BURIED TREASURE!

Found and purchased the above Madman/Atomics issues, mint condition, while scouring the shelves/stacks at my local comic shop last Sunday afternoon. I have most of the stuff within via TPB, but I thought it'd be fun to have a few of the orginal issues.

Seriously, Beyond Tomorrow Comics in Palatine on Northwest Highway...it's kind of disorganized, but you can score some great harder-to-find stuff there if you invest some time. Say hi to Dave for me if you stop in!

I *HEART* JOE STRUMMER

With or Without You...

I'm stoked to say I scored 2 tickets to the U2 show at Soldier Field on 9-Sep...just a little bummed that Mrs. Famous and I will not be sitting together. Same freaking thing happened on the stupid Vertigo tour. I appreciate not having to wait in line anymore, but I never catch a break getting what I want online either.

Ahhh well, she'll get the nicer 300 level seat and i'll be singing along to 'Where The Streets Have No Name' one section above her in the 'nosebleeds'.

U(gh)2 Tickets...

No major posts this morning, as i'll be trying to get tickets for the kick-off of the U2 North American tour in a short while. I really hate the whole process and it'll be a total bummer should I not be able to score a pair.

Wish me luck.

Saturday Bonus Track...

Wow. Kind of a somber (but awesome) vid to a great tune for a Saturday morning...i'll have a review of the album from whence it came next week.

Title track from the upcoming Doves album, 'Kingdom of Rust'.

Me Am Proud Poppa!

Highlight of the Morning: A discussion w/ Lo that covered several topics, including the differences between Bizarro and Superman...and why Supe's dog Krypto can fly and ours can't.

*I really do love being a Dad.*

Cybermen Call Center

Ha! This was up on YouTube a while back, but I just saw it.

'I can't press anything. I don't have any fingers.'

TELEKINESIS

'Telekinesis!'

I've been enjoying some pretty decent music so far this year, but I believe we finally have a strong contender for the top slot of whatever semblance of a Top 10 of 2009 i'll be able to piece together at year's end. Take the power pop stylings of Big Star and/or their offspring The Posies and polish it up w/ the indie sensibilities of The Shins...and say hello to Telekinesis.

While currently touring as a full band, on wax Telekinesis is actually almost entirely Michael Lerner (w/ a little help)...an extremely talented cat. Lerner tracked and mixed each of its songs to analog tape w/ producer Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) in a single day before moving on to the next song, with the ambitious goal of never over-thinking or sabotaging the spontaneous enthusiasm of the music. As the result is some of the most polished indie-pop i've heard in a long while, that process seems all the more incredible.

The album starts out w/ the initially restrained, but eventually expanding, balladry of 'Rust' and could be considered a musical red herring of sorts to what lies in store. 'Coast of Carolina' explodes into a punchy rock tune impossible to not tap your foot to and Japanese love-letters 'Tokyo' and 'Look to the East' are equally as brilliant p-pop masterstrokes. A rough-hewn Beach Boys sounding track in 'Awkward Kisser' is a great chaser until the album drifts into a couple of slightly more down-tempo, but powerfully enjoyable, tracks like the perfect-for-a-road trip 'Great Lakes'. Finally, if I could pick one song to define both my youth and the struggle w/ it's gradual decline into adulthood...'Imaginary Friend' would be it. Such a GREAT tune.

The whole thing is extremely solid, maybe the final track being the exception...someone else stated it sounded like an Adam Sandler song. I find that a tad harsh, but you can't please everybody. For me, this album is a total package...one you sit back with from start to finish. It drops via MERGE records on 7-Apr, but you can stream the entire thing HERE and i'm throwing a taste in the jukebox as well. Tasty!

I Think I LOVE You...

Well...this just looks freaking awesome. Spike Jonze's live-action 'Where the Wild Things Are'...love Spike, love the book and I think i'm going to love this flick. I would have loved to see him do 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' as well, but this is more than a suitable alternative.

Speaking of Dolittle...

The Pixies performing 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' on the Beeb sometime back in 1989.

One That Talks Like Dolittle...

Taking the kids to a puppet show of Dr. Dolittle this morning...hope it's not the crappy Eddie Murphy version. Prepping for a job interview I have tomorrow this afternoon, so no stuff until later. Peace.

Ridin' That Train...

