Antichrist and Bear in Heaven

I watched Lars Von Trier's "Antichrist" last night, and i'm still mulling the whole thing over in my head. It's a very difficult watch (Von Trier true to form), but i liked it. That's not to say that it didn't have its flaws. Some of the segments feel kind of film schoolish, arty-fartiness for the sake of arty-fartiness. For those not in the know, the film's about a couple whose son dies while they make love. Since the husband is a therapist, he wants his wife to deal with her grief rather than drown in pain killers, so they go out to a cabin in the woods to confront her fears. Things get eerie from there. It's a beautiful watch and a lot of the imagery is captivating. Dafoe and Gainsbourg are both fantastic, Von Trier creates a perfectly dark and foreboding mood, and i really think that i'll be creeped out for days.

Note: This is not a movie about Satan, but about evil and human nature.
Note: This movie is definitely not for everybody


On a different note entirely, check out "Beast Rest Forth Mouth," a great LP by Bear in Heaven. They create gorgeous pop melodies using guitars, synthesizers, and noise. Put it in a similar vein with Health or Crystal Castles, but 86 the screeching and the techno house music, and you've kind of got the idea. But don't take my word for it. Go check them out. "Lovesick Teenagers" is particularly good.

Midnight Juggernauts

Following up one of my favorite albums of 2008 will be no easy feat, but if the reviews i've read thus far and the first single, "This New Technology" are anything to go by, then Midnight Juggernauts' newest LP, "The Crystal Axis" should be killer. Basically think of an Australian version of Daft Punk as fronted by Berlin-era David Bowie, and you're about halfway there. The Aussies have been jamming this thing for over a month now, and i don't know an American release date yet, but you can pre-order the album here. Thanks Acephale.

Cults in Austin in July

Blogger faves Cults will be touring the US over the next couple of months and will make a stop in Austin on July 26th to play a show at Emo's. Hooray! Their debut 7" "Go Outside" was released on Forest Family Records a couple of months ago and sold out almost instantaneously. I'm hoping maybe they'll have a few on hand. Anyway, it's great indie rock with the occasional 60's girl group flare. Good pop songs for all!

Go here to download the tracks, "Go Outside" and "Most Wanted" for free.

Mystery Team redband trailer

Mystery Team

We watched "Mystery Team" last night. I cannot stress how awesome it was. It's really stupid, but fucking hilarious. Go rent this right now! Go! Go! Go!

"Eww! There's something sharp inside of something soft."

Totally gay for my dog pt. 2

We have a tired pup. She got to spend the morning swimming in Ladybird Lake at Auditorium Shores. There were dogs everywhere (even if the pictures would suggest otherwise).

This is awesome!

I love this.

Gatekeeper

Is not enough of your day spent being chased by demons on the loose in the city? Do you crave a good, old-fashioned cyborg attack? Well, here's the soundtrack to your 80's sci-fi horror movie fantasy. Chicago's Gatekeeper (who have been coming up with killer synth soundtracks for a couple of years now) have finally released an actual EP on Fright Records. It's called "Optimus Maximus," so you know it's gotta be fun. Seriously, this is the music that must be playing in John Carpenter's or Mario Bava's heads 24 hours a day. Order it here, and take a listen below.

Quit my jibber-jabber!

I'm finally going to see "The A-Team" tonight. Hallelujah! I've been pitying fools for two weeks waiting to go see this movie. But the fool i pitied most...was myself.

Salem

Trouble's brewing. Salem are releasing their debut LP in September on Iamsound. If you're a fan of dark, moody synth music that's slowed down to the point where it sometimes sounds like DJ Skrew, then this is the shit for you. I love it. They're weird, and look like they should be from Berlin or someplace. And they will, on occasion, throw some hip-hop into the mix too. Check out their crazy mix of Playboy Tre's "Sideways" over at Adult Swim.

Not for everyone.

Rattling Cage

Liverpool's Forest Swords release their new 7" "Rattling Cage" next month. It's pretty cool, and has been described as, "daunting, spectral pyche-dub death march." Sound awesome, huh? This is really for fans of spaced-out, acid drenched music a la Sun Araw, or Pocahaunted, or other Not Not Fun releases. Great stuff. Pre-order it here. (Only 300 pressed!)

