Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Terry Moore’ Category

echo102SOUNDTRACKTHE FLAMING LIPS-THE W.A.N.D. (2006).

wandThe first single from the Lips last album contains three tracks: the title track, “You Got to Hold On” and “Time Travel…Yes!”

W.A.N.D is quite a departure from the previous few records, as it begins with a brash guitar line, one of the harshest sounding songs they’ve recoded in several years.  Yet despite that, the lyrics are as positive an uplifting as ever.  It sounds like some kind of masterful protest song from the 1970s.  “You Got to Hold On” exhibits some of the sounds of the last two records, although it’s not nearly as lush.  It seems like it might have been a transitional song between Yoshimi and Mystics.  And the final track is a meditation on time travel, narrated by Steve from Blues Clues (he sure does get around…he appeared in Christmas on Mars too).

It was an excellent appetite whetter for the new album.

[READ: February 27, 2009] Echo #10

In Issue #10 we finally learn (although Julie herself doesn’t) just what exactly is all over Julie Martin.  We also get wonderfully complex behavior from Ivy–is she sympathetic to Julie, or is she just moving in for the kill.

An intriguing series just got really exciting.

(Wow, there’s not much to say about one issue of a comic book).

Read Full Post »

SOUNDTRACK: LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III-Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film Knocked Up (2008).

I can’t say I really noticed Loudon’s music during the movie.  Of course, when I read about it later, it turned out that the versions in the movie were instrumental.  Ahhh.  So, this “soundtrack” contains the instrumental tracks from the movie with words added (which is how they were originally recorded, so all is right once again).

This collection of songs is, to my ears, Loudon’s least funny collection.  Which is fine.  There are a few turns of phrase that raise a smile, but mostly the songs are thoughtful and thought-provoking.  They work very well with the theme of the movie: parenthood, children, relationships, love.  (Even though the movie is funny, these songs aren’t).

The collection is certainly one of Loudon’s strongest.   Many of Loudon’s musical partners in crime are here: Richard Thompson, Patrick Warren, Van Dyke Parks and, special guest Joe Henry (who I don’t know too much about, but who plays a lovely guitar).  The first three songs, “Grey in L.A.” “You Can’t Fail Me Now” and “Daughter” are possibly three of Loudon’s strongest songs in years (He didn’t write “Daughter” but he sings it wonderfully…and I think better than the original, which is a bit too jazzy for my tastes.)  The rest of the album continues in that vein: mellow folk music but with enough of an edge to keep it from sounding monotonous.  Loudon is releasing another new album this month, and I hope he keeps up this high quality!

[READ: August 14, 2008] Echo

When Strangers in Paradise ended, I was quite sad.  One of my favorite comics by one of my favorite artists was now out of my life.  And slowly, I forgot about Terry Moore, and moved on to other things (like the Buffy Season 8 comic).  Well, while I was at ALA this year, Michele Gorman, the wisest person in the graphic novelverse, asked me how I liked Terry’s new book.  Wha?? I said.  She said, it’s called Echo, and it’s fantastic.  And, so I got home, looked it up online and immediately subscribed and got the back issues.  1-4 came right away and #5 just arrived.  And I’m all caught up. (more…)

Read Full Post »

sip.gifSOUNDTRACK: RICHARD THOMPSON-Strict Tempo (1981), Amnesia (1988) & Hand of Kindness (1983).

Richard Thompson is probably the best musician that no one has ever heard of. I first heard RT through a funny coincidence. I was working in Boston and I popped into Tower Records one afternoon where RT was signing copies of his then latest release, You? Me? Us? One of my coworkers was a huge RT fan, and, there just happened to be an extra copy of the booklet in the CD, so I got an autograph for him and one for me. Since then I have become a huge, huge fan, and have seen him several times in concert.  (And I have absolutely no contact with the former co-worker, and can’t even remember his name).

RT live is a great experience, whether he’s doing full band or solo. There are several live recordings of him available on his Beeswing Records label. I totally recommend getting some of these live CDs as they are simply amazing. His guitar work live is nothing short of incredible. I’m not much for wonky show-offy guitar work (even though I do love me some prog rock), but, man, the sounds he gets and the craziness that he evokes through his instrument is simply great. Plus, he also writes amazingly strong lyrics. He can do it all, and it’s a shame that no one knows that. So, I thought with the release of his newest record Sweet Warrior (review down the pike), I’d do some back catalog reviewing.

(more…)

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts