Happy Birthday...Happy Birthday.

I'm teetering between 'I can't belive they are two already' and 'oh my god, they're only two'...either way, i'd like to give a HUGE birthday shout-out to both Lo and O.

Fatherhood is an amazing thing. Amidst brother vs. brother steel-cage grudge matches, high-decibel tantrums that make the neighborhood dogs whine and an impromtu emergency-room visit/hospital stay...there have been so many moments where I have never felt more blessed.

At least for me, there is no greater adventure than being a parent and I couldn't ask for two better kids to go on it with. It isn't the 'Cars' soundtrack, but as both seem to appreciate busting the occasional move to a good new wave tune...enjoy some Altered Images to the left in their honor.

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY ME BOYOS!!!

WILCO 15-FEB-08

I actually got out of the house last Friday and attended Night #1 of Wilco's 'Winter Residency' at the Riviera. For those of you who don't follow the band, they are midway through a five night stand where they are 'attempting' to play every song recorded as part of an official Wilco release...LIVE.

Considering the band has nine studio albums (counting both 'Mermaid Avenue's and 'Being There's as a double-album) and a line-up vastly different than what it started with...it really is a cool concept, especially for fans that have followed them for a while.

It ended up being a great show that, after a slight cooling of my interest in the band based on their most recent album, kind of rekindled my love of both their music and seeing said music played live. My favorite Wilco tune of all time ('Shot in the Arm') was the second tune of the set and the version of 'Can't Stand It' (w/ a horn section!)from the same album was amazing.

My only complaints would have to be the setlist heavy in material from 'Sky Blue Sky' and the sound itself that seemed way too loud/muddy. Oh, the subzero temperatures outside kind of sucked too. The setlist for the Saturday show was even better, so my guess is these shows will follow suit.

As all the reamaining shows are sold out, you can actually listen to tomorrow night's show via a LIVE broadcast on WXRT...93.1FM on your Chicago radio dial or streaming on the web HERE.

SUPER POST-GRAMMY WRAP-UP COVERAGE!

Okay, actually, I watched 'Rock of Love 2' on VH1 instead. Thanks to the magic of the WWW, I was able to boil it down to the following:

Despite becoming the UK equivalent to Britney in the crazy department, (unlike Britney) Amy Winehouse IS talented and swept enough awards to prove it.

They didn't nab statues of overall Record or Song of the Year nods, but the Foo Fighters (rightfully) grabbed 'Best Rock' honors and injected some life into the ceremony.

Finally, as overblown as I think Ye is, he grabbed 'Best Rap' and threw down a burner of a performance w/ Daft Punk on what I still may think is the jam of the year (despite me not feeling the album at all).

Whee! Pretty much all I needed to know. See you next year!

Don. Cornelius.

Props to my main man (Heyyy) Peter (What's Happening?), for tracking down what may be the most awesome piece of video i've seen since the shower scene in 'Sixteen Candles'. Watch and learn kids...

That's right. OBAMA/CORNELIUS 2008!

Plus Bonus Party Cut Redux!

In what should be a snow day, I braved the elements to head into work...now i'm regretting it. As i'll be heading right back home after a presentation I have this morning, here's a quick treat to go along w/ my last post. STAY SAFE!

Rev. Organdrum w/ RHH bassist Jimbo Wallace (AKA 'The Jimbos') on the upright doing an extended lounge version of the RHH classic 'The Devils Chasing Me'...

REVEREND ORGANDRUM

'Hi-Fi Stereo'

This album hit the radar at an opportune time, as i've been deep into a month-long obsession w/ instrumental surf, exotica, space-age pop, lounge...basically, just about anything w/ a retro bent to it. Seriously. I've been devouring everything old and new from Man or Astroman?! to Esquivel...Yma Sumac to Los Straitjackets...The Bomboras to Martin Denny...and so on.

Reverend Organdrum is the side-project of everybody's favorite psychobilly provocateur, Jim Heath (better known as Reverend Horton Heat). Rounded out by Tim Alexender on the Hammond organ and drummer Todd Soesbe, this album is in stark contrast to the Rev's main gig...but just as fun. Replacing frantic roots-rock odes to vice and sin are more cool, composed (mostly) instrumental covers of everything from surf, 60's soul, jazz, blues and even vintage movie themes.

