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…)
SOUNDTRACK: TORI AMOS-American Girl Posse (2007).
I had been pretty down on Tori records since Scarlett’s Walk, which I felt was kind of blah. The Beekeeper followed and it didn’t do that much for me either. So, I was basically not that excited when this latest record came out. I probably would have gotten it eventually, but then my wife bought it for me for my birthday. Thank you!
I Just Read About That... 