We had a really fun Saturday excursion w/ my folks and the kids, one worth mentioning to those in the Chicagoland area. The whole bunch of us hopped on the METRA and took the quick jaunt from Palatine to Des Plaines to have lunch at The Choo-Choo: Hamburgers on Wheels!

Originally opened in 1951, it's a 50's-style diner where the food is brought out on a model train that goes from the kitchen around the entire counter. The joint, a local institution of sorts, still retains it's retro charm and the kids freaking loved it. Better yet, the 'Choo-Choo Double' I had was on par w/ good ole' fashioned Steak'N'Shake burger...if not better. The rest of the menu has similar fare and everybody enjoyed their respective meals.

It's a quick walk from the Des Plaines stop on the METRA Northwest line, but as the joint is small...be prepared for a wait in line to get in. If you like retro-flavored fun, killer burgers and something that makes your kids smile...I highly recommend checking it out. Word is, the city is trying to get them to relocate and/or close to build more condos, so don't wait too long! Check out their website HERE.

Saturday Bonus Track...

Mmmm-hmmm. Nothin' like some mega-tasty Britpop on a Saturday morn.

Inspiral Carpets doing 'Two Worlds Collide'...in a boss Michael Gondry directed vid nonetheless!

For Those of You Getting a 'Break'...

Back in 1983, I could not wrap my head around the concept of this film, but I knew it was something pretty freaking awesome. Many years later, my college Spring Break trip...while a great time...never quite matched up.

'I still can't find my underwear.'

Spring. Released. YAY!

It's a little cool out yet this morning, but Spring is officially here! How about pumping a little Grant-Lee Phillips over in the AMBFAD jukebox to celebrate it's arrival?

T.G.I.F.A.T.V.E.!!!

Sorry Kids...

I've been at a job fair most of the day. Unfortunately, there were no funnel cakes and/or tilt-o-whirls...but I did get some great freaking leads and came home to a request for a second interview w/ another potential employer.

No other stuff today, but i'll try to throw something up tomorrow.

...and Screw Da Vinci While We're at It!

IT AM THE BIZARRO CODE, BITCHES!

AMBFAD (Comic) Book Club

I know I should have knocked out 'Watchmen' while I was stuck sitting around at jury duty on Monday...but DC's 'Bizarro' collections am worst comix EVER! I had actually read the first TPB a while back, but the second has been sitting on my book shelf for a while. Figured a little levity would help make the time pass versus something (I never got called to a case BTW) as bleak as Alan Moore.

Anywho, for those unfamiliar w/ these both of these awesome collections, back in 2001 the usually stuffy DC Comics loosened their collective ties up a little and let more non-traditional/contemporary comic artists/writers take some humerous creative liberties w/ some of the cash cows of the almighty DC Universe. Between both books, you get some fantastic collaborations featuring folks like Harvey Pekar, Evan Dorkin, Patton Oswalt, Los Brothers Hernandez, James Kolchaka, Danny Hellman, Mike Doughty, Dave Cooper, Paul Grist and the list goes on.

Nobody is spared, from icons like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman...to more obscure characters like Kamandi, The Red Bee and The Demon. As I enjoy both traditional and more underground/alternative comics/art and have a pretty twisted sense of humor, 'Bizarro Comics/World' is the best super team-up ever! Both volumes have been out for a while now and should be easy to find at your finer comic shops. To note, the first is a little stronger than the second...but they're both so worth checking out.

It's a MOD, MOD, MOD World...

Well, at least this morning it is. I'm on a big Jam kick this morning and contemplating how Paul Weller actually gets cooler looking w/ age...while i'm starting to look like a guy my age trying to look cool. Pffft.

If It's So Good for You...

...can I have one for Breakfast? It's supposed to be nice and warm out today, so I may enjoy a Harp and Cider or two later this afternoon instead.

I Was Mad for Jigs and Reels...

...an El-F tradition. I've pretty much played Black 47's 'Funky Céilí' every St. Patty's Day since my Junior year in college and the line: 'think of ya' Bridie whenever i'm sober, which isn't too often I have to confess'...still makes me smile every time. They're great live too.

Grab a pint (or several pints), dye something green and have HAPPY ST. PATTY'S!

DOH! JURY DUTY TODAY!

WATCH(ED)MEN!

