quickly fell in love with the whole album.  A lot of the songs are very personal and have to do with the frontman, Kyle Morton and his battle as a child with a case of Lyme disease. I guess a fear of losing limbs to the disease helped create lyrics like, "I told you, I told you, I have nothing left with which to hold you."  Nothing else has struck me as original, and creative.  The link is them live on KEXP.  I can't wait to see them perform live in 2014.

2. Confidence - The Dodos - Carrier

I enjoyed this song by an indie rock band outta San Fran that I'd heard before, but never seen. However, it wasn't until I saw them truly kill it performing live on Letterman that I really appreciated their sound.  This song starts slow but they really get to rock out at the end with a great guitar/drum onslaught.  A usually restrained Dave's priceless reaction to the song's end was something like, "WHOA, WOWW, nice job!!!"  The link is to that performance.

3. Ghosts Go Blind - Ola Podrida - Ghosts Go Blind

A really loose translation of the band name is something along the lines of a stew of old ingredients.  The frontman for the indie folk/rock band, David Wingo, has done a lot of soundtrack work, one of which appears later in this mix.  I really like the sound of his sad, super-mellow, soulful voice, and dig the lyrics as well. The link is a live version of another, equally good song.

4. Black Skinhead - Kanye West - Yeezus 

I admit it.  I disrespected Kanye.  It's easy to get caught up in all his persona stuff.  After this album and his last, (I know I'm super late) I can appreciate his talent, not just as a rapper, but as a pretty amazing producer and musician.  The background screams/chants in this song are off the hook.  Not sure anyone else has the nerve to do something so original sounding, which is why I fell in love with rap as a kid. Loved the use of the song on the Wolf of Wall St trailer, too?!  Link is official video.

5.  Ghosts - On and On - Give In

A pretty electro/alternative group out of Chicago, that I admittedly am still on the fence to buy the rest of the album.  Sometimes pockets just aren't deep enough to buy everything, especially if it's just the song that peaks interest?  I do really think this song is chill and original and worth a listen, but maybe nothing mind blowing as far as lyrics go.  Just an interesting, trippy cool sound.  The link is the official video.

6.  Me - The 1975 - IV-EP

Interesting sounding 4 piece out of Manchester, UK.  I think they sound like a harder, darker rock band that got cleaned up a bit to try and mainstream to sell pop records.  A couple other songs sound very pop?  This song's dark lyrics sound like someone apologizing too late to his family for abandoning them for an addiction of some sort.  That's my interpretation, anyway? The link is to a NPR Tiny Desk live performance where you can really hear how good the lead singer sounds stripped down. Might be a band that could be huge someday?

7. To Build a Home (feat. Patrick Watson) - The Cinematic Orchestra -Ma Fleur

I admit I heard this for the first time on a Showtime promo for Homeland.  Shazamed it.  Beautiful sound, and released back in like 2007?  They're a collective of orchestral performers making sound to accompany visuals, TCO is comprised of a bunch of musicians interested in capturing the, "intersection between sound and film"  Um,..OK.  Anyway beautiful stuff.

8.  My Love Won't Wait - Two Gallants - The Bloom and the Blight

These guys are a pretty straight forward harder garage rock drum guitar duo similar to a band, Japandriods that I listened to a lot last year.  They used to be on the Bright Eyes label, Saddle Creek, but are now on ATO. I love the line, "something ain't quite right with me!!"  I linked a cool live performance of the song on KEXP. The album cover freaks me out.

9.  Join Me On My Avalanche - Explosions In The Sky & David Wingo - Prince Avalanche: An Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Here's the second track by Wingo, along with one of my favorite bands, Explosions.  They do really excellent work on this sound track, and are nothing like their trademark , heavy guitar sound.  I love the buildup with piano, keyboard, acoustic guitar, drums and background vocals.  I can't wait to catch up with this Paul Rudd film either.

