PATTON OSWALT

'Werewolves & Lollipops'

If you are like me, your first exposure to Patton Oswalt did not do the genius of his comedy justice. He did a great job on the CBS sitcom 'King of Queens', but it wasn't until I saw him on his 2004 stand-up special 'No Reason to Complain' that I understood just how amazing this guy was. Having Blue Collar Comedy rammed down your throat for the past few years, Oswalt's brand of 'indie' comedy felt like a mouthful of Mentos after a shit sandwich eating contest. With topics ranging from the dumbing down of America, the homo-eroticism of '80s hair band videos and Black Angus Steakhouses (one of the funniest bits i've heard in stand-up EVER)...I was hooked.

Then, in 2005, Oswalt put together the tour, movie, TV documentary 'The Comedians of Comedy' with fellow 'indie' comedians Zach Galifianakis, Brian Posehn and Maria Bamford. On the tour, the comedians performed at smaller indie rock venues instead of comedy clubs. Both the movie and TV series alternate between footage of the comedians on stage and other aspects of their lives on the road. All the participants involved were fantastic, but, again, Oswalt just blew me away.

So, this past July, it was no surprise to see Sub-Pop release his latest comedy album. To note, I haven't bought or listened to a comedy record since Sam Kinison's 'Have You Seen Me Lately?' and listening to a few tracks off of Bill Cosby's 'Himself' while drunk at a party. To listen to Patton's impeccable delivery on the lambasting of everything from the KFC chicken bowl to modern science to the Bush administration to Star Wars geekery to Cirque Du Soleil...you realize just how awful a lot comedians today can be (*cough* Dane Cook *cough*).

Do yourself a favor and buy it at a brick and mortar joint, as the CD version comes w/ a DVD full of live stand-up. Also, check out the 'Comedians of Comedy' film/TV series avail on DVD. If you still aren't sold, check out the aforementioned Circue Do Soleil bit from this album...on headphones, if you are at work. Dirtee.

I am McLovin...

The clouds parted on Saturday night for a little while and we went and saw 'Superbad' while things dried out for a while (this rain SUCKS!). I don't know if it was all that super, but it certainly wasn't bad either. It had some pretty funny moments and both Jonah Hill and Michael Cera had decent chemistry/were a lot of fun to watch in the lead roles. I think some of the dialogue was just too over the top and a cartoonish representation of how two High School guys would interact, but it is just a movie...if you can get past that, you'll have fun with it.

Definitely not as funny as '40 Year-old Virgin' or 'Knocked Up', but it was worth shilling out the $ for the amount of laughs it provided. Maybe i'm so far out of High School and identified w/ the aforementioned flicks a lot more, who knows? Worst case, throw it in the Netflix que when it hits the DVD release. Interesting factoid that just hit me, the main charachters are Seth and Evan...and the flick was written Seth Rogen and Evan Goldsberg. Fun.

Outside of dropping an Ebert on you, finally able to give a listen to/review of the full VHS or Beta record and have to pimp the latest Patton Oswalt album. So, stay tuned!

Worst. Post. Ever.

Hey there, true believers. Slammed at work this morning and have to leave early to watch the kids. Don't know if i'll get around to posting up w/ anything too meaningful. I will note that I paid a serious visit to a comic book store for the first time in a mazillion years over lunch yesterday. Bad day at work and a escapism-filled field trip seemed in order.

Considering I haven't read a comic book outside of reading a few of the DC graphic novels (Dark Knight, Kingdom Come, etc.) during some shopping excursions at the now defunct Tower Records...the whole thing was kind of daunting. I mean, a lot of the faces were familiar...Supes, Batman, The Joker, Spidey, The Hulk, Dr. Doom, etc...but between all the spin-off series and new indie comics, I had no clue what i'd even THINK about picking up.

Later, I tapped into the EL-F rogue's gallery of film buffs, music nerds and general pop culture enthusiasts and got some solid recommendations. Granted, this whole thing is a lot like an alcoholic 'just looking around' at Binny's Beverage Depot or a sex addict 'just checking things out' at the Bunny Ranch...I already waste enough money on things Mrs. Famous finds useless, so i'll have to pace myself.

