tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24729239583369815432024-03-13T07:29:34.874-07:00Free Statedghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-3697744683874813242009-12-29T18:32:00.000-08:002009-12-30T16:49:22.220-08:00End of the Naughties Part II - 2001: (Enter hackneyed phrase here)Here we go with Part Deux. The year was 2001. Everything went to fuck. Shit got crazy. Everyone was scared. Everyone was angry. Everyone united behind Bush. I didn't buy too much music at all this year. Oh, I have a bunch of albums that I've acquired since then from this year (as well as 2000, which I didn't mention in the last post), but I'm going for more of a time capsule thing. So. Here we go.<br /><br /><hr><br /><br />Music<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226523069/" title="The Strokes Is This It"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4226523069_aa1a88ca6f_o.jpg" width="310" height="312" alt="The Strokes Is This It" /></a><br />The Strokes <span style="font-style:italic;">Is This It?</span><br /><br />My thoughts exactly. This was the Vampire Weekend of its day. The Hype Machine was in fucking overdrive with this band. I still subscribed to <span style="font-style:italic;">Spin</span> at the time. In every issue, in every article, the Strokes were like fucking <span style="font-style:italic;">gods</span> to any and everyone. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate them like I do Vampire Weekend. I downloaded their first two albums and actually dig them a bit. But the fucking <span style="font-style:italic;">hype</span>, people. It was out of control. At the time, more overrated than Weezer is today.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228555897/" title="Björk Vespertine"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4228555897_3f8f44c5f3_o.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Björk Vespertine" /></a><br />Björk <span style="font-style:italic;">Vespertine</span><br /><br />Like I said in the last post, I didn't really get into any Björk albums after <span style="font-style:italic;">Selmasongs.</span> I still need to listen to this thing from start to finish. So, not much to say, but I can't <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> comment on the Swan Dress. She wore it to the Oscars when she performed a song from the movie. And everyone jumped on the "Björk is Batshit Crazy" bandwagon. Björk went into Batshit Crazy Mode beginning with this album and has only progressively worsened. Which, to be frank, turns me off to the music. I like my share of pretentious artists/bands, though. I am sure I will like this album. But never the dress.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228578017/" title="Gorillaz"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4228578017_05dcf09cd4_o.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Gorillaz" /></a><br />Gorillaz <span style="font-style:italic;">Gorillaz</span><br /><br />Everyone was pretty excited when this high concept album debuted in early 2001. But people I knew were kinda disappointed when they heard the end product. I like a bunch of tunes on this album, but it doesn't blow my mind. Good thing they're cute.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228594581/" title="Radiohead Amnesiac"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/4228594581_423db67983_o.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Radiohead.amnesiac.albumart" /></a><br />Radiohead <span style="font-style:italic;">Amnesiac</span><br /><br />This is the matching bookend to <span style="font-style:italic;">Kid A</span>. By the time this album was released, the shit had hit the fan and this album kind of flew under the radar, as I remember it. If I had a knife to my throat and I had to pick between this album and the last, I might have to go with this one. I think it's a bit more balanced, a bit more melodic, not so "experimental." Or maybe the band had just completely achieved what they set out to do- maybe I had just completely shed any and all expectations for this album and this band. Maybe it just wasn't as new and fresh and shocking and jolting as their last release. Maybe I was able to just <span style="font-style:italic;">listen</span> without being distracted by how revolutionary the record was, as was the case with <span style="font-style:italic;">Kid A</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228620821/" title="Radiohead I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4228620821_a032a75b95_o.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Radiohead I Might Be Wrong Live Recordings" /></a><br />Radiohead <span style="font-style:italic;">I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings</span><br /><br />This was a great little EP of live music released towards the end of the year. Mixing songs from both <span style="font-style:italic;">Kid A</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Amnesiac,</span> it also featured the previously unreleased "True Love Waits," a song that I had read existed, but had never heard. This EP is a great snapshot of what Radiohead sounds like live, with songs reworked a bit to make them work on a live stage. My favorite track is "Like Spinning Plates."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228661895/" title="System Of A Down Toxicity"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4228661895_a797ee4d5d_o.