I’ve decided to just come out and say it. I’m sure there are those that will scoff and laugh dismissively, but I can’t hold it in anymore. You can ridicule me, tell me I’m crazy, or roll your eyes, but I will not be silenced! Okay, here goes…are you ready? I…

…like Coldplay. No, let me rephrase: I *LOVE* Coldplay.

And I’ll bet you do too, but you’re too embarrassed to admit it. I’ll bet when Violet Hill or Clocks comes on the radio you sing along and turn up the volume. It’s okay! I won’t judge. I won’t quote The 40-Year-Old Virgin to you, and I certainly won’t think any less of you. While I think Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head are two of the greatest albums to be released in the last ten years, I only remembered how much I loved Coldplay a few nights ago when I scored free tickets to their concert at the Saddledome in Calgary. The show really was amazing. Despite our horrendous seats (I stared at Chris Martin’s faraway back the whole time), I was thoroughly entertained the whole time, and never more so than when I witnessed something so amazing and enthralling I’ll never look at a cellphone the same way again.

Most people know what the Wave is. At hockey games or football games, concerts or anywhere with a large group of people, somebody always starts throwing their hands up in the air, encouraging the people next to them to do the same and before you know it, the entire stadium is throwing their hands up one after another, around and around making a giant Wave. But I don’t think many people know what the ColdWave is. Similar to the Wave, the Coldwave isn’t done by throwing your hands up…it’s done by lifting your cellphone up in a pitch black stadium. One person with a cellphone in the dark isn’t that exciting, but when 18,000 people do it at the same time, the results are mesmerizing. See for yourself!

So the next time you’re in a pitch black stadium, pull out your cellphone. Lift it high up into the air, and get the next person to do the same. Before you know it, it’ll be like looking at twinkling stars in the night sky. Until then, do yourself a favor and go listen to some Coldplay. We have all of their albums available for great prices over at Tower.com. I promise I won’t tell anyone!

Do you love inky, graphic drawings?  Do you need more cryptic riddles in your life? How about a piece of punk rock and art world history?

Well, the artwork of Raymond Pettibon (born Raymond Ginn) has all these things.  He cut his teeth in the 1980s, with hardcore punk flyers and LP album covers for his brother Greg Ginn’s infamous Hermosa Beach punk band Black Flag, as well as Sonic Youth and other SST Records bands.  After years of toiling in obscurity, making virtually no money, and also working as a high school math teacher, Pettibon would later go on to rise to art world stardom.

In addition to showing at many esteemed institutions throughout the United States, Pettibon has been particularly successful in recent years, winning the Whitney Biennial Bucksbaum Award in 2004.  This finally brought the prolific Pettibon much of the hard-fought-for recognition he deserved, bringing his success to a level where weeks later one of his pen and ink drawings sold for 66, 000$ at an auction!

So, who says you can’t be rich and punk rock at the same time?

There are lots of different channels for discovering new music. Some people tune into their favorite radio or TV stations, some people stream Pandora, and some people hang on to Pitchfork’s every word, buying everything that only scores an 8 or above. Sometimes, however, we discover music in indirect ways, hearing it, for example in the dressing rooms at H&M, or on a television show, where music is used in the background, often to musically emote the dynamics of the scene. We all know that feeling, when you hear a snippet of something that makes you want to get up and dance, then find the nearest computer so you can figure out what you just heard and listen to it again and again and again and…

I’ve discovered a lot of great music when I wasn’t looking for it. Veronica Mars introduced me to Air, a product promotion on Tower.com had me racing to find the first copy of Black Kids’ Partie Traumatic that I could get my hands on, and now, thanks to a thoroughly strange video portrait of Star Trek hottie Zachary Quinto, shot by famed photographer Tyler Shields, I’ve added Plushgun to the list.

Pins & Panzers, the debut album from Brooklyn based indie-rockers Plushgun, was only released this past February, but the threesome already had a substantial online following prior to the album’s official release. And it’s easy to see why: Plushgun is immediately likeable, exceedingly relatable and most of all, reminds you of that crazy rollercoaster of emotions from your teen years. With New Wave and Synth Pop influences, a touch of Postal Service, and all the charm of The Boy Least Likely To, Pins & Panzers is a must-listen for any music fan who wants to reminisce about that old crush, dance in your underwear when no one’s looking, or fall in love all over again.

Best Tracks: Just Impolite, A Crush to Pass the Time, Without a Light

Sample the tracks or buy the album here.
Plushgun’s Official Website

Trekkies around the world are holding their breath in anticipation of the release of the latest Star Trek movie.  However, on May 8^th, theaters will be packed not only with your typical Star Trek junkie but also with anyone who enjoys a good action flick.  The movie is said to satisfy not only Star Trek enthusiasts but also the general movie going audience.  Director,  JJ Abrams (Alias, Lost, Cloverfield), has created a great sci-fi action thriller .  The story focuses on the individual histories of the Star Trek crew members from the original series as they come together to save earth for the first time.

