Floating Away

2006: The year of the long song???

I finally got my hands on the new Yo La Tengo album yesterday and at first glance, I notice they open the album with a 10 minute long track.  Opening your album with a ten minute track? Is that bold . . . or is it just commonplace?

I feel like more and more bands are feeling its ok to go a little long.  Just by perusing my iTunes, I came across a handful of albums released this year with songs over 7 minutes! Hell, on the Decemberists new album they have 2 songs over 11 minutes! On the Joanna Newsom album, the SHORTEST song is 7:15. 

Is this a trend? Take a look at my findings:
Islands - Return to the Sea - 2 songs over 9 minutes
Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies: 2 songs over 7 minutes
Built to Spill - You in Reverse: 1 track is 8 minutes long
Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming - 2 songs over 7 minutes
Bob Dylan - Modern Times - 5 songs over 6 minutes!

What ever happened to the 3 minute radio friendly single? On a sort of related side note, how terrible is Rick Dees in the morning on 93.9? I have checked in with him every morning and its like a radio train wreck.  I just can't turn it off. 

Windy City Heat

A few months ago, I was eating dinner at Canters with my good friend Mark and his brother and the conversation turns to Windy City Heat.  Immediately upon saying the words Windy City Heat, they both starting laughing uncontrollably and quoting lines.  Mark's brother Ben explained, "Windy City Heat is the best you have never seen.  It is essentially a 10 year old practical joke on this one guy who thinks he is trying to be a action star, but actually is the butt of every joke possible."

The story goes like this:
"The prank involves a poor schmuck named Perry Caravello who is duped over a period of years into believing that he has talent and will soon be cast to star in an action film. Of course, the guy has no talent and pathetically few brain cells, so his duping in this elaborate hoax is an act of cruelty almost unparalleled in TV comedy annals. It's nasty and mean and ugly. Yet it's also undeniably a scream.

Dubbed a "real-life 'Truman Show,' " it's the brainchild of exec producers Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Carolla, Daniel Kellison and Doug DeLuca. For years now, this sap Caravello -- wild-haired, paunchy, moody and almost unfathomably dense -- has been promised a starring vehicle by his comedian pals/tormentors Don Barris and Tony Barbieri. With straight faces, they somehow convince the guy that he's gonna be the Next Big Thing despite his complete lack of talent, charisma or even a sense of humor.

Caravello is, in short, the perfect fool. Cameras both hidden and exposed capture the fun and pain when Caravello is inexplicably cast as the star of a supposed film called "Windy City Heat," in which he portrays a character named Stone Fury, a hard-boiled Chicago "sports private eye." It's all just a complete goof, of course. But the real Caravello doesn't know that."

The joke takes on the dimension of pitiful, brutal art. Every actor, every cameraman, every PA and every producer on this supposed film is in cahoots to manipulate this unsuspecting, egomaniacal slob. He seems like such a jerk in reality that it takes a bit of the sting off. And talk about a moron. It doesn't seem to occur to him how odd it is that the film crew around him have names like Susan B. Anthony, John Quincy Adams, Frances Farmer and Burt Ward. And when the cameras follow him off the set, it's only to collect bonus footage for the DVD. [Hollywood Reporter]

The movie was supposed to get theatrical release, but instead was regulated to some late night slots on Comedy Central.  Comedy Central pulled it adding to the mystique.  Next thing you know, some guy recorded it and passed it on to his friends and its a cult classic.

Immediately upon hearing the premise, I was turned off.  Why would I want to watch a movie about a bunch of guys picking on another guy.  I told Mark this.  He agreed and then he saw it.  He claims (boldly) it is the best movie of our generation.  Its a movie you can watch again and again and still find humor in.

The movie was finally released on DVD yesterday.  It's not on Netflix yet, but will be I am sure up soon.  Until then, I will keep all of you posted for my Windy City Heat viewing party.

Until then, enjoy the clip:

Special LA Performance by Beck

Beck will be playing the Hollywood club "Element" tomorrow night.  Tickets go on sale today at noon.   

The only way to retrieve your tickets is at will call the night of the show. You MUST bring the credit card you used to purchase tickets and a matching, government-issued photo ID to the box office the night of the show. These tickets are non-transferable.

There is a 2 ticket limit.