As stated earlier, finally went to see the Watchmen flick last night and really enjoyed it. I had no problem following along w/ everything that was happening and it was definitely a nice feast for the eyes. The acting was okay as a whole, but Jackie Earle Haley was pretty great as Rorschach. All said and done, completely engaging film for it's almost three-hour length and i'd give it a thumbs up.

That said, we'll see how I feel about it after reading the book. I do think I made the right decision to see the flick first, as I had no preconceived opinions of what it should or shouldn't be...just enjoyed it at face value.

Saturday Bonus Track...

Ever get a song stuck in your head to the point it drives you crazy? Luckily, I actually like this one.

It's 'Believe' from The Bravery. Good stuff (i'm a sucker for a solid hook), but I think I like 'Moon Version' they released a little better.

THINGS ARE POPPING!

Hey kids, things might be a little sparse here over the next week or so. I'm finally getting some traction in my quest for new employment (fingers crossed) and, in less exciting news, may have to head downtown for jury duty on Monday.

I may throw some stuff together to post up via auto-pilot, but if not...more random B.S. for all y'all later. PEACE!

SHUFFLE UP AND DEAL!

Just because it's been a while, here's 1o random tunes that came up when I hit shuffle on my iPod...

Spiral - Matthew Sweet

When My Baby's Beside Me - Big Star

The Cosmic Gate - Thievery Corporation

Spellbound - Esquivel

Black Tambourine - Beck

Never Gonna Stop (The Red Red Kroovy) - Rob Zombie

A Good Idea - Sugar

Straight Edge - Minor Threat

Anarchist Bookstore (Part 1) - MC Paul Barman

Garden of Earthly Delights - XTC

Well, that was interesting.

BIG in Japan...

Awesome! I remember reading about/seeing the trailer for this back in 2007, but it looks like it's getting a proper (albeit limited) U.S. release this month! It's a mockumentary/send-up of the Asian 'giant superhero/monster' movie/TV show, which (if you've been reading my blog) is right up my alley.

The just of 'Big Man Japan' (AKA 'Dai-Nipponjin' in it's home country) , a middle-aged slacker living in the slums, is also occasionally shocked by bolts of electricity that transform him into a stocky, stick-wielding giant entrusted with defending Japan from a host of bizarre monsters. Better yet, unlike the gigantic national heroes before him, he is a pariah among the citizens he protects, who are more intent on complaining about the noise and destruction of property he causes than thanking him.

Co-written/directed/starring one of Japan's biggest comedians, Hitoshi Matsumoto, this really looks like a pretty funny flick. Like I said earlier, it's a limited release as part of Magnolia Pictures/Magnet Releasing's Six Shooter series...so you may have to look to your local art house cinema until it hits DVD. Until then, peep the trailer:

Sick and Tired of Sick and Tired...

We've had a revolving door of sick kids for almost a week now. Owen had a nasty head cold and stayed home Thursday and Friday of last week...as he started to get better, Logan came down w/ a nasty-ass fever Saturday and Sunday...we send Owen back to school and keep Logan home yesterday, he gets better...then, Owen comes home from school w/ a temperature and sore throat...Logan goes to school today and Owen stays home (again).

Me? In the midst of playing nurse, I caught what they've had yesterday. Whoopee!

Here's Needle in Yer' Eye!

I caught this over the weekend thanks to Electronic Cerebrectomy. Badass cover of Brian Eno's 'Needle in the Camel's Eye' from the Wolfmen. Fun vid too!

Who Watches the Watchmen?

Well, not me...yet. Couldn't get our respective 'doomsday clocks' (AKA schedules) to align, but me and my buddy, Gep, are going to go this Friday. I'm staying away from any reviews, etc. until then.

Really, I just want to get the film out of the way so I can finally sit down w/ the actual book that has been sitting on my shelf forever. I figure there is no way the movie will be better than the comic, so why not try and enjoy the film at face value first. We'll see.

Looking Forward To...

I've got the 'Godland Volume 4' TPB on order at my local shop and looks like 'Madman Atomic Comics Volume 2' TPB is supposed to come out this week as well. Really excited about sitting down w/ some new Madman and on that tip...the most recent issue on the stands has a great collaboration w/ Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone worth peeping. Fun stuff.

Just finished all of the B.P.R.D. trades from the library last night and now it has me wanting to track down the 2001 trade for Nevermen...I really, really like Guy Davis's artwork. Then again, i'm also thinking I might burrow through all of the Scott Pilgrim books via the library...so, yeah. So many freaking comics, so little time.