Disco2

Health have released a new remix album dubbed "Disco2." It includes a bunch of remixes from their 2nd LP by Crystal Castles, Salem, Tobacco, Small Black and more, more, more! If you pick up the album on vinyl, it includes a download card that will get you an additional 12 mixes and Nite Jewel and others. Awesome stuff for the art-rock-dance-music crowd.

Get it here.

Favorite songs of the year so far...

2010 has turned out to be a pretty decent year for music thus far. Here' s 25 songs that kick my ass:

1. The Morning Benders - "Excuses"
2. Gonjasufi - "Sheep"
3. Girls - "End of The World"
4. Owen Pallett - "The Great Elsewhere"
5. Caribou - "Odessa"
6. Liars - "Scissor"
7. Gorillaz - "Stylo"
8. Crystal Castles - "Violent Dreams"
9. LCD Soundsystem - "Drunk Girls"
10. The Knife - "Colouring of Pigeons"
11. Javelin - "Oh! Centra"
12. Joanna Newsom - "Easy"
13. Twin Sister - "Lady Daydream"
14. Pantha Du Prince (feat. Panda Bear) - "Stick to My Side"
15. Maus Haus - "Winter"
16. Golden Triangle - "Cold Bones"
17. Harlem - "Friendly Ghost"
18. Kurt Vile - "Invisibility: Nonexistent"
19. Delorean - "Real Love"
20. Daedelus - "Order of Golden Dawn"
21. Sleigh Bells - "Crown on The Ground"
22. Washed Out - "You and I"
23. Dum Dum Girls - "Rest of Our Lives"
24. Gauntlet Hair - "I Was Thinking..."
25. Treasure - "Canada"

As usual, you can probably find all of these on The Hype Machine. That's probably a lot easier than having to go to a bunch of different blogs and websites.

Halfway thru 2010

June's almost over. We're halfway through the year. So, because you demanded it, here are my favorite 10 albums of the year, thus far:

1. Gonjasufi - "A Sufi and A Killer"
2. Owen Pallett - "Heartland"
3. Liars - "Sisterworld"
4. Dum Dum Girls - "I Will Be"
5. Twin Sister - "Color Your Life"
6. Harlem - "Hippies"
7. Crystal Castles - "Crystal Castles"
8. Gayngs - "Relayted"
9. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Before Today"
10. Secret Chiefs 3 - "Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Vomini"

Maybe that last one actually came out in 2009, but whatever. It's new to me. If that's a problem, write your own damn blog.

All of these albums are available now. Look for my 25 favorite songs so far tomorrow. Hooray!

Pontiak

"Living" is the latest album from Virginia's Pontiak on Thrill Jockey Records. The brothers use sludgy guitar tones and low, crunchy bass work to craft excellent stoner metal-blues stomp madness. It kicks ass. Seriously, this is music to get baked to (not that i'm promoting or condoning drug use, te-hee). At the very least, get a six pack of PBR tall boys and zone out in a smoky bar, or a garage, or your high school bedroom. Sweet.

Manute Bol RIP

Manute Bol died today at age 47. He was a freakishly tall (7'7") basketball player in the 80's and 90's, although i specifically remember him from a Saturday Night Live commercial parody about a cruise line. He was funny and a great humanitarian who donated most of his money to African aid and building hospitals. We'll miss you buddy.

New Blonde Redhead

Blonde Redhead are rumored to be working on a new album, which is great news for those of us who like good music. Head over to their website to download the new tune, "Here Sometimes." Or do it below. It's pretty.

Samps and Dunes

So, let's say you're still jonesin' for chilled-out-electro-lo-fi-bedroom jams (don't you dare call it chill-wave, or i will punch you in the fucking head). Check out The Samps on Mexican Summer. They've got a Toro Y Moi meets Rangers vibe. It's kind of like what Ariel Pink would make if he was into techno instead of Hall and Oates. Anyhoo, order it now if you dig.

And while you're there, check out the new LP from Dunes. It's pretty, dark, and mellow, a Gothic treat in the vein of Siouxsie and The Banshees or Zola Jesus. A perfect album of anthems for all you kiddies out there wearing black nail polish.