The Breakdown: Fall TV Preview

This being LA, I think its only appropriate to talk a bit about the entertainment industry.  While I have music covered and chone's got Keith Olbermann all covered, we need someone to take care of "the industry".  That's where Brandon comes in.  Look for some lengthy features from him.  Here is his first. -Dan

As somebody in the entertainment world, my goal is to update you with an inside analysis and opinions of everything Film, TV, and Hollywood.  Many thanks to Floating Away for the opportunity to post my thoughts.

For my inagural pilot episode...I mean post, I thought it would be most prudent to discuss the Fall TV Premieres. This season promises to be one of the best seasons of TV we've had in a while (or at least since the days of Seinfeld, Friends, Sex and the City, and The West Wing). But with so much TV out there, how can one know of what to watch? That's where I come in. Here are my Must Sees and Please Avoids!

Must See TV
STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP - For those of you who didn't catch the premiere, check it out on iTunes or the NBC website now! Aaron Sorkin (creator of the West Wing) has done it again with sharp writing and an impeccable cast. Matthew Perry and Amanda Peet are at the top of their game. This is the smartest new show of the season. Mondays at 10pm on NBC.

GREY'S ANATOMY - If you don't watch already, it's okay. Season 1 and 2 are on DVD. Season 3 premiered on Thursday with 25 million viewers, beating out CSI with 22 million. This is the hottest show on TV, so you don't want to be left out of the mix. What fun is the watercooler if you aren't in the know? Thursdays at 9pm on ABC.

UGLY BETTY - I'll be honest, I had low expectations for this show. But after watching an advanced screening of the pilot, I'm thrilled that ABC is running with it. America Ferrerra (Betty) is mature beyond her years and the supporting cast is hilarious (espeically Vanessa Williams). This show has the potential to be the breakout hit of 2006. Please, I beg you, give this show a chance. You won't be disappointed. Premieres Thursday September 29th at 8pm on ABC.

24 - It picked up the Emmy for Best Drama in August. Jack Bauer kicks ass. The best drama on TV by far. And with that cliffhanger ending, where will it go? I can't wait! Mondays at 9pm starting January 2007.

5 others to catch this season:
THE OFFICE - Won the Emmy for Best Comedy. Office politics have never been this much fun! Thursdays at 8pm on NBC.

HEROES - Has great potential, but will it live up to expectations? Premieres Monday September 25th at 9pm on NBC.

THE NINE - ABC's best new drama; 9 strangers bond after being trapped in a 52 hour hostage situation. Premieres Wednesday October 3rd at 10pm on ABC.

AMERICAN IDOL - Do you really want to be the only one NOT in the know? Premieres January 2007 on FOX.

THE KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY - Though the title kinda sucks, this show about 5 average Joes trying to rob Mick Jagger is hilarious! Premieres Tuesday October 17th at 9pm on ABC.

Please, Avoid these shows!:
Vanished (FOX) - I am supposed to care about the people involved, right?
Big Day (ABC) - A comedy about someone's wedding day. Too bad it isn't funny.
Happy Hour (FOX) - Makes 20-somethings look stupid. Please, give us a little more credit!
Shark (CBS) - How many more law shows do we need? ugh! Plus, it was too high on itself.

LA Times Annual LA Music Report

Today's LA Times Calendar Weekend profiles the LA music scene.  Writer Kevin Bronson profiles 5 bands with "notable potential".  The bands are not surprising at all:  Cold War Kids, The Little Ones, Joe Purdy, Custom Made and Shiny Toy Guns.

Other great features include an LA mix CD 2006 and 10 more bands you ought to know.  There is also a sidebar online with 10 bands to watch in 2007 including Bird and the Bee and Ferraby Lionheart.

Besides Division Day only being mentioned once on the mix tape, any glaring exceptions?

Celebrate 5767 with TV on the Radio

For those of you who are ill-informed (or not Jewish), this Friday is Rosh Hashanah, or New Year's Eve for the chosen people. 

In case you want to celebrate in a non-traditional way, go check out TV on the Radio at Amoeba Records in Hollywood.  They will be in Southern California all weekend (and part of next week) promoting the very solid "Return to Cookie Mountain". 

