Hi guys, sorry for the disappearance. Mum fell down a hole and broke her leg in two places so I've been looking after her. I'll probably be barely blogging for another eight weeks however I'll try my best to post when I can.
So anyway...back in April French electro indie rock band Phoenix released their latest album Bankrupt! To accompany Bankrupt! Phoenix allowed other indie and pop types to remix their singles. Some amazing music has come out of these remixes and the best thing is that the majority of the remixes are available for download for free via their soundcloud.
Phoenix have a massive following by those in the know however they're the kind of band whose singles rarely make it into the top 40 (even in France) so it's most likely that you either know everything about them or nothing at all. If you have encountered them it is probably via their single Too Young which appeared in the party scene in Lost in Translation.
Here are my favourite of the Bankrupt! remixes plus a cover:
You can do much worse than start your exploration of the noise pop genre than with the bouncing girlish glee of Sleigh Bells. They very much make this remix their own by replacing Thomas Mars' vocals with that of the instantly recognisable Alexis Krauss, returning him in the chorus to create a duet effect. It is sugary, pounding and menacing all at the same time.
You're in for a real treat with the Trying To Be Cool remixes as they feature four cracking versions, my favourites being Canadian DJ A-Trak's indie trance epic and French DJ Breakbot's super funky disco groove. All of the remixes are available to download apart from the one featuring R. Kelly and all the components are also available to download so that you can mix your own!
My favourite of the Entertainment remixes is by Blood Orange (aka producer Dev Hynes / Lightspeed Champion) featuring vocals by MKS (the three original Sugababes). It is a twinkling, dreamy, forlorn R&B indie mashup with MKS singing a soulful version of the song's chorus against distorted guitar riffs and Thomas Mars' echoing main vocals.
Saving the best till last is alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr's 'remix' of Entertainment. Despite advertising it's a cover not remix. No one from Phoenix appears in this version and the vocals and instrumentals are all reinterpreted by Dinosaur Jr. I find it absolutely beautiful and actually (don't shoot me) better than the original. It is slow burning, tortured, heartfelt, etc etc. It is the perfect kind of cover, the kind where the band has put their own style onto a song without losing what made that original song so magical and worthy of being covered in the first place. It's very different from Phoenix's electro pop take on alternative music but if you approach it with an open mind you should find it just as enjoyable as the original.
Last week I went to see Kick-Ass 2, a little bit because I'd seen the first Kick-Ass but a whole lot more because one of my favourite actors ever, Jim Carrey, was in it. I've been thinking about the many roles he's portrayed over the years for a while now (since catching The Number 23 the other month) and it's roles like Fingerling in The Number 23 that reminded me how he's so much more than just a rubber-faced comedian. I would be amazingly honoured if he ever chose to portray any of my characters. So here is my list of my favourite Jim Carrey roles in chronological order:
Riddler / Edward Nygma - Batman Forever (1995)
I'll be the first to admit that Batman Forever has as many bad moments as it does good. It's horribly camp, completely deviates from any cannon and basically deserved better but once you accept these facts it becomes kind of fun too. Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones steal the show as Riddler and Two-Face and I would love to see (in some magical alternative universe) them reprise their roles with a stronger script (hello Paul Dini I'm channelling you) and a more serious approach to the directing. Being a Riddler fangirl I love that Jim references my second favourite Riddler, the almighty Frank Gorshin, as an inspiration and love him even more for inspiring the vocal delivery of possibly the best Riddler that will ever exist, Wally Wingert's Arkham video game series Riddler.
Chip Douglas - The Cable Guy (1996)
The Cable Guy is classic rubber-face Jim Carrey but look beyond the ballsy, over-the-top 1990s comedy and the character of Chip Douglas is actually very tragic. In the middle of the film he sings Jefferson Airplane's 'Somebody to Love' and it couldn't be more relevant as he literally has never had anyone actually love him for himself. His parents were deadbeats so he was brought up by the TV and with no real concept of social interaction all his adult 'friends' are people he services cable TV for. Whenever he meets someone he considers friend potential he completely latches onto them and when they try to break away he systematically destroys all their other relationships. On the surface Chip may seem the stereotypical funny idiot character but he is also sadly sympathetic and actually quite terrifying, especially if you've been in a relationship with someone like him!
