December 2004

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December 30, 2004

FRAN'S TOP 13 OF 2004

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO:
• 13: ADA Blondie
  When the big boys (M.Mayer, Superpitcher) can't seem to do it, let a girl show them how its done. It joins Alcacholfa and Leave Luck To Heaven in showing that dance artists can make damn fine full length albums.

• 12: SPRING HEEL JACK The Sweetness of Water
  Who would have ever thought that 2 drum n' bass musicians would pick up instruments and make free improvisation jazz with some of the best in the business. Their Thirsty Ear Blue Series continues to impress.
• 11: TOWER RECORDINGS Galaxies Incredibly Sensual Transmission Field
  The original new-school-free-folkers (yeah, I know) are back and showing the kids how it is done. Sunburned Hand of the Man, take note.
• 10: THE NEW YEAR The End Is Near
  This gem is the subtlest rock album I have heard this year. So subtle that, unfortunately, it got severely overlooked. The sadness and disappointment that permeates within this album was a joy to listen to this year. With songs about death as a metaphor for the end of love, life and innocence, it was the soundtrack to my year. Also worth mentioning is the creative guitar work. With a lot of guitar interplay weaving through the songs, subtlety is definitely the keyword. Songs even have the chorus done just once! Listen to this beauty 3 times in a row and you will understand its majesty. At just 30 minutes, it is best as the sum of its parts. It feels like it is one song. The guitar solo at the end is almost a fifth of the length of the whole album. I can't remember the last time I heard such a fucking romantic solo. Just beautiful.
• 09: DEVENDRA BANHART Rejoicing In The Hands
  The boy genius' second album this year is also his strongest to date. Devendra almost makes me wish I was a hippy again. Almost.
  
• 08: AZITA Life On The Fly
  Oh man, am I in love. Unfortunately, she is better known for being John McIntire's girlfriend than for making superb, complex and daftly sinister jazzy piano ballads --not to mention for being an incredible pianist in her own right. With help of Chicago's finest, this record is a treat for those who are smart enough to pick it up.
• 06: WILLIAM BASINSKI The Disintegration Loops (Disc 1)
  A collection of ambient tape loops Basinski made 20 years ago rediscovered. Only time has begun to destroy the tapes and we get to hear it happen. The results are as sublime and genuine as the inescapable process itself.
• 05: RADIAN Juxtaposition
  To me, Radian are one of the leaders in the European new school of heavily studio processed electronic/improv/postrock. As opposed to the Nordic non-studio processed electronic/improv/postrock music of bands such as the awe-inspiring Supersilent The drummer, who is also in Trapist, deserves plenty of accolade for the great jazzy drumming chops that brings human warmth to the superb electronic sound scapes around him. This was made with help from Chicago's master producer/Azita boyfriend, John McIntire.
• 04: MICE PARADE Obrigado Saudade
  Another example of new school postrock is the one man arranger. Mice Parade, along with the like minded Polmo Polpo, are true visionaries that create music so wonderfully modern because they absorb everything and thensome. This particular album is very Brazilian influenced (duh) and includes a cover of a remix of one of his old songs by Jim O'Rourke. Dazzling.
• 03: ALBERT AYLER Holy Ghost Box Set (Disc 6: Coltrane's Funeral)
  A long time coming, this is quite possibly the most amazing box set ever made. What makes it even more special is that it is for one of the most deserving musicians imaginable. I can't even begin to describe the quality of whats inside this homage to the greatest saxophonist to ever grace this world and the one beyond. My favorite disc is the private recording of Albert Ayler and his rag tag band performing at private ceremony for John Coltrane's funeral. The master weeps for his best student. Proof once again that free jazz lovers are the fairest in all the land.
• 02: LIARS They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
  Alright, best moment working at a record store this year: (bosses, please don't read) Turning the volume all the way UP and blasting They Were Wrong. (Which was banned from store play during the day, might I add) By the time track 7 hit its stride, I was screaming and banging on the register and on whatever I could find while jumping up and down and chanting like a maniac. I know my friend Steve was watching from a safe distance far off in a corner with a smile on his face. Needless to say, not a single customer remained. What does this band do when they get pegged the future kings of the upcoming dance punk TM craze? They say 'fuck off, dance punk is for cunts.' and listen to a shitload of Throbbing Gristle and release the best concept album of the year. Its about witches, man. Rolling Stone gave this a 0. Fuck yeah, its that good.
• 01: BATTLES 3 EPs
  El Espiritu De Don Caballero. The phoenix rises from its ashes and all is good across the land. The future is here now. HOLY SHIT X 3.