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="System Of A Down Toxicity" /></a><br />System Of A Down <span style="font-style:italic;">Toxicity</span><br /><br />The popularity of this album both surprised me and saddened me. I liked the fact that America could digest something like System of a Down, but at the same time I felt like the band had softened their sound a bit, maybe to break into the mainstream. Now people who had Limp Bizkit albums in their collection would flock to this Neü-metal sounding band, whose previous, self titled album was a refreshing breath into the lungs of stagnant hard rock/metal. "Prison Song" and "Needles" remind me of old SOAD. But those songs they played on the radio over and over and over and over showed a new, MTV ready side to SOAD that took off pretty well for them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228691175/" title="Tenacious D"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4228691175_fea7aa056b_o.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Tenacious D" /></a><br />Tenacious D <span style="font-style:italic;">Tenacious D</span><br /><br />This is one of my favorites of all time. I didn't get into this one until about 02 or 03 but it's hilarious and it rocks my fucking socks off. Jack Black can get on the nerves after awhile, but on this disc, everything is just funny and good and the music is awesome, which I was pretty surprised by. I had never seen the HBO series until I received the DVD as a gift. I lent it out and never got it back. This is one of the things I am most sorry for in my life. I bet if I looked I could find it again, since my friends won't get it for me. This is my CD I put on when I'm falling asleep, driving to PHX.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228713269/" title="Tool Lateralus"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4228713269_2d9c78090d_o.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Tool Lateralus" /></a><br />Tool <span style="font-style:italic;">Lateralus</span><br /><br />This album took a LOOOONG time to grow on me (and a LOOOONG time to get here, 7 years since the last album). But now I think it may have squeaked past <span style="font-style:italic;">Ænima</span> for favorite Tool album of all times. I know what you're thinking. <span style="font-style:italic;">"Ænima</span> is the <span style="font-style:italic;">undisputed</span> best Tool album, and anyone who challenges this doesn't know what they're talking about." (Unless you're in the <span style="font-style:italic;">Undertow</span> camp, and in that case, you're probably not under 25.) This album is denser, more mature, and just all around kicks assholes. Although, there aren't any songs named "Hooker With a Penis" on this one, so you may have a point.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228753651/" title="Ween godWEENsatan"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4228753651_29a05f1c3f_o.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Ween godWEENsatan" /></a><br />Ween <span style="font-style:italic;">God Ween Satan</span><br /><br />This was Ween's first studio album. It got a remaster and re-release in 2001, with some added songs and such. A great listen, and amazing to hear to how much they've grown and how much they've changed in the meantime.<br /><br />So. My Top 5 for 2001:<br /><br /><br />5.SOAD <span style="font-style:italic;">Toxicity</span><br />4.Tenacious D <span style="font-style:italic;">Tenacious D</span><br />3.Radiohead <span style="font-style:italic;">I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings</span><br />2.Tool <span style="font-style:italic;">Lateralus</span><br />1.Radiohead <span style="font-style:italic;">Amnesiac</span><br /><br /><hr><br /><br />Movies<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228834145/" title="A.I."><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/4228834145_aa1de7b0cf_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="A.I." /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A.I.</span> dir. Steven Spielberg<br /><br />When I saw this movie, I liked it. After it sat a few months, I decided I didn't like it. Now I'm on the fence, I need to see it again.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4229607184/" title="Amelie by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4229607184_52e167dcbe_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Amelie" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Amelie</span> dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet<br /><br />I don't really remember this movie, but it remains one of people's favorites.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228850667/" title="Bridget Jones's Diary"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4228850667_4f807c1416_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Bridget Jones's Diary" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Bridget Jones's Diary</span> dir. Sharon Maguire<br /><br />I don't care. I love the shit out of this movie. I don't care. I find Zellweger extremely attractive in this flick. I don't care. Say what you want, I love this movie.