The Society Of The Spectacle

I managed to get my hands on an advance copy of a new film called The Hurt Locker. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break – need i say more?) this is absolute monster film… (more…)

You might not know J.D Souther. Of all the the classic 1970’s singer songwriter crowd (dubbed the Canyon Crowd by Barney Hoskins in his stellar book; Hotel California: Singer-songwriters and Cocaine Cowboys in the LA Canyons) his is most pivotal story, but also the one that got away. (more…)

In my travels around the musical blogsphere, I’ve discovered and consumed many new artists, discovered coutnless hours of amazing music and found some new treasured favourites. The work of Oliver Nelson is one of those treasured finds. (more…)

Today feels like the right day to post this little ditty.

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It’s so geeky I know but whatever….

Ok, I just got back from the Odeon Leicester Square and the 165 minutes of Watchmen. I spent a bit of time this weekend reading the graphic novel in preparation for seeing the film, which I thought (and was vindicated) that was a good idea.

The verdict, I’m gonna have to say outstanding. This is a classic case of a film that is going to leave some people absolutely bemused and some in raptures. But I like that, extremes are good. The plot of the Graphic Novel is pretty intense, and that intensity is delivered throughout. The look of the film is just astounding. I was a fan of the stylings of 300 (whose director Zack Synder, is also at the helm of this opus) and here they are given an added realism, that feels faithful but adds a grimmer darker texture to the story. The opening action scene where the Comedian is killed is amazingly put together and deeply visceral. The choice of songs that soundtrack the film are also another highlight. Two stand out, the muzak version of ‘Everybody wants to rule the world’ piping in while Veidt holds court is a cracking little touch, and the drama of the Origin of Dr Manhattan is greatly enhanced by Phillips Glass’ soundtrack for Koyannistki – it sent chills down the spine. The bad bits? The ending (as in the book) is a bit pony, and the sex scene is hilariously bad. The film does seem to trail off in it’s final third, and you do get the sense that some of the other key parts of the book will make this a better film in Blu-Ray, but these are minor issues.  I would recommend also going to see this at the biggest screen you can find (I intend to go and see it at an IMAX, but it was sold out) as the louder and bigger you can get the better (I would also recommend sitting at the front even better). It’s a triumph of will and imagination, and is probably a strong contender for the most interesting blockbuster you will see this year.

P.S – have a look at the website (and this one), it’s some of the best and most complete pieces of movie marketing I have seen yet.

Errr,, as you can see, I saw Fleet Foxes live last night at the Roundhouse. I actually was mean’t to go Sunday night, but couldn’t because I was working on some shit… But I chanced my arm last night and they let me in! And boy was it worth the chance. The Fleet Foxes were excellent. Their harmonies absolutely pin sharp, the songs as exquisite as you come to expect and a genuine rapport between band and crowd, some of the mid song banter was brilliant.

However, the limelight was almost stolen by the support act. A similarly hairy group called the Acorn. (Myspaz page here) It had similarities to the Fleet Foxes in harmonies and songs structures, but a little bit more meat on the guitar bones, with real hints of Spacemen 3/early Spiritualized. The album Glory Hope Mountain is becoming part of my collection today. I recommend you do the same…

Observed in the toilets.

Next up is the magic of Mark Eric. I got this album last year, available through Rev-Ola records (where i would also recommend the loveliness of Eternity’s Children, and Bergen White in particular)

So In 1968/69, while most students were either rioting in the streets, turning on and dropping out, or going underground, a foggy haze of singer songwriters and superstar troubadours were ‘getting back to the country’ Roootsiness was the new name of the game, orchestras, session musicians and teenage symphonies to god out: Earnestness; in.

Now while that made superstars of CSNY, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and the rest of the canyon crowd, the old Hollywood hitmakers of Phil Spector, The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson was hiding in a bed by now), Curt Boecther, Gary Usher and many more found themselves on the wrong side of hip. So probably not the best time to make an album so dumbfoundly entrenched in the L.A of three years previous. But that’s what Mark Eric set out to do. A bronzed, blonde haried Surfer dude, he was actually a TV actor, magazine model and the like who had most recently starred in the Partridge Family. He obviously fancied himself as a musician (and had had one of his songs covered by the Animals) so in he went to the studio, songs in hand and crafted A Midsummers Day Dream, for me the album ends up documenting the last gasp of good vibration, surfin’ that lovin’ feelin’ California.

Because it was made so late in the day, the album has a wistfulness for the an L.A that the Eagles more successfully captured a decade later. (After The Thrill Has Gone could be it’s countryfied sister) It is unashamedly uses the old school vibes of the wrecking crew, and the wall of sound. It’s clean, it’s clear and the harmonies leap out at you throughout. But the last song is the true hum-dinger. ‘Where Do The Girls Of Summer Go’.

The Earl Palmer like drums keep the song rooted in deep harmonies, and the vibraphone over the top of the song gives it a Pet Sounds feel. Of course, the strings and horns are absoultely bang on, following the melody perfectly. His voice does struggle to meet the highest of the high notes, but every oooh and aaah harmony is perfeclty placed. But the lyrics are the killer, evoking love lost in simple terms (boy girl etc…) but putting it in context, and digging a little deeper, this becomes one the last great pean to mid 60’s California.  It also helps this album was never commercially released, only adding to it’s time capsule nature. No one really heard from Mark Eric again (although he did play a gig in LA a few years ago) But wherever he ended up and whatever he did, he created an album and song, that should sit right up there with the best the City Of Angels has to offer

Mark Eric – Where Do The Girls Of Summer Go

I found this four track wonder one magical day in  Sister Ray on Berwick Street all the way back in 1997. More commonly known as the fag end of Britpop. While other bands lurched to cocaine induced meltdowns and hubristic, bombastic albums of varying quality (sound familiar 2007/2008?) – !Free Arthur Lee! lasts a mere 2.02  – and is one of the most striking songs you’ll ever hear.  The title is no misprint – this feels like it could have been a long lost studio cut off Da Capo – and as the (sadly departed) Arthur Lee was in jail at the time for discharging a loaded gun, it comes across as the sweetest, saddest and most beautiful protest song ever. Big bass starts it, a tight little snare roll keeps the song building, the vocals hit the big time when the first harmonies roll ever so softly in. As the beautiful String Quartet crank into high gear on the chorus, the song takes a bittersweet turn, the lyrics defeated, and the love lost, and then it’s over, the quartet fading off into the distance.

What makes this Beneath the Apple Tree more remarkable (and frustrating) is the fact that these guys were NEVER heard from again. No gigs, no follow ups, no news, NOTHING.  Just a piss poor website and an email. (and this) I’m torn between solving this mystery, and just letting it be.

Beneath the Apple Tree is one of the true lost albums of any decade. It introduced me to the world of Love, led me to the magic of the Millenium, and countless other bands whose heart was made of harmonies and sunshine. It sounds as striking today as it did the first time I heard it, and remains my most treasured piece of music.

Hopkirk & Lee – !Free Arthur Lee!

Via ACL. A great blog on all objects, people and denim (via Japan) Americana. The Selvedge Yard
I especially like the look inside James Dean’s apartment. Looks kinda small! (The Link)

This post also caught my eye… (The Link)