10.  Spiegel im Spiegel for violin and piano - Spiegel im Spiegel for violin and piano - The Very Best of Arvo Part

And now the elitist classical track.  I can't help it, but I turned 40 this year and I've started to dig classical a lot more.  Old guy cliche, I know.  I love the strings and this arrangement is truly sad and beautiful.  It's a Estonian composer by the name Arvo Part, which I think sounds like a model of sports car?  It was used in the trailer for Gravity, which I've linked.

11, 12.  Nostalgia - MONO - For My Parents  &  Envenom Mettle Eluvium - Nightmare Ending

I normally cap the write-ups at 10, but I wanted to add these two.  Along with Explosions in the Sky, they fit a genre of music I hear is being labeled post-rock, or post-metal, a term I actually think is appropriate. I've been listening to a lot of it as of late, and I really enjoy the lengthy progression and layers of sound.  It builds and builds.  Great music for sitting, meditating, watching scenery, or doing whatever recreational stuff you're into?  MONO also gets props for having a beautiful album cover, the title of which is, For My Parents.  Eluvium is less heavy guitars and more electronic.

13-30 (Honorable Mentions):  Just a list and links.

13.  Dirty Paws - Of Monsters And Men - My Head is an Animal

(Incredibly cool live street performance of the song in Rome)

14.  New Seeds - Boards of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest

(finally back after a decade hiatus?!)

15. Gravedigress - CocoRosie - Tales of a Grasswidow

One of my fave albums of year.  Cool, different sound 

16.  You Don't Know How Lucky You Are - Keaton Henson - Lucky EP

Amazing Brit Sing/Songwriter.  No one can write a sadder song!

17.  Whispering - Alex Clare - The Lateness of the Hour

Featured in the promo for True Detectives (HBO) as well as another track on Microsoft ads.  Interesting note, he converted to Orthodox Jew and will no longer perform live for religious reasons.

18.  Miko - The Chain Gang of 1974 - single

19.  Brother - Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

Saw him open for Alt-J.  He was rockin out so much performing this song his big ole cowboy hat shot off into the crowd.  Great live band!

20.  Morton's Fork - Typhoon - White Lighter

Another off my fave album of 2013.  His voice conveys incredible emotion, and the horns and sting section help.  "Who protects the ones i love when I'm asleep?!"  And a link to a great live version of the song.

21.  The Garden - Wowser Bowser - self titled

22.  Lion Heart - Emily Wolfe - Director's Notes

23.  Go To Me - Jordan Klassen - Repentance

24.  The Nothing Part II - Lady Lamb and the Beekeeper - Ripely Pine

A terrifically bizarre video involving pie, linked here to a pretty cool song

25.  Obey Your Guns - Matrimony - Montibello Drive EP

26.  With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept - Explosions In The Sky - Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever  Pretentious title, excellent band

27.  Brick X Brick - Christopher Paul Sterling - False Cities

28.  Ghost Lights - Woodkid - The Golden Age

29.  New Shoes - Travis - Where You Stand

30.  No One Here - The 88 - I Saw The Light That Day

[theblitheringidiot]

CD Club Top 25 of Summer'13

So I admit it.  I once belonged to a CD Club.  It was a good CD club. We could never come up with anything more original for a name, so it just stayed "CD Club".  Lasted for a long, long time, almost a decade.  That is, until the group of friends finally got old, and busy with life, and finally gave up on it.  One could say a particular friend in the club (I'll just call him, "Phil Schmoldman") may have killed the club when he lost his hard drive and never turned in his CD.  But no one was to blame, it was time.  So now to keep the fond memory of that club, I still make the CDs, or at least playlists now.  I loved putting them together and discovering new artists in the process, and so the club lives on in the online form.  I still really enjoy music, so I figure, what the hey?  This is my list for Summer' 13 in really no particular order.  I put in my commentary, or liner notes for the top ten.  The liner notes were fun because I'd always end up finding out weird stuff about the artists,  as well as scrounge up links to cool videos or live performances.  So if you want to hear the song click the link?  Long live CD Club.  Damn you Phil:

10.  Bring the Noize - M.I.A. - Single

I'm a Maya apologist.  Seeing her live one time at like 1am @ 9:30 Club is still one of my favorite shows of all time.  I had to have lost 10-15% of my permanent hearing @ that show.  I could see this song not lasting with me, but I still love how original her stuff sounds.  The video isn't bad either.

