Best Albums of 2007 So Far...

Bobby was on to something when he posted on the best albums of 2006. But why wait until the end of the year? Let's hear everybody's favorites so far. Here's my proposed top five:

1. Because of the Times - Kings of Leon

2. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire

3. Icky Thump - White Stripes

4. Sky Blue Sky - Wilco

5. We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank - Modest Mouse.

Three movie recommendations from the land where celebrities grow on trees and Lindsay Lohan's drug problems are covered in 'local' news.

1. The Waitress: Jenna is a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in the deep south. She meets a newcomer to her town and falls into an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness.

Comment: The trailer didn't interest me at all... but I'm glad I gave it a shot. It's quirky, it's got style, and Keri Russel is terrific. Here's something sad..the film is directed by and stars Adrienne Shelly who, before the film's release, was brutally murdered in her NY apt.

2. Once: A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.

Comment: I wouldn't consider this film a "musical"... just a story about musicians. All that to say, you'll want to dl the soundtrack as soon as you see the flick. This is a quiet film..the acting to incredibly subtle and moving. I loved it.

3. Paris, Je T'aime: Through the neighborhoods of Paris, love is veiled, revealed, imitated, sucked dry, reinvented and awakened.

Comment: Perfect if you're ADD. This film is literally 18 short films, by 18 directors...all stories deal with love (all types) and are set in Paris. Once you get used to the short story-telling style, it's really a good time.

Begin the countdown

The trailer has been released for Wes Anderson's new film The Darjeeling Limited. I know many of you know my less-than-enthusiastic view on The Life Aquatic. I must say that based on this trailer, I won't be disappointed again.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/thedarjeelinglimited/trailerb/

Beerhorst Relocation

Hey everybody, I'm moving to Fort Collins, Colorado! It was a difficult decision whether to go to Atlanta or Fort Collins, since both companies that I interviewed at were great. However, Fort Collins is more affordable, I know people that live there and I will get to learn new software on the company's dime. Bobby and Missy, are you ready? I'll be arriving in Colorado at the very beginning of August. I invite everybody else on this list to follow promptly.

P.S. Colorado has the biggest dinosaur tracksite in North America (in the Picketwire Canyonlands) and there is a music festival at Red Rocks called Monolith that is worth looking into.

P.S.S. Bobby, notify the single librarians of my pending arrival ASAP. Yowza!

Never Enough Media.

Hello everyone. I thought I'd make a benign post on the music buying frenzy I've been on lately. I get bored on Saturdays and it usually leads me to the record store. If I can't find anything else, I'll go to Best Buy. I live in the suburbs of Detroit (near Novi), so I must go to Dearborn, Ann Arbor, or Southfield to find any decent record stores. I was trying to find one in Southfield today and ended up at 8 mile and Dequindre (yikes). It's fun getting lost, though. Unfortunately, it got late, so I had to settle for Worst Buy.

I've been walking by the new one from The Detroit Cobras for a while. I decided to pick it up this time, and boy, it is great. Especially if you're a Detroit area native, you can feel it. It bleeds Motown. It has that strong female vocal ala Martha and the Vandellas, with a hard rock edge. Aquarius Records says it nicely... "exuding barrels of '60s girl group charm and sass coverin' old Stax and Motown gems in their own tight yet loose rock'n'roll fashion". I eat that stuff up.

Ah! And here's another great group "straight outta" Michigan. They're all originally from Ann Arbor. They're a foot stomping, accordion playing, beer drinking troupe that sings about a kind of mystical history of Michigan. The soul of the great lakes, if you will. They sing about taking their cars "across the bridge" (Mackinac). Sentimental, poppy, but in a good way. Some of their influences are ELO, David Bowie, the Beach Boys and even Iron Maiden (ahaha...I guess that ties into singing about mythical history). I saw these guys downtown Detroit at a nice, gritty venue called "The Lager House". The letters B, A, and R are spelled out in the neon on the front. There was a rockin' accordion solo! What else can I say? Oh, and a violin, too.

Jackson

So jackson I finally watched your movie "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". And as much as I hate to admit it it was pretty good:) You and I have had many conversations about democratic governments and chavez and it was nice to share in your passion and experience. So to all of you that havent seen the movie it is only an hour and fifteen minutes and well worth the time. I cannot pretend to be very knowlageable on chavez or his tenure in Venezuela although I did go with my dad to venezuela in high school and it was beautiful.

I know that things are very murky in Latin America and South America due to US involvement in various coups and uprisings to usurp Communist movements. When you watch Chavez he is inspiring and it seems that he is a man of the people and acting on their behalf, but I couldnt help thinking that he reminds me of the Charasmatic Leader that gets everyone worked into a frenzy especially the lower class and then does something crazy. Like the movie last king of Scottland or hotel Rawanda. I think that is why some people are leary of him. That is just a minor point or reflection.

The thing that got me thinking the most about the movie was the role media plays in shaping culture and history. For instance that scene in the movie where the Chavez supporters are shown shooting into the streets and the private tv stations showed that as them shooting at inocent protestors. Then the documentary showed that same scene from a different angle and it showed that the street was really empty and the chavez supporters were shooting at snipers. People are extremely succeptable to be manipulated by the media. For an entertaining movie watch "Wag The Dog". It's one of my favorites where a president starts a fake war in a studio to distract from a sex scandel. Its very funny and very thought provoking.

It is almost like the media has become a form of entertainment. They try to beat each other to the most gruseme stories. They use trailers and teasers, its sickening. But where are we to go to find information. I dont think it is too bold to say that all media outlets have some objective other than to simply inform, whether it is liberal or conservative or just to shock and sell advertising time. I want to find out more about the situation in Venezuela but i think both the american and venezuelan outlets are tainted. Thanks Jackson for the movie I appreciated it and if anyone else wants to watch it there is a link to it from Jackson's post.

300+ Raining Men

For all you fans of 300, check out this YouTube video