Truman Burbank - The Truman Show (1998)
The Truman Show is a glimpse at the more serious roles Jim Carrey would later take on and is genuinely not just an amazing film but a social commentary which is just as relevant today as it was back in 1998. It is about Truman Burbank who, from the day he was born, was a TV star in a TV show he believes to be reality. Slowly he realises things are not what they seem and he must come to terms with not only the fact that his whole life has been a lie but that there is a whole world out there just waiting for him. This is the kind of role Jim Carrey is perfect for. His ability to fill characters with humanity is amazing: Truman is endearing from the start - you want him to break free and find his freedom - and not only does Jim act with a subtler, gentler humour than in his previous films but with a complete understanding of the complex emotions Truman must be going through.
Joel Barish - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Jim gets all mumbly in this indie sci-fi romance about enduring love (or at least obsession). It is his most love/hate role depending on if you can bare the mumbling and if you mind your Jim Carrey coming with a side order of serious acting. Once again Jim applies a perfect assessment of the human condition into producing an endearing performance for a character who, despite all better judgement, you root for to win the girl despite knowing full well that she has and probably will again bring him as much pain as she does happiness. People often scoff at the idea of Jim Carrey being a serious actor but it's roles like Joel that show just how complex and talented he is as a performer and also how complex and empathetic he is as a person.
Fingerling - The Number 23 (2007)
Oooh look at me being all controversial! But in all honesty Fingerling is amazingly hot and edgy and troubled and perfect for good girls who lust after bad boys to fantasise about. Even though The Number 23 is a little uneven (and Jim's other character, Walter Sparrow, is less charming) the scenes featuring Jim Carrey as Fingerling are wonderful homages to film noir - I could quite easily watch a whole film shot in the style of the Fingerling sections featuring the exploits of Jim Carrey as the hard boiled, broody detective. Jim Carrey as the loveable good guy is so established in our psyche that Fingerling is the kind of role you have to experience to believe. No amount of 'I saw him do serious in Eternal Sunshine' will prepare you for his performance in The Number 23. It's like visiting that alternate universe I mentioned earlier. Even if you find you don't like the film I whole heartedly recommend giving The Number 23 a watch so as to see Jim's delivery for Fingerling as well as his amazing tattoo. Fabrizia is one lucky femme fatale!
Colonel Stars and Stripes - Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
Though since appearing in Kick-Ass 2 Jim's views on violence in movies has changed I don't think he should feel bad about his portrayal of probably the most endearing and kind-hearted character in the whole film. The mafia heavy turned born again Christian and superhero is an inspiration to all the other superheroes in Kick-Ass 2 including Kick-Ass himself. He doesn't believe in guns, he doesn't believe in swearing, he doesn't believe that a woman is asking to be raped just because she chooses to walk home at night alone and he has an amazing love for his job. In a film full of over the top violence he is a beacon of (yes I'm going to say it again) humanity and I think due to this his fate speaks volumes about the futility of violence as a means or an answer. If I got in a sticky spot I'd want Colonel Stars and Stripes saving me!
I hope you enjoyed my list, I hope one day one of my films will be on the list, and finally the big question...what is your favourite Jim Carrey role?
Hi guys. I'm a little sad today (and by 'a little' I mean very) as my friend the cat isn't allowed to come and visit anymore. I should be doing writing or something but I'm too sad so instead I've uploaded my Angelic Rebels playlist to 8tracks. Please enjoy.
Okay guys - this will be my last proper post for a few weeks as I'm going on holiday! It is the playlist I listen to whilst writing my latest feature, Swear Forever, a haunting, psychological horror about...