For the record, i'm thinking about going back to pick up the hardback collection of the DC 'Justice' mini-series and, later, checking out DC's 'Red Son' and Marvel's 'Planet Hulk'/'Earth X'. Granted, I could also end up walking out of there w/ large bust of Sasquatch from Alpha Flight or the entire set of Marvel classic action figures that also include the pieces to build a giant Modok...but i'll try and stay focused.

Sundance? Tribeca? Pfffffft.

As I mentioned before, the real deal in celluloid goodness has been happening this week at the 1st Annual Casa De Famous Free Cable On-Demand Filmfest and Dorito-thon. We don't have goodie bags containing diamond encrusted rolexes and vitamin water, but we do have a bag of the of the new Hot Wing/Bleu Cheese Doritos Collisions (which, for the record, are likely the leftover buffalo wing flavor they had out a while ago and the cool ranch that have been out forever)! We also don't have the latest and greatest films yet to hit the theatres, but we do have some stellar flicks that I either hadn't seen yet and/or classics I hadn't seen in a long while.

As I seemingly pay in blood for the whole Comcast digital cable deal, the movies aren't really free...but I don't have to pay over and above my normal bill to enjoy them like pay-per-view. So, here's the recap of the star-studded screenings that took place this week:

MONDAY

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2 - Sooo insanely bad, it's good. How can you go wrong w/ Dennis Hopper, the first death scene done to the sounds of Oingo Boingo's 'No One Lives Forever' and the eroticism of the whole chainsaw foreplay on the ice tub scene (you just have to see it)? Schlock horror reeking of the 80's at it's finest. I stumbled upon it right before I was getting ready to go to bed and ended up watching it until 1AM. It's that good!

TUESDAY

Dig! - Wow. If you ever want to see an instructional video on how to sabotage a band and/or your life in general, check out this entertaining 2004 documentary on the Brian Jonestown Massacre/Dandy Warhol love-hate relationship. It's incredible to watch Anton Newcombe and the BJM just implode, while the Dandys skyrocket to major label success. I never got a chance to see it when it was released, but it was well worth the wait.

WEDNESDAY

Akira - A japanimation opus that set the standards for all anime that would come afterwards and, really, started the second wave of fandom that came about in the 90's. A visually amazing futuristic amalgamation of the uncertainty of youth and the nuclear spectre hanging over post-war Japan/the globe in general. The level of detail was wasted on me when I last saw it in a more 'altered' state in college...seeing it now, even by today's film standards, still blew my mind.

THURSDAY

Six-String Samurai - A kung-fu rockabilly take on the Road Warrior, set in a post-atomic bomb 1957. Mutants, the soviet army, killer bowlers and death himself put themselves in the way of the blade-wielding Buddy Holly-esque protagonist, as he journeys to Vegas to claim the throne as the heir to Elvis. I kind of saw this half-awake a while back on late-night TV, but plan to really digest the whole thing tonight. I remember it being some goofy fun, hopefully I wasn't dreaming.

Again, each and every one of them are available on Comcast On Demand's Free Movies if you are a victim, er, subscriber. You might as well get your money's worth, so check them out. After the festival closes tonight, i'll be checking out 'Hot Fuzz' and '300' via Netflix over the weekend and my best pal since grade school and I have already made plans to go see the new 'Halloween' on premiere night (31-Aug). See you at the movies!

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS

'Challengers'

Okay, this review is way behind the rest of the blogosphere as the latest offering from Canadian supergroup the New Pornographers, 'Challengers', has actually been floating around out there for over a month now. I've been hearing praises heaped upon it in my certain circles for that same amount of time, but hadn't got around to getting a listen until this week. After a few spins, I can emphatically say better late than never.

