Archived T.T.C.O.

Music: Queen

Queen. So much pomposity that's it's simply irresistable!!! I mean shit! Who else can go off on a huge 6 minute operatic rock ballad that sounds like it should be on a musical and pull it off with all that credibility left over! Queen was simultaneously skilled, beautiful, rocking and loaded with campy humor.

Who could possibly not love the lyrics like the following:

"Yeah, I'm a rocket ship on my way to Mars
On a collision course
I am a satellite I'm out of control
I am a sex machine ready to reload
Like an atom bomb about to
Oh oh oh oh oh explode"

Classic! But while it's easy to dismiss Queen as a spectacular novelty there is certainly more there. For one thing Freddy Mercury's vocal prowess is UNDENIABLY something to behold! Very few match his incredible voice ladies and gents. VERY few and depending on yourself, perhaps NONE.

But let's go past Freddy's voice. What about the music. Well, you'd certainly be a fool to say that Queen wasn't technically inclined in their music. They quite obviouslly are. From wonderfully synchronized signature dual guitar solos to catchy broadway worthy piano parts the music of Queen is both distinctive and impressive.

And I realize this might mean nothing to you. Who cares if they were talented? Was the music anything beyond a technical achievement with nothing more than a novelty appeal?Well. . . Yes gosh darn it! I mean, I have an emotional attachment to the song "Play the Game". I actually can listen to that song and be like "yeah. . . There is so much hope for love!". Crappy music doesn't do that people. And let's face it. . . When you're in a car full of people high on life, there is NOTHING like singing along to Queen!!!

Reccomended Songs:

Don't Stop Me Now ~ Possibly one of their most flamboyant and absurd songs! But not only that, Freddy's voice shines here! Oh Freddy! You beautiful man!

Play the Game ~ This is your life. It's a free world and all you have to do is fall in love. So play the game.

Bicycle Song ~ YEAH!!!!! Your life is not complete untill you have all the lyrics to this song memorized. So get to work!

Killer Queen ~ One of my favorties!

Bohemian Rhapsody ~ I think you people all know.

And if you liked those how about also checking out "Somebody to Love", "Another one Bites the Dust", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "You're My Best Friend" ect.! EMBRACE QUEEN PEOPLE! GET OUT YOUR AIR GUITAR AND EMBRACE!

Things to check out:

Music: Rufus Wainwright

Right to the point. Rufus Wainwright is a phenomenal song writer who has a splendid knack for immersing his listeners. His music is a massage to your mind and soul.

If I had to choose a word to describe Rufus' music, I think it might be cabaret. There is certainly a sort of sound to him that makes you visualize a post WWII, smokey lounge filled with socialites and with Rufus up there on stage playing away on that piano. One can also feel Opera shaping the songs at times... as well as a little Judy Garland.

Okay, so maybe at this point I've given you a false impression. The music of Rufus Wainwright doesn't sound like something from the past, it doesn't sound old or stale. It's actually quite refreshing. His music sounds like an extension that pulled it's way out of the 1940's and picked up everything along the way and came to our time and put it all together for some truley great music. That's the point here, and I'm sorry I got so sidetracked in that last paragraph.

Enough roots and influences... Let's get to aesthetics. Rufus' music is lush and sultry. Combining rolling piano, beautiful string arragements, and Rufus' rich, sensual voice into expertly crafted songs complemented by horns, electronic noises, drum machines (real drums too, worry not you persussion purists) and assorted other elements adds up to a massage for your mind and soul (as I stated previouslly).

His lyrics are also something to appreciate as well. They can be beautiful, sometimes scattered with humor and delightful wordplay. Did I just say delightful wordplay? So I did.

Point being is he's phenomenal and is best ingested in a relaxed mood along with a glass of red wine.

(and girls, he's a dreamboat to boot! ... Granted... uhhh... Look, recommended songs!)

Reccomended Songs:

Poses ~ The title track to his second album is a sensual wonder. Better than yer average song by a couple leaps.

April Fools ~ The epitome of a really great and original pop song. More upbeat and playful than poses for example. And call me crazy if you will, it kinda reminds me of Paul McCartney's song writing... But... better? *dodges hateful stares and raised eyebrows*

Baby ~ Oh god it's good! It's a ballad all right, and a supurb one. My favorite Rufus song? Maybe. (note those wierd ass strings that start at about 1:13)

Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk ~ Did you like April Fools? Then download this one too! You might even like it better, I think I do.

Grey Gardens ~ Another good un'. It lies inbetween Poses and April Fools in it's pop sensibilities, tempo and mood. This song features a bit of guitar by the way.

And then there is this song that is SO FRICKIN' GOOD! But I don't know what it's called! I think I need to interrogate a few people and find out!