Saturday Bonus Track...

Since we gave Moz some face time yesterday, let us not forget the Smiths were just as much Johnny Marr's guitar as well.

In fact, let's enjoy Mr. Marr trading licks w/ the Cult's Billy Duffy on a cover of 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly' from the Ruby Trax 40th Anniversary compilation. Great movie, really fun take on it's classic theme.

MORRISSEY

'Years of Refusal'

I've always gone in and out of being a Smiths and/or Moz fan, it really kind of comes and goes depending on my mood when I go for my trusty iPod. Lord knows I had my fair share of emo moments in High School, but I was (and continue to be) a pretty upbeat cat most of the time. That said, there are times when that trademark self-effacing croon over some outright blazing guitar just hits the spot.

The Mozzer's latest, 'Years of Refusal', doesn't disappoint in either department. Nothing different and revolutionary...just solid Morrissey. The sound remains the same, but the subject matter seems to have changed a touch. The lyrics are still rife w/ a chip planted on shoulder and witty tongue planted firmly in cheek...but there is a more middle-aged comfortability in being his lovable, miserable self peppered in as well. In fact, he has no issue w/ sending up said persona on several tracks ('You Were Good in Your Time' and 'That's How People Grow Up' being great examples).

Really, as has been the case throughout his career, there is a lot of really interesting juxtaposition between self-loathing and a brash confidence in his voice and the musical accompaniment all over this album. The opening track, 'Something is Squeezing My Skull', is just stellar and the most rocking tune about someone cutting themselves down i've heard in a while. Other favorites are the equally boisterous 'Black Cloud' and 'All You Need is Me', but (as stated earlier) the whole thing is solid as hell.

So, smile and cue up the AMBFAD jukebox to see what you think, you miserable sod! The album has been out for a few weeks, so don't mope...you can get it everywhere today. If anything, just buy it for the brilliant album cover...I laugh every time I see it.

Forget the Lottery...

...you've won the COMEDY SWEEPSTAKES! Granted, you can't pay off the mortgage w/ laughs...but it may be the answer to our global financial meltdown. Or not. Uhhh, SCATMAN!

BIG DADDY OF THEM ALL!

Outside of all my recent fanboy-ism over U2, i've also been knee-deep in a sort of Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth phase. I'm no gearhead, but i've always been fascinated by vintage Hot Rods and the culture around them. More on Ed later, but I thought i'd post up w/ some cool ads for his Revell model kits and detailing supplies.

Mo' Money, NO Problems?!

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry...so, I did both. Best coverage of the worst coverage of our current financial clusterfuck i've ever seen. Do yourself a favor and go watch the entire episode...especially you, Jim Kramer.

Seriously. MAGNIFICENT.

Like I said, this so should have been the first single...that is some absolutely vintage Edge guitar. I cannot wait to see this tune performed live!

'I can feel that right in my chest! Tremendous.'

U2

'No Line On The Horizon'

A new U2 album has always been kind of an 'event' for me. Granted, the degree to which it's an 'event' has gone up and down over the years. As documented, most likely, on here in an earlier post...I wasn't really all that bowled over by 2004's 'How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb'. It had a few solid tunes smattered about, but it didn't really hold my attention for that long...as long as it should...and i've never really gone back to it. So, it was w/ some amount of trepidation that I took in all the press and hoopla on the sound of their subsequent release.

Happily, 'No Line' is a nice musical response to my feeling that the band played it way too safe on 'Atomic Bomb'. Teaming up again w/ producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, this album is no return to the electronic experimentalism of 'Achtung' and 'POP', despite that the first single, 'Get on Your Boots', may make you think so. Actually, aside from the album's almost heavy-handed mid-point where 'Boots', 'Stand-Up Comedy' and (my least favorite track) 'I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight' reside...it's more of an attempt at re-igniting an 'Unforgettable Fire'.

The album starts w/ the vintage chugging crescendo of a title track into what should have been the first single...the absolutely soaring 'Magnificent', quite frankly one of the best tunes they've done in years. 'Moment of Surrender' is a decent enough gospel-tinged ballad and then the band serves up another stadium-friendly anthemic track in 'Unknown Caller'. Later, after a little trip into the sonic collage of 'Fez - Being Born' and lilting 'White as Snow', we're treated to the second best tune on here in the sweeping 'Breathe'.