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4229626920/" title="Donnie Darko"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2512/4229626920_7e020675bc_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Donnie Darko" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Donnie Darko</span> dir. Richard Kelly<br /><br />This movie blew me away when I watched it on dvd for the first time. Super cool, super dark, starring who it stars: Swayze, Barrymore, Wylie, Gyllenhaals, McDonnell, Jenna mmmmmmmmmMalone... Watching it a few years later, with the commentary track on the special director's cut with Kevin Smith (???), the movie was completely transformed for me. Insightful for sure- it was cool to see what Richard Kelly had in mind when he was writing and filming, because it was completely different from the movie that I interpreted. Which sucks, because I ultimately remember liking my interpretation better. It may have been the last time I watched a movie with a director's commentary track. If I were to ever make a movie, I would want to match the mood and overall coolness of this one. And I promise to stay away from the much maligned sequel.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4229667890/" title="Ghost World by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4229667890_38dc2cc082_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Ghost World" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Ghost World</span> dir. Terry Zwigoff<br /><br />Oh, this fucking movie. So. Good. So funny. Clowes story, <span style="font-style:italic;">Crumb</span> director. Buscemi. Thora fucking Birch. And. I fell deeply, <span style="font-style:italic;">deeply</span> in love with Scarlett Johansson because of this film. Too bad she turned into such a cunt.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4229680898/" title="Josie and the Pussycats by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4229680898_d2c40dc119_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Josie and the Pussycats" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Josie and the Pussycats</span> dir. Harry Elfont<br /><br />Uh. Yeah. Saw this and liked it too. Well, I should say I enjoyed watching Rosario Dawson, Alan Cumming, and Parker Posey. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228938087/" title="Tomb Raider"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/4228938087_3b4a13935f_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Tomb Raider" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Lara Croft: Tomb Raider</span> dir. Simon West<br /><br />Eyecandy only. I saw it in the theater.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4229715254/" title="The Fellowship Of The Ring"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/4229715254_b7659f5a2b_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="The Fellowship Of The Ring" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Fellowship Of The Ring</span> dir. Peter Jackson<br /><br />Meh. I fell asleep a few times in this movie and never saw the other two. Couldn't give two shits.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228954699/" title="Moulin Rouge!"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/4228954699_e156eb0bcf_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Moulin Rouge!" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Moulin Rouge!</span> dir. Baz Luhrmann<br /><br />And HOLY SHIT this movie sucked my asshole. And I liked <span style="font-style:italic;">Romeo + Juliet.</span> I don't know how people thought this tripe was watchable. I couldn't get through 20 minutes. And let me tell you how much I don't like not finishing a movie I start. It has to be real fucking bad. Which brings us to...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228966489/" title="Planet Of The Apes"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4228966489_cefb39d7a6_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Planet Of The Apes" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Planet Of The Apes</span> dir. Tim Burton<br /><br />This is where I turned on Burton. Up to this point I either loved or at least tolerated his films (except for <span style="font-style:italic;">Mars Attacks!</span>, when I left the drive-ins half way through to make out with a chick. Looking back on it, that doesn't make much sense). This was a bore from start to finish. And everything after sucked balls, except for <span style="font-style:italic;">Big Fish</span>, which was merely okay.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4228980383/" title="The Royal Tenenbaums"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4228980383_ab99d0a8c5_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="The Royal Tenenbaums" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Royal Tenenbaums</span> dir. Wes Anderson<br /><br />Barely beating <span style="font-style:italic;">Ghost World</span> for my favorite from this year, I never get tired of watching this film. The soundtrack is amazing, the actors and humor are amazing. I think it's Anderson's best, which is saying a lot. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4229013699/" title="Storytelling"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/4229013699_6abb607308_o.jpg" width="237" height="350" alt="Storytelling" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Storytelling</span> dir. Todd Solondz<br /><br />This is a disturbing and hilarious movie. Selma Blair and Leo Fitzpatrick's story is amazingly awkward, especially if you choose to have the red censor box in Blair's sex scene. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4229797906/" title="Waking Life"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4229797906_3c7202a8ed_o.jpg" width="284" height="425" alt="Waking Life" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Waking Life</span> dir. Richard Linklater<br /><br />I saw this film very high and it was a bit transcendent at the time. I was outraged when this movie wasn't nominated for an Academy Award, which began my long-standing contempt for the whole Oscar process and award system.<br /><br />This is gonna be hard... lemmee see...<br /><br />5.<span style="font-style:italic;">Waking Life</span><br />4.<span style="font-style:italic;">Storytelling</span><br />3.<span style="font-style:italic;">Donnie Darko</span><br />2.<span style="font-style:italic;">Ghost World</span><br />1.<span style="font-style:italic;">The Royal Tenenbaums</span><br /><br />So that's all for 2001, folks. This is fun, and stay tuned for 2002!<br /><br />And please please comment! Tell me you agree, disagree, I'm right, I'm stupid, I forgot something, your lists, anything like that.<br /><br /><br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/haley+bonar/track/drinking+again">Haley Bonar - Drinking Again</a><br />via <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/">FoxyTunes</a>dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-71797722735979688962009-12-29T13:13:00.000-08:002009-12-30T16:07:49.949-08:00End of the Naughties Part I (In the yeeeear twwwooo thouusaaaaaand...)I have been wanting to jot down some things about the past decade. This blog is severely neglected, so I will try to barf something out right now.<br /><br /><br /><br />This decade has brought me to the attention of some pretty amazing artists. Flipping through iTunes, I don't know if I can rate them in an order. Top 10? Top 20? Top 100? I don't think there's enough time to do that. Oh wait, I got nuthin' better to do. I'll give it a go.<br /><br /><hr /><br /><br />Music.<br /><br />2000<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4225827009/" title="beatles1 by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/4225827009_f68c9c8eef_o.jpg" alt="The Beatles- 1" beatles="" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />The Beatles <span style="font-style: italic;">1</span><br /><br />The Beatles really weren't on my radar until this album. I had heard <span style="font-style: italic;">Sgt. Pepper's</span> when I was younger, and I wasn't into it. Listening to this album while driving up to the Snowbowl in Flagstaff, I realized the Beatles sang a bunch of tunes I didn't really know were Beatles tunes. I thought to myself, "I really have to look into these guys."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4225867493/" title="Björk Selmasongs"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4225867493_9a0d80ca33_o.jpg" alt="Björk Selmasongs" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />Björk <span style="font-style: italic;">Selmasongs</span><br /><br />This is an unfuckingbelievable album (if I remember correctly, she did all the arrangements herself), and the last one by Björk that I really got into. The Lars von Trier movie is gutwrenchingly beautiful and brutally depressing- one of my favorites. I only recently got this album back, I haven't heard it since it was stolen with the rest of my music in 2004. Short and sweet, it's my first or second favorite Björk album. Thom Yorke has a duet on this disc, a much better performance than effin Peter Stormare in the movie. Thom also guests on...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4225902115/" title="PJ Harvey Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4225902115_292188ace0_o.jpg" alt="PJ Harvey- Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />PJ Harvey <span style="font-style: italic;">Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea</span><br /><br />This is PJ Harvey's most commercial and accessible work. And it has some of my favorite PJ Harvey songs (Horses In My Dreams, Kamikaze). Wikipedia says it was named one of Time Magazine's 100 best albums of all time. Slick and glammed-out glossy, it's very distinctive from any of her other work. Also, all the album art and press and concert photos from this era, Polly's fucking <span style="font-style: italic;">sick</span> hot.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4227280444/" title="The_Bloodhound_Gang_Hooray_for_Boobies by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4227280444_5f3f481c83_o.jpg" alt="The Bloodhound Gang Hooray For Boobies" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />The Bloodhound Gang <span style="font-style: italic;">Hooray For Boobies</span><br /><br />As an unabashed fan of <span style="font-style: italic;">One Fierce Beer Coaster</span>, this album sucked.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4227285754/" title="Deftones White Pony by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4227285754_d47114b270_o.jpg" alt="Deftones White Pony" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />Deftones <span style="font-style: italic;">White Pony<br /></span><br />I remember hearing Change (In the House of Flies) on the radio and saying, "Fucking Deftones better not turn into what Korn turned into." (Amazing how much my music tastes have changed in 10 years!) I have never heard this album in its entirety. But fucking The Passenger with fucking Maynard fucking rules.