Best Coast pre-order available now

Best Coast's debut LP "Crazy for Your" is now available to pre-order on Mexican Summer. And, it's got all kinds of goodies you can order along with it (CD's, T-shirts, stickers, totes, ya, ya, ya). So, head over here to order it. The album drops later in July.

Finders Keepers

"Stone" is a crazy biker movie that came out of Australia in the 1970's during their B-movie boom. The soundtrack is composed by Billy Green and is a great mix of psychedelia, funk, and electro noises. Finders Keepers (one of the coolest record labels on the planet) unleashed this lost beast upon the world earlier this year, and we are all the better for it. It's a tad pricey, but so worth it (especially if you're a vinyl and obscure movie soundtrack junkie like i am). Order it here.

Gayngs

How have i not written about these guys yet? I first came across Gayngs a couple of months ago whilst surfing the blogosphere (lame). It's a big collective of musicians (including Bon Iver's Justin Vernon) and they hack out drugged out, keyboard-inspired R&B music. Sound interesting? It is. They even do a faithful cover of Godley & Creme's "Cry," which i remember primarily from Beavis and Butthead. Go to Jagjaguwar Records for more info, or to order.

Mad props to Lee for reminding me about these guys.

Tennis anyone

Just heard the tune "Marathon" by the husband/wife group Tennis the other day. Good stuff. It's a total 60's pop throw back and very, very catchy. They'll be putting out a 7" on Underwater Peoples soon. Go sample them at The Hype Machine.

Futher proof that i am old

Here's a quick tidbit about how exciting i am. I fell asleep on the sofa before midnight last night. And we were watching Saturday Night Live no less. So, this is what it's like to be an old man. Awesome.

(In my defense, there had been a bit of revelry earlier in the evening.)

But i'm still old.

Candy Claws

If you're looking for some dreamscape music to wade around in, Candy Claws release their gorgeous "Hidden Lands" on August 3rd on Twosyllable. You can grab the mp3's for "Silent Time of Earth" and "Sunbeam Show" while you're there. They are both magnificent.

Coasting debut 7"! Hooray!

I saw Coasting during SXSW and really, really enjoyed them. A bit surf rock, a bit Jesus and Mary Chain, a bit girl group, and all awesome. M'Ladys Records is releasing their debut 7" in July. It's available for pre-order right now.

If you're into vinyl the color of purple lollipops though, they're already all gone. So, looks like it's black for you (and me).

Sandwitches

I'm not the biggest fan of The Sandwitches. I thought they were okay, and that's it. But then i listened to the "Duck Duck Goose" 1-sided 12" due out in July from Secret Seven Records. It's haunting, echo-y, and beautiful. Who knew? Especially check out the song, "Song of Songs," and "Baby Mine," from Dumbo.

Maus Haus

Picked up a new Winter/Zig Zag 7" from San Francisco's Maus Haus. It's another slice of indie pop wonderland. It kind of sounds like Brian Wilson, Marc Bolan, and Brian Eno went to a carnival fun house with a bunch of snotty hipster kids and then recorded some songs about it. Awesome. Go here for a more in depth review. (Phwtt...depth.)

Adult Swim music

Adult Swim is offering a brand new free mp3 every week until the July. So far, they've released new tunes from Matt Sweeney and Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Madvillain, Killa Mike and Flying Lotus, and Washed Out. Great stuff covering a wide spectrum of styles. So go check out Adult Swim, it's not just for meatwads any more.

Sleep Over

Forest Family Records will be offering a pre-sale of their third 7" release in the next couple of weeks. This time around they're presenting new songs from Austin's own Sleep Over. Head over to the label for a free download of the A-side, "Outer Limits," and check out the cover art. I didn't think i should print it here...there's a vagina on it.

Best Coast LP in July! Whoo-hoo!

Best Coast release their debut LP, "Crazy For You" on Mexican Summer on July 27th. Hooray! Here's the video for "When I'm With You." Great guest star in this one.

Summer Fest pics

Back, from the Free Press Summer Fest, and i'm drained. The wife's drained. Even the dog's drained. So much so, that she threw up on the carpet this morning. And i thought i drank alot. All in all, it was a pretty eventful little festival...and damn hot. The Flaming Lips and Girl Talk put on shows that were fun as hell (even if the Houston crowd was a bit lethargic), Saviours were great, i saw a cool little band called Caddywhompus (who remind me of No Age), I got to see hundreds of white people bobbing their white heads to Bun B and Slim Thug, we got rained on and had to traipse through the mud (for the fourth music festival i've attended in a row), and did i mention i drank alot of beer. Hooray!