Now, the album is not w/out it's mis-steps...one of the biggest issues being Bono's lyrics. The aforementioned 'Unknown Caller' being a perfect example of a great song almost ruined by an oft too literal subject matter of today's techno-babble. There was a wry ambiguity in his a lot of his lyrics on 'Achtung' and 'POP'...deeper, more contemplative words used in earlier releases...he just hasn't been able to recapture since 'All that You Can't Leave Behind'. The other, is that the band sometimes sounds like they are trying too hard NOT to play it safe and it ends up sounding a little forced and paint-by-numbers.

That said, it's still a fine return to form in a lot of ways. The album's strengths more than overshadow it's weaknesses and I really do think this one will hold up much better than the last. One thing for sure, as evidenced by the past two nights on Letterman, some of the tunes on 'No Line' will be incredible when performed live. As they'll be returning to playing full-fledged stadiums this year...it'll be great to have those tracks to fill them up. Until then, put another dime in the AMBFAD jukebox and see what you think.

'Hey Kids, Do You Like the Rock'n'Roll?'

The promo machine for 'No Line on the Horizon' is in full effect, as U2 kicked off their first night of a week long residency on the Late Show with David Letterman...completely nailing, what I thought, was a killer version of 'Breathe' (one of my favorite tunes of the new disc).

Album drops today and i'll have a review tomorrow...y'know, so you can give it your own run through. P-Fork panned it (shocker), but really...who cares what they think outside of them?

AMBFAD (Comic) Book Club

Finally got around to finishing all of the Hellboy TPB's yesterday, including both volumes of the Weird Tales collections...really fun stuff. Mike Mignola's art is cool and imaginative enough to hook you in, but he really is a fantastic storyteller as well. The way he fuses his characters into established folklore makes for really engaging reading. If you've only seen the flicks, I suggest picking up a few of these and broadening your horizons a little.

I started in on the B.P.R.D. 'spin-off' trades last night and it looks like it will be equally as fun. I like the Guy Davis aesthetic too, different than Mignola...but equally as fun to look at. My public library has all of 'em, good place to test drive a series prior to adding them to your collection and/or when $ is tight.

Best. House Party. EVER.

'The Invite'

'The Party'

Okay. How ill would it be if this wasn't just a sweet ad campaign celebrating 60 years of Adidas Originals making your feet look as fresh as can be?! David Beckham, Russel Simmons, DMC, Katy Perry, Meth & Red, Kevin Garnett, Missy Elliott and Mark Gonzales...DAMN!

Seriously, where else you going to see something as funny as this...

AMBFAD (Comic) Book Club

I missed the original announcement, but it seems that Marvel stated in 2008 they would be reprinting their amazing Masterworks series in trade paperback form, to celebrate their 70 years of existence in 2009! They'll be released at the rate of one a month in the same sequence as the original hardcover printing, starting w/ 'The Amazing Spider-Man: Vol. 1' which collects his debut in Amazing Fantasy #15 and The Amazing Spider-Man #1-10.

Marvel Masterworks actually started in 1987, where they would collect various series in chronological order into mostly hardcover and a few trade paperback, full-color reprints. It kind of petered out in 1994, but they ended up bringing back the hardcovers, w/ a new cover format, a few years later.

During the original run, between 1992-1993, they published lower-priced paperback editions of selected volumes in the line, but they only reprinted half of the contents compared to the hardcover editions. They also briefly partnered with Barnes & Noble in 2002 to produce twelve lower-priced TPB versions of selected Masterworks volumes, but (until now) no trades were being done. I've got a smattering of each for the Avengers/Fantastic 4 and a hardcover for X-Men Volume 1...so i'm stoked to finally be able to put together an entire set.

Spidey was just released last week and The Fantastic Four, The X-Men and The Avengers will follow each month hereafter at only $25 a pop. This is a great opportunity to add some Lee, Kirby and Ditko's best work to your bookshelf...amazing reading whether you are a comic head or not.

WATCH MORE TV...

A quick programming heads-up for those of you w/ Comcast On-Demand. As a tie-in w/ the upcoming release of the new U2 album, you can dial up a gaggle of their music videos AND concert flicks. The offerings are mostly 'Achtung Baby' and on...if anything, you should peep the 'ZOO TV: Live from Sydney'. Classic.