The writing was on the wall w/ their previous release, 'Twin Cinema', that Carl Newman and company were looking to move beyond their punchy power pop wheelhouse into something more expansive. Now, as much as I loved them for that sound, the lush offerings that unfold w/ every track on this one are too impressive to deny them the opportunity to grow up. Granted, this is still a pop album and a great one at that...albeit, more Fleetwood Mac or ELO than Cheap Trick.

The 'everything but the kitchen sink' arrangements on this are orchestral w/out ever becoming overwhelming. The trademark vocal interplay and harmonies are there, but seemed to be a little more reeled in for sake of the complete package. The ivy-league lyricism is there too, but again doesn't overshadow the rest of the pieces to each song. Bottom line, uniformity is king and provides them their most cohesive release to date.

The lead-off track 'My Right Versus Yours' picks up where the last album's closer, 'Bleeding Heart Show', left off. A slow burner that builds into a sweeping exercise in pop anthems, it sets the stage for other favorites like the boisterous 'All the Old Showstoppers'...the beautifully layered torch song of a title track (complete w/ smokey Neko vocals so on point it'll make you blush)...Dan Bejar's excellent ode to NYC, 'Myriad Harbour'...and on and on. There really aren't any clinkers on this one and it seems to grow in stature every time I listen, totally deserved of the hype it's receiving.

The album hits stores, iTunes, etc. on Tuesday (21-Aug) and i'll leave you a little taste in the sample area. This band has made my Top 10 w/ every release and it looks like they'll keep that streak alive. Good stuff.

Sorry (Young) Folks

Doh! I've been too busy at work today to post up anything. Granted, 50% of said work was actual work and the other 50% was spent arguing about the best version of Van Halen (Van Hagar) and which era of hip-hop was the greatest (88-92). So, in lieu of a legitimate post, here is a Peter, Bjorn & John video both creepy and spectacular...

A more meaty offering of useless stuff tomorrow, including a mid-week recap of the 1st Annual Casa De Famous Free Cable On-Demand Filmfest and Dorito-thon. Scout's honor w/ a Vulcan salute.

Kanye's Turning Japanese

I really think so. First it was the straight-out-of-'Akira' video for 'Stronger' and yesterday I read that the cover artwork for 'Graduation' was being done by the great Takashi Murakami. Murakami founded the postmodern japanese art movement Superflat, that also includes AMBFAD favorite Yoshitomo Nara (amongst others). Just do a Google image search on his name and you'll see how crazy sick his work is.

I've stated before that i've never been that hardcore over Kanye and think he's a tad overhyped, but I do respect the fact he won't march to the same cookie-cutter drummer that most of his contemporaries do. He earns points for being a huge Murakami fan (his work w/ Luis Vuitton was the gateway)...an interesting article on the whole Asian influence, that specific relationship and more in the most recent issue of Complex magazine.

F**k Tha' Police

'Unchained' > 'Roxanne'. This is the 'reunion' that nearly everybody has been waiting for years to take place. Van Freaking Halen. I've been pelted for rocks for saying so, but I always preferred the Van Hagar version of the band. I just thought they were better musically w/ Sam, but it's hard not to get a little intrigued by the whole concept here. If Michael Anthony was involved, I would be selling both the twins off to get tickets for this...but his absence will be felt. Unless, of course, Wolfgang hasn't gone through puberty yet and then maybe he can hit those signature high-notes. I keed.

All that said, there is that 17-year-old version of me in my brain that really wants to see Eddie rise from the ashes and return to former glory. Up until the fall from grace that was 'Van Halen III'...he was pretty much the epitome of cool to me. Per the press conference, this tour will supposedly bear a new album and continued working relationship...which could be interesting thinking back to the two tracks they did for the 'Best Of' album back in the mid-90's. Until then, check them out when they come to 'save' a city near you...