"Love that refuses to die, like a dream that long since became a nightmare."
Will You Love Me Tomorrow? - The Shirelles
Without You - Lana Del Rey
Magic Summertime - Eleni Mandell
With or Without You - Keane
If You Want Love - K.S. Rhoads
My Love Won't Wait - Two Gallants
Woke Up Dead - Kyla La Grange
Tokyo Transfigured (from X The Movie)
Run Boy Run - Woodkid
Coming Undone - Korn
Sea to Sky - Dream Boat
Cradel (Cradle) of Forest - Akira Yamaoka featuring Joe Romersa
Catalyst - Kyla La Grange
No Rest - Dry the River
Run - Blonds
Snake Eyes - The Milk Carton Kids
Here Be Monsters - Ed Harcourt
Mein Herz Brennt (Piano Version) - Rammstein
Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? - Paloma Faith
What do you think of when you think of Japanese popular music?
Probably this huh?
Yeah I actually can't listen to it. I mean I get why people like THIS video (heh heh heh) but I find it really hard to like the music style...which upsets me because I love Japan. The idea that I couldn't cope with their shrill-pitched, fast-paced, over-worked, sugar-coated pop music made me gutted. I seriously tried to like it. I did. Every so often I'd find something more indie or acoustic but I really had no idea what to look for. I came to the conclusion that if was picky with British pop then I was never going to like the (dare I say it) more generic sound of J-pop...
Then It Came From Japan entered my life.
It Came From Japan is a British pod-cast featuring the best indie, rock and punk from the Japanese underground music scene. Though each pod-cast usually features a full range of styles most of the music (whether acoustic, punk or electronic) is easy on the ear with only the odd more experimental track for hard-core fans.
It is a little hard to pick out certain musicians that the pod-cast features as It Came From Japan features so many however I was very lucky to win from them a copy 'Dancing After 1 A.M.' by Call and Response Records which nicely sums up the edgier side of the music they play.
'Dancing After 1 A.M.' has a strong indie punk feel and is a complete roller coaster ride. For every calm melodic track such as Dance by MIR is an abrasive sound clash such as I Want More (Massive) by POP-OFFICE. Even though I don't like the more dissonant music I still love the compilation and fully recommend it to anyone who, like me, was giving up on Japanese popular music. It is raw, it is rough, it is fun and it is anti-pop at its best! You probably won't like every track but there will definitely be at least one artist you will want to hear more of. Ditto for It Came From Japan. After listening to one of their pod-casts featuring Coba-U's creepy cover of the Talking Head's classic Psycho Killer I downloaded her whole PUNK EP (available from iTunes UK...don't expect much punk on it though...it's mostly a chilled out slightly poppy homage to New Wave and a very easy and enjoyable listen).
Best of all, if you like the music featured on It Came From Japan and by Call and Response Records, most of it is available to buy (It Came From Japan has a great list on each pod-cast page for how you can find out more about the featured artists and their music) and both companies bring bands to tour the UK!
Featured Song: Collapsing New Buildings by Extruders
My top five played songs are: Lullaby covered the Editors, Shoelaces by The Submarines, You Sexy Thing covered by Stereophonics, Pursuit of Happiness covered by Lissie and Mein Teil by Rammstein.
I LOVE cookery competition shows!
My bedroom is bright amaranth.
I really dislike my legs - you'll never see me baring them above the knee.
I think fingerless gloves teamed with rolled up sleeves looks UBER sexy on men! Nothing says, 'I mean business' than rolled up sleeves <3 Seriously, seriously hot! Even hotter when teamed with glasses too *faints* <3
What do you mean he looks like your creepy geography teacher?!
Lovely Blythe from Blue Roses has very kindly nominated me for the Liebster Award. Which is very nice seeing as my blog is super geeky rather than super cool XD
So anyway here's the low-down:
List 11 facts about yourself
Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger that nominated you
Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate, and then let them know they've been picked
Write 11 new questions for them to answer
Leave a link back to the blogger that nominated you.