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226715476/" title="Grandaddy The Sophtware Slump by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/4226715476_ea180d4cb6_o.jpg" alt="Grandaddy The Sophtware Slump" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />Grandaddy <span style="font-style: italic;">The Sophtware Slump</span><br /><br />Hewlett's Daughter played on repeat when I worked at Virgin Megastore. It was infectious, it was different, it was amazing. It sent me on my way to discovering new indie bands. This disc was on repeat for many months following its purchase. I haven't got into any of the other Grandaddy releases like I have this one. Every song a classic. One of the most depressing and haunting albums I own.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4225969177/" title="Modest Mouse/764-Hero Whenever You See Fit by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4225969177_8f3da4aaa0_o.png" alt="Modest Mouse/764-Hero Whenever You See Fit" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />Modest Mouse/764-Hero <span style="font-style: italic;">Whenever You See Fit</span><br /><br />Brilliant. I only really like the first cut, the other two tracks are remixes, and they're ok. The Gold is in the first track.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4225981693/" title="Nobody Soulmates by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/4225981693_31b0023585_o.jpg" alt="Nobody Soulmates" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />Nobody <span style="font-style: italic;">Soulmates</span><br /><br />This album was <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> on when we were smoking. A super-tripped out delight, it was another one that I didn't get back till this year. Nobody has released one or two more, but doesn't begin to touch this release's brilliance and charm. On my all time faves list.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226768616/" title="A Perfect Circle Mer De Noms by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4226768616_3cfaff9283_o.jpg" alt="A Perfect Circle Mer De Noms" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />A Perfect Circle <span style="font-style: italic;">Mer De Noms</span><br /><br />I didn't really get into this album until a few years after its release. A good, brooding, emo album. The <span style="font-style: italic;">softer</span> side of Maynard James Keenan.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226009941/" title="Radiohead Kid A by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/4226009941_41b0f3b115_o.jpg" alt="Radiohead Kid A" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />Radiohead <span style="font-style: italic;">Kid A</span><br /><br />This album changed everything. Just like OK Computer did. I don't know what else can be said. This album has been covered ad nauseum all decade long. But this is the one that ushered in the new millennium for me. This album came from the future. It gave the middle finger to the fan base and the media. If you weren't down with the new sound, you weren't coming along for the Radiohead ride for the better part of the decade. Only with <span style="font-style: italic;">In Rainbows</span> did they start venturing back toward something more digestible and accessible to the masses. I know many people who crinkle their noses and say to me, "Well, I like <span style="font-style: italic;">old</span> Radiohead." Ef you kids, go back to your Dave Matthews Band.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226814948/" title="Ween White Pepper by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/4226814948_564e87871b_o.jpg" alt="Ween White Pepper" height="312" width="310" /></a><br />Ween <span style="font-style: italic;">White Pepper</span><br /><br />The seventh full length, and the first to not feature any cursing (WTFLOLBBQ?!?!!?!11), this was maybe one of the most accessible from the band. This was the first new Ween album I bought. I was super excited for it to come out, but I gotta say I was a bit disappointed when I first heard it. Coming off their entire previous catalog, this one was different. I bought it at midnight and my Ween pal and I immediately sped home to smoke a joint. It's grown on me for sure since then. Not in the top 5 Ween albums, but still a remarkable release from that year.<br /><br />So the top 5 of 2000?<br /><br />5.Grandaddy <span style="font-style: italic;">Sophtware Slump</span><br />4.Björk <span style="font-style: italic;">Selmasongs</span><br />3.Nobody <span style="font-style: italic;">Soulmates</span><br />2.PJ Harvey <span style="font-style: italic;">Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea</span><br />1.Radiohead <span style="font-style: italic;">Kid A</span><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br />Some quick 2000 film thoughts.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226864234/" title="almost_famous by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4226864234_01aa99edc7_m.jpg" alt="almost_famous" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Almost Famous</span> dir. Cameron Crowe<br /><br />Liked it at the time, and it was a Big Deal at the time. Has since, along with most of Cameron Crowe's mediocrity, lost alot of gloss and favor in my mind. Jason Lee rocks it, though. Fugit never hit big and I cannot fucking STAND Kate Hudson.