For those of you not super familiar with Star Trek but are interested in some preparation for the motion picture you should check out some of the original series.  (Star Trek - The Original Series Three Season Pack)  If after seeing the movie you need more Trek of that particular caliber, Star Trek Enterprise is an exceptional series more on par with the motion picture.

]]> http://blog.tower.com/tower-news/star-trek-for-everyone.html/feed http://blog.tower.com/tower-news/star-trek-for-everyone.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TowerBlog/~3/jfsJlej1j84/tax-day-cue-the-jaws-theme-song.html http://blog.tower.com/tower-news/tax-day-cue-the-jaws-theme-song.html#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:01:34 +0000 S C http://blog.tower.com/?p=604

Just as the wonderful long weekend has wrapped up, Tax Day lurks right around the corner.  April 15th.  That’s today.  Lest we forget.  

This year, more than other years, Tax Day is particularly… taxing.  Bailouts, economic meltdown, stimulus packages, recession… we’ve heard it all before, but taxes really make it economically personal!  How about we make a promise to ourselves that next Tax Season we’re gonna try to save as much as possible?  Check out this book on tax deductions, and Guide For Tough Times: Tax and Financial Solutions to See You Through and The Truth About Paying Fewer Taxes.

Happy Taxing!

Tarantino, who is currently working on Inglorious Bastards and is known for his writing and directing in films such as Jackie Brown, Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill and Death Proof.

Last night, Tarantino helped out Simon, Paula and Randy in judging the American Idol hopefuls in this week’s “songs from movies” theme.  Tarantino, known for his extensive musical knowledge, was the right celebrity-judge for the task (especially since he filled in as judge on AI back in Season Three).

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Tori Spelling is releasing her 2nd book entitled Mommywood.  In the book, Tori dishes the details on what life is like as both a mother (of two young children), but also, life as a child in the spotlight (describing details of her own childhood with famous TV-producer dad, Aaron Spelling).  

Tori’s first book, STORI Telling, was released last year and was met with rave reviews.  Tori has also had a number of reality television shows (including Tori & Dean: Inn Love, Home Sweet Hollywood and So NoTORIous) documenting her life as an actress who bases her entire reason for being a celebrity on nepotism.  Her linage forced her into the spotlight, and now she is embracing the light with all her Tori/Donna might.

Check out Mommywood this month on Tower.com

Just as Mel Gibson was finishing up his favorite religious holiday yesterday, his wife of almost 30 years delivered divorce papers citing “irreconcilable differences.”  Mel Gibson’s career began with hit films such as Mad Max, Lethal Weapon, Hamlet and Braveheart, to name just a few.  Recently, Gibson is remembered for his film The Passion of the Christ wherein he highlighted his passion for Catholicism.  Also in the news as of late: Gibson’s penchant for alcohol, and subsequent car crashes, meltdowns and regrettable remarks.  His wife, Robyn, cites these to be one of the grounds for divorce.

Phil Spector, the inventor of “the Wall of Sound” and creator of various groups in the 1960s and 1970s including the Ronettes, The Righteous Brothers and The Crystals, changed the face of music.  He’s worked with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and even produced the song “Unchained Melody” the hit of the film Ghost.  He signed Ike & Tina Turner, and even produced The Ramones’ “End of A Century” album in 1980, to name just a few of his claims to fame.

Six years ago, Phil Spector met a hostess at the House of Blues on Sunset named Lana Clarkson, who had been in a few films in the 1980s, including Fast Times At Ridgemont High.  He invited her back to his mansion (dubbed “the Castle”) and when she scorned his advances, he shot her in the mouth.  It took years to convinct him of the murder because of his defense team, but also because the first trial ended in mistrial.  Spector is said to be sentenced for up to 18 years in prison.

Last night, I saw Adventureland (from the director of Superbad) starring Jesse Eisenberg and Twilight’s Kristen Stewart.  The story was super cute.  I don’t always fall for the coming-of-age stories — you know, nerdy boy gets with the pseudo nerdy girl (she’s actually super hot and rich) — but this story set in 1987 about a recent college grad grappling with the next chapter in his life, is actually really sweet.  Think The Graduate meets Freaks and Geeks.

More than the plot itself, the music that accompanied the film was fantastic.  James (Jesse Eisenberg) makes mixed tapes for Em (Kristen Stewart) which includes Lou Reed’s epic ballad “Satellite of Love“, David Bowie’s “Modern Love” and INXS’ beautiful “Don’t Change”.  The great thing about the soundtrack is that it reopens the vault of pop songs from the 1980s, that so obviously influenced bands of today, ranging from The Killers to Death Cab for Cutie.

Also on the soundtrack is Husker Du, The Replacements and The Outfield.  Check. it. out.