The whole album is a great listen from front to back, but stand-outs for me include a hauntingly twangy take on Henry Mancini's 'Experiment in Terror', spot-on renditions of a couple of Booker T. & The MG's classics in 'Can't Be Still' and 'Time is Tight' and a velvety version of The Rascals 'Groovin'.

Rather than post a track straight off of the actual album, enjoy a sample of the trio's blistering live jam on Duane Eddy's 'Moovin' N' Groovin' to the right. The album has been out since 8-Jan, so you can purchase it via your favorite methodology...hop to it!

Blech.

What a freaking week. Both boys went to the ER last Monday...Owen was released w/ Bronchitis, but Logan was admitted to the hospital for almost three days w/ pneumonia. Everybody is at home and doing well after a period of inhaler/roid rage.

Worst part of everything, due to Lo's recent obsession w/ the Disney/Pixar flick 'Cars', I think I heard the following tune at least 47 times...

...and I think I started to like it. Then again, I didn't actually have to see the band itself when it's in the movie. Seriously, exactly WTF is a Rascal Flatt?! More poop on the way later this week. Stay healthy.

ASOBI SEKSU

'Stay Awake' (7" Single)

I totally missed this when it was released back at the tail-end of September 2007, so thanks to SPIN magazine for pimping it in their 'Download This' section of this month's issue. 'Citrus', the 2006 LP from modern shoegazer's Asobi Seksu, ended up being one of my favorite releases that year and I was excited to check out something a bit more recent.

'Stay Awake' is another wonderful, nearly epic, slice of post-dream-pop on par w/ anything from the aforementioned long-player, definitely worth DL'ing (avail on iTunes, etc.)...but the true gem comes in the form of the perfect B-Side. 'And Then He Kissed Me' was a Phil Spector classic originally performed by The Crystals and proves to be an even cooler cover done up w/ some touches of shoegaze. Vocalist Yuki delivers the goods on a performance as classic as the song itself.

Even better, the single was recorded as part of Gigantic Recordings 7" series and can be ordered in limited edition gate fold picture sleeve w/ the vinyl goodness nestled inside. Check out the homage to 60's Asian pop 45's and classic American girl group art tickling my retro-loving fancy at the microsite set up HERE. So, take a listen to the B-side to the left, check out the site and order up one for yourself. Tasty!

Stylin'. Profilin'. Whoo.

Sorry kids, i've been busy at work and really haven't had much to post up w/ anyhow...but i'm working on some stuff. Until then, please enjoy some words of wisdom from my sensei, the Nature Boy...

BOB MOULD

'District Line'

That's right, bitches...TWO reviews in one day! Alongside the previous post, the upcoming release from one of alt-rock's elder statesmen, Bob Mould, has provided me w/ some great music to ring in the new year.

I think since his last dalliance w/ an actual group effort w/ Sugar, Bob's fans have had a tumultuous love/hate relationship w/ his musical output and, while i've personally enjoyed a large part of it, 'District Line' will probably continue to fan those flames. With the announcement of every new album has come the inevitable foreshadowing of a 'return to form' of earlier work...most of it based more in hopeful prognosticating than fact.

Some early reviews of/e-buzz around the album are tagging it as everything from Sugar-esque to 'Workbook' meets 'Modulate' and those renderings aren't untrue. That said, it's only part of the story and sound. Equal parts of everything he has ever done are combined w/ an obviously more seasoned sensibility in his songwriting...both musically and lyrically.

From the opening track, 'Stupid Now', it's apparent that Bob still knows his way around a hook...if not that he knows it SO well the song borders on being pop. 'Who Needs To Dream' is another successful exercise in that sweeping acoustic/electric interplay and contemplative ballad 'Old Highs, New Lows' retains enough power in it's musicality that it somehow still ends up 'rocking'. Following up the blistering 'Return to Dust' is the lead off single 'The Silence Between Us', that finds that signature Mould-groove about the frailties of relationships peppered w/ angry busts of laser-sharp electric guitar riffing.

The rest of the disc continues the lush Mould arrangements in fine form w/ the only weak spot being the dancey 'Shelter Me'...not a bad tune, just pretty so-so amidst the rest of the more substantial songs on the album. My only other complaint, one that has been made about a lot of recorded work, is that the vocals are often over-modulated unnecessarily and, worse yet, completely buried in the mix...but I get past that more and more w/ each listen.

I enjoyed his last album while a lot of others seemed underwhelmed, the calls of a 'return to form' may have finally come to fruition w/ 'District Line'...even scarier, these songs will probably become even weightier live. Wear some earplugs for the tour in March and until then and the album's official release on 2-Feb, get a taste in the sample area.