Eleven Facts About Me:
I love lavender! I bath in it, use it to help me sleep, use it when I have an infection, sometimes wear it as a scent and even cook with it!
My favourite character from Daria is Trent (quickly followed by Up Chuck)...but I hate Tom.
...I love to watch professional wrestling...
One of my biggest style icons is Alice from Alice in Wonderland.
I have a rocking chair and I sit in it every day!
My laptop is blue.
I once got to hug John Hurt!
I've hand sewn my own dress and will probably do it again!
Some of my fictional crushes include Edward Nygma, Jonathan Crane and Vincent Smith...like a lamb to the slaughter! Abe Sapien is also cute though!
I usually only drink really diluted down cranberry and raspberry juice.
My most played song on my iTunes is the Editor's cover of Lullaby by the Cure. I've played it 182 times.
My answers to Blythe's questions:
Where’s somewhere you would like to travel to? Gotham City...though seeing as that might be a bit difficult I would love to got to Seattle and Singapore.
What’s your favorite color? Red, though green and purple as a combination are also a big favourite at the moment!
Are you more likely to be behind the lens or in front of the lens of a camera? I'm supposed to be a screenwriter so behind the lens. I would love to be in a real photo shoot though - just to see if I could look pretty in a photo!
What’s your favorite animal? Ugh! I love lots! I'm always writing about foxes (they are very mystical) so today I will say foxes (but I also adore birds).
Flat shoes or tall shoes? Flat. My mum lived in high heels when she was young and her feet now are horrific...seriously deformed...I may look less glamorous in flats but at least I'll be able to walk when I'm sixty.
What’s your favorite fruit? I love red fruits such as strawberries, cherries and blood oranges.
What's something you enjoy about blogging? Getting to read other people's blogs!
Have you ever dyed your hair an unnatural color? Yes - blue - but it went green. I'd love to try again but this time get a professional to do it. I'm afraid of roots though.
Do you play any instruments? Yes. I used to take violin and recorder lessons. I can kind of play piano and guitar. I also sing.
My questions are:
What is your favourite TV programme?
Who's better: John Lennon, John Malkovich or John Candy?
What are your five most played songs and does the list surprise you?
What are the best and worst stage plays / musicals you have been to?
Is it hip to be a square?
Can zombies fall in love?
What colour is your bedroom?
Rammstein: epic or awful?
Who is your style icon? (that goes for fashion or general behaviour, which ever is more you)
What is the worst joke anyone has ever played on you?
Tea and cake or tea and biscuits?
Now next I'm supposed to
nominate eleven other blogs but I don't follow eleven under-loved blogs yet so I figure every time I encounter one I like I will nominate them! ((maybe you guys can suggest some cool blogs to follow!))
This week's Friday Feature is ohnomoon, a shoegaze / indie rock group from New York, USA. Their music is incredibly dreamy yet also substantial (unlike a lot of dream pop which can be so ethereal it feels empty)...a bit like listening to a Cardigans XX collaboration. This sound is created by distorted, hazy electrical guitars and beautiful, slightly husky vocals courtesy of Katherine Lee. Listening to their music is like succumbing to sleeping gas - it is deceptive - its airiness disguises something much stronger and intoxicating.
Where will I have heard them before?
ohnomoon contains Corey and Graham from The King Left. They are still very new but they have featured at Deli shows and have performed at many other New York venues. They are probably best known for the cover of David Bowie's Ashes to Ashes.
Featured Song: In the Mouth a Desert (originally by Pavement)
Where can I hear more?
You can get all of ohnomoon's music on their bandcamp page!
Wow guys! That's another 1000 hits in less that three months! Thank you! I'm ill at the moment so seeing this really cheered me up. I'll try and continue to post content that you enjoy - please do leave a comment if there is something in particular you like - and when my writing becomes more in demand I'll be able to post more about that too.
