Wack, Wack, WACK!

I don't know which is more wack...the fact i've been too damn busy to post up w/ anything cool today OR this:

'King of Hip Hop'?! If I was black i'd say 'N**GA PLEASE'...without the asterisks even. Also note, that we're heading out of town tomorrow to visit relatives over the weekend and I don't know if i'll get around to serving up any useless crap until next week. Go outside and play. Peace.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Well, most of the time they do and, via the big Apple iDog and iPony show and coffee clutch today, it is most definitely the case for your Uncle EL.

I've been kind of casually saving some cash over the past year or so to finally upgrade my 2nd gen 20GB iPod to the most recent 30GB model. On my birthday, I finally had enough scratch/gift cards to go pick it up...but instead, I decided to wait a little while to see if they announced any new upgrades for the holiday buying season.

Lo and behold, w/ the introduction of the new touchscreen iPod (AKA the iPhone you can't make calls on)...they also announced the current 30GB would go away and there would be two 'classic' models in 80GB and 160GB. The rub is that the new 80GB is the same freaking price as the 30GB currently available at retail. I almost triple my storage space and this new version's dimensions make my current model look like a brick. Color display, better battery life and video/photo viewing as well. HELL YEAH! Thanks, Steve!

They also introduced the aforementioned touch/wide screened phoneless iPhone (iPod Touch)...really slick looking, but only 16GB of storage and you'll still have to carry your cell. Oh, it also has Wi-Fi that will be integrated w/ Starbucks...so you can purchase music playing over the stereo. Whoopee. I'll stick w/ my Venti No-Sweet Iced Coffee, thanks.

A new Nano w/ a wider display and new colors for the Shuffle were unveiled as well and they smacked the early adapters and Apple-heads upside the head by announcing they are dropping the price of the current iPhone by $200. Suckers! You can get the full DL of everything in more detail at Apple's website.

KANYE WEST

'Graduation'

*sigh* After being lured in and actually taking the hipster bait of Akira-inspired videos, Superflat album covers, Daft Punk samples, Peter/Bjorn & John mash-ups and, well, Zach Galifianakis...once I actually heard Kanye West's 'Graduation', I felt the same letdown that came w/ his past two releases. The hype-induced hangover made me feel like some wet-behind-the-ears college frosh waking up next to somebody I really had no desire to sleep with, er, listen to in the first place.

It's as I said before, I like the ethos of Kanye. I like that he doesn't follow the norm in how he carries himself amongst his contemporaries. I like that he attempts to do something different and more creative than the other hip-hop artists you actually hear on the radio. That said, aside from a few tracks here and there, i've never actually really liked his music all that much.

I shouldn't have been surprised when I had the same reaction to this release, but I really wanted to enjoy it. Things started out solid enough w/ the plaintive intro 'Good Morning' (great rhymes) and the synth-laden dancefloor burner 'Champion' and the hot-as-shit 'Stronger' that roped me into the whole damn thing. I get lost until 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' which is an enjoyable anthemic slow jam in a 'Jesus Walks Part 2' sort-of way. I lose interest again until the sunny-sounding, R&B bumper 'Glory' and the slightly-above-okay ode to remembering where you came from (Chi-town Represent!) duet w/ Chris Martin, 'Homecoming'.

Even the 5-6 tracks I actually dug, were more of an 'enjoyed on first listen but will likely never go back to' sort of way. I can honestly say the likelihood of me going back for seconds on this are slim to none...listening to too many Kanye tracks is like eating too may skittles, the sugary production makes me queasy. As rough as that review may come off, I do hope that he keeps trying to keep the hip-hop landscape interesting... because I really don't give a fuck about another 50 Cent album (cash in the 401K, Mushmouth).

Check out the leadoff track in the sample area and if you likey, buy the album when it drops next Tuesday.

Furthermore...

