New Things I Like on.. Tuesdays.

So Tuesdays are pretty cool days.. Itunes realeases new music and Blockbuster puts up its new movies. I like tuesdays, but they can be pretty overwhelming so I can't talk about everything. I mean do you really need me to tell you about the new Flo Rida single? I fricken hope not. Things What I'm going to touch on in this addition of NTILOT (haha nice) is new music I'm listening to RIGHT now and my first impression...

So lets begin...

K'Naan - Troubadour

I've only listened to the three most popular songs and from word go LOOVE IT! If you have never heard of K'Naan he's a cool character. He's originally from Somalia and on his first album 'The Dusty Foot Philosipher' he talks a lot about the struggles hes had to deal with but also beautiful subjects regarding his life. I like listening to this guy because for one, i feel like he talks about things that really matter and through music can communicate with everyone on what life is outside of our bubbles. What challenges other cultures and countries face on a day to day basis, like dodging death for example.
His new record is nice because while keeping true to the DFP there is also just some good upbeat songs featuring other hip hop artists that really get you going.

Dumas - Rouge

So.. i just bought this album after sampling about 3 songs. This is like.. the french radiohead or maybe even the pernice brothers. I REALLY like this. So it comes highly recommended... but first off you have to be able to stand french music which in most cases I can't, and I even speak french. I know francophone music is moving in a different direction than when I attended french catholic highschool (ahh!!) but I don't know.. its harder to sing with I guess.

This album is beautiful and quiet. Its just nice..

Those are my two favorites for the week (so far... subject to change). But here is a quick continued list of cool things, with no explanations...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero (single)

Gentleman Reg - Jet Black (album)

Tiga - Mind Dimension (EP)

And... things i couldn't get into...

The Virgins - Teen Lovers (EP)

Marianas Trench (its like a simple plan, fall out boy hybrid... yuck)

Justice - The Party (EP.. and its not spelt like that but I don't have the patience to look)

Its not You, Its Me

I've always liked Lily Allen. I really like her because she doesn't like Amy Winehouse and shes English. I do really think English people are hilarious! Have you ever watched british television? Well you should.
Anyways, this new cd of hers rocks. It has a consistent feel to it throughout and while it feels a little more mellow each song has a really fun beat and cadence to it. It feels kind of 'circusy' but not in a corny lame clowny way. Thats just how im describing the overall feel to the baselines and such upbeat and fluid.
As usual, Lily is a great songwriter touching on everything from materialism, to hanging out with chinese food and that orgasm that is just out of reach!
She's one of my favorite artists because of the execution of her lyrics. Everything is hilariously well written and even when the lyrics are comical, the tone of the songs make you believe what shes saying and feel for her. Lily Allen also has an amazing soft voice that just makes this the perfect album for cruising in the car or even after the bar.
I highly recommend checking this one out for all ages (not too young!). Its a good sort of a transition album from pop to contemporary. Anyone can love this.

Coraline

I love childrens movies. I especially love the route they are taking these past years in being so much more adult 'friendly'. So naturally, being a big kid at heart myself I don't usually pass on the oppourtunity to see 3D movies ESPECIALLY when they are Neil Gaimen stories, in claymation and did i mention 3D?
Coraline is the latest movie I was so lucky to see in theaters and I have to say it was pretty darn good but i also have to warn you... NOT A KIDS MOVIE! Oh man, if was anywhere between the ages of 5 - 12 I would have cried for months. Unless you are the bearer of a really nasty devil spawn than I wouldn't take your well behaved son or daughter to this movie, and heres why.

Coraline actually has a great message and I think its appropriate for this current 'recession'. Although the tagline on some posters reads 'Be Careful What you Wish for' i think its better suited to be explained as be thankful for what you have in life, and who you have in life. People get so wraped up in material posessions that its easy to overlook the people who have made those things possible ei: your parents!!
The heroin of the story is a young girl just like everyone who is mildly reglected by their parents and craves more and in a bone chilling adventure in the 'other world' she realizes that what she has is so much better than having buttons sewn into her eyes! (see.. not a good thing to show your children)

This movie was very entertaining... although it did lack in the 3D department. Maybe its just me, but i like it when things really reach out to you.. but it was still really great. Definately check it out.. I guess, if you liked anything by Tim Burton in the past years you will definately love this movie.. and If your not a huge fan I think this one will really open you up to the darker side of animation!

Updated Q&A

Ah! The existence of my blog? Who would have remembered. Obviously not me.. and being I'm my only fan its not a big deal. First on my agenda is updating my Music Q&A. It was mildly painful to read.. althought my musical tastes haven't changed that much, there are new discoveries and of course i don't 'love' any musicians anymore like a giddy school girl.
1. Of all the bands/artists in your cd/record collection, which one do you own the most of?
Incubus (Thats the same... I haven't bought many cds since the inception of the Itunes store...)

2. What was the last song you listened to?
Joy Division - Transmission (If you haven't seen Control.. you should.)

3. What's in your record/CD player right now?
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks. (I'm sure its been in there for at least a year...)

4. What song pretty much sums you up?
The entire soundtrack from Highschool Musical 1,2 AND 3! (HELL YES...... uhh..)

5. What's your favorite local band?
Any band my friend Carlos sings in.

6. What was the last concert you attended?
Nine Inch Nails

7. What was the greatest show you've ever been to?
Show wise.. Nine Inch Nails. Otherwise.. Neil Young!

8. What's the worst band you've seen?
Nickelback (ok.. i was like.. 16)

9. What band do you like musically but dislike the members of?
hmm..

10. What is the most musically involved you have ever been?
I worked at a record store for two years.

11. What shows are you looking forward to?
Fleetwood Mac.

12. What is your favorite band shirt?
I have this doors one that is literally stiched up entirely on both sides.

13. What music posters do you have up in your room?
Nothing these days. Damn renting.. All I have is a nice painting of Jim.