As a thank you here is a preview of something I work on in between writing. Because I don't know when I'll finish it I'll share the 'work in progress' now...it'll give you something to look forward to maybe lol
The song is 'Where is My Mind' (by the Pixies) covered by Placebo.
For this week's Friday Feature we're going back in time to discover what girls did in their garages in the 1960s. This was the era of original garage rock and is often considered to be 'protopunk' due to its raw, DIY rock nature.
As the name suggests, 1960s garage rock was not elitist, all you needed was a garage, a guitar and Bob's your uncle. Teenagers and young adults from all walks of life formed garage rock bands. This is most apparent in garage girl groups where the quality to performances ranged from raw, distorted crooning to super polished close pop harmonies. Garage girl groups took musical influences from everywhere including rock, jazz, doo-wop, early R&B, pop and Beatlemania. Song topics were mostly about teen traumas. Though some songs were superficial, because the groups were all female, many were a source of early feminism with urges of rebellion, individuality and independence. Many songs were about crushes and relationships with bad boys and the girls wanting their own bad sides released. Some songs were warnings of what happens when you give your heart to guy who doesn't respect you. Often with garage girl groups the music is sweet, young and feminine whilst the lyrics express a yearning for the edgy, wild and free.
My favourite lyrics have to come from the spoken bits from 'Give Him a Great Big Kiss' by the Shangri-Las. I usually hate spoken bits in songs but these are so iconic:
When I say I'm in love you best believe I'm in love L-U-V!
Well what color are his eyes?
I don't know he's always wearing shades...
Is he tall?
Well, I've got to look up...
Yeah? Well I hear he's bad!
Mmm, he's good bad, but he's not evil.
Is he a good dancer?
What do ya mean is he a good dancer?
Well how does he dance?
Close, very, very close...
Here are some of my favourites:
Give Him a Great Big Kiss - The Shangri-Las
The Hurtin' Kind - The Bittersweets
Only Seventeen - The Beatle-Ettes (Beattle-Ettes)
Quite a Reputation - The Chymes
Bend Me Shape Me - The Models
Baby I Dig Love - The What Four
Big Bad Wolf - The Sham-Ettes (I LOVE this song!)
Next week: I thought I'd continue the 1960s theme with the music of Frank Gorshin
This week's Friday Feature is a little different: the anime Kids on theSlope / 坂道のアポロン, / Sakamichi no Aporon. Kids on the Slope is the coming of age story of Kaoru set in a small Japanese town in the summer of 1966. Kaoru is constantly moving from town to town thanks to the nature of his father's job. It has meant he has few friends and has become very introverted. Kaoru expects to be just as miserable and lonely in this new town however Sen, the school's bad boy, takes a shine to him and has decided whether Kaoru (or 'Richie' as Sen likes to call him) likes it or not that they are not only going to be friends but jazz partners. Sen originally seems a total blockhead however the more Kaoru gets to know him the more he sees he is a complex, passionate, protective friend. Through his relationship with Sen, female friend Ritsuko and other visitors to Ritsuko's grandfather's record shop, Kaoru learns the power of friendship, the pain of love and music's ability to bring even the most unlikely of people together.
Kids on the Slope has three good things going for it:
1) As you can see the animation is film quality and truly a feast for the eyes,
2) The story and characters are deep and involving,
3) If you have even the most basic interest in jazz you will love the soundtrack. Each episode features at least one performance of a classic jazz standard and to get the animation of the performances as realistic as possible these scenes are rotoscoped from performances by real jazz musicians. The cherry on the musical cake is that the original score (also jazz) is composed by Yoko Kanno, of Cowboy Bebop fame.
What jazz standards are featured?
Lullaby of Birdland
But Not for Me
Easy Waltz
Moanin'
Bag's Groove
Blowin' the Blues Away
Satin Doll
Four
Milestones
Someday My Prince Will Come
My Favourite Things
Featured Song: Kaoru & Sentaro Duo in BUNKASAI (Medley "My Favourite Things - Someday My Prince Will Come - Moanin'")