...as this is supposed to be a blog predominantly based around music, i'll post the following for the hat-trick:

I know that 99% of the self-respecting hipsters out there wouldn't admit to digging his music, but I can't help it. Call it a guilty pleasure, but (especially in tandem w/ the accompanying videos) most of his stuff tickles the chin of my inner-headbanger and horror/sci-fi enthusiast. Once in a while, I just want to rawk...sue me.

Speaking of...

...Rob Zombie, my buddy Kev also clued me into an animated film based on one of his comic books that will see the light of day at some point on DVD.

'The Haunted World of El Superbeasto' follows the adventures of the crime-fighting secret agent El Superbeasto (Tom Papa), a retired luchadore who has more interest in strippers than adventure, but still manages to get involved with murdering super-intelligent gorillas, Liverpudlian zombies, and Dr. Satan (Paul Giamatti), a manic depressive mad scientist with a penchant for finding the perfect woman. Joining El Superbeasto on his escapades is his sister, Suzie X (Sherri Moon Zombie), a sexy, sultry super-spy adventurer, and her sidekick, a 10-foot tall robot named Marvin (Brian Posehn), an avid fan of Barry Manilow and Michael Bolton.

"It's a beautiful-looking movie," Zombie said in a radio interview "All these animators from studios like Disney came to work on it, and [they're thrilled because] they get to work on something filthy. It's probably rated XXX now, but we'll have to cut it back to an R."

Sweet. Luchadores, monsters, robots, mad scientists, sexiness, sultriness...where do I sign up? No actual release date as of yet, but they've got a website up HERE where you can see a little more of some of the characters and (for now) little else. Looks like the short-lived comic book series that inspired it was released in it's entirety as a graphic novel back in May from IMAGE COMICS. I'll have to check that out as well and keep my eye out for a trailer once it's available.

AMBFAD, @ the Movies

As I geeked in earlier posts, my buddy Kev and I went to check out Rob Zombie's take on 'Halloween' on opening night last Friday. Considering that I don't actually got out to the movies that often, when I do get out to the movies they aren't usually horror movies (Mrs. Famous hates them), I hadn't gone to a movie w/ Kev in a bazillion years, in our High School/College years we rented 3/4 of the entire Horror section in Hometown Video AND the original film is still one of my favorites of all time...I had kind of built the whole experience up quite bit in me head.

Luckily, this modern spin on a classic was in no way disappointing and worth every penny of admission price. Not a true 're-make', the film includes a huge section of back story on Michael Myers we never saw in the original...an 'origins' piece as they'd call it the comic book world. This front half of the film was every bit as disturbing, intense, creepy and frightening as it could and should have been. Said section was also the stronger part of the film, but the new take on the fateful night in Haddonfield, IL was creepy good too.

It was a telling sign that the crowd seemed to be set for standard, schlocky horror movie fare...only to have the catcalls and laughter turn to dead silence after the first 10 minutes. If you've seen his previous two films, it is the same dark, gritty 'straight-outta-1970' aesthetic applied here that seals the deal. Not as scary or good as the original...but a great time in and of itself.

As a bonus, I think Kev and I were the only two people in the theatre who recognized the cavalcade of horror B-movie all-stars that Zombie leverages in the film...Clint Howard, Sybil Danning, Udo Kier, Richard Lynch and more all turn up on film.

Bottom line...Rob done good and, as one could challenge, resurrected the story from the shitty franchise it became after 'Halloween II'. Let's hope Hollywood doesn't use this as an opportunity to re-make all the sequels as well...that would be truly scary.

Adidas Superstar(wars)

Like I said in my earlier post about the bobbleheads, i'd consider myself a big enough Star Wars fan...but i'm hardly a fan-boy over it. Lucas killed any chance of that rekindled love affair w/ the new flicks. That said, as you all know, I AM huge fanboy when it comes to sneakers.

So, the geek in me can totally appreciate the partnership between Adidas and Lucasfilms to bring you these...