Go folks! You need some official sunset music!

Movies: The City of Lost Children

Oh Jean-Pierre Jeunet! (director of Amelie and Delicatessen)

Imaginative, dark, charming, manic, humorous, horrific, immersive, dreamy, bizarre, heart-warming, and in the end... whimsical and fairy tale-like. C'mon, you know you want to see it already.

Like always, I'll only tell you so much about the movie, I don't want to ruin it for you. Krank is a desperate madman who lives on a tower out in the sea along with his tiny mother, 5 identical brothers, and uncle who is a brain in a tank, all of them, genetically engineered. His desperation and what one could arguably call evil comes from his inability to dream. So he steals children from the mainland and tries to take their dreams, but alas, the children only dream nightmares, all of them, afraid.

One (it's his name) is a warm-hearted strongman at a funfair with a little brother. One night little brother is stolen by the evil "Chosen Ones". One sets out to rescue little brother and soon finds himself acquanted with a group of children whose profession is thievery. One of them, a somewhat bitter and quite serious girl by the name of Miette, joins him on his search.

Across the adventure you'll be introduced to more memorable characters and scenery then you're likely guessing. All of this is masterfully directed by the amazing Jean-Pierre Jeaunet.

The movie falls short of poignant (certain scenes can certainly be touching though) but it's not really aiming to be. What it is though, is a very entertaining film, loaded with fantastic, memorable characters, amazing, inventive scenery, an intruiging and engaging story, a fair share of funny bits and an all around feeling of wonder that is rarely matched.

Things to check out:

Music: Modest Mouse

It's a recent event, me getting into this band, and because of that fact my knowledge of them is limited and I can only tell you so much, but one thing I can tell you is that I've fallen in musical love with them.

Modest mouse is a pretty distinct band that doesn't fit too nicely in any genre I can think of at the moment. One could find traces of emo throughout their music though, and at times one can be reminded of Radiohead. If you had to throw them in a genre I'd say pop? Maybe Art Rock?... but again, they just don't fit nicely into any genre (but then again I'm no master of genres) and I personally don't know of any comparable bands.

So in an attempt to give you an idea of what Modest Mouse sounds like. I'll simply list off the elements that make up their music. dreamy soundscapes, catchy melodies, thought provoking lyrics with humorous tones, a mix of accoustic and electric guitars, distinct vocals, melodic picking, pretty rhythms, and then you have assorted songs that sound quite different from the rest that add brand new elements not already listed such as electronic ambience, chaotic guitar-work and on and on... It's all very original and it all just... somehow fits perfectly. It's magical. They are, in my humble opinion, fantastic and get a very huge recommendation from myself. Very worth the little effort it'll take for you to check them out. So by all means, do so!

Reccomended Songs:

Here's how it is... I know one album fairly well, The Moon and Antarctica. I've heard other albums but have not come to know the songs well or by name, so most of these recommended songs are from The Moon and Antarctica...

You're the Good Things ~ Oh how I love this song. Just download it now!

The Stars are Projectors ~ MMMmmm... This one is more of an epic than the others, a bit louder, no less pretty. Supreme song.

Alone Down There ~ This song is something else. It's almost a little creepy, and strangely enough... funny. Again, it's a loud song with yer good ol' electric rock riff but ummm, yeah... This one is especially interesting. It's a haunting song and yeah... again, strangely funny?

Night on the Sun ~ AAaAAAaAAH! God damn it this song is good! *hits self in the head*

Tiny Cities Made of Ashes ~ A very different Modest Mouse song. This song teeters on industrial/techno (yup). It's lyrics are fantastic and again display that odd sense of humor that shows up so often in Modest Mouse's lyrics.

Gravity Rides Everything ~ I love this song like you don't even know. A pop song in the same sense that Night on the Sun or You're The Good Things is. It's probobly not a very openly flashy song, not a real hook or attention grabber... but listen to it a few times... Possibly my favorite song of theirs.

Movies: Little Shop of Horrors

Even if you've seen it before... when's the last time?

Little Shop of Horrors is simply classic! I mean good lord! For those of you not familiar, it is the film adaption of a play (of the same name?). It's a musical sci-fi comedy starring Rick Moranis and also features Bill Murray and Steve Martin!

The movie's sense of humor is just so frickin' enjoyable! It's absurdity is something to be appreciated by all. On top of that, it's a smart, well written movie with some very good memorable lines and, strangely enough, it's touching gawrsh darn it. It's loaded with small touches here and there and you won't catch all of it in one viewing, it's production value is quite high as well and is certainly an aspect of the movie to be appreciated (the Skid Row stage is something to admire). A classic!

