thus spake drake

Glee "Wheels": See the Real Me

2009-11-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

For a series that has achieved such great name recognition so quickly, Glee has still suffered from an identity problem, something that can easily happen when you've got three distinctive writers shaping the show. Ryan Murphy, who penned "Wheels," seems to have learned a bit from the success of recent episodes by Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, and sees what we saw tonight as the tone for the series going forward, telling LA Times as much in a recent interview:

This episode is the turning point for the show. Certainly, after this, it remains a comedy, and it’s fun. But writing this made me feel the responsibility of showing the truth of the pain that outcasts go through. It’s not all razzle-dazzle show business. It’s tough, and it’s painful, and it was for me growing up, and it is for most people. So I think this made me realize that amid the fun and the glamour, it’s really great now and again to show the underbelly of what people who are different feel.

Of course that all ties together a theme of the episode, revealing the real person behind the mask. Kurt came out of the closet to his father a couple episodes back, and now more characters are coming out of their own self-made closets. Tina and her fake stutter, Puck with his paternal asperation, and Sue as caregiver to her sister with down syndrome.

All told, I'm all for the tone Murphy has decided on, if only that it has to mean less of Terri and her fake baby storyline. Her absence here reinforces the correlation between good episodes and her absence since the pilot. It also apparently calls for more singing and dancing, which is always good for this blog, right? Take for instance the multiple use of "Dancing with Myself," first the Glee Cast version of Nouvelle Vague's take on it, and Billy Idol's popular take (originally by Idol's old Generation X band, of course). I'm too lazy right now to go back and check, but I think that might be the first time an original has been used alongside a Glee Cast version. The song itself was originally inspired by a Japanese disco, where Idol saw the Japanese dancing by themselves in front of mirrors. How better to see the real you than in a mirror?

With this song, and the Wicked 'diva off' of "Defying Gravity" (most popular version sung by previous guest star Kristen Chenoweth), we've now heard all the songs featured on the recently released soundtrack, Glee: The Music, Volume 1. From here on out, I guess, we're looking at Volume 2 (next week: "Don't Stand So Close to Me.") UPDATE: Volume 2 is indeed in the works, coming with in a month of Vol 1 (December 8).

Playlist: Glee - Episode 1.09
1. "Dancing With Myself" - Glee Cast
2. "Dancing With Myself" - Billy Idol
3. "Pusherman" - Curtis Mayfield
4. "Flight of the Bumblebee" - The Swingle Singers
5. "Defying Gravity - Glee Cast
6. "Proud Mary" - Ike & Tina Turner (Glee Cast)

Previously: "Mash-Up" (Episode 1.08)

Now Downloading: New Releases 11.10.09

2009-11-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Another week closer to the holidays, and even more gift-oriented releases -- this week featuring live (Robyn Hitchcock) and greatest hits (Snow Patrol) collections. There were a few new releases as well, from The Cribs (featuring Johnny Marr), Asobi Seksu, Wale, Grant-Lee Phillips, Caroline Herring, Ray Davies, Pants Yell! and Echo & the Bunnymen.

Playlist: New Releases 11.10.09

Robyn Hitchcock - I Often Dream of Trains in New York
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Robyn Hitchock lovingly recreates the beloved album I Often Dream of Trains live for a lucky New York crowd. Joined by multi-instrumentalists Timo Keegan and Terry Edwards, Hitchcock gives the eccentric material a more mature edge, reinterpreting the material for mid-afternoon tea (with a dash of Monty Python zaniness, just so you remember who it is we're listening to here). There's a DVD as well, the content of which debuted on Sundance back in June, and here's some video clips below from the concert film to wet your appetite:

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
The Cribs - Ignore the Ignorant
Asobi Seksu - Rewolf
Wale - Attention Deficit
Caroline Herring - Golden Apples of the Sun / "Tales of the Islander" [mp3]
Ray Davies - The Kinks Choral Collection / Free AOL Album Stream
Grant-Lee Phillips - Ladies' Love Oracle
Pants Yell! - Received Pronunciation / "Cold Hands" [mp3]
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Xenophanes / Free AOL Album Stream
Echo and the Bunnymen - The Fountain
Snow Patrol - Up to Now
The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters
The Jackson 5 - 1967
Tori Amos - Midwinter Graces

tags: music, album review, robyn hitchcock, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Happy 40th Sesame Street!

2009-11-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

It was 40 years ago today that Sesame Street aired its first episode, November 10, 1969, which explains why In case you've been wondering why Google has had Sesame Street on the brain for the past week (culminating in today's great doodle pictured above).

The opening credits haven't changed that much, when you think about it... here's the original opening:

For their 40th birthday, there are a lot of guests stopping by, including first lady Michelle Obama and Adam Sandler, in the video below singing a song for Elmo:

Mad Men "Shut the Door. Have a Seat.": Sterling, Cooper, Draper & Pryce

2009-11-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

There are people out there who buy things. Like you and me. Then something happened. Something terrible. And the way that they saw themselves is gone. And nobody understands that. But you do. And that's very valuable.

Every season, Don has a sales pitch that says a lot about that particular season of Mad Men. That this one was to Peggy and not a client doesn't diminish the fact that it nails several truths about this season, and the characters' past. While last week's Kennedy assassination episode was light on plot, the 'something terrible' was an event that shapes this week and America going forward. It set up events in this week's episode in that it forced most to look at their world differently, accelerating change not here, but across the country.

This whole season has seemingly been about tearing Don down, bit by bit, as uncomfortable as it was at times to see. Father-in-law Gene, baby Gene, Conrad Hilton, and Betty have, little by little, taken away some control from Don's life, and much like his hair, Don's life is a product of control. Seeing him lose his temper to Peggy, in particular, was hard to see, but reflective of a man losing control (and lets not forget sleep).

The finale starts by pulling out the final pieces-- in the form of betrayals. First up, father figure Hilton breaks the news of Sterling Cooper's sale to ~~McCann~~ Sausage Factory* to Don, who sees deceit in Conrad's handling of him through their relationship - namely for forcing him to sign a contract, thus leaving him no convenient escape route. Next up, Betty begins divorce proceedings, pulling another relationship rug from under Don (and leading to the heartbreaking scene with Bobby & Sally, pictured above). But for every door that closes...

*Once upon a time, I worked for that sausage factory.

Sterling Cooper Draper Price, how can I help you?" "Yes Harry, it's room 435.