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OTHER NOTABLES:
• White Magic: Through The Sun Door
• Joanna Newsom: Milk-Eyed Mender
• Franz Ferdinand: Franz Ferdinand
• Fennesz: Venice
• Philip Jeck: 7
• Deathprod: Morals & Dogma & Box Set
• McLusky: The Difference Between You and Me Is That I Am Not On Fire (R.I.P. you sassy fucks.)
• Pan Sonic: Kesto
• Air: Talkie Walkie

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QUICK NOTES:
• Once again, LCD Soundsystem has the single of the year. Yeah.
• I loved Madlib and MF Doom's work so much in 2003 that I still haven't given Madvillainy a proper listen. (Al was right, its all about King Geedorah.) I also have yet to listen to the proper Smile release. (Man, Brian Wilson releases Smile and Jandek makes a live appearance in the same year -- is this a sign of the apocalypse???)
• I couldn't get into the Pitchfork Hype TM of the Junior Boys and Arcade Fire. It is also noteworthy to add that I completely gave up on Pitchfork this year. Still no love for the Streets or that shitty as fuck, M83.

Posted by Fran at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 26, 2004

movies updated

So I just finished watching the Life Aquatic. It was a complete mess. I am beginning to have some bad realizations about Wes Anderson. I rewatched The Royal Tenenbaums last night and realized that that was a mess as well. But it somehow worked. I don't think The Life Aquatic even had a chance of being a good film because of some horrible script decisions. (the pirate scenes, last helicopter scene) It hit me really hard how dark and sadistic Wes Anderson has become. Wes simply cannot do violence. At best, he comes off incredibly pretentious. The naivitee I loved in Rushmore is nowhere to be seen anymore. Max Fischer could never write a scene where Buckley the dog gets run over by a junkie. Granted, Wes will always be a joy to watch because of his meticulous production sets and superb music selection. I just don't think I believe in the guy anymore. Also, hearing Sigur Ros in a Wes Anderson film is just plain weird/wrong.

In a better note, I also finally watched Sideways. It was everything everyone has said about it. Very understated and touching. It is quite possible my favorite film of 2004 despite the fact that it "steals" the last shot of the first movie I am writing. (Though mine is better, HA) It may not be the most original or creative film to ever grace the screen, but it was perfectly acted and perfectly directed and should be rewarded for that.

I hate to say that Bad Education also dissapointed as well. It might just be that we are used to the creative whirlwind of madness that is an Almodovar!. But in all honesty, there really wasn't much of the inspiring storytelling in this one. Perhaps it is asking too much of him. The last few scenes did finally manage to play like really great film noir though.

Posted by Fran at 06:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 14, 2004

fran goes to the movies

So umm, yeah...

The end of the year requires bloggers to dish out some lists. That and the fact that I mention on top that I am supposed to write about film. Unfortunately, I can't say much as far as best films of 2004 go but I'll give it a try nonetheless. I have yet to watch the films that I have been even remotely interested in seeing. Worse still, the films that I really want to watch haven't even been released yet. Cinema, at least in America is in a very sorry state right now. East Asia has become the dominant force in film. However, the biggest problem in America begins with distribution:

Films that I should have been allowed to see.
(The one night screenings don't count)

01: 2046. Wong Kar Wai is currently my favorite modern director. He has official ownership of my soul after In the Mood for Love. Wong Kar Wai is quite possibly the most romantic person alive. And it takes a lot to make me cry because of that subject matter nowadays.
02: Bad Education. Almodovar. 'Nuff said. Why on earth can I not see this and 2046. Even more proof that Americans have absolutely no taste. How can this film not be screened everywhere after how amazing (and well received for that matter) his last two (err, eight) films were.
03: Undertow. After George Washington & All the Real Girls, how can David Gordon Green go wrong. I mean he knew enough to stop making Confederacy of Dunces instead of making some half-assed version. In the artistic world of the make them and take them down mentality, this man is too smart even for my petty cynicism.
04: Twillight Samurai. At least I have it on my upcoming Netflix cue. Even though it will take a while.
05: Goodbye Dragon Inn. Tsai is further proof of Asia's resurgence of dominance of film these past few years. Though once again I must point out that I fucking hate Japanese Yakuza/gore-action cinema. For crying out loud, this man made a musical about the impending end of the world!!