14. What musician would you like to be in love with for a day?
Jim Morrison or Elvis.

15. Pat Benatar or Cyndi Lauper?
Pat.

16. Sabbath or solo Ozzy?
OOO... uhh.. Sabbath.

17. Commodores or solo Lionel Ritchie?
Commodores

18. Punk rock, hip hop or heavy metal?
Punk Rock forever.

19. Doesn't Primus suck?
I wouldn't go as far as to say 'suck'... Mostly because i have a lot of respect for Les.

20. Did you know that filling out this survey makes you a music geek?
It's a label i wear proudly.

21. What was the greatest decade for music?
The goddamn seventies.

22. How many music-related videos/dvds do you own?
umm.. a lot. Lots of music movies and live concert dvds..

23. Do you like Journey?
I will not deny that i love a good Journey song from time to time.

24. Don't try to pretend you don't!!
I'm not.. im proud of arena rock.

25. What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
Spinal Tap

26. What was your last musical phase?
Girly radio music.

27. What's the crappiest CD/record/etc. you own?
Guerolito. I hate that damn cd.

28. Do you prefer vinyl or CDs?
CDs for the most part, but i do collect Vinyl. Makes me feel nostalgic.

29. What is your all time favorite CD?
The Doors - Strange Days

30. All totalled, how much do you spend on music a month?
I'd rather not say.. but im sure i could have done something with my life by now...

Pikul

Ok.. so before i say anything, this rant is not only about the greatest EP i've ever listened to.. it's also about one the greatest bands i've ever heard! If you have never heard of the Silversun Pickups.. you are missing out. In a world where music is so produced and manufactured its such a good feeling to hear things like 'Carnavas', the first album by the SSP. I usually reserve the title of 'greatest bands' for groups that actually created a genre or paved the way for music to come (ie: elvis, the beatles, pink floyd.. you get it..) but I have to say.. It's been a long time since i listened to an entire album and loved everything about it (save the deftones....)

I don't know where these guys are from and althought i could find out i don't even care... they have a such a diverse sound. The genre is hard to pinpoint but I guess i would shoot for Indie Rock or something or the sorts. They use guitars and sometimes they scream.. but for the most part is a steady but mellow rock out. Sing along in your car or veg with your Ipod.. this shit is good. The lead singer has a voice unlike anything i've heard.. It's natural but it has a little bit of pitch or rasp or something that just sets him apart from everyone else. This album is so perfectly executed.. every song has amazing instrumentals and all the lyrics are perfect. My personal favorites are Lazy Eye (which was their music video single) and Checkered Floor.. and that was even a hard decision.

Next up is Pikul.. its an EP... just listen to it.

And Finally is... The Remixes. I love remixes. I'm glad everyone is remixing. I don't care if its trendy at least that will keep the remixes alive! Anyways.. these remixes are definately worth checking out. My only complaint about the SSP remix album is that Lazy Eye is remixed about five times while only two other Carnavas songs are remixed and thats it. So.. not much variety but still very good.

Wether you jump all in and listen to all three albums.. or just listen to Carnavas I can't seriously invision anything being disapointed.. unless your really into classical or rap... but you should just listen to them anyways!!

Passwords

So... I'm not sure what happened but one day I wanted to write about a cd and I completely forgot my password to my blog. It must be karma or some kind of universal-karmic-intervention-thing that I should be so lucky to remember it today. In the past year, since my last post.. I've listened to good music, read good books and discovered the website of my life and have had no way to share it. (I doubt many people read this, but even if one person does I'm happy).



I'm living somewhere very cool these days, secluded in the mountains somewhere in BC. It's been good times. Challenging, but good. I'm going through things I would never have expected to go through and I think im becoming a more mature person because of it... The point im making is... IF anyone ever does read this.. a changing person is always open to new and ideal things.. so send me music or thoughts or anything.

Where i'm living, I'm REALLY secluded from a lot of things including record stores and magazines so I always enjoy suggestions.. my internet is also really slow so listening to music is complicated.. but I try.

Saturday Night Wrist

note: this review is a work in progress.. I have listened to this album once and I'm in complete awe. There hasn't been a cd in a while that I have fallen in love with on first listen. I'm basically a deer in headlights ranting.....

It's strange to think that hear the Deftones I can easily pick them out because there is something so unique and diverse about their sound. When it comes to explaining it, on the other hand, I really can't pick out what it is. Vocally, I'm sure you could associate Chino Morino to a few other male singers that sound similar. I think it may be the way he executes his lyrics and the lustful way he slowly releases each word.
I'm on song five of the new album Saturday Night Wrist and I think since White Pony there has not been a Deftones album consistently this good. I haven't had the urge to either warn people or inform them on something I've found disappointed or just fucking amazing, but by song three I had to write something.
Out of the majority of their albums I find this one much more melodic and it even features I song sans-lyrics. Having a consistently mellow and steady flow until about mid way through where Chino really uses his vocal abilities to wail in Rats!rats!rats! eliminating that stoner feel to the album. Despite the raspy chorus the song is still fluid enough to keep the pace of the album as is slowly moves into more industrial tracks.
Again, I can't actually put into words why this album is unique and diverse and why it's so incredible. It just is. To me, that says a lot. When something can just be good and doesn't require a heap of explaining or words taken from a thesaurus to wow you. To previous Deftones fan, this is not a let down in no way. To new fans, this is an ideal album to introduce you to the genre and to the band.

songs to love: Beware, Rivere, Xerces, and Pink Cellphone (this song is pretty xrated.. and if your easily disgusted by simple vocals.. I'd skip the butt sex part. ahaha..)