The episode took on the fun elements of the heist genre, like Draper's Eleven, as Don, Roger, Bert and Lane plotted out how they'd pull off their own pre-emptive betrayal. I'm pretty sure they broke a few laws in the process, and wouldn't be surprised if a lawsuit results, but it was a brilliant scheme leading to not only a reunion with Joan, but also all sorts of exciting season four possibilities. To get there, Don had to repair some relationships along the way. First Roger, who helpfully pointed out Don's problem with relationships, then Pete and finally, as opened with here, Peggy.

A great finale demands a fine ending, and seeing Don pull up to his new digs (found for him by Joan) to the strands of Roy Orbison's "Shahadaroba":

Shahadaroba, Shahadaroba
Face the future
And forget about the past
Shahadaroba, Shahadaroba
In the future
You will find a love that lasts

Previously: "Grown-Ups" (Episode 3.12)

Ear on TV: Huey Lewis & the News

2009-11-09T00:51:00.000-08:00

What's old is new; what was once out is now in... it's too hard to keep track anymore. Are Huey Lewis & the News really making a cultural comeback?

Like many bands from their era (I'm looking at you, Journey), the News are benefiting from a resurgance, due in part from television and film exposure. Last year, they were tapped by Judd Apatow to write the theme to Pineapple Express and then Chuck used several of their hits to great effect during their second season. They'll likely be playing one of those hits (let's guess "Power of Love") when they appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the experience scale, buzz-y up-and-comers The Xx have already lost a member due to exhaustion. Following a grueling tour schedule which culminated in a series of shows during CMJ, guitarist/keyboardist Baria Qureshi recently left the group, too exhausted to go on. The West London band makes an appearance on MTV's It's On Alexa Chung Wednesday, likely as a trio, still on a neverending tour promoting their self-titled debut. It's so hard to be young and fabulous these days.

Finally, Johnny Marr has truly become an indie gun for hire. The highly influential ex-Smiths guitarist famously joined Modest Mouse on their previous release (Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, but has since moved on to UK's The Cribs, lending his craft to their latest release Ignore the Ignorant. The album is getting rave reviews in the UK, giving Marr a Midas Touch rep he hasn't enjoyed since his days in The Smiths (well, maybe The The). Let's hope the brothers Jarman (twins Gary and Ryan, plus younger brother Ross Jarman) enjoy it before Marr finds an even younger band to briefly join.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 9
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Matisyahu
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Rihanna
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: David Gray
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Yo La Tengo (REPEAT)
PBS: How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin: The Beatles
Tuesday, November 10
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Shakira
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: John Fogerty
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Wale
Wednesday, November 11
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Antlers
Thursday, November 12
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Cribs with Johnny Marr
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: The Xx
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Goodie Mob
Friday, November 13
ABC: The View: Kool & the Gang
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Huey Lewis & the News
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Kid Sister
SUNDANCE: You're Gonna Miss me: Roky Erickson
Saturday, November 14
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Alison Moyet
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Black Eyed Peas
PBS: Austin City Limits: Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel

Sonicsgate: Sherman Alexie & Seattle Hip Hop

2009-11-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

Now that baseball season is officially over, it's hard to ignore that another season of NBA is in full swing -- a painful reminder of what was taken from us in Seattle. And now, of course, there's a documentary to go along with it.

Sonicsgate made it's way online last month and while the film has a lot of issues (its in desperate need of art direction, for one -- the Powerpoint-like graphics "needed a fresh pair of eyes," as we like to say), its a compelling tale of a franchise, a city and the competing interests that tear them apart. Poet/author Sherman Alexie ends up being the soul of the film, while the tandem of Clay Bennett and David Stern end up playing the part of villain. (Part 1 of the film below).

Sonicsgate HD Part 1 of 2 from sonicsgate. Click here for part 2.

Besides Sherman Alexie, the other best part of Sonicsgate is the music, putting Seattle hip-hop front and center. Much of the film's score is the work of Jacob Dutton, aka Jake One, borrowing heavily from his soulful White Van Music. Other 2-0-Sixers include local mainstays Common Market, Blue Scholars, The Saturday Knights, Dyme Def, Grayskul and others.

Playlist: Sonicsgate Soundtrack

Bonus: Presidents of the United States of America's "Supersonics" theme, written for the '96 playoff team:

Grrrr.....

Now Downloading: New Releases 11.03.09

2009-11-04T23:36:00.000-08:00

We've officially moved into the gift-oriented release schedule, filled with deluxe reissues, box sets and other compilation/soundtracks to help (trick?) the average schmo get a gift for the music lover in their life. There's a couple gift choices from the archives of Nirvana, soundtracks from Fantastic Mr Fox, Glee, NCIS and Aqua Teen Hunger Force -- which is actually a X-mas album, and my fave of the bunch. Of the few new releases, there's ones from Julian Casablancas, Weezer, Molina & Johnson and Girls in Trouble.

Playlist: New Releases 11.03.09

Nirvana - Bleach [Deluxe]
Stream / Purchase [mp3]
Nirvana - Live at Reading
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

If the gussying up a deluxe edition of an album made for just $600 seems a bit like a gratuitous cash grab, nobody will blame you. But Bleach's place in the the canon of rock is unquestionable, namely as a blueprint for what was to come, but also as a raw document of Kurt Cobain's talent, before Dave Grohl was added on drums. Remastering the album tracks added some punch, but the real jewel here are the live tracks, also pre-Grohl, from a performance in Portland in February of 1990, where the songs are brought to life.

Download: "Scoff" [mp3]
Download: "About a Girl" [mp3]

Speaking of live tracks, this document of their 1992 set (Live at Reading is Nirvana at their peak, and at their most jovial. The band headlined a lineup that included Nick Cave, The Beastie Boys, and NW friends Mudhoney, Screaming Trees & the Melvins. But it was Nirvana everyone came to see, and they didn't disappoint, from the moment Cobain is wheeled out in a hospital gown, to the closing feedback, the entire set is electrifying, the way we all should try and remember them. (This is the Nirvana album to get of the two, by the way.)

Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

It's been three years since The Strokes disappointing First Impressions of Earth, and this solo release from the band's frontman does little to change our belief that the band's best days are behind them.