Sept. 27: Charlotte, N.C. (Bobcats Arena)

Sept. 29: Greensboro, N.C. (Coliseum)

Oct. 1: Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)

Oct. 7: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)

Oct. 10: Cleveland (Quicken Loans Arena)

Oct. 14: Indianapolis (Conseco Fieldhouse)

Oct. 16: Chicago (Allstate Arena)

Oct. 18: Chicago (United Center)

Oct. 22: Auburn Hills, Mich. (Palace of Auburn Hills)

Oct. 24: Minneapolis (Target Center)

Oct. 26: Kansas City, Mo. (Sprint Center)

Oct. 28: St. Louis (Scottrade Center)

Oct. 30: Boston (TD Banknorth Garden)

Nov. 3: East Rutherford, N.J. (Continental Airlines Arena)

Nov. 13: New York (Madison Square Garden)

Nov. 20: Los Angeles (Staples Center)

Nov. 23: Glendale, Ariz. (Jobing.com Arena)

Nov. 25: San Diego (Cox Arena)

Nov. 27: Sacramento, Calif. (Arco Arena)

Nov. 29: San Jose, Calif. (HP Pavilion)

Dec. 1: Portland, Ore. (Rose Garden)

Dec. 3: Seattle (Key Arena)

Dec. 5: Vancouver (GM Place)

Dec. 9: Edmonton, Alberta (Rexall Palace)

Dec. 11: Calgary, Alberta (Pengrowth Saddledome)

Then, they head off to Japan and Australia. Regardless of the actual performances, this will be freaking huge. Everybody wants some...how 'bout you?

Too...Much...ROCK!

This one goes out to my man, B.K....who has put this gem on no less than TWO mix tapes he's made for me:



That's just crazy...CRAZY AWESOME!

VAMPIRE WEEKEND

'Vampire Weekend'

The blogosphere's latest indie band du jour, Vampire Weekend sounds nothing at all like their name would suggest. You'd think you're getting Bauhaus and end up w/ a catchy-as-fuck hybrid of the Talking Heads and Paul Simon circa 'Graceland'.

Their EP is up on iTunes and, as stated, runs the gambit on sound. 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa' makes me want to bust out my dashiki, put some diamonds on the soles of my shoes and throw down a few moves that haven't seen the light of day since the Phish concert I attended back in 1997. 'Oxford Comma' is a nice little ditty complete w/ clever lyricism, a Charlie Watts-esque drum fill and a bouncy Hammond. The track that hooked me though, was the Kinks/Police sounding number 'A-Punk'.

I'm sensing a second-coming of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Spin them in the sample area yourself to see what you think. It's hook-laden as hell and I dig it better than anything by CYHSY, that's what I think.

HAPPY MONDAYS

'Uncle Dysfunktional'

Easiest. Review. Ever. Virtually unlistenable, save the leadoff single 'Jellybean'. Save your time/money, twist your melon (man) and just watch the video for 'Step On' instead...

Call the copppps.

Luuuuukkke...I'm Your Bobblehead

I'm as much of a nerd over Star Wars as any red-blooded American male my age, but i've never been one of those crazy insane fan-boys who still own a mint condition Death Star playset w/ the trash compactor monster and all. However, I have a few friends that do fit that description and this bit of news is for them (*cough* J.C. *cough*).

Everybody's favorite bobblehead manfacturer, Funko, announced a month or so ago that they signed an agreement w/ Lucas Films to produce Star Wars bobblehead products. They'll kick things off this month w/ everybody's favorite Sith lord, Darth Vader and a Clone Trooper, from (appropriately enough) Episode II: Attack of the Clones. They'll release a new set every month and upcoming releases include Boba Fett, Han Solo, Obi Wan and my main man Greedo. Speaking of Greedo, it looks like they will be doing some more of the 'cult favorites' as well, including the Jawas and Tusken Raiders (may have to pick me up one of those.).

Don't wait around too long, young Jedi, they'll retire certain 'heads' after a few months of availability. You can check out the whole she-bang at the FUNKO WEBSITE. While you're there, check out all the other cool offerings in the Funko stable...from Hanna Barbera to the Simpsons to Classic Advertising Mascots. Enjoy and may the force be w/ you, son!

