Songs »Princes of the Universe

by Queen (1986)

If you’re anything like me then you have more than a few X Files reruns filling up your DVR; and if you’re a lot like me then you get to relish, albeit ever so briefly, the final seconds of the Highlander theme song (“I am immortal/ I have inside me blood of kings!!”) as the sub-par television show comes to its rightful end and the the compressed credits, which have been running at triple speed below and to the right of a Caprica teaser, increase to their full size and the song’s volume increases… It’s a moment of sheer bliss for me (find joy in the little things, right?), that I try to take in at least a couple of time a week.

Unsurprisingly, the song’s awesomeness is due to the glittery talent of Queen who, back in the day, were the go-to act for science fiction epic songstressing (see the incredible Flash Gordon theme). The theme is actually entitled Princes of the Universe and has a video where Freddie Mercury does battle with Chris Lambert (see below) – although I wish it were Clancy Brown as The Kurgan sparring with FM… though how could so much greatness accurately be captured on-screen at one time?

Click here for the rest of Princes of the Universe

See more: Songs


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Albums »Opium

by Matt Berry (2005)

It’s common knowledge that I suffer from periodic fits of Matt Berry obsession; fortunately, there’s always something new to discover and to fall in love with concerning the man with the golden baritone. This time it’s Opium, his semi-comedic album (available on iTunes!) that has lifted my spirits this week more times than I can mention.

If you thought the Snuff Box theme got in your head (due to the fact that it’s played at least twice per episode), you’ll be happy to hear that the same catchy melody resurfaces, and is set to new lyrics, on Opium. Another high point on an album replete with high points is a sexual escapade called ‘Taking Control of Your Body’ that’s bound to inflame the libido of fans of Barry White, Serge Gainsbourg and “Weird Al” Yankovich alike.

Opium is a difficult piece of music to attach a label to. It is, of course, not entirely serious – there are bizarre spoken word sections about visiting an old-timey prostitute in a tavern and lines like, “They want dancers, young gay dancers!” or, “I need some kind of black magic reggae to sort this one out,” and yet I’ve been listening to this record so, so much this past week that the irony has vanished and has been replaced with a sense of pure, familiar enjoyment.

It’s my dream to see the man in person, he plays out often in London (I even priced a trip out there for one of his shows, but it seemed a bit extravagant just to see One Track Lover – which is not included on Opium, FYI – though not quite as pricey as the trip Jim conceived around a rare Maddy Prior/Tim Hart appearance a while back) but there are no NYC dates listed on his site…

American audiences have yet to catch on, and the kind of specific and offbeat humor Berry deals in may not be immediately appealing to legions of Yanks, so my dream is likely to remain just that… Opium feels the void nicely though.

See more: Albums


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Hunks »Paterson Joseph

The Marquis

Unless you indulge in as much BBC programming as I do, the lovely face of Paterson Joseph may not be entirely familiar to you – but let me tell you, he’s about as ubiquitous across the pond as this guy is stateside. Trial and Retribution, Peep Show, Dr Who, Murphy’s Law, Waking the Dead, and now even the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency!

Jim and I always refer to him as the Marquis, after his role in Neverwhere, which introduced us to the debonair thespian.

See more: Hunks


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Style Icons: Male »Alexander McQueen

The Most Visionary Designers of Our Time

The death of Alexander McQueen is just too, too sad.

He was a legend and a visionary and I always looked forward to seeing what amazing creations he would send down the runway next.

I am absolutely heartbroken.

Click here for the rest of Alexander McQueen

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Style Icons: Female »Mahogany

directed by Berry Gordy (1975)

On a co-worker’s recommendation, I pushed the Diana Ross as young upstart fashion designer/model vehicle Mahogany to the top of my queue strictly for the over-sized jewelry (which, no doubt you know, I’m a big fan of – ever want to get me a gift, just type HUGE into the vintage jewelry section of eBay).

It’s a terrible movie, but the style is fantastic – plus, you’re exposed to constant flashes of the unbelievably broad smile of one the most charismatic men around (the great Billy Dee Williams) as well as a riveting and creepily realistic performance by go-to weirdo Anthony Perkins as a Machiavellian fame wrangler (at least, it feels accurate to me, though I’ve never personally been to the gun room of a Phil Spector type, but I imagine Perkins got it right).