Free AOL Album Stream

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Weezer - Raditude
Molina And Johnson - Molina And Johnson / "Twenty Cycles to the Ground" [mp3]
Girls in Trouble - Girls in Trouble / "I Was a Desert" [mp3] / "Secrets/You're Always Watching" [mp3]
Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Have Yourself a Meaty Little Christmas
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack) / Free AOL Album Stream
Glee: The Music, Volume 1 / Free AOL Album Stream
Capgun Coup - Maudlin / Free AOL Album Stream / "Bad Bands" [mp3]
The Swimmers - People Are Soft / Free AOL Album Stream
Jookabox - Dead Zone Boys / "Phantom Don't Go" [mp3]
Brilliant Colors - Introducing
Vitalic - Flashmob
Athlete - The Getaway EP (AOL STREAM)
Guided By Voices - Suitcase 3: Up We Go Now / "Janet Wait" [mp3]
Morrissey - Sword
Rickie Lee Jones - Balm in Gilead / Free AOL Album Stream

REISSUES
Devo - Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
Devo - Freedom of Choice [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
Cold Cave - Love Comes Close [Deluxe Remastered Edition] / Free AOL Album Stream / "Life Magazine" [mp3]

tags: music, album review, the swell season, devendra banhart, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

thus spake drake is five years old today

2009-11-04T13:55:00.001-08:00

Weird to think it was five years ago that I started this mess of a blog. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times: Guided By Voices were on their farewell tour, Arcade Fire's Funeral was stuck on repeat, and GWB had somehow just been elected President again. That's what I ended up writing about, which was a distraction from what I thought the blog was going to be about -- the confluence of these four things:

1)Finding my birth parents
2)The impending birth of my first child
3)The impending death of my younger sister
4)Another four years of George Fracking Bush

Music is the perfect distraction from such prickly personal (and political) posts, so it ended up winning out -- didn't hurt too that music was the only writing experience I'd had up to that point, having briefly worked as a freelance music journo back in '96, and the company I work for makes the best music sharing application known to man (Rhapsody). Early days were not pretty, but I found a couple small nuggets that first week that tricked me into thinking I could write again:

Arcade Fire Funeral - "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" is a blood-pumping, fist-raising, hyperglycemic pop masterpiece. The album seems to flows out of that song's center, ending "In the Back Seat" with Régine Chassagne's voice soaring over churning strings, breaking your fucking heart.

Elliott Smith From a Basement on the Hill - The record hangs heavy like a warm wet coat. It ranks as one of the saddest records I've ever listened to, and it's difficult to hear without his tragic end overwhelming the album's every note. But it plays out like a movie you watch over and over thinking it will end differently, every song progressing the story to a happy ending that slips through our fingers.

In the first year I invented the time-consuming Novel Soundtrack, put together ridiculously long playlists and genre histories (example - the four-part Power Pop project) and, after the birth of my first child, started writing about music on television. And yes, I'm not afraid to admit it began with The O.C.. Music-based posts about Grey's Anatomy, Nip/Tuck, The O.C. and HBO shows (Six Feet Under, Entourage, The Sopranos) led to merging my hobby with my day job when Film.com was launched, and I mixed writing in with paid gig of photo-editing.

Blah, blah, blah... can I start drinking the champagne now?

Mad Men "The Grown-Ups": Mourning After

2009-11-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Definitely not my favorite episode... with so much of the plot and visuals centered around watching characters watch television, it's an understandable challenge for the writers. And given that inherent hole they had to start with, the final product turned out pretty compelling. As compelling as it can be... watching people... watch TV. Previously, Matthew Weiner had stated he was reluctant to do an episode centered around Kennedy's assassination, as he felt it was well-trodden ground. Now I see what he meant.

Sure, there was some poignant moments associated with how Kennedy's death affected folks in different ways, including the ruined wedding, but we knew the wedding was screwed after the first episode. Don't get me wrong, it is still a fine episode, but as the penultimate, traditionally the episode in the David Chase-influenced world that Weiner lives and breathes, I'm wholly disappointed.

What did work was the 'event' as a trigger for change. Betty and Don seemed to be back on track from the end of last week's episode up until the news broke of Kennedy's death. Betty and Don mourn in vastly different ways* and the two assassinations (we sometimes forget that Oswald was assassinated as well... only a public figure for a less than 24 hours, but that's all it takes) shifted the ground under Betty's feet enough for her to believe she can leave Don (we'll see).

*Don should really stop trying to play grief counselor... just not working.

Playing us out from Don's realized nightmare, was country pop sweetheart Skeeter Davis singing "The End Of The World", a song which peaked on the charts about eight months prior. "Don't they know it's the end of the world? 'Cause you don't love me any more." Don't think it's the end of the world for Don (again, we'll see).

Previously: "The Gypsy and the Hobo" (Episode 3.11)

Ear on TV: Week of 11.02.09: Pixies

2009-11-02T00:06:00.000-08:00

The Pixies are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of the classic 1989 album, Doolittle, with a massive tour featuring a stunning visual production. The US tour kicks off on Wednesday in Hollywood, and the band will put their production on display on The Tonight Show stage on Friday night, While many wonder when the alt-rock legends will record something new, the band seems fully content to coast on their elevated past, which isn't a bad thing. If they can't create new songs that fit in the canon, then it's best to just leave it be.

Meanwhile, now that the dust has settled from the 2009 version of Beatles mania (special edition CD reissues and video games), the time is right to for Yoko Ono to get some of her due. John Lennon's widow is an avant-garde icon, but you'd hardly know it given how much grief she's been given over the years for her love of John Lennon. "The woman who broke up the Beatles," is an the unfair accusation that time hasn't seemed to erase yet, but maybe this is the year to make it right.

Now at 76 years old, Ono has released what might be her most realized work of art, in the album Between My Head and the Sky, which also finds her working under the name Plastic Ono Band for the first time since 1973's Feeling the Space, a band so Feeling Spacenamed by John Lennon. The suggestion to work as Plastic Ono Band again fittingly came from son Sean Lennon, who wrote, produced and played most the instruments on the album. The mother-son team was joined by Japan's Cornelius (Keigo Oyamada), jazz cellist Erik Friedlander and Cibo Matto's Yuka Honda in the studio, and there's no reason to think that we won't see most or all of them on stage Thursday night for Ono's appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Another album celebrating it's 20th anniversary this week is Nirvana's Bleach, which gets the Deluxe edition treatment this week from Sub Pop. Since there's sadly no Kurt Cobain to pimp the product on the talk show circuit, we'll have to settle for a couple films further up the dial, the first being the FUSE presentation of the amazing Nirvana Live at Reading on Monday (also seeing release on CD/DVD this week), and the final one being the documentary Kurt Cobain About a Son getting another showing on Sundance.