After These Messages, We'll Be Right Back

That still makes me laugh every time I see it. Cooking up some other fun stuff in the lab, so stay tuned. CLICK!

VHS OR BETA

Usually, i'll wait until I have my hands on a full album to post up w/ any sort of review...but the first couple of tracks i've heard from the upcoming VHS or Beta release, 'Bring On the Comets', are proving too incredibly addictive not to start the e-pimping early.

As usual, i'm a little late to the dance on these guys and remember their last full-length, 'Night On Fire', making waves in certain musical circles back in 2004. Their take on the dance-punk genre has one foot firmly planted in 80's new wave/disco and the other in present-day indie-pop sensibilities. I saw a review that described their sound as 'Robert Smith singing over Duran Duran remixes' and, funny as it sounds, it's not only accurate...but really seems to work.

Now, listening to two of the new tracks currently making the rounds, it sounds as if they've toned down the disco leanings and amped up the rock/pop hooks for this go around. I really dig it. The power behind the pop veneer is refreshing and while bands like the Killers only dip their toe in the pool, these guys fly the new wave banner high. Bigger than that, it seems so genuine...a band that really believes in what they're playing versus trying too hard to sound like somebody else.

You can hear 'Can't Believe A Single Word' and 'Burn It All Down' in their entirety at the band's WEBSITE and/or buy the preview EP on iTunes. The website actually has some interesting 'making of' footage too, if you're into that sort of thing.

The album is slated to drop on 28-Aug...i'll review the whole thing when it becomes available. If it's anything like these tracks, it's a shoe-in for the yearly 'Best Of'.

It's On Like Voltron!

In case you haven't been able to gleen it yet from this blog...I like tennis shoes and the only thing I like more than shoes: Robots. I haven't wore a pair of Reeboks, since I rocked a pair of the hi-tops w/ the two velcro straps at the top as a Sophmore in High School. Announced back in March (thanks Complex magazine!), but available on 1-Oct, Reebok's 'Voltron Collection' could be enough to make a geek like me reconsider.

The brand has developed a pack consisting of five classic Reebok models all representing a different lion from the animated television series. The five standard RBK silhouettes represented are the Court Victory (Black Lion) Pump Omni Lite (Yellow Lion) Ventilator ( Blue Lion) ERS Racer (Green Lion) and the Insta Pump Fury ( Red Lion.) Rumor also has it that each sneaker will be accompanied by the corresponding figure so you could re-build your own freaking Voltron.

Now, I was more a Shogun Warrior kind of guy back in the day (both the toys and the Marvel comic book):

but for those of you who don't remember/know Voltron:

To honor both the kicks and...from days of long ago...from uncharted regions of the universe...a mighty robot...loved by good and feared by evil...i've thrown up the track 'Funky Voltron' by Edan the DJ (featuring Insight) from his incredible 'Beauty and The Beat' album. Step to the right and get a taste.

Heyyyyyy Peter, What's Happening?

No e-goodies today kids, we have our annual departmental Summer picnic for work. It's like a sauna out there and there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms. Rock. Free food, booze and an afternoon out of the office though...so I can't complain too much. Look for an pre-emptive pimp of the new VHS or Beta album tomorrow, the tracks i've heard off of it are tight, son! I'll save you some cole slaw.

Get Ready for This, Get Ready for This...

...c'mon party people, get ready for this! I missed the leak of the new Go! Team album, but the first single, 'Grip Like a Vice', is slammin'! Throw this into your boombox, press play and watch the drawers drop...or at least watch hands being thrown in the air, waving about like they just don't care.

If you've never given their first disc, 'Thunder Lightening Strike', a spin...you have to check it out. Like, right now. I still bust a George Jefferson to 'The Power is On' from that joint and now you can check it out in the sampler area.

DISCLAIMER: Fold-out Alfonso Ribeiro Breakin' Board not included...

Mr. Mom

I'm at home w/ the kids today, so I won't have time to post up...unless I see something interesting on Sprout TV or Nick Jr. Whoo! In my abscence, please offer up any tips on how to get toddlers to stop climbing on the couch, coffee table, TV, china cabinet and coat rack.