That's right...the Adidas Superstar 1 Force in both the Vader inspired dark side version and a pair for my main man Yoda w/ the light. No official release date yet, but word is they'll be released this year to commemorate the film's 30th anniversary. I'm not much on rocking a pair of all black kicks, but the details on them are pretty sweet...the official SW font on the heel, Vader on one of the tongues, the fresh starburst in-sole...check out more pics HERE (courtesy of Footurama via Gizmodo). I would consider the light versions and you can just call me Skywalker, son.

Somewhere...out there...in a comic book shop not so far, far away...there's a dude in a Stormtrooper helmet who finally has something else to fantasize about besides Carrie Fisher in the copper Leia bikini.

also...

...not sure if I dig the latest Ryan Adams album ('Easy Tiger') either, but i've been enjoying the tune 'Halloweenhead' quite a bit. Then, I saw the video for it and want to marry it. However, i'm not a Morman, so I will just have to admire it from afar. Join me...

Bollocks! (Translation: Balls!)

I'd like to say i've been too busy at work or writing the next great American novel, but I really just haven't felt like I had anything worth posting up with.

I was going to do a review of the upcoming Hard-Fi album 'Once Upon a Time In the West'...but I just kind of decided I don't think it's really that great. They kind of strike me as a more rock version of Maroon 5, except the first single ('Suburban Knights') is pretty damn catchy.

So, while I stall for something more substantial to entertain you with, enjoy the video...

1990s

'Cookies'

This album came out a month ago, but i'm just getting around to basking in it's warm, hook-laden goodness. Glasgow's 1990s (no "The' and no apostrophe) may share history (and a producer) w/ fellow Scot's Franz Ferdinand, but have a sound less angular and a lot more fun. Punchy post-punk meets Bowie/T-Rex glam-rock...think a less polished (but no less enjoyable) sounding Supergrass.

The debut album, 'Cookies', is a nearly a burner from start to finish...w/ the aptly titled 'Weed' serving as the only lull in the party. I really like the whole damn thing, but the standout tracks for me would be the opening trifecta 'You Made Me Like It', 'See You At the Lights' and 'Cult Status'...I think you'd fail a breathalyzer after more than one listen. The silliness of a majority of the lyrics hide some really clever wordplay, but this isn't an album for anybody looking for Dylan.

Not sure how they are live, but they sound like a hellofagoodtime and they hit the states in October (8-Nov @ The Empty Bottle for my fellow Chicagoans). Until then, you can take a sip in the sample area or just chug the whole damn thing on my word alone. Avail on iTunes and, most likely, your cooler neighborhood record shops.

BRUUUUUUUCE!

First single from the upcoming Springsteen release 'Magic' has been floating around the web since last week, but you can DL a high-quality version of 'Radio Nowhere' for FREE from iTunes. The riff kind of reminded me of 'Message In a Bottle', but I didn't hold that against it. A nice guitar-driven rock tune, perfect for a road trip or a break from the barrage of indier-than-thou stuff beaming from the WWW.

Supposedly, after the past few stoic-sounding releases, 'Magic' is a decidedly rock album almost from cover to cover. Recorded w/ the E-Street Band and w/ Brendan O'Brien at the helm production-wise, could be a nice straight-forward CD to get you through the fall. Drops on 2-Oct-07 and, surprisingly, i'm interested to hear it.

Furthermore...

...while we are on the subject of graphic novels and horror movies out in October. '30 Days of Night' helmed by legendary Sam Raimi looks pretty awesome too:

NICE! Don't be scared...some music stuff coming your way shortly as well.

Oooooooohh...SCARY

Finally got around to watching '300' on DVD over the weekend and it was just as awesome as everybody said it was. Visually stunning...like the graphic novel it was based upon come to life.

Even better, caught the preview for what looks like a fun horror flick called 'Trick R' Treat'...

Hadn't even heard of it until now, but I guess it's kind of a 'Tales of the Crypt' or 'Creepshow' meets 'Pulp Fiction' type thing w/ 4-5 different stories all woven together in one film taking place on Halloween Night. Whatever the deal is, it looks like a lot of fun. Hits theatres on 5-Oct-07.