Elsewhere, check out a special performance from the cast of Glee for It's On with Alexa Chung (MTV), performing a song from the soundtrack (Glee: The Music Volume 1), which sees its release this week.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 2
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Cobra Starship (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Peter, Bjorn & John
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Weezer
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Tegan & Sara
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Say Anything
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Arctic Monkeys (REPEAT)
Tuesday, November 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: White Rabbits
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Glee Cast
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: La Roux
Wednesday, November 4
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ghostface Killa
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Nebula
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Bravery
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Monsters of Folk
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Alice Cooper
Thursday, November 5>
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Florence & the Machine
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Brother Ali
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Yoko Ono with Sean Lennon, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Matisyahu
SYFY: Stargate Universe: Janelle Monae
Friday, November 6
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ralph Stanley
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Regina Spektor
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Raekwon
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Pixies
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Peaches
SUNDANCE: Kurt Cobain About a Son: Nirvana
Saturday, November 7
PBS: Austin City Limits: Elvis Costello, Band of Heathens

Drunk Ewoks: The Battle for The Today Show

2009-10-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

Drunken spontaneity is usually reserved for The View, but perhaps it just follows Meredith Vieira. The Today Show cast dressed impressively as Star Wars characters, but it was the Ewoks that took control (scroll down for video).

During a segment with Better Homes & Gardens, the Ewoks got into the vodka and slowly began to instigate themselves more and more into the proceedings, eventually becoming the center of the entertainment. Giggling, fighting, moonwalking and even humping Al Roker's leg, the Ewoks proved too powerful for even Darth Vader (Ann Curry). Perhaps it's time to track down Ewoks: The Battle for Endor again?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Now Downloading: New Releases 10.27.09

2009-10-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

We're quickly approaching the point of no return as far as significant releases go, before the tide turns to that of gift-oriented, so we have to savor what morsels are thrown our way. This week that means the latest from The Swell Season, Devendra Banhart, Tegan & Sara, Wolfmother, Gemma Ray, Broadcast And The Focus Group, Boat, a live release from R.E.M., a compilation from The Breakaways and deluxe reissues of U2's The Unforgettable Fire and James Brown's Live at the Garden: The Expanded Edition.

Playlist: New Releases 10.27.09

The Swell Season - Strict Joy
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

As wrong as it is, it's hard not to think of this album as a sequel to Once, where Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova have broken up and are putting it to song. Of course The Swell Season existed before Once, with many of the songs from their debut ending up in the film, so this technically is a follow up to that release, but for the vast majority of the record buying public, Once is the starting point. I'm not sure what Hansard & Irglova are thinking putting their Van Morrison impersonations front and center (opening songs "Low Rising" and "Feeling The Pull"). The rest of the album has worked wonders as a sincerity tonic, cleansing my palate of all the irony and sarcasm in indie rock that are part of my usual diet, and for that I am grateful.

Tegan and Sara - Sainthood
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

The transition from folk to minimalist new wave pop is almost complete for Tegan and Sara, with this their sixth album, Sainthood. Their past two releases both signaled the change, but the subject matter was a little dark on So Jealous and The Con. Here, there's a lighter feel to go with the witty banter the sisters showcase during their live set, and it just feels a bit more relaxed, confident... and yes, fun. And when your opening single is titled "Hell," that's saying something.

Free AOL Album Stream

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Devendra Banhart - What Will Be
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg
Gemma Ray - Lights Out Zoltar
R.E.M. - Live at the Olympia
Broadcast And The Focus Group - Broadcast And The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults Of The Radio Age / Free AOL Album Stream
Yo Gabba Gabba: Music Is Awesome
Boat - Setting the Paces / "Lately (I've Been On My Back)" [mp3]
The Breakaways - Walking Out on Love: The Lost Sessions / Free AOL Album Stream
Junk Culture - West Coast / "West Coast" [mp3]
Los Lobos - Los Lobos Goes Disney
Deleted Waveform Gatherings - Ghost, She Said
The Mother Hips - Pacific Dust / Free AOL Album Stream
Chet - Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home
Chuck Prophet - ¡Let Freedom Ring!
Del McCoury - Family Circle
Gov't Mule - By a Thread / Free AOL Album Stream
Awesome New Republic - Hearts / Free AOL Album Stream
I Love You - Bell Ord Forrest / "The Colloquialism Is Simply 'Gas'" [mp3]

REISSUES
U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (Deluxe
Reissue)
James Brown Live at the Garden: The Expanded Edition

tags: music, album review, the swell season, devendra banhart, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Mad Men "The Gypsy and the Hobo": The Past Comes Calling

2009-10-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

Remember back when I said Hugh Laurie could have the Emmy locked up with the first episode? Retraction... of course, I had know idea that Jon Hamm would have such a plum like this to submit as his Emmy reel.

Like last week, the writers (Matthew Weiner with Marti Noxon & Cathryn Humphris) did a great job of framing the episode around the climax of Betty confronting Don, and the theme was a similar one. If last week was how folks see things, this week is the shattering of illusions, romantic or otherwise. If Betty's impression of Don changed when she opened the box, it shifted dramatically again after Don came (mostly) clean about "the big lie." And that was true in every story. Roger's old flame Annabelle has romantic illusions both about family dog food business (it's made from ponies!), to her feelings about Roger. The scene where she compares their past to Casablanca says it all, where Roger is quick to reply, "That woman got on a plane with a man who was going to end World War II, not run her father's dog food company."

Roger was kind of at the center of this episode, seeming much less like the clown that he's been this season so far. Even his conversation with Joan belied someone who has come a long way from the joker we'd seen in prior episodes. Speaking of Joan, she did some shattering of illusions herself, making Greg understand that she had unattained dreams as well.

Lest we forget, Betty had dreams as well, although it's likely they've been distorted over the years. I liked that they had her express her anger upfront with "Am I supposed to be feeling sorry for you?" only to wilt in compassion after seeing Don's tearful confession about his brother Adam. This was Don's worst nightmare, but it actually looks to be a good thing for him and Betty.

Not so good for Miss Farrel... though I doubt we can close the book on her.

Not to split hairs with a future award-winning episode but... Bobby and Sally's costumes felt a bit too obvious, along with the lingering camera framing on Don after Carlton delivers his "And who are you supposed to be."

