Albums »Polyfonia

by Apparat Organ Quartet (2010)

If you took the biggest movies of the 80’s (specifically Conan the Barbarian and Beverly Hills Cop to name a couple) and set them in the future (I can tell you already like where this is going) then asked a talented avant garde orchestra with rock and roll leanings to write a score, then let video game musicians play it – you’d end up with something like Polyfonia, a bold, instrumental album from the Icelandic band Apparat Organ Quartet.

According to founder Johann Johannson, a think tank leader (of a group called Kitchen Motors) in his country, the band’s latest release is “more suited to the musical tastes of the masses” so even us common folk will find it enjoyable.

Before you think their band name was just chosen by the latest facebook game, they are in fact a quartet of organ players (plus one drummer) who use old, cast away keyboards, synthesizers, and other machinery. Fellow young and talented Icelander, Siggi Eggertsson is the artist behind the sweet cover.

Thanks to Shaun for introducing me to this unique album.

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Posted on January 12, 2011

Style Icons: Male »Kansai Yamamoto

Bold Designer

I’ve learned while going through photos of Kansai Yamamoto‘s awesome work that it is indeed possible to salivate over amazing costume! He’s the man responsible for the wardrobe for David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust Tour and currently produces something called Super Show that is at once fascinating, inscrutable and over the top. I am dying to attend.

There have been two retrospectives in Tokyo and Philadelphia so heres to hoping one comes to New York. Oh, and wouldn’t a chain store collaboration be simply amazing?! I’d do just about anything for one of his patchwork kimono dresses.

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Posted on January 11, 2011

Web Sites »emusic

Music Downloads

A subscription to emusic was my birthday gift to myself. Not finding satisfaction with any free services – which either have a very limited selection and or don’t let you keep any music – I decided to look into paid services for my music needs.

I find itunes too expensive and can’t always find what I need, so emusic, a monthly subscription site (you get a certain number of credits each month that carry over if unused) that features more obscure stuff as well as the more mainstream, sounded good.

The fact that albums cost half what they normally would (usually around $6) sealed the deal. The easy browsing searches have already introduced me to new fabulous things (like recent pick, Darondo) and a nifty “save for later” feature helps me make sure I don’t forget albums that interest me.

Added bonus points and discounts were a nice addition. Once my new month credits come, I think I’ll finally get that Grinderman album which is exciting.

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Posted on January 11, 2011

Movies,TV Shows »Hysterical Blindness

directed by Mira Nair

Hysterical Blindness, a 1980’s set HBO version of a Lifetime movie could have been nothing but hairspray and bad accents, but to every one’s credit involved, it’s a surprisingly nuanced, and touching portrayal of two party girls past their prime, standing guard at a local dive bar, waiting desperately for romance to change their Bayonne, New Jersey lives.

Uma Thurman is transforming as Debby, a character interestingly enough portrayed by the great Amy Ryan in the original 1997 Laura Cahill theatrical production. She contorts her exceptional beauty into a woman so needy and spastic that you wince as she awkwardly rockets around the screen between cigarettes, tears, freak outs and blow jobs. Juliette Lewis, Gena Rowlands, and Ben Gazzara all of whom are always, without exception, excellent round out the dream cast.

While it all ends a little too much on the cute side, it’s nice to see these women, icons of ironic tackiness and stereotype get a little happiness, whether in the form of new living room furniture or front yard parties all summer. And speaking of ironic tackiness, there is much here for thrift store shopping hipsters to get excited about: Shredded heavy metal tees, acid washed paint on jeans, spandex mini skirts, and lots of cheap rings.

I saw this when it first aired several years ago but recently felt the urge to revisit. I’m glad I did.

Click here for the rest of Hysterical Blindness

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Posted on January 10, 2011

Laughs »Viral Video Film School

on Youtube and Current TV

For a guy that looks like just some kid I would have been friends with in high school, or alternatively just some kid I wouldn’t have been friends with in college, Brett Erlich is one funny guy.