Speaking of 'Halloween'...just four more days ('Silver Shamrock!') until we'll be seeing the updated version from Mr. Zombie. Can't wait!

Waterworld!

So, after joking about the weather in my last post, the reality of the storm that swept through the Chicagoland area hit me like a ton of bricks on the ride home from work. My 30-45 minute drive took two hours and there was flooded roadways/streets everywhere. I swore to God I saw Sean Penn in a motorboat handing out diapers and cans of Spaghettios. We ended up w/ a slightly flooded garage, lack of cable/phone/internet and that was about it.

My 2-3 hours of bailing out water was nothing though...tons of houses throughout our neighborhood are still without power. Our babysitter lost power on Thursday night and their sump pump didn't trip on to save their flooding basement, then they were w/out power for days. A Jewel food store in the same area had to toss out all of their refrigerated items.

Even all that is nothing to what people are experiencing in other areas near the Fox Lake and Des Plains river...whole neighborhoods and towns are just in shambles. Luckily, we've been dry most of the day today and will continue to be so until Tuesday, getting back into the 90's. Our AC units blew out at some point today, so that's what we'll be dealing w/ tomorrow. I'll likely get back to things a little more fun later this week, until then...seriously...STAY DRY!

Holy Doppler!

Crazy. Freaking. Weather. Damn. When I called Mrs. Famous to check in at home, she told me they were under a Tornado Warning. I was sooo close to responding with:

'Jo. Things go wrong. You can't explain it, you can't predict it. You gotta move on. Stop living in the past, and look what you got right in front of you.'

Her name isn't Jo and I decided to refrain. Anyhow, today, that's all I got...i'll try harder tomorrow. STAY DRY!

New Foo for You!

Wow. Seriously, watch the whole vid for the new-ish single ('The Pretender') and wait for the payoff...

I was and maybe still am a little meh on the track itself, but Dave seems to work w/ some incredible folks when it comes to their videos. I haven't heard the full album yet, but it was produced by Gil Norton who was at the boards for most of the Pixies releases. I've always been a big Foo Fighters fan and lord knows how much I love the Pixies...hopefully, it'll be one of those 'hey, your chocolate it is in my peanut butter' experiences. I'll check it out at some point and let you know. Foo!

While We're Talking New Wave...

Thought i'd post this absolutely fantastic video for Alice Cooper's stab at new wave: 'Clones (We're All)'. Very high-concept and the german (?) subtitles add to the experience. It's actually a great tune...Smashing Pumpkins even covered it at some point. Anyways, wrap yourself in tinfoil and enjoy!

'I just wanna' be myself, I just wanna' be myself.'

VHS or Beta

'Bring On the Comets'

A while back, I pretty much provided a full review of VHS or Beta's 'Bring On the Comets' based on the two singles I had heard at that point. I've finally had a chance to spin the entire album a few times and i'm really digging it.

While their previous releases had them doing a spot-on Duran Duran, this release finds them trying to throw in a little U2 (or at least maybe Simple Minds?) as well. The new wave leanings are still there and pretty infectious...but they've added some chugging guitars on some of these tracks that would make the most straight-forward rock fan take notice.

To boil it down, the 80's infused indie sound makes me feel like i'm 13 again at age 36. Definitely one of the most enjoyable listens i've had so far this year. Already posted the link to stream the first two singles in the previous post, but you can also check the title track in the sample section. Better than that, you can hear the entire thing at their myspace page. Album drops this coming Tuesday, so buy it then!

Hate to Say...

...i'm way too freaking busy today. In lieu of anything monumental, you can check out the new Hives single, 'Tick Tick Boom', in the sample area. I find it quite rocking and forewarn it may induce scissor kicking and/or that weird Mick Jagger shimmy dance.

Bonus Party Cut

Okay. Had to throw in his 'Steak' bit from his 'Feeling Kind of Patton' album as well. Again, NSFW at all...but fucking hilarious. Not enough? Okay. Chickity-check the following clip from the 'Comedians of Comedy':