Friday 9/22: KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic 11ish
Friday, 9/22: Amoeba Records In Store, Hollywood
Sunday, 9/24: Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood opening for Massive Attack
Monday, 9/25: Soma, San Diego
Tuesday, 9/26: Glass House, Pomona
Wednesday, 9/27: Soho Restaurant and Music Club, Santa Barbara

I would love a secret Saturday night show somewhere. 

Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour

I am not a fan of terrestial radio, but dont really want to throw down the money to see if I would like satellite radio.  The only thing I am remotely interested in hearing is Bob Dylan's hour long radio radio show, entitled: "Theme Time Radio Hour with your host, Bob Dylan". 

Each week, Mr. Dylan picks a theme and plays music around that theme.  For example, today's show will be School featuring songs such as "Homework" by Otis Rush, "School's Out" by Alice Cooper and "School of Rock" by Gene Summers.

Lucky for me, there are enough people out there with the technical savvy and the free time to record the shows and post them.  White Man Stew is the place to go if you want to check out his show.  Note, the 1 hour mp3s are incredibly large.

On a side note, Spirit on the Water from Dylan's latest, Modern Times is quickly becoming my favorite song of the year. 

MP3: Bob Dylan - Spirit on the Water

Saul Williams @ West Hollywood Book Fair

Yesterday, Saul Williams appeared at a panel at the West Hollywood Book Fair.  I have known of the great Saul Williams for some time.  I have heard several tracks of his and even saw him perform live a while back on Def Poetry Jam, but I was not prepared for the genius that is Saul Williams.

Saul Williams is a poet/spoken word performer/underground hip hop star.  But, beyond that, he is incredibly smart and has brilliant musings on the state of hip hop today.  He appeared on a panel entitled "Beats, Raps and Rants: Hip Hop in Prose, Poetry and Spoken Word" with other artists/poets Jair and Mike Sonsken (aka Mike the Poet).  The panel was moderated by writer/critic Donnell Alexander.

Their conversations primarily focused on the hip hop as an artform.  Not surprisingly, Saul Williams said the most intelligent and thoughtful comments.  My favorite thought had to with his theory on sampling.  He said (and I am paraphrasing) that when an artist chooses to sample a piece of music for his or her own piece, he is making a statement about that song.  For example, if you look at "Ring My Bell" as a philosophy, 30 years later, you might not agree with the philosophy in its entirety, but you agree with one or two points.  So, you take those points and bring them into your music by sampling them. 

Sadly, Saul Williams is not performing in this area anytime soon, but I will be sure to let you know when he does. 

Until then, enjoy these tracks:
MP3: Saul Williams - This Type Love (from Def Poetry Jam)
Read the lyrics for This Type Love here
MP3: Saul Willaims - Black Stacey

Also, all four of them took the time to praise Ras Kass for being the best rapper no one has ever heard of.  I had never heard of him and have listened to a few tracks last night.  More to come on him.

Can someone fill me in on this?

Details to come . . .

Rise Above: The Art of Shepard Fairey

Many moons ago, in my former life as an art school nerd, I spent the summer at the Rhode Island School of Design.  There, in what I look back upon as the largest collection of hipster art nerds, I came across the work of Shepard Fairey. 

The idea in its earliest incarnations was very simple.  Fairey loved Andre The Giant.  He loved him so much, he made stickers about him with his statistics on them and claimed boldly: Andre the Giant has a Posse.

At the time, the stickers were all over Providence.  Fairey created the idea while at RISD in the late 80s and mailed all of his friends all over the world the stickers to place on light poles, walls, college campuses, shady bathrooms, etc.  Most likely, you have seen his work all over the place and you probably didn't even know it.  It's street art at its best.

His work has become a lot more stylized and iconic over the years, taking the idea of obeying Andre the Giant and encorporating that into other iconic figures such as Mao, Stalin, and even a couple of our current President. 

Wiki tells it best:  "the campaign parodies government sponsored propaganda by invoking Orwellian language (e.g. "OBEY") and the artistic style of Soviet propaganda posters. These styles are strongly associated with the spread of misinformation, and paired with the André the Giant image indicating the joke nature of the message, reinforce the idea that governments have methods to spread misinformation."

His work is beautiful and will be shown at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery starting September 16th through October 14th. 

The Merry Karnowsky Gallery is located at 170 S. La Brea Ave. 

Obey!