Seemed like a good place to just cut quicker to the closing credits with the song "Where is Love" from the musical/film Oliver!, which is a fitting song in that Don is that orphan singing about his lost mother. "Must I travel...far and wide? 'Til I am beside...the someone who I can mean...something to..."

Previously: "The Color Blue" (Episode 3.10)

Ear on TV: Week of 10.26.09: Weezer

2009-10-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

In the past, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo has been known to be a bit of a control freak, so it's surprising to see just how much he's let go with their latest release, Raditude. Whether it be the band switching instruments, giving Lil' Wayne a guest spot to rap (Weezer & Weezy!), or even letting The Office's Rainn Wilson name the album, it's a looser, more free-flowing Weezer.

In the lead up to the album's release, set for November 3, the band has repeatedly managed to keep itself in the news, by branding their own Snuggies, launching a Weezer iTunes Pass, and more recently, bringing along one Kenny G. to an in-studio taping (for an upcoming edition of AOL Sessions).

As far as television goes, the band has a two-night engagement on The Late Show with David Letterman, and has already taped five songs for upcoming episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live, to air sometime in November. One of those songs for either shows is undoubtedly going to be the advance single "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To," a song that signals the bands return to relevance. The video for the song, besides borrowing a tad from Being John Malkovich (Weezerville as Malkovich inside is own head), also harkens back to their "Buddy Holly" days, with it's fifties-style nostalgia in the art direction. It also sports the beautiful Odette Yustman (Cloverfield, The Unborn), which is never a bad thing. Too bad music videos don't have the same cache that they once had. (Oh, where have you gone, MTV?)

Not to be outdone in the video department, Har Mar Superstar (aka Sean Tilman) employed multiple starlets in the video for his recent single, "Tall Boy," including Eva Mendes, Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat and even comedian Eric Wareheim (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Good Job!). When Tilman performs the song on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, expect some suggestive dancing and undergarments to go with the double-entendre in the song's lyrics (a song, it should be pointed out, was originally written for Britney Spears to sing).

Finally, Oscar-winners Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season) have finally followed up their surprising debut with Strict Joy, and while it would undoubtedly benefit from having film like Once as a feature-length music video, the duo create their own stories befitting the film playing in your subconscious, kind of like a sequel (let's call it Twice). Not seeing it? Maybe it's time to wake up the projectionist.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, October 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Motorhead (REPEAT)
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Florence & the Machine
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Wolfmother
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Har Mar Superstar
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Like (REPEAT)
Tuesday, October 27
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Morningwood
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Florence & the Machine
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Future of the Left
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Julian Casablancas
Wednesday, October 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Flyleaf
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sting
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Rodrigo y Gabriela
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Snoop Dogg
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: "Weird Al" Yankovic
Thursday, October 29
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Weezer
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Swell Season
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Mastadon
Friday, October 30
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Weezer
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Fruit Bats
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Why?
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Alice in Chains
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Andrew Bird
SUNDANCE: Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten: The Clash, Joe Strummer
Saturday, October 31
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Lady Gaga (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: M. Ward, Okkervil River

Now Downloading: New Releases 10.20.09

2009-10-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

Like last week, those who'd already made their top albums list for the year (or decade, eh, P4k?) are out of luck, as another couple releases can slide right in. First one being Logos from Atlas Sound (Deerhunter's Bradford Cox) and another being the latest from the UK duo F*ck Buttons. Other new releases of note come from Flight of the Conchords (which I reviewed with videos), Russian Circle, Spiral Stairs, El Perro Del Mar, Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Maps and soundtracks from Sufjan Stevens (from a musical production), Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard, and the much anticipated New Moon soundtrack.

Playlist: New Releases 10.20.09

Atlas Sound - Logos
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

In his first release as Atlas Sound, Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel, Deerhunter's Bradford Cox sounded like we'd interrupted a private moment in his bedroom. With this second release, Cox has taken us out of the bedroom and into... the living room, I guess. Regardless, it's a great album of found sounds and pop wonders wrapped head-to-toe in guaze, like a pop rock mummy. The standout track is the collaboration with Animal Colelctive's Noah "Panda Bear" Lennox, "Walkabout," which samples the Dovers' "What Am I Going to Do". Elsewhere, when Cox buries his vocals, it feels like Deerhunter's more shoe-gaze-y moments, but somehow more artful in it's presentation. With an album like Logos, it's going to be hard for Cox us to convince us that Atlas Sound is a side project anymore.

Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

See the track-by-track video review from Tuesday.

Download: Sugalumps" [mp3]

Glee "Mash-up": Nixon in China

2009-10-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

"Love knows no bounds," or does it?

Not all things can get the mash-up treatment, like Sisqo and My Fair Lady - but I bet somebody out there is working hard to prove otherwise to writer Ian Brennan. Speaking of Brennan, given his previous scripted eppy, "The Rhodes Not Taken," perhaps he should get a few more thrown his way. The concept of "Mash-up" is thought to be applied to the songs, but not a single song got the treatment, instead it was just diverging characters dallying in the practice. Ultimately, there were two reasons this episode worked better than most. Matthew Morrison's footwork and, more importantly, there was no sign of Terri (and that last point can't be emphasized enough).

Like last week, here's a reminder that the first soundtrack from the series, Glee:The Music, Volume 1, is available now for pre-order and on the shelves November 3. We heard a few more songs from the album tonight, and still can look forward to seeing their renditions of Billy Idol/Generation X's "Dancing with Myself" and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked (sung in cast recording by Glee guest Kristen Chenoweth in the musical).

Playlist: Glee - Episode 1.08
1. "Flight of the Bumblebee" - The Swingle Singers
2. "Bust a Move" - Glee cast (Young MC original)
3. "Thong Song" - Glee cast (Sisqo original)
4. "What a Girl Wants" - Christina Aguilera (Rachel sings)
5. "Sweet Caroline" - Glee cast (Neil Diamond original)
6. "Sing, Sing, Sing" - (originally by Benny Goodman)
7. "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady

Previously: "Throwdown" (Episode 1.07)

Flight of the Conchords: I Told You I Was Freaky in Video

2009-10-20T11:47:00.001-07:00

Flight of the Conchords' I Told You I Was Freaky is out today, an album with the added bonus of ready-made videos for each song already at your disposal. Here's a look at the album and the unique context from which the songs are born.

While the first season of Flight of the Conchords was a cultural breakout* as far as comedies go, it was the second season where those kiwis Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement figured out how to better marry the songs and the story lines on the screen. As such, this second album is more of a soundtrack than the first, leaning more on your remembering the visuals and story context than the first.