Films that I should have seen:

01: Sideways. Why haven't I seen this yet? (Election) Oh yeah. (About Schmidt)
02: Finding Neverland. Nobody wanted to see it with me.
03: After Sunset. I guess my heart is too bitter to see this yet.
04: Million Dollar Baby. I have the utmost respect for Mr. Eastwood. I mean, he's fuckin' UNFORGIVEN man!

Finally the Films that I did see:

01: Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman. So beautiful. Takeshi is a marvelous actor/director. How can such a man with such a violent streak love people so much? Though the end segment left my friends confused, I was smiling the whole way. This man loves.
02: Shaun of the Dead. So VERY funny. Notice how even British losers are smarter than American losers. British Zombies too.
03: The Incredibles. More action, better characters, and less CGI than Spiderman 2!
04: Eternal Sunshine. Not bad at all. For yet another Kaufman flick. It was definitely a very good movie but many elements in Kaufman's scripts keep on getting recycled. It would be better for us all if he would take a break. I'm sure you no longer need money that bad. Maybe learn from David Gordon Green. Oh and Gondry you sly dog, Kirsten Dunst wouldn't let you film her topless but you managed to make her one of the most visually pleasing women ever caught on film. (Not that it took much work, just a tank top) Suggestion will always be better than the real thing and he knows this. Now thats a real dirty Frenchman!

Notes:
• I know I know better, (I won't even acknowledge Garden State) but why for the sake of everything that is good did I watch Napoleon Dynamite?
• I HATE Quentin Terrantino. The Kill Bill movies were pretty dissapointing in general. However, Terrantino himself is the problem. Talk about believing your own hype. He is my nominee for biggest jackass in Hollywood. (He does get points for Jackie Brown though)
• I hope Alex Proyas made bank with I, Robot and that he will make the movie of his dreams. That movie is the definition of "taking one for the team". I shudder to think if he doesn't. If you are into film noir and sci-fi, check out Dark City. (Thought I was gonna say Bladerunner right?) Ebert's commentary track is the best on dvd.

So I should mention that I saw Brumont's L'Humanite last night. The reason I haven't seen too many films in the theater is because I am usually at home watching contemporary French cinema by him and Haneke instead. Vive la France!

Posted by Fran at 06:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 04, 2004

STATE OF THE UNION 2004 MIX

I present the newest, most brand-spanking-est JAZZHAMMER. compilation.
(number three if you are keeping score)

JAZZHAMMER. PRESENTS:
THE STATE OF THE UNION 2004
59M 36 S

These are my picks for some of my favorite moments in pop music this year.

01. Devendra Banhart - We All Know
02. Beta Band - Space
03. Mice Parade - Focus On A Rollercoaster
04. Air - Mike Mills
05. David Byrne - Glass, Concrete & Stone
06. Azita - In The Vicinity
07. Dungen - Panda
08. The New Year - Plan B
09. Mclusky - Without MSG I Am Nothing
10. TV On The Radio - Dreams
11. Franz Ferdinand - Auf Achse
12. Matthew Dear - Tide
13. LCD Soundsystem - Yeah (Stupid Version)

State Of The Union 2004
128 KBPS | 54.2 MB
(right click save as)

While making this album I noticed a couple of things:

Azita rules.

Animal Collective's Leaf House should be on the mix but for some reason I dislike them right now. Probably cause they smell. (Their first album is GRATE though)

2003 was a much better year for pop. I quickly realized that most of the tracks that immediately came to mind were from last year. I guess this makes sense since this year has flown by so quickly. Seriously, the last month I remember was March. Quite depressing. It sucked thinking of a song and putting it on my list only having to double check if it really came out this year. Such songs include: The New Pornographers' The Laws Have Changed, Deerhoof's Dummy Discard's A Heart, Steve Malkmus' Vanessa from Queens, Luke Vibert's I Love Acid, The Rapture's House of Jealous Lovers, Beth Gibbon's Tom the Model, Outkast's Hey Ya, Ween's Tried and True, Parsley Sounds' Erase Yourself and Glide, Super Furry Animal's Hello Sunshine, Ted Leo/Pharmacists' Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?, Dinbot's Whipsta (google it). Mixtape that, motherfuckers.

Oh and speaking of mixes, that Hollertronix made a good one.

I listen to more avant guard music than pop. (hint, hint.)

Fran is heartbroken but wants to dance!

Posted by Fran at 01:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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