9.  1998 - Peace - Delicious -EP

This song is just a ten minute assault.  Long slow buildup to an amazing crescendo.  I'd love to see it performed live someday.  I'm not super in love with the rest of what I've heard from the band, from Worcester, UK.  But if you like dueling heavy guitars and sick extended heavy drum sequences.  Might be my favorite song in the list. 

8. The Beauty Surrounds - Houses - A Quiet Darkness 

The origin of this band is a crazy story.  A couple that meant in serious drug rehab of all places.  They have a super mellow, brooding electronic sound, and the band name has something to do with an idea of going around and visiting abandoned houses along a Cali highway.  

7.  Part 1: What I've Learned - Bear Hands - Songs From Utopia Vol 1

Bear Hands are a pretty straight-forward indie, post-punk band I just liked the sound of.  I feel like this retro-sounding song, also called Vietnam, sounds like the voice of someone much older then these young guys who met at Wesleyan University.  Lyrics remind me of a crazy grandpa's rants about a crazy, messed up war, set to music the kids can rock out to?  Or something like that?

6.Left Alone (feat. Chet Faker) - Flume - self titled

Dont get me wrong, I like the electronic/DJ artist Flume, but it's the great vocals of fellow Aussie, Chet Faker (who incidentally looks a little like he could be in the cast of Duck Dynasty?) that really make this song.  Definitely the best kind of chill music to sit back and sip a stiff cocktail to.  The best I could find for a video was just a fan produced one with animation.  Doesn't do the song much justice?

5. Banks and Ballrooms - The Lonley Wild - The Sun As It Comes

The Lonely Wild seems like a indie-folk band that should always be on the score of a spaghetti Western.  Certainly visuals of horses and wide open landscapes should be around?  This is a pretty undiscovered LA based group.  (I discovered them on Noisetrade/kickstarter-type campaign)  It always makes me sad to know there are lots of great artists out there that have to practically beg online for money to keep making great music.  Sign of the times, I guess?

4. All That's Gone - Tom McRae - From the Lowlands

Now we begin the Prozac portion of my playlist.  I've been accused of listening to too much depressing stuff, but come on.  Sad songs just rock way more then happy music.  Not even sure what that is, Katy Perry?  McRae is a phenomenal singer/songwriter and this song sounds like a guy getting ready to put away his guitar for good.  I really hope not, he writes just phenomenal lyrics.  "Somewhere in our history/ The future's shining bright" and "My soul never found a buyer/ Unlike all my guitars."  Here's hoping he keeps one or two guitars around?

3. The Bed Song - Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra - single

Low blow to follow up the last song with this one, and I'm not sure what's sadder the song, or the video.  Amanda Palmer, formally of Dresden Dolls is just a bad-a$$ (watch this video for proof: Amanda Palmer: Dear Daily Mail - YouTube) and one cool thing I learned about her while putting playlists together was that she's married to Sci-Fi writer Neil Gaiman?!  Cool couple.  This sad song's obviously about a lot more then a bed though?  Brace yourself.

2. To Your Health - Keaton Henson - The Lucky EP

Heard this guy over the closing credits of a BBC shoe about zombies called, In The Flesh.  Cool show you should check out, thats actaully about a lot more then zombies as the main character is also gay teen and coming out to his family. Seems difficult especially when you're dealing with, you know, also being undead.  This song reminds me of a guy who has some dad issues, and is maybe saying goodbye at his deathbed. Really, really  haunting lyrics over solo guitar chords.  The video is basically a live performance behind a balarina's slow moves.  "Here's to you, you miserable f---."   Says it all.