*I say cultural breakout in that while viewer numbers wasn't great for even pay cable standards, the few that saw it talked about it endlessly.

In that spirit, to celebrate the release of I Told You I Was Freaky (or, the practical title not chosen, Flight of the Conchords: Music from the Second Season of the Television Series) here's the visuals (re: videos) to go with each song from the release. If anything, it reminds of how hungry we are for them to get back in a room with co-creator James Bobin and crank out a third season.

1. "I Got Hurt Feelings" / Purchase mp3
From episode 2.03 ("The Tough Brets")
The obligatory return of Hiphopopotamus and Rhymenoceros has some fun with the tradition of rappers' dissing each other, turning it on it's ear with a "Sticks and Stones" sentimentality.

2. "Sugalumps"
From episode 2.02 ("A New Cup")
Probably the funniest episode of the season is a domino of tragedy - Bret buying a used cup for $2.79 leads to Jemaine turning to prostitution. Oh, and two great songs, this one and "You Don't Have to be a Prostitute" (#10). Obvious parody of the unfortunate "My Humps." (See original post on song and episode from January.)

3. "We're Both in Love With a Sexy Lady"
From episode 2.06 ("Love Is a Weapon of Choice")
Brett & Jemaine both fall for the same lazy-eyed dog owner (Kristen Wiig). Great parody of R. Kelly.

4. "I Told You I Was Freaky"
From episode 2.09 ("Wingmen")
Title track plays homage to the band Empire of the Sun, which features Aussie Luke Steele, formerly of The Sleepy Jackson (who get obscure homage in track #12). Also bits of MGMT, Electric Six and even Beck.

5. "Demon Woman"
From episode 2.07 ("Prime Minister")
Mary Lynn Rajskub plays the psychotic Karen, inspiration for the song. Cliff Richard was (and still is) a huge star in the UK and his song "Devil Woman" seems an obvious reference here, even if obscure to us Yanks.

6. "Rambling Through The Avenues Of Time"
From episode 2.09 ("Wingmen")
A silly song that sounds a lot like Billy Joel's "Piano Man," but may also be an homage to Peter Sarstedt's "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)," recently revived for Wes Anderson's short film Hotel Chevalier (the prolugue to The Darjeeling Limited).

7. "Fashion is Danger"
From episode 2.08 ("New Zealand Town")
Gets its visual inspiration from the music video for Visage's "Fade to Grey", and audio from David Bowie's "Fashion." Dig the Babylon 5 get-up.

8. "Petrov, Yelyena and Me"
From episode 2.10 ("Evicted")
Of all the songs on the album, this one feels the most shoe-horned into the storyline, much like "Bowie Song" from season one. And like that song, it gets a fantastical video, making it worth the 'stretch.'

9. "Too Many Dicks (On the Dancefloor)"
From episode 2.05 ("Unnatural Love")
Michel Gondry directs the episode, and his music video background shines through.

10. "You Don't Have To Be A Prostitute"
From episode 2.02 ("A New Cup")
See #2, "Sugalumps."

11. "Friends"
From episode 2.04 ("Murray Takes It to the Next Level")
Jim Gaffigan guests in the episode and music segment as Murray's friend Jim.

12. "Carol Brown"
From episode 2.05 ("Unnatural Love") / Post from February
Easily the best FOTC penned song from either season, this one is reminiscent of the band The Sleepy Jackson, a band from Australia, which works nicely with the context of Jemaine accidentally sleeping with an Australian and dealing with the consequences.

13. "Angels"
From episode 2.01 ("A Good Opportunity")

14. "Pencils in the Wind" (bonus track)
from episode 1.04 ("Yoko)

Previously: FOTC: French (Aussie) Connection

Mad Men "The Color Blue": Eye of the Beholder

2009-10-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

This week's episode, "The Color Blue," deals with perception, setting up the metaphor right off the bat with a discussion between Don and Miss(tress) Farrell. "How do I know that what I see as the color blue is the same as what everyone else sees? " The question posed by one of Farrell's students gets answered over and over again in many ways. "The truth is, people may see things differently, but they don't really want to." Basically, people see what they want to see, especially Betty, until the wool is pulled off their eyes. The episode ends with everyone looking at Don Draper, while Betty sees essentially a con man.

You have to hand it to Matthew Weiner (and, in this case, his former assistant-turned-writing-partner-turned-ex-employee Kater Gordon) for making this episode more than what it was, which was the inevitable dramatic turn of Betty finding out about Don's past. The whole episode is obviously written around that (non) event, and finding a subtle theme to make it work is the genius of Mad Men. As a result verywhere you look in "The Color Blue," there's two sets of eyes looking at the same thing differently, and in many cases, first seeing it how they want to see it, then uncovering the ugly truth of what they're looking at.

Lane Pryce doesn't see anything the same way as either his London bosses or his wife. Pryce can't understand why they'd want to sell Sterling Cooper, because he's made it more efficient, but the ugly truth is that is exactly why they want to sell. Elsewhere, perspective is everything with Pryce and his wife sees their stay in New York as a sort of prison sentence, but Pryce is determined to "make the most of" his stay. News of the sale saddens Pryce, but his wife sees it as a chance to get back home -- they even see being stuck in traffic through entirely different lenses. It's a wonder they're still together.

Speaking of still together, Betty's perspective is an interesting one throughout here, for obvious reasons. I loved how they handled the hung-up caller, with both Don and Betty fearing it was their secret tryst on the other line. (One has to assume it was Miss Farrell, right?) Meanwhile, Betty's steamy relationship with her washer/dryer finally hits paydirt, producing Don's keys which leads to Betty finding his box-o-secrets. Confession time: My great uncle had a whole room like this, apparently, where after his death, they discovered boxes of cash, photos and a store's worth of still shrunk-wrap clothes. His secret was that he was gay, and his death was a liberation for my great aunt, stuck in a loveless marriage for nearly 40 years.

I've had less to write about this season, as there's been a lot less in both music and literary references throughout (Mary McCarthy's The Group hardly counts here), but I still find myself so invested in the characters, that I don't miss it (or maybe I'm so invested in characters that I'm missing literary references that are there). However, if I'd somehow just came in during this season, I have to confess I might wonder what all the fuss is about. Even great series' will sometimes rely on our relationship of characters to carry us through episodes by the third & fourth season, but I sense that we're going to get a few more nuggets before we're through.