HELIO SEQUENCE

'Keep Your Eyes Ahead'

Well, only several weeks into the new year and I actually have an album (or two) to review. Luckily, the upcoming Sub-Pop release from Helio Sequence is an absolutely fantastic way to kick off 2008. Hope the rest of the year can keep up!

Anyhow, I actually just got into the band a little bit before Thanksgiving and their previous release, 'Love & Distance', had taken up some prime listening time since then. Said album, found the band evolving from a Radiohead/My Bloody Valentine-lite to more of an early U2/Cure w/ a twist of Postal Service type thing...more focus on well-structured compositions than an electronic wall of sound.

'Keep Your Eyes Ahead' continues down that path of more mature sound. While I really enjoyed the beautiful cacophony of 2001's 'Young Effectuals' and suggest checking it out, I think it's made me appreciate the craftsmanship found on the subsequent releases a bit more.

The opener, 'Lately', just soars...the chiming guitars and minimalist (but rock solid back beat) give way to additional aural flourishes that seem ready to explode into something massive at any time, but never does. The dark pop rolls on from there and at times, on the two tracks that follow, almost bounces...never truly danceable, but it grooves.

The glitch-folk of 'You Can Come to Me' and down tempo (but wonderful) balladry of 'Shed Your Love' offer a bit of a breather, before you are thrust headfirst into the musically jogging title track. The rest of the album continues to impress (especially the uplifting 'Hallelujah') until the final track, 'No Regrets'...not a brad track, but just a bit too campfire sing-songy to feel necessary in the overall context.

Bottom line, I always love it when I get my hands on a truly good album's worth of material by an artist...and this is one of those instances. I've heard they are great live as well, but for now...you can check out their latest recorded work on 29-Jan. Trust me, you'll fall in love with it...check out a sample to the left and you'll see what I mean.

More Coming Attractions

Woefully behind on posting up w/ trailers for upcoming flicks i'm kind of geeked to check out, so let's remedy that. I'd really like to check out 'Cloverfield' this weekend, but the buzz from the mysterious trailer released last Summer has kind of worn off. Some others i'm looking forward to...

10,000 B.C. (7-Mar-08)

Prehistoric epic blockbuster by the same dude who did 'Independence Day'. Looks like it is chock full of some great FX and kind of has that '300' feel to it...just in a much larger scope. Could be a lot of fun.

Speed Racer (9-May-08)

C'mon...it's Speed Racer for Christ's sake. I would jet home after school just to catch the cartoon, it was one of my favorites. Funny enough, I was not as enamored w/ the Wachowski brothers/Matrix phenomenon...but I do like how this kind of keeps the anime/cartoon aesthetic and breakneck pace of the series.

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (11-Jul-08)

I saw the first one in the theatre and it was almost too much story to wrap my head around amidst the beautiful FX and cinematography. Repeated viewings since then and some dabbling in the comic book it's based on, have made this one of my most anticipated flicks of the Summer (and w/ Batman, Iron Man and The Hulk that's saying something).

Save me an aisle seat, hopefully i'll get out of the house to enjoy some of these. Whee!

BEST OF 2007

Hey kids...Happy New Year. A little late on that, but it has been a whirlwind the past few weeks between the holidays, the passing of my Grandfather and a trip out to the big Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. I'll spare you the details, outside of a surreal moment in our booth that I realized I was explaining some of our product to the great Sheila E!

That said, before I lose my music blogging license, I figured I better post up w/ the obligatory 'Best of 2007' list. To note, a better title would be 'Music I Most Enjoyed in 2007' as there is no way in hell I can find the time to listen to everything that comes out nowadays and, really, who the hell cares what I think?! I will say that a few of these were indeed good enough to stand up to a majority of releases that did make most of the lists and ALL are worth checking out. So, without any further delay...

1. Miracle Fortress - 'Five Roses'

2. Spoon - 'Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga'

3. The Cult - 'Born Into This'

4. Band of Horses - 'Cease to Begin'

5. Ohmega Watts - 'Watts Happening'

6. The National - 'Boxer'

7. Amy Winehouse - 'Back to Black'

8. Foo Fighters - 'Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace'

9. Beastie Boys - 'The Mix-Up'

10. Mobius Band - 'Heaven'

A few surprises...at least for me. The fact that I was able to get past all of the tabloid bullshit/really enjoy the Amy Winehouse album and eventually growing to love the new Beasties record threw me for a loop. While not at all that e-cool to include either on my list, the new Cult and Foo Fighters records helped me rekindle my love of the rock music in a big way and ended up getting a lot of ear time.