1.  Ghosts and Creatures - Telekinesis - Dormarion

Rounding out the top 10 on a less sad note.  I really digged the sound of this one man band, Telekinesis.  i feel like he has a sound thats a little bit 80's retro complete with electronic beats.  Love the video which features an office romance with a old 80's era PC?  With a girl trapped inside of course.  Seattle indie kid with a little help from one of the guys in Death Cab. Had a cool song a few years back, Please Ask For Help.

11-25 (Honorable Mentions):  Just a list and links.

11. Miracle Mile - Cold War Kids - Dear Miss Lonleyhearts

12. Brennisteinn - Sigur Ros - Kveikur

(proving they can actually go hard?!)

13. Give Her a Name - Trevor Menear - Some Kind of Sunshine

(Beautiful song from TV show, Shameless)

14. Float Away - Donora - Play Nice EP

15. Spotlight - LEAGUES - single

16. Love is Blindness - Jack White - Ahk-Toong Bay-Bi Covered

(Nice U2 cover from Great Gatsby Soundtrack)

17. Lightning Bolt - Jake Bugg - single

(Amazing Blues from a friggin 19 year old Brit??)

18. In the Air (feat. Angela McCluskey) - Morgan Page, Sultan, Ned Shepard & BT - In the Air

19. Demons - The National - Trouble Will Find Me

("When I walk into a room/ I do not light it up./  F___!" No one writes better lyrics then Matt Berninger)

20. When We Were Young-BenjaminDunn &TheAnimalOrchestra-single

21. Borrowed Time - Ulrich Schnauss - A Long Way to Fall

(German electronic master, and great workout music?)

22. Smalltalk (Four Tet remix) - Ultraista - self-titled

23. Currents - Eisley - single

24. Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead - Live at Tramps

(my fave from little known band from UK)

25. Hurt - Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around

(just because I can.  And one of the greatest covers of all time!)

[theblitheringidiot]

My Top 10 Films of 2012

First off, I love movies. Unfortunately as the father of two boys under 5, my movie watching time has reduced drastically in the last few years. I did better in 2012 the I did in 2011 and managed to find some time to get back on the horse and watch a fair amount of good stuff. People ask me what I’ve seen, and what my favorites of the year are so I put together this list, along with a little commentary on each film. It is probably worth noting that since I’m always playing catchup, a few of these are a year or two old. Anyway, in my humble opinion these were the top 10:

10. Life of Pi

This was not a film I was exceptionally excited about. I’d heard mixed reviews of the book from many, a number of which said it was too spiritual and pseudo-religious for them. Instead I found it to be the first movie to really use 3-D to advance the story, and not just feel like it was a needless effect forced into certain scenes for no good reason. The cinematography in this film is like an impressionist painting, creating another world. Worth seeing in 3-D and a must see for anyone that appreciates visuals in their films. Plus the ultra-realistic, yet mostly CG tiger is a main character, and is definitely worth the price of admission. Plus the great Irrfan Khan and a weird carnivorous island of meerkats?! Who doesn’t want to see that?!

9. The Impossible

This makes my list as a film that I think very few audiences saw, since it came out late in the awards season. Thats a shame. This is an incredible survival tale of one family stuck in the middle of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. I know a fair amount about film production, so it takes a lot to amaze me in terms of how something was filmed. That said, I honestly have no earthly idea how they shot the tidal wave sequences, and the death and destruction that the director (Juan Antonio Bayona, The Orphanage) puts his actors right in the middle of. The carnage and damage that the wave surge causes just looks horrifyingly realistic. Just the sounds are haunting. The acting is also very strong , and especially gut wrenching performances by Naomi Watts (the mother), and her oldest son played by Tom Holland in his first onscreen performance. It is incredibly sad at times, but really a film worth checking out. It also might make you feel a little differently the next time you stare out at the ocean from a quaint beach resort hotel pool?!