The plot (which calls to mind a dumbed-down, simplified take on the story lines of Jacqueline Susann) is as thin as Ross, who plays “young” not entirely convincingly, but with an amazing amount of sassy charm – there’s a reason that this broad is a star! And there’s a reason her creation, Mahogany, is my style icon: it’s all kimono sleeves, rainbow gowns, jersey capes, feathers, statement hats, body paint, gonzo hairstyles, Egyptian influence, and sequined or Navajo wraps. LOVE IT. There are a good many stills to peruse below/after the jump.

Click here for the rest of Mahogany

See more: Style Icons: Female


One Comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Restaurants »Shang

187 Orchard Street

As far as I’m concerned, any place that boasts excellent hot and sour soup is worth visiting and Shang, which I tried out during restaurant week, serves up a spectacular version. While it’s easy to imagine the dissent among local foodies (“There’s nothing here that you can’t get for a fraction of the price in Chinatown!!” they’ll whine) but hey, this soup is really, really excellent and I have to say that I also loved the thick Cantonese Wok Fried Pearl Noodles – both of which were on the tasting menu.

We were less taken with the other items on the menu. The sushi was good, but not amazing, and the shrimp dumplings were a tad bland. For cocktails, I recommend the Diablo for its spicy tequila kick, though it was a touch too sweet.

The ambiance is similar to that of fancy dark hotel, which is not quite my thing, but the staff was not snotty, as one might expect, but really friendly and seemed happy to have us – and I’d be more than happy to return for another bowl of that hot and sour soup.

Click here for the rest of Shang

See more: Restaurants


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Desserts »Crack Pie

from Momofuku Milk Bar, 207 2nd Avenue

As you can see, the infamous Crack Pie from Momofuku Milk is like crack not only humans but apparently cats as well. I had a hard time getting a shot of the gooey, indescribably yummy dessert without Tiptoe interfering with a sniff (she likes to just smell, not eat human food).

Of course, if she had eaten it, she would have known the glories of what can be done with butter, sugar, and eggs assembled in the most ingenious of ways.

Click here for the rest of Crack Pie

See more: Desserts


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Drinks »Cereal Milk

from Momofuku Milk Bar, 207 2nd Avenue

My cat Tiptoe not only found the delectable crack pie from Momofuku totally irresistible, she was unable to keep away from their tasty Cereal Milk.

We wondered how it was made and according to this interview with inventive pastry chef, Christina Tosi:
“We take corn flakes and toast them and steep them in milk, strain them, and then there’s a very small portion of sugar and salt just to balance it a little bit.”

Click here for the rest of Cereal Milk

See more: Drinks


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Metal Mad at Giant Robot

437 East 9th St

Leave it to Giant Robot NY to turn me into a little art collector! The Metal Mad show caught my attention when Paul Lyons, whose work is featured, sent a note out the other day… heavy metal art sounded like something I could not miss out on.

It’s a fun, small collection of skulls, bosoms, swords and beastly animals. I am/am soon to be (the show is up until March 3rd) the proud owner of Paul’s grotesquely awesome marker drawings and a fantastically creepy Audobon-esque painting of headless bat-birds battling in a black sky by Aaron Brown. These three pieces were my personal favorites, but there’s lots of great stuff to see.

Hannah Stouffer‘s dreamy, bloody paintings are lovely, the black and white pen and ink drawings by Louie Cordero call to mind the horrors of a Charles Burns comic and are fab. I was also smitten with the Bear Horde drawing by French and the intricate creations from Jeremiah Maddock. Oh, and Tom Neely‘s Wolves in the Throne rules.

Click here for the rest of Metal Mad at Giant Robot

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010

Web Sites »James Blagden

Brooklyn Artist

It’s hard not to be taken in by the vibrant, off-kilter art of James Blagden. His website is deliriously fun and, like me, he’s a Colorado native moved to Brooklyn.

Below/after the jump are a few of my favorite images.

Click here for the rest of James Blagden

See more: Web Sites


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 14, 2010