You might recognize him from the better than it needed to be Rotten Tomatoes TV show, but I prefer these Viral Video Film School videos, available on youtube and on current TV.

Tackling such themes as Stunt Fails, Adorable Puppies, and Scary Robots, these little shorts have also introduced me to such things as “haulers” (people who who what they just bought during a shopping trip on youtube) and “cash gifting” (a scam where people online ask you to send money for no real reason).

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Posted on January 9, 2011

Drinks »Little Italy

Whiskey Cocktail

After months on the wagon, I dove right into the alcohol pool deep end by allowing Shaun to mix me one of his infamously potent drinks. Called The Little Italy, it consists of whiskey, sweet vermouth, Cynar (an aperitif derived from artichokes), and orange zest.

It packs a wollop and I have to admit I am the former shell of my old self drinking wise. I managed to only drink about a third of the glass, but it was enough to know this is one very fine cocktail.

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Posted on January 9, 2011

Desserts »Gift Box Cake

at De Robertis, 176 1st Avenue

Leave it to the over hundred year old East Village bakery De Robertis to make my New Years just a little bit sweeter. This adorable gift box cake with chocolate ganache, a marzipan bright red bow, chocolate mousse, and raspberry filling was superbly delicious without being overly sweet or rich. I love that this corner of Old New York is still alive and well and making goodies that make my belly smile.

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Posted on January 9, 2011

TV Shows »The Larry Sanders Show

Now on Netflix Instant

Sure, birds are falling from the sky, but there are some positives about the New Year. Netflix has started streaming all seasons of the too often forgotten Larry Sanders Show, for example.

A forerunner to cynical comedies like Arrested Development, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, this HBO classic still makes me laugh even if the references (Ghost, Jodie Whatley, the first Bush Administration) are dated.

Garry Shandling, a pioneer in comedy, plays egocentric incredibly well as a third tier talk show host in this behind the scenes satire. No one says “horse shit” and gets drunk quite like Rip Torn as Artie, the show’s producer and while Jeffery Tambor’s work as George Bluth (on Arrested) is great, his portrayal of side kick Hank Kingsley is a revelation in pathetic, weak, and very funny assholery. Familiar faces like Janeane Garofalo and Jeremy Piven round out the cast in their pre-famous days.

I am enjoying revisited the show immensely and think those fans of the aforementioned shows who haven’t watched it the first time around will be delighted. Makes me wish Shandling was still working on HBO.

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Posted on January 9, 2011

Spend a Couple Minutes »Mulchfest

Now You Know What To Do With Your Tree

Don’t throw your Christmas tree out on the street corner – especially with the sanitation team just getting caught up on trash removal. Go to Mulchfest instead! It’s a great city wide service and while it’s not “fest” exactly – more like a big machine, two guys to work it, and a pile of trees – but you can walk away with some mulch if you are lucky enough to have a garden that needs it.

There are 70 sites throughout the city, their website has a map to help you find one near you.

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Posted on January 9, 2011

Books »World Made By Hand

by James Howard Kunstler (2008)

Among the many post apocalyptic novels, James Howard Kunstler‘s World Made By Hand is relatively tame in the fear department – that is if you are used to baby eating and zombies. The story centers around a former exec turned homesteader after the modern world ends as we know it.

Set in Upstate New York, he and others are learning to survive despite severe tragedy in a comparatively calm corner of a world gone wrong (major catastrophes in the major cities are hinted at). Nearby a tribe of nere do wells control commerce and a cult of religious folk come to town with a mind to take things over.

Jim, glancing over my shoulder, assumed that I would be having a hard time with the book when he saw some Bible quotes and olde timey talk. And, yes I would think this take on the end of the world wouldn’t work for me, but reading it was kind of like being at a party and getting stuck in a serious conversation while watching people get silly drunk out of the corner of your eye… ultimately becoming so engrossed in the conversation so that you don’t care.

It’s a bit pedantic, and hopeful in an almost golly-gee sort of way but it paints a very vivid picture of a possible future without modern technology (for good and bad) that will make you think and enjoy it.

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Posted on January 8, 2011