8. Looper

First off, I’m a big fan of writer/director Rian Johnson, (Brick, The Brothers Bloom) in that I think he’s incredibly original and a really promising young director. That said, I did enjoy this flick even though I had a couple of problems with it as well. The need to add heavy makeup prosthetics and or digital effects to Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s face to try to make him look a little more like Bruce Willis for plot reasons was very distracting and unnecessary. Also I thought the first half was a bit weak and confusing as far as the storytelling went. The second half, which features more of Emily Blunt, I thought was exceptional. Johnson also does a lot more really original things visually in the second half as well. I generally enjoy good Sci-Fi & time travel films, and this film also has an incredible, and original ending which really sealed it for me. A really interesting ending for a film totally makes it, or breaks it for me. Mostly because in 2013 it’s just extrememly hard to be original in closing a film. Looper finishes very strong.

7. The Queen of Versailles

Do NOT sleep on this documentary?! It is truly hilarious, sad, shocking, horrifying, and a testament to the absurd nature of the filthy, disgustingly rich. It’s a really great documentary about a unbelievably wealthy Florida family in the midst of a real estate (the husband claims to be the King of timeshares) boom of the early 2000’s. The title refers to the husband’s plans to build the largest home in the world as a likeness to the palace of Versailles in France, as a tribute to his wife. The US economic bottom (really) drops out, mid construction of the mansion and as their funds dwindle they try to keep a stiff upper lip amidst the horror of having to do things like shop for themselves at Walmart, and do simple things like actually feed their own children themselves?!!! Or even give their pets water to keep them from dying?! You really have to see this film, especially if you’ve ever watched/shamefully enjoyed any reality show that makes fun of the insanely wealthy. This flick is great because their fall is so, so far and you almost feel a little sorry. But only almost.

6. Incendies

This is film that was nominated for an Oscar for best foreign film of 2011, and took me a while to catch up to. It’s the only foreign film on my list, which is too bad because I’m sure I’ll catch with several more from this year and want to add them to the list. It’s a really dramatic story that spans over several generations. Siblings that are trying to make sense of their mother’s life after her passing and leaving behind a strange last request. I remember a really amazing scene as gunman take over a bus full of settlers, and a mother has to make a horrible decision. It’s set in the Middle East, but the story is amazing, yet a really a difficult film to watch,

5. Zero Dark Thirty

All of the controversy surrounding this film was sort of much ado about nothing, I thought. Or much ado about very little actual glamorized torture? The torture couldn’t be left out of the story or it would be absurd. What is depicted isn’t egregious, and the film very clearly shows that the important information gathered about Bin Laden did not come from torture, but instead came from feeding, rewarding, and having casual conversation with a detainee. Anyway, it’s another really greta film by Katheryn Bigelow, who deserved a nod for best director. The storytelling is riveting, and Jessica Chastain is fantastic as the female agent who ultimately is the one who finds UBL, It’s pretty cool to see what happens when a bunch of CIA agents and soldiers persevere to find a needle in a haystack against all odds. I also think a lot of the harsh critics of this film probably only saw the trailer or have some other agenda?

4. Project Nim

Or, what happens when people love their wild animals juuuust a bit too much?! In the hopes of teaching a baby chimp how to communicate via sign language, a number of people adopt and then pass on a chimp named Nim. They go way too far and try to treat the baby chimp as if it were human. Shockingly (?!), this all goes terribly wrong. These highly educated folks are sort of trying to do a good thing, but many of them have holes in their own lives that they try to fill with this poor monkey. I think we all know what happens when cute baby monkeys grow up and become pretty pissed off adult monkeys. It’s actually a very touching and sad documentary, which inexplicably got let off the Oscar nominee list. This excellent film makes a great double feature with the dramatic version of the sort of similar story, Rise of the Planet of the Apes?!