What I Learned Over My Summer Vacation

Actually, I barely had an actual vacation and Summer really isn't even over yet...but i'd be remiss if I didn't provide a heads-up to some things I enjoyed over the past few months and didn't get around to blog about:

4 Band Members + 11 Years of Unresolved Issues = A Fascinating Tour Doc

2004 saw one of the talked about reunion tours from one of the most seminal bands in alt-rock history. 'Loud QUIET Loud: A Film About the Pixies' documented said tour from the very beginning. Aside from the fantastic live footage that provides a testament that the band is far from being irrelevant, the behind-the-scenes footage surrounding the gigs shows a band in the midst of some crazy personal struggles and an amazing refusal to communicate w/ each other. Interesting viewing for fans and music heads in general (check out the TRAILER).

3 MC's + 1 DJ - 1DJ + 1 Money Mark + 1 Alfredo Ortiz = One Hell of a Dope Soundtrack to Backyard BBQ's

I wasn't to sure how to react to news that the new Beastie Boys album would be an all-instrumental endeavor, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised w/ the result. Hardly revolutionary and yet completely enjoyable, 'The Mix-Up' ended up being a platter chock full of meaty funk, dub, soul and latin-infused jams perfect for a Summer day. The focus is way more on vibe and sound than technique, but it dares you not to bob your head and tap your toe. Looking for a good time? Give this album a call (and check out a sample track to the right).

1 Planet Earth - 1 Joe Strummer = A Much Sadder Place

Shot by filmmaker and long-time friend Dick Rude in the 18 months leading up to his death in 2002, 'Let's Rock Again' follows Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros as they toured the U.S. and Japan in support of their second album 'Global A Go Go'. Through candid interviews, behind-the-scenes and killer performance footage...the doc paints a portrait of a genuine salt-of-the-earth blue collar working man, that just happens to be one of the most influential figures in rock'n'roll. It was both sad and inspiring, to see Joe handing out flyers on the boardwalk and making a blind visit to a radio station in order to get his latest cd on the air and attract fans to his concert. A rare gem in a business steeped in image, Joe's heart and creativity are sorely missed from today's musical landscape. I still can't believe he's gone. Check out the TRAILER.

Tin Roof? Rusted?

Just when you thought the news on the new Cult album wasn't retro enough, another one of my favorites announced a new release slated for early-2008. I realize that the B-52's may be considered a novelty act by a lot of folks (especially in 2007), but i'm thinking that a lot of those naysayers still have a bad 18-year 'Love Shack' hangover from the video showing up on MTV every 5 minutes back in the day.

For me, I can't help but smile every time I listen to tunes like 'Planet Claire', 'Lava', 'Private Idaho', 'Strobe Light', 'Song for a Future Generation', 'Summer of Love', 'Channel Z', 'Good Stuff' and 'Revolution Earth'. That's a breadth of work that belies the 'one or two-hit wonder' tag somebody can bitch rap them with based on 'Rock Lobster' or the aforementioned MTV staple.

Before anybody pegs my fervor on some sort of nostalgia trip, you have to listen to the absolutely good time rock song 'Debbie' that came as a new release on the 1998 greatest hits comp 'Time Capsule' to hear they still have their chops. Hey...it's over in the sample area, so you really have no excuse not to.

As far as the new record goes, per Fred Schneider, 11 new tracks will maintain the B-52's danceable, party vibe but will showcase some new directions: "There's more electronica on it," he said. "It's up-tempo and a bit sexed-up. It's sexier than ever." Looks like they are in post-production and will be shopping the record for a label to release it in the new year upon completion. Sexier than ever. Works for me...and, for the record, I also like chihuahuas and Chinese noodles.

AMBFAD SAMPLER BONUS TRACK: Planet Claire (LIVE) - Foo Fighters w/Fred Schneider (Supper Club/NYC/31-Oct-02)