The mud looked kind of fun at first. There was a big hill that served as a natural amphitheatre, and the mud peeps were using it as a giant slide...until the man shut it all down. And by "the man," i mean the 23 year old kid with big, checkered earrings and the Prince Valiant haircut, and his side muscle, the 5 foot 2 chick. They busted some heads. They busted some heads indeed.

Anyway, if you can handle the Houston summer heat, check this one out. It's a hell of a mix. Indie rock, hip-hop, electronica, heavy metal, and punk rock all at the same park! The hell i say!
Here's some pics.

Some of my festival going buddies and me.

Saviours

Girl Talk (before the fireworks)

A mud reveller

More mud revellers

Slim Thug

The awesome insanity that is The Flaming Lips.

Crystal Castles

Picked up the new album from Crystal Castles, the self-titled follow-up to their self-titled debut. It's good, a bit different than the first record, but still totally recognizable as a Crystal Castles album. Where the debut felt like two kids baning around a basement with synthesizers, Nintendo loops, and screaming, we're raving til dawn on the new disc. And that's okay. It still feels raw and lo-fi, so we're not being taken off to a techno-wonderland somewhere. I just think the two were a little more self-conscious during the recording process. So, check it out and be your own judge. Pop a pill, turn on the strobe, shake convulsively, and dig that awesome Sigur Ros sample. I approve.

Just like i'm 13 again

Just watched "Nirvana: Live at Reading." Awesome. I swear to God i was singing along to every song, like i was in junior high school again. Just hopefully not as awkward. It's amazing how 18 years later, this still sounds fresh.

The Kid is done

1989: Ken Griffey Jr. starts his rookie year with the Seattle Mariners, and is an immediate all star. Kids clamor to find his Upper Deck rookie card. I was one of those kids...and alas, i still don't have a copy of it. Damn.

1998: Remember when baseball was done? No one cared, and it was never coming back? Then the home run race began. Mcgwire, Sosa, and Griffey were all in the mix, but then the two roided-up yahoos pulled ahead. Can you imagine where we'd be if Junior had broken the record that year?

2010: Ken Griffey Jr. retires. We're going to miss you buddy. You are still the only sports star i ever had a poster of on my bedroom wall when i was growing up.

Free Press Summer Fest

Going to Houston for Free Press Summer Fest this weekend. Hooray Flaming Lips, Girl Talk, Stars, and 80 other bands i've never heard of! Should be fun. I'll have plenty of pics, and the Bun B show is gonna be off the hook.

Cosmogramma

Awesome producer and electro-hitman Flying Lotus released his latest opus a couple of weeks ago. I just managed to grab a copy yesterday, and it's pretty damn good. Lots of bleeps and bloops meshed together with harp and a barrage of other instruments all grooving along to a mellow hip-hop beat. Thom Yorke and others lend some vocals here and there. A perfect record to start or end your evening with. Check it out on Warp Records.

Didn't you start this blog as a way to monitor your weight loss? Oh yeah.

So, about a month and a half ago, i wrote down that i was really going to get committed to this whole working out 4 or 5 times a week shit. Um...yeah. I may have been drunk or something, because i wrote that by the end of April, i would be 225 lbs., and by the end of May, i'd be a cool 220. And then keep going by increments of 5 lbs. a month. Well, i weighed myself for the first time in over a month, and drum roll please...my current weight as of June 2nd...is a svelte 229 lbs. So, it turns out that chocolate milk, Reese's Pieces, and breakfast tacos are not the way to a skinnier you. Damn it!

Anyway, i ran today. It sucked. I hate it. I'll keep you updated. The 204 lb. goal is in my grasp.

I may have to start smoking again. That, or lots and lots of cocaine.

Color Your Life

Twin Sister's debut release came out last week on Infinite Best Recordings. The songs have been circulating around the net for awhile, but it's nice to have them all in one place. Very mellow, a hint of Slowdive shoegaze mixed with Cocteau Twins ambience, all ground through a hazy summer filter. So, dip your feet in the pool and sip on a cocktail. It's hot outside.