Spoon released a fantastic follow up to their previous (and my least favorite) release. Band of Horses and The National, even with most music bloggers decrying their offerings as inferior to previous releases, were too good not to give year-end props. My man Ohmega Watts stepped it up w/ a musically diverse slice of awesomeness and blew away any notion of the sophomore slump. A new discovery for me in Mobius Band spent a lot of time on the stereo and, finally, the sweet, sunny pop of Miracle Fortress held the top spot from first listen.

A new year and hopefully a lot of good music to look forward to...I guess that'll reamin to be seen. I finally got my 80GB iPod Classic for x-mas, so i'll have plenty of room. More fun stufff on the way...to 2008 and beyond!

Dear Grandpa,

Rest in Peace. You lived life a so full and touched so may people...it will never really feel like you are no longer with us. Say hello to Grandma for us now that you are together, we all love you very much.

With Love,

Your Little Buddy

Merry Christmas!

May the holiday find you happy and full of good cheer! All the best from your Uncle EL and the rest of the Famous Family Singers...PEACE (on Earth and good will towards man)!

MORE MURRAY SANTA MAYHEM!

So, several years after the financial success of the original 'Santa Claus' movie in the previous post, Murray played Dr. Frankenstein to another horrendous classic in 'Santa Claus and His Helpers'. Padded mercilessly with scratchy footage from the original Santa movie, and surrounded by abysmal, filmed-in-the-US silent footage worthy of bad home movies, this short film was actually released theatrically as a feature!

The crux of the 'story' is that Santa Claus and Merlin the Magician visit their feuding pals, Stinky the Skunk and Ferocious Wolf, on Earth. Santa and Puss 'n Boots convince Stinky and Wolf to put aside their grievances and prepare for Christmas. Stinky is put in charge of Santa's modern toy factory. Plus, the mysterious use of the 'Fifth Dimension' is unveiled once again to give the story that whole creepy occult thing that ended up a Murray trademark. Confused? Don't feel bad...while I love it, so am I.

To add some local flavor for those in the Chicagoland area, the new scenes shot in the US took place on location at the three Santa's Village amusement parks...including the one in Dundee, IL (represent)! Two more films followed, including 'Santa's Magic Kingdom' and 'Santa's Enchanted Village'...both pretty much following the same formula and storyline.

Want to check out the insanity for yourself? Unfortunately, I can't find 'Santa's Helpers' anywhere and there isn't any fun MST3K commentary, but you can enjoy the following in their entirety nonetheless...

'SANTA'S MAGIC KINGDOM'

PART 2

'SANTA'S ENCHANTED VILLAGE'

PART 2

...and be sure to visit the go-to-website for all things K. Gordon Murray: THE WONDER WORLD OF K. GORDON MURRAY and read up further on a slew of movies that led one theatre-chain owner to reportedly dub the Florida producer, 'Disney from Hell.'

MURRAY CHRISTMAS!

K. Gordon Murray was a Florida-based producer and distributor of low-budget motion pictures. From the late 1950's through the mid 1970's, he released approximately 66 films...many of them imported from Mexico and re-dubbed for US release. The films ran the gambit from horror to kiddie/family matinee to exploitation/grindhouse...and most of them elevated Murray into legendary status amongst cult film aficionados.

The reason i'm posting up about him now though...a series of crazy Santa Claus movies rivaled only by his run-in w/ martians mentioned in earlier posts. The original 'Santa Claus' was imported from Mexico, re-dubbed/re-released in the US and finds Santa in battle w/ the Devil...yes, as in Lucifer, Beelzebub, SATAN. I'm not joking...

See? Not only does he thwart the Devil's minions and makes sure Christmas goes off w/out a hitch, but he does so w/ the help of Merlin...yes, the magician...and powers drawn from the mysterious and powerful 'Fifth Dimension'. Folklore, religion and the occult incredulously intertwine for the entire family! Truly a creepy and beautiful mess, it has to be seen to be believed.

Luckily for you, this film received the MST3K treatment as well! It's broken up into nine parts, w/ (again) links organized nicely, below. Different host, same great holiday taste:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Great stuff. Insane and a lot of fun...but it doesn't stop there. What would you say to meeting 'Santa Claus and His Helpers'? How about visiting not only 'Santa's Magic Kingdom' ...but his 'Enchanted Village' as well?!