3. The Grey

Let’s start with how horribly wrong this film was marketed. It is not in any way a sequel to Taken. I caught up with it late because the way it was advertised as a forgettable action flick was way way off. It actually has a really interesting Jack London, man vs the wild theme, combined with a really cool sort of search for God and meaning of life mixed in. Liam Neeson is awesome as always, but there are also a number of good supporting characters as well. This movie also successfully incorporates realistic looking wolves, which seems like something a ton of films do a terrible job of. Either they botch CGI versions, of just all round fake ones, and I’m not sure how much of this film used real vs effects, but they were at least realistic looking. Check this film out, it’s far more interesting and thought provoking then you might think. And it’s even got a really cool poem?! I bet Taken 2 doesn’t have that?

2. Argo

I think my top three were pretty inter changeable and could have been in any order. This probably isn’t number one partly because it already won best picture, and it’s clearly been seen by most folks. I remember leaving this film and just thinking wow, that was just a really really solid, well told film. Affleck somehow is just a strong, no nonsense director. It helped that the film looks so good, managing to pull off the exact look of the late seventies right down to the tweed coats and fat ties. It says a lot when a film depicts something like the scene at the airport, where you know full well from history that the group will get on the plane successfully, yet it’s so well done that the suspense is still damn exciting. The epilogue that credits the real agent, as well as gives props to Carter for his uncredited (for decades) role in green-lighting the dangerous plan to retrieve the hostages. I thought, for once it was entirely worthy of Best Picture.

1. Beasts of the Southern Wild

It’s not hard to pick this film as my number one. But it’s damn hard to describe the film and to describe why I liked it so much. It’s kind of a magic realism version of the story of a father and daughter living on the Bayou in extreme poverty, battling an event like Katrina. There’s a number of first time or non actors, such as the two leads, but they all just do an incredible job. If you see a lot of movies, it becomes hard to find something that’s really truly completely original, but this film undoubtedly is. It had me thinking about it the most after viewing, and I’m still pretty excited to see it again to see if it effects me the same way? Everything about it, even down to the low end, but very cool special effects feel original. The music is excellent, and the little girl (Quvenzhane Wallis) is incredible. You're never sure if the film is supposed to be reality based in any way, but she is good enough that you’re content to just watch and enjoy.

Honorable Mentions:

Silver Linings Playbook - I enjoyed a lot and the performances are great, but when I made this list I realized I just didn’t have any strong urge to watch it again. Still a great film about real mental illness.

21 Jump Street Really surprisingly funny, funny movie.

Warrior A movie about MMA? And it doesn’t suck?!!

Fair Game 2010 film I finally caught up with. Another story of Valerie Plame where you know all the facts, but the movie is still strong and very watchable anyway.

Worst Film of the Year

Cloud Atlas

Didn’t even have to think on this one. As I already stated, I personally tend to give science fiction extra credit, even for only mediocre films. If there’s imaginative, creative stuff going on, I’ll forgive some cheese. Halle Berry in “white face”, and scenes where well known actors like Tom Hanks and Berry are speaking only in some futuristic dialect of barely intelligible jibber jabber do not a good film make?! There are some well done aspects of this film, I especially liked the scenes directed by Tom Tykwer where a love story unfolds between two composers, but so much else is just unwatchable. I think Tom Hanks is horribly miscast in most of his roles, especially as a cockney gangster (?!) for one, and since you just have so many characters (most played by Hanks/Berry) you feel like you’re distracted and being pulled out of the film. I will say the film looks good, I just think this might have been an un-filmable story? And I’m not sure multiple directors has ever worked well onscreen? Thinking back on it I’m not sure this film doesn’t time travel onto my list of the worst films of all-time. Not trying to be mean, or a film snob. It’s that bad.

[theblitheringidiot]

I love this haunting video.  Watch with headphones, but just to enjoy the music

[theblitheringidiot]

So I say to my 3&1/2 year old last night while forcing him to finish dinner, "Eat your last piece of broccoli, Kieran"  He says, "No Daddy you eat it for me."  I say, "Uh-uh,  I don't want any."  "Daddy, Try it.....  Try it and you may I say!"  Quoting my favorite Theodor Geisel?  Well played boy.   Well played indeed.

[theblitheringidiot]

up in the sky!