Ear on TV: Week of 10.19.09: Neil Patrick Harris vs Batman

2009-10-19T00:52:00.000-07:00

Neil Patrick Harris' plan for world domination continues, this time as an animated villain in a special musical episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The Emmy host and star of How I Met Your Mother is the voice behind what could be Batman's most flamboyant villain, Music Meister (sorry Riddler).

Of course, NPH has already played a musical villain, having recently created a stir in the title role for Joss Whedon's Emmy award winning Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, so it's no surprise that he steals the episode, titled "Mayhem of the Music Meister" (premiering* on Friday, October 23, on Cartoon Network). The character is able to send his foes into song, including Aquaman, Green Arrow and the vocal power keg that is Black Canary (scroll down for video).

*The episode was previewed at this year's Comic Con to a standing ovation, and has aired already in the UK.

I've been wanting to plug the series since it debuted nearly a year ago, especially since Jellyfish's Andy Sturmer does the theme song, but now is as good a time as any. And the powers that be are striking while the irons are hot, releasing a soundtrack (Batman: The Brave and The Bold: Mayhem Of The Music Meister! Soundtrack) for the episode (via New Line Records) on October 24, the day after the episode airs.

Elsewhere, the talkies are on vacay, but Austin City Limits picks up the slack this week with the combo of super indie acts Andrew Bird and St. Vincent. Meanwhile, the excellent IFC documentary series on Monty Python continues all this week, and with the Python-a-thon, there's the added bonus of the (very musical) films The Holy Grail and The Life of Brian.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, October 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Used (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rosanne Cash (REPEAT)
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part II: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Monty Python
Tuesday, October 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Sounds
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part III: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python's Life of Brian: Monty Python
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Shakira
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Goons of Doom
NBC: The Jay Leno Show: Ludacris
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Cobra Starship featuring Estelle (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Landon Pigg (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Amazing Baby (REPEAT)
Wednesday, October 21
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Dead By Sunrise
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part IV: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl: Monty Python
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Say Anything
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Phoenix (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: John Fogerty (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Paolo Nutini (REPEAT)
Thursday, October 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Temper Trap
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part V: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Monty Python
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Miranda Lambert (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ladyhawke (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Mika
Friday, October 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Echo & the Bunnymen
CARTOON NETWORK: Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Neil Patrick Harris
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Avett Brothers (REPEAT
FUEL: The Daily Habit: ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part VI: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python's Life of Brian: Monty Python
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Christopher Cross with Michael McDonald & The Roots(REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell: Arthur Russell
Saturday, October 24
PBS: Austin City Limits: Andrew Bird, St. Vincent

Top 10 Favorite Monty Python Sketches

2009-10-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Monty Python's Flying Circus and IFC's 6-part documentary (airing part one on Sunday,) here's a silly list of favorite sketches from the series' time on the air.

10. Upper Class Twit of the Year
Episode 12 - first aired January 4, 1970
The troupe having a go at upper class British society, featuring a obstacle course like race involving hilarious events tasks like kicking a beggar, waking the neighbor, humiliating a waiter and the ultimate ending. Monty Python's Flying Circus was cancelled in Finland in 1970s after this sketch appeared. It's rumored that the sketch was offending people who had cerebral palsy. If it offends, that's why it's here.

09. Vocational Guidance Counsellor
Episode 10 - December 21, 1969
"It's a bit of jump, don't you think? Chartered Accountancy to Lion Taming in one go." Enough of this gay banter, let's watch the clip.

08. Nudge Nudge Wink Wink (aka Candid Photography)
Episode 3 - first aired October 19, 1969
Eric Idle often wrote his sketches alone, and had a hard time selling this one on paper. It's all in the delivery (say no more, say no more).

07. The Fish Slapping Dance
Episode 28 - first aired October 26, 1972
Probably not technically a sketch, but more an interlude between sketches, its silliness still deserves is place in the upper ends of the Python echelon.

06. The Argument Skit
Episode 29 - First aired November, 1972
It's obvious why this sketch made the list. "No it isn't." "Yes it is." "No it isn't." Yes. It. Is.

05. Spam
Episode 25 - First aired December 15, 1970
We've got this sketch to thank for the term we use to describe all the email we'd rather not receive. The perfect demonstration of why Terry Jones was the best Python in a dress.

04. The Spanish Inquisition
Episode 15 - First aired September 22, 1970
A wondrous parody of the phrase "I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition," involving some of the silliest forms of torture one could imagine. "Fetch... the comfy chair!"

03. The Lumberjack Song
Episode 9 - First aired December 14, 1969
One of Monty Python's more lasting songs, some deem it a bit homophobic, but like all Python classic sketches, it has aged pretty well.

02. Ministry of Silly Walks
Episode 14 - First aired September 15, 1970
John Cleese was a master of physical comedy and it's on full display in this often mimicked silly sketch. Those looking for this as a satire for government are looking too hard.

01. Dead Parrot
Episode 8 - First aired December 7, 1969
The most popular Python sketch as far as the world is concerned, it was actually a recycled version of a sketch that John Cleese and Michael Palin did originally for How to Irritate People. Even Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher used it to describe the Social and Liberal Democratic Party merger.

Don't forget to watch the 6-part documentary on IFC, Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut), beginning Sunday Night.

Comedy Chaos: Monty Python takes Late Night hostage

2009-10-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Last night, 80% of Monty Python (Michael Palin was still in transit) took Late Night with Jimmy Fallon hostage, turning it upside down. Chairs were tossed, water thrown and just a general turn towards chaos, in the name of comedy. John Cleese, in particular, seemed hell bent on making sure it wasn't going to be a civilized affair.

Full episode below:

Or, if you want to just skip to the music, here's Eric Idle backed by The Roots singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," from their film The Life of Brian:

Previously: Ear on TV profile of Monty Python for this week's schedule

Glee "Throwdown": Fortuna

2009-10-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

Another week, another episode where we have to look the other way anytime Terri's ridiculous fake pregnancy is waved in our face. We're expected to believe that Will is that clueless? Thankfully, Jane Lynch's Sue makes it all go down so much easier.

While it's generally overused, hearing "O Fortuna" repeatedly throughout the episode (as a theme for the Will/Sue conflict) tickled me nonetheless. I always fantasized having that particular movement has my walk-in music for when I'm up to bat in my fantasized baseball career. Of course, if you strike out, or even worse, hit a dribbler back to the pitcher, it's the definition of anti-climactic.