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226873796/" title="004 by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4226873796_728fab1a4c_m.jpg" alt="004" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">American Psycho</span> dir. Mary Harron<br /><br />Was very drunk during the viewing of this film (as I was most of the time when I saw a movie at Scottsdale Century 6 drive-in). But it is generally well liked by people, I remember laughing a lot, and Sarah and I are looking forward to seeing this very soon.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226126749/" title="Cecil_b_demented by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4226126749_493282b5f7_m.jpg" alt="Cecil_b_demented" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cecil B. Demented</span> dir. John Waters<br /><br />This was at a time when I was just really getting into (good) film, so of course this movie spoke to me. Funny as fuck, as to be expected from the venerable Mr. Waters.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226907774/" title="Dancer_in_the_Dark_movie_poster by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4226907774_fc4e55feef_m.jpg" alt="Dancer_in_the_Dark_movie_poster" height="240" width="165" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dancer in the Dark</span> dir. Lars von Trier<br /><br />A Lars von Trier musical?! WITH FUCKING BJÖRK?!! How will this qualify as Dogme 95? All of these film nerd thoughts rang through my mind when I first read about this movie. As stated above, it's a brutal beauty, much in the same vein as Children of Men. Watch it if you dare. It's worth it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226924996/" title="Erin_Brockovich by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4226924996_02e3781196_m.jpg" alt="Erin_Brockovich" height="240" width="162" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Erin Brockovich</span> dir. Steven Soderbergh<br /><br />Didn't see this movie until a few years after its release. Glad I did, Julia Roberts turned me off but turns in a non-vomit inducing performance.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226166507/" title="Gladiator_ver1 by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2659/4226166507_2b3c4e20a7_m.jpg" alt="Gladiator_ver1" height="240" width="152" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Gladiator</span> dir. Ridley Scott<br /><br />Never seen this in its entirety. But I remember it was the Big Shit back in 00. I also remember it was The Best Selling DVD of All Time up to that point, shortly after its release. DVD was juuust starting to get super big at this time. I was working Virgin Megastore at the time and I would love walking by the DVD display where all the various movies would be playing. It felt like High Def does today.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226948578/" title="HighfidelityDVD by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4226948578_f0d3e28870_m.jpg" alt="HighfidelityDVD" height="240" width="174" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">High Fidelity</span> dir. Stephen Frears<br /><br />Whenever this movie's on, I will watch it to the end. I love that this movie really got the "lists" fad going. It's a guilty pleasure of mine. I love Cusack and Jack Black in this one. Great soundtrack, great lines, and what's her name is pretty hot. I love this story, and with my new found free time, I'm putting the Hornby book on my To Read List.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226970534/" title="Memento_poster by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/4226970534_5dec5c949c_m.jpg" alt="Memento_poster" height="240" width="162" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Memento</span> dir. Christopher Nolan<br /><br />Fuck. This movie is in my top ten favorites. There's nothing I can say to make this movie any better, and I'm ashamed it hasn't made its way back into my library. Saw it with my dad at Camelview. I miss me some Camelview. :(<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226976754/" title="O_brother_where_art_thou_ver1 by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4226976754_4010aa9241_m.jpg" alt="O_brother_where_art_thou_ver1" height="240" width="164" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">O Brother, Where Art Thou?</span> dir. Joel Coen<br /><br />This movie was everything a Coen brother movie offers. Funny as hell and entertaining as shit, it made a bunch of cash and the soundtrack was an out of left field, bonafide fucking PHENOMENON. Love it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226219653/" title="Quills_poster by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4226219653_6416a9f5da_m.jpg" alt="Quills_poster" height="240" width="164" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Quills</span> dir. Philip Kaufman<br /><br />Fell asleep during this movie. Gotta remember to put this on my Netflix.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226992244/" title="Requiem_for_a_dream by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4226992244_6456b4c188_m.jpg" alt="Requiem_for_a_dream" height="240" width="166" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Requiem For a Dream</span> dir. Darren Aronofsky<br /><br />Pi got this director on my radar and this follow up cemented him as one of my favorite directors. A sad fucking flick, but visually arresting and exciting nonetheless.