If the answer is 'F**K YEAH I WOULD!' then stay tuned for the next post where we'll delve even further into Murray's warped Christmas vision.

HOORAY! HO-HO-HOLIDAY MIX 2007!

Alrighty Dalek faithful, the fat man is only 8 days away from making his way down your chimney (with glee) and your Uncle EL producly presents to you his (semi) annual audio stocking stuffer for your holiday listening pleasure.

Hang some missletoe, chill some Cranberry Sierra Mist, cue this bad boy up on the hi-fi and then curl up w/ your sweetie on the faux bearskin rug by the fire...

'HOLIDAY MIX 2007: THEIR SANTANIC MAJESTIES REQUEST'

Hooray for Santy Claus! - Milton DeLugg & The Little Eskimos

Father Christmas - The Kinks

Rock 'N' Roll Santa - Little Joey Farr

Come On Christmas - Cheap Trick

Linus and Lucy - Game Theory

Super Sunny Christmas - Red Kross

Sleigh Ride - The Three Suns

Christmas Wish - NRBQ

Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

Donde Esta Santa Claus? - Guster

Frosty the Snowman - Man or Astroman?

Christmas Boogie - The Davis Sisters

Waking Up on Christmas Morning - The Smithereens

Eggnog - Luna

Merry X-mas Everybody - Oasis

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Los Straitjackets

I Believe In Father Christmas - Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Auld Lang Syne - Esquivel

The New Year - Death Cab for Cutie

Mmmm, that's good stuff. Burn a copy, make your own cover and pass it off as your own to friends and family in lieu of a real gift...leave one for Santa next to his milk and cookies...use it as a coaster for Uncle Louie's eggnog...whatever you decide to do with it, have some holiday fun and ENJOY!

I think I still have a few more gifts in my big magic bag, so hang tight...more yuletide poop is on the way!

This Is No Laughing Matter...

First full trailer for the upcoming 'Dark Knight' flick is online HERE...and, if you think that looks good, check out THIS little x-mas gift that showed up early before the imax showing of 'I Am Legend'. Seriously, wow.

A Caroling We Will Go

I love Christmas music and when I say that I love Christmas music, I mean I love all TYPES of Christmas music. You can't beat the traditional stuff ala Mel Torme, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, etc...but this time of year, I also find myself on a quest to find holiday tunes you won't hear while shopping for a last-minute fruitcake at Walgreen's. Be it modern covers of the classics to originals of their own modern bent, it's an obsession that comes up each and every year.

Much of the latter usually finds it's way to my annual holiday mix, but while you wait for me to post up w/ this years audio gift bag to get the sugar plums dancing in your head (look to the skies early next week)...here are a few standouts of a non-traditional variety for you to check out:

'Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus'

An excellent compilation from the Sympathy for the Record Industry label, this'll incite you to cover yourself in x-mas lights and set the tree on fire just to watch it burn. Well, maybe not that excited...but you'll have a lot of fun w/ new tunes and new takes on old tunes served up in surf/garage/punk rock wrapping from artists like Rocket from the Crypt, New Bomb Turks, Man or Astroman, Mono Men, Supersuckers and Go-Nuts just to name a few.

'Tis' the Season for Los Straitjackets'

Instrumental versions of x-mas classics performed in a surf rock manner by an amazing band wearing Mexican wrestling masks...what's not to love? Really though, Los Straitjackets are no novelty act and bring forth a wonderful sounding uptempo holiday album that will have the entire family twisting by the chimney with care. One of my personal favorites.

'Merry X-mas from the Space-age Bachelor Pad'

I have been on a big space age pop/lounge kick as of late and thanks to my good friend, Miss Yvonne, I finally got my hands on the fantastic holiday offering from the genre's King himself, Esquivel. A mess of big-sounding lounge-esque holiday magic complete w/ instrumentalization using everything but the kitchen sink and plenty of POW DOO DOO ZA ZA ZA ZOOOOOOO-WOW! Can be enjoyed ironically or for the fun album it actually is at any 'holiday happening'.

The first two are availble via iTunes and you can pick up a copy of the third on Amazon or, likely, other means of an e-variety if you look hard enough. I'll have a lot more musical fun for you all w/ the holiday mix early next week...kids on the naughty list get first dibs.