SOUNDTRACK: SANDRO PERRI-Plays Polmo Polpo [CST042] (2006).
This EP has Sandro Perri, mastermind behind Polmo Polpo, playing previously released songs by Polmo Polpo. Why? You may ask. To rework them entirely, of course. The original pieces were electronic and very textured, creatively designed that you almost forget there are songs underneath. And so Perri has brought back the songs underneath the songs, creating an acoustic soundtrack that brings out the subtlety of the originals.
And yet, that’s not exactly correct either. Because three of these tracks appear on the Polmo Polvo release Like Hearts Swelling, in much longer versions. In fact, “Sky Histiorie” drops from 13 to 4 minutes. Indeed, aside from lyrics, the songs are almost unrecognizable except as kernels of ideas from the original.
This is a delicate EP, acoustic and either solo or with suitable accompaniment. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it might get you hooked.
[READ: March 5, 2009] “Pumpkin Head”
As Hadley is waiting in her house, a pick-up truck pulls into her driveway. She vaguely recalls asking Anton Kruppev to stop by. And yet she is full of trepidation while the truck sits in her driveway. As the driver gets out of the car she sees that it is in fact a large pumpkin-headed man. The pumpkin head becomes more sinister as it gets nearer and nearer, unspeaking. Although surely it must be Anton, for that is his truck. Lest you think that JCO has gotten all surreal, the pumpkin head is actually a jack -o-lantern carved out by Anton and worn on his shoulders.
Despite her obvious nervousness, Anton laughs off the joke and presents her with the very large jack-o-lantern as his gift to her. Hadley ‘s thoughts wander as Anton offers to do some work around her house.
Hadley is recently widowed and while she’s not terribly attracted to Anton, his rugged good looks and physical strength let her ponder some possibilities. After inviting him in for a drink, she immediately regrets it.
Anton wanders around her house scrutinizing all of her things, her prizes, her memories of her husband. And, as he drinks more, he grows more belligerent. Belligerent about the head of his laboratory who has stolen Anton’s work (and gotten him fired in the process) and against America itself (a supposedly tolerant nation).
JCO pervades the story with tension. Every move that Anton makes, from his initial awkwardness to his eventual drunkenness is fraught with meaning. And yet the whole time, you get the feeling that Hadley’s just being foolish in her fear. You want her to lighten up. She knows this guys, he’s harmless, almost childlike. But even though she doesn’t let up her guard, her worst fear comes true.
It’s available here.
SOUNDTRACK: WOLF PARADE-At Mount Zoomer (2008).
This album made many best of lists of 2008. It is considered a side project of both Spencer Krug (of Sunset Rubdown) and Dan Boeckner (of Handsome Furs). I’d not heard of either band, but I was very intrigued by this disc and I’m so glad I got it.
30,000 views may not be a milestone for many blogs. But, for a blog like this which was intended mostly as a record of what I’ve read, the fact that I’ve had 30,000 views is pretty exciting. And it seems appropriate to let you, the readers know what you the other readers have been reading here. So, here is the top ten most read posts on I Just Read About That… with a director’s commentary tacked on.
SOUNDTRACK: CITY AND COLOUR-Live (2007).
City and Colour is the solo project of Alexisonfire singer Dallas Green (get it?). I was really impressed by Dallas’ voice within the noisy metalcore of AOF. And I wondered what his solo stuff would sound like without the dissonance of the rest of the band. I saw this disc was available from 
I feel like I never really knew this song until I heard Cartman getting cattle-prodded for not knowing the words. I listened to that version all the time (but I can’t tell if I like that version or the one on Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics better [“Fall on your knees, and hear the angels… something” “VOICES!”]), and what it did was give me a real appreciation for what a cool song this is. The chord changes are very satisfying without being really obvious. And, it’s not an easy song to sing. But I have liked every 
version I’ve heard: from Cartman to Avril Lavigne (whose first two verses on Maybe This Christmas, Too are the most vibrato-free singing I have ever heard. I’m quite certain she’s flat all the way through, and yet her voice is so unaffected it’s totally disconcerting. Tell me what you think…it’s available 
Boy I can’t stand this song. I know it’s supposed to be cute and racy and risque or whatever, but I simply can’t stand how crassly materialistic it is. And I’m not one who thinks Christmas is all about, like, Jesus’ birth or being good or anything. I know it’s all about the presents; however, this song is just….so…wrong. And if the Eartha Kitt version (the one you hear most of the time) 
weren’t bad enough, the Madonna version (on A Very Special Christmas) is just abysmal. She sounds like a sexually deranged Betty Boop (which I suppose is not unusual for her circa this release, but still). Stop trying to seduce Santa! Make it go away!
This is the long awaited follow up to Mike Ford’s first Canada Needs You CD. Volume Two covers Canada’s history in the 20th Century.
I am Canadian. Okay, I’m not, but I’ve had the beer, and I’ve seen the 
I Just Read About That... 