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4227001098/" title="snatch by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4227001098_80385f7e1b_m.jpg" alt="snatch" height="240" width="180" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Snatch</span> dir. Guy Ritchie<br /><br />Fuck this movie and fuck Guy Ritchie. Although I may give it another chance one day and I hope I eat my words when I see Sherlock Holmes soon.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4227007638/" title="Soderberghtrafficposter by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/4227007638_0a61440182_m.jpg" alt="Soderberghtrafficposter" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Traffic</span> dir. Steven Soderbergh<br /><br />Another one I couldn't get through. It's on the list for a second chance, folks.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226254183/" title="Unbreakableposterwillis by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4226254183_8448b27c08_m.jpg" alt="Unbreakableposterwillis" height="240" width="163" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Unbreakable</span> dir. M. Night Shyamalan<br /><br />I saw this movie in the theaters. Loathed it. Loathe Shamalamadingdong. Putrid garbage.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4226253977/" title="Wonder_boys_ver4 by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4226253977_67a4beb1ac_m.jpg" alt="Wonder_boys_ver4" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Wonder Boys</span> dir. Curtis Hanson<br /><br />Just found out this movie is an adaptation of a Michael Chabon book. Christ this is a great flick. Warms my heart to think about how much I enjoyed it and miss it from my collection.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84182375@N00/4227032860/" title="XMen1poster by spacedog1313, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4227032860_d8fb607ebe_m.jpg" alt="XMen1poster" height="240" width="162" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">X-Men</span> dir. Bryan Singer<br /><br />FinallyFINALLY<span style="font-weight: bold;">FINALLY</span> someone made a decent superhero comic book adaptation. Thrilled it was my favorite book and thrilled that it spawned a litany of other decent (Marvel anyway) comic book flicks. And he's stated he's coming back to the franchise (to get that Superman stink off of him)!!<br /><br />Top 3 of 2000:<br /><br />5.<span style="font-style: italic;">O Brother, Where Art Thou?</span><br />4.<span style="font-style: italic;">Wonder Boys</span><br />3.<span style="font-style: italic;">High Fidelity</span><br />2.<span style="font-style: italic;">Dancer in the Dark</span><br />1.<span style="font-style: italic;">Memento</span><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br />Well that's the year 2000 in a medium sized nutshell. Musically and Cinematically speaking of course. As for what was actually going on in my life, there's not enough time to document any of that stuff before the end of the year (if ever).<br /><br />As for the rest of the decade, I'm not sure that will be done before the rest of the year either, since this post took the better part of a day. But I'm gonna try.<br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/gorillaz/track/double+bass">Gorillaz - Double Bass</a><br />via <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/">FoxyTunes</a>dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-65121901162383566022009-12-21T11:04:00.000-08:002009-12-29T13:12:48.726-08:00Unemployment, Day 5So. Unemployment. Something I had wished for just a few, short months ago. Something that now kinda scares the bejeezus out of me. I got laid off on Thursday of last week. Been kind of an alcohol-induced blur since then, I won't sugarcoat it. But here I am, all the same: 4 days before Christmas and without a job.<br /><br />I've been able to keep myself busy for the most part. The National Geographic Channel had staved off the boredom thus far, and the PS3 and 360 are getting hooked up, system updates are being downloaded, and I'm eying games that I haven't beat (looking at you, GTA IV and MGS 4) and trying to remember if I've beat some others (Battlefield Bad Company).dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-39631877194577364922009-12-17T20:25:00.000-08:002009-12-17T20:26:21.755-08:00Laid offLook for this blog to become very active, very soon.dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-84209237288213930562009-10-06T21:19:00.000-07:002009-10-06T21:22:32.232-07:00Hey, smart guy.This is painful.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GN9zpf5cT0M&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GN9zpf5cT0M&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This is hilarious.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2z-OLG0KyR4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_detailpage&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2z-OLG0KyR4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_detailpage&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/the+peachwaves/track/too+much+shit">The Peachwaves - Too Much Shit</a><br />via <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/">FoxyTunes</a>dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-10774361863203880512009-07-22T19:29:00.000-07:002009-07-22T20:14:02.193-07:00GrizzThis. Right now.<br /><br /><center><object width="853" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tjecYugTbIQ&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tjecYugTbIQ&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="853" height="505"></embed></object></center>dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-71529707616551494052009-05-18T16:45:00.001-07:002009-07-22T20:12:15.211-07:00oh snap...<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZUUhTgWpjSc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZUUhTgWpjSc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center>dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-54356953788422066302009-05-13T17:48:00.000-07:002009-05-13T21:33:19.256-07:00...Loving the term "Asshat" since 1995!Talking to Sarah about the picture posted on my OKCupid profile of me in the Cowboy hat made me think- I have a lot of pictures of me with things on my head. I guess I have a fetish I'd never realized. Here's some.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtnfvpY-oI/AAAAAAAAAWU/eNO3b5GhcMw/s400/P1280002.JPG" /><br />This is Nemo. He sometimes gets lost. Oh look! He got lost on my head. (Sarah, this is the picture I was talking about.)<br /><br /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtoLPFSjSI/AAAAAAAAAWY/Ok9Bk6lXZH8/s400/P1280003.JPG" /><br />I was able to get one last photo before he swam away. He swam away from my heart. He swam away... Forever.<br /><br /><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtmUEIPgVI/AAAAAAAAAWM/NDXohvf-MtU/s400/P3110011.JPG" /><br />This is an outtake from a photoshoot I did with GQ. Didn't make the cut.<br /><br /><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtmQLk3XZI/AAAAAAAAAV0/bPrlQh1x7tw/s400/P3170070.JPG" /><br />Here's what looks to be a headband with children's artwork glued to it. It's just an optical illusion. This was some sort of St. Patty's... thingie. Notice how often I wore my Pixies shirt- on the photo above it's all new and green. Faded in this picture. I kinda look a bit palsied, no?<br /><br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SguLiot_gLI/AAAAAAAAAXE/zMZiWLKumR8/s400/P3170067.JPG" /><br />Oh my. How did this happen?<br /><br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtmS7jiApI/AAAAAAAAAWE/lqzm13Uh3e4/s400/P3190106.JPG" /><br />I'm beginning to also realize that Mike and Andrea's house seems to fuel this strange behavior.<br /><br /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtmSJciAsI/AAAAAAAAAWA/jtxFv_o-W7Q/s400/P3190105.JPG" /><br />And seriously WTF people? Why am I always in the kitchen? OOOHHH cause that's where the shots live.<br /><br /><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtnTpdpL7I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/W1iafSMNRpo/s400/587201116_l.jpg" /><br />This one's my favorite by far. Everyone I know hates this picture but me.<br /><br /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtmTE-mGdI/AAAAAAAAAWI/tUzh7IJOEyA/s400/P3190144.JPG" /><br />Drunken outtake.<br /><br /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtmRIQSBLI/AAAAAAAAAV4/6qJTWxwUdoM/s400/P6200049.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured l to r: Swenson and the Jew)</span><br />I decided that I was going to update <span style="font-style: italic;">Lampshade on Head at Party</span> for the new Millenium and change it to grocery bags. I was mostly ignored. <span style="font-weight: bold;">UNTIL...</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SguMbbyIEfI/AAAAAAAAAXM/_0bJIP55sEg/s400/IMG_0491.jpg" /><br />Heh.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(pictured: some chick who Andrea hates and whose name I don't remember. Sorry.)</span><br /><br /><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_p1JLPnOsqYM/SgtmRoDKdAI/AAAAAAAAAV8/3BIOzP5AjP0/s400/IMG_0599.JPG" /><br />This picture doesn't feature a funny hat per se, it's horribly lit because someone had their finger over the flash, but it was the Gangster Party on my birthday and I <span style="font-style: italic;">am</span> wearing a bandana (in the fucking kitchen again) and it's my blog and I do what I want.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /><br /></div>dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472923958336981543.post-46699445262318581842009-05-11T18:43:00.000-07:002009-05-11T18:46:16.903-07:00Hello, world!<span style="font-size:100%;">Here it goes. The first one. Don't fuck it up.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">I don't know who's going to read this, if anyone, but I make no promises of regular updates. I may try to speak my mind clearly or I may disguise my feelings in a riddle. I may say things that upset, I may say things that endear. I may not say anything and let a picture or video say something for me. I may allow comments, and if I do, I will always read them and try to respond, if needed.</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic; font-size: 10px;"></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">That's all for now.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />----------------<br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/grandaddy/track/nonphenomenal+lineage" title="'Grandaddy - Nonphenomenal Lineage' - open on FoxyTunes Planet">Grandaddy - Nonphenomenal Lineage</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic; font-size: 10px;">via <a style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);" href="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/" title="FoxyTunes - Web of music at your fingertips">FoxyTunes</a></span>dghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191709703529292378noreply@blogger.com4