Elsewhere, is it just me, or is the electronic vocal assistance (pssst... autotune) on the Glee Cast songs becoming distracting? Probably just me. Hey, if you're a fan of the (overproduced) songs from the cast, a soundtrack is on it's way, Glee:The Music, Volume 1, available now for pre-order / on the shelves November 3. Spoiler alert: here's a few songs we haven't heard yet, so we can expect them in the next couple episodes: Young MC's "Bust a Move," Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," Billy Idol/Generation X's "Dancing with Myself" and, in the meta department "Defying Gravity" from Wicked (sung by Glee guest Kristen Chenoweth in the musical).

1. "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana - Carl Orff: Used throughout as score to Will/Sue conflict
2. "Hate on Me" - Glee Cast (Jill Scott original)
3. "Ride Wit Me" - Nelly (New Directions jam session)
4. "You Keep Me Hanging On" - Glee Cast (The Supremes original)
5. "No Air" - Glee Cast (Jordin Sparks original)
6. "Keep Holding On" - Glee Cast (Avril Lavigne original)

Previously: "Vitamin D" (Episode 1.07)

Modern Family "The Incident": Do you wanna do me?

2009-10-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

Shelly Long's guest appearance as Jay's ex/Clair & Mitchell's mother (Dede) would've have stolen the show if it were not for the normally silent Dylan opening up to bring the family together. First with his heart-in-the-right-place-missing-the-brain speech and then with his song that bonded them with the kind of horror families will circle the wagons for.

Bonus web-only clip of the music video Dylan and Haley made for "In the Moonlight (Do Me)":

Now Downloading: New Releases 10.13.09

2009-10-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

We're rapidly approaching the point of no return for releases this year, but mid-October always seems to toss a couple wrenches in folks' year end list plans. The latest from The Flaming Lips fall in that category - you think Pitchfork might want an amendment to their 'Best Albums of the 2000s'? Toss the new one from Neon Indian in as well, in that regard. Elswewhere, there are fine/interesting/worthy releases from Har Mar Superstar, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, The Heavy, Erin McKeown, Fanfarlo (US release), Grant-Lee Phillips, Nellie McKay, The Temper Trap, a box set of goodies from Hall & Oates and a Christmas album from Bob Dylan (that's right, Christmas).

Playlist: New Releases 10.13.09

The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Something happened to the Flaming Lips right after releasing The Soft Bulletin and the four-CD experiment Zareeka, as the band turned from wondrous experimentation to exhibiting an unnatural need to be loved. Bunny costumes, confetti bombs, singer Wayne Coyne inside a ball practically begging for our applause. Yes, it's very entertaining, but it all felt like it was making up for some paint-by-number recordings. Was the lengthy Christmas on Mars project siphoning off all of the band's creative juices, or was the band just done. Well, with an album like Embryonic, the point is moot, as it's the Lips at their most deliciously experimental (and least accessible). Full of odd sounds and brimming with paranoia, it's great to have the old Lips back. There's not a hit on the album, and that's fine with me. Opener "Convinced Of The Hex" sets the tone and masterfully moves into the second track, "The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine," and from there, you just have to surrender to it's (un)charms. Other highlights include the similarly pounding "See The Leaves", the endearing "I Can Be A Frog", and the space-y "Watching The Planets."

Profile in Ear on TV post

Stream album from flaminglips.com

Har Mar Superstar - Dark Touches
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Review coming... here's discussion of the single and video for "Tall Boy."

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Tall Boy" [mp3]

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms / Free AOL Album Stream / "Terminally Chill" [mp3]
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down - Know Better, Learn Faster / Free Album Stream / "Know Better, Learn Faster" [mp3]
The Heavy - The House That Dirt Built / "Short Change Hero" [mp3]
Erin McKeown - Hundreds of Lions / Free AOL Album Stream / "The Foxes", "Santa Cruz" [mp3]
Fanfarlo - Reservoir
Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart
Grant-Lee Phillips - Little Moon
The Temper Trap - Conditions / Free AOL Album Stream / "Down River"
Nellie McKay - Normal As Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day
Shelley Short - A Cave, A Canoo / "Time Machine/Submarine" [mp3]
Beaten Awake - Thunder$troke / Free AOL Album Stream / "Coming Home"
Lightning Bolt - Earthly Delights
MV & EE - Barn Nova / "Summer Magic" [mp3]
Lackthereof - A Lackthereof Retrospective 1998-2009 / "Summer Magic" [mp3]
The Units - History of the Units: The Early Years 1977-1983
The Blakes - Souvenir(AOL Album Stream)
Hall & Oates - Do What You Want, Be What You Are:The Music of Daryl Hall & John Oates (4-CD box set) / Free AOL Album Stream

tags: music, album review, flaming lips, har mar superstar, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Mad Men "Wee Small Hours": What do you want?

2009-10-12T23:16:00.000-07:00

Poor, poor Sal... he started out as comedic relief and quickly turned into the most tragic figure on Mad Men.

Expectations are a bitch in the "Wee Small Hours." "The baby's up every three hours, Hilton only calls every four." I can tell you from experience that babies are made cute so you don't throw them out the window during the black hole of night (3-4AM - or, the wee small hours). Connie Hilton is far from cute, but Don's got a sort of inverse relationship with the millionaire. Connie easily slides into the role of missing father figure in Don's life, which serves the same purpose as baby Gene's large baby blues.

That makes it even harder to take when Hilton is disappointed in him. "When I say I want the moon, I expect the moon." Don looks more like young Dick Whitman, listening to Archie's voice. Then Roger comes in as a secondary parent, and piles on the disappointment. What does Don do in the face of all this? Naturally he runs... but since he's signed a 3-year contract, his leash is much shorter, and Miss Farrell, two miles down the street, is the mark.

Getting back to the comparison of Baby Gene and Connie Hilton, I'm reminded that being denied four hours of continuous sleep over a period of time will drive you absolutely batty. There's no apologizing for Don that can make up for some of his irritable moments here (with Peggy, Smitty; with Sal), but even the makeup is pointed to make him look exhausted, so I'm pretty sure it's the intention of Matt Weiner that we know Don's mood is affected by his lack of sleep.

And on that note...

[The final song was the Duke Ellington penned "Prelude to a Kiss," sung here by contemporary jazz singer Nnenna Freelon. Not finding it available anywhere at this time.]

Previously: "Souvenir" (Episode 3.08)