Rick Moranis stars as a shy, nerdy employee of a small flower shop named Seymour (him, not the shop). His boss treats him terribly, he lives in a bad section of town, he's hopelessly in love with fellow employee, Audrey, and he feels like he has no purose in life. "I keep asking god what I'm for and he just tells me 'Gee, I'm not too sure'"

But one day during an eclipse, he stumbled apon a strange, exotic plant in the marketplace. He's brought it back to the shop and due to the oddity the shop is suddenly bustling with life... But after this burst of good luck, Seymour discovers that the plant (named Audrey II) will die if it's not fed it's diet of human blood. That's right, Audrey II is a talking, man eating plant (he's quite the singer to boot!). From here the story unfolds and like usual I don't want to ruin anything about it, but I can't fail to mention Steve Martin's role in the movie. Mr. Martin plays Audrey's boyfriend (Audrey, not Audrey II ya goof) whom is a fear inducing, rough n' tough dentist who thrills at giving others pain. It's a hilarious role and accounts for my favorite song in the movie, entitled, "You'll be a Dentist". HILARIOUS!

So here's how it is. If you havn't seen it, go do so.

Things to check out:

Music: MR. BUNGLE

Headed by the lovely Mike Patton, Mr Bungle is one of the most interesting bands you'll ever hear. But do note; besides beings completly bizarre they are also extremly good! There are some very talented, advanced musicians behind this mayhem.

Mr. Bungle is a fusion band if you must put them in a category. (but what kind of a category is fusion?!) I've heard one reviewer call them "Evil Ska" which is certainly fitting for some of their songs, but facts be facts, Mr Bungle is constantly switching between genres, not only by album or even song, but often by parts of each song, and usually to extremeties.

So for example... A song will open up sounding like a surf song make a quick transition into death metal, back to surf, death metal, circus music, now it kinda sounds like video game music, we've now reached a gothic sounding waltz and to end it all we are once again surfing.

Beautiful eh? And all of this is done by musicians who certainly seem to be quite proficient in every thing they do. So go! Mr Bungle! They're terrific.

Reccomended Songs:

The Air-Conditioned Nightmare

Goodbye Sober Day

(listen to those two first. Absolutely inspiring.)

Platypus (Largely unstructured silly mahem. Great!)

Pink Cigarette (Beautiful Man-man lounge singer song. Not quite as exciting but I like it)

Carousel (I warn you now... It could drive a person insane)

Movies: CLIFFORD

No, not Clifford The Big Red Dog. ( I thought the same thing myself when a friend recommended this movie only last night ). So yeah, I just saw this movie for the first time last night. And let me tell you, I can't believe I have ever felt even slightly as though my life had been fufilled. This movie is absolutely hilarious! It stars Martin Short who plays a ten year old boy named Clifford. And now it is not a super super old movie, Martin Short is about 30 in this movie... it's just that he plays a ten year old boy.

It's the story of a very intelligent young boy who wants to go to the bestest theme park in the whole wide world, Dinosaur World!

He is staying with his Uncle Martin (heheh... Martin...) who is a real business man who really doesn't like children and who has no time to take Clifford to Dinosaur World, even though he already promised he would. Furious that Uncle Martin would break his promise, vindictive little Clifford "...just can't be responsible for what (he'll) do next)".

I'm not going to tell you anything more than that and I know this description sounds a little lame... but I assure you, this is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen!!! There are many hilarous, brilliant lines and even more great physical comedy from Martin Short.

I must note in particular when Uncle Martin tells Clifford to look at him like a human being for one moment... The following moments are simply magically funny!

So please, for your sake, rent or buy this movie!!! I don't think I've ever used the term magically funny before. This movie is just too good to not see.

Things to check out:

THE VENUS PROJECT:

I could rant and rave about it right here and tell you all about it but I figure their site will do a much better job. The Venus Project is a proposal for a sort of solution to the fact that this civilization is absolutly screwed. Maybe you've noticed, but this system can't really last that much longer. Humanity and the rest of the planet are facing some of the greatest threats ever, and again, The Venus Project is a sort of proposed solution that is suprisingly practical... Well, go check it out: www.thevenusproject.com <http://www.thevenusproject.com> Just go to the about section and read up for hours.

Music: FIONA APPLE

Yeah, she's the one who did that song, 'Criminal' where she had that video where she was all in her underwear and whatnot... Although I'm actually not all that crazy about that song compared to most of her stuff. Anyways, good good music folks and she gets a very high recommendation from me. Very piano oriented occasionally accompanied by funky electronic goodness (even breakbeats from time to time). Soulfull, sometimes angry, sometimes soft and caressing, poppy, jazzy music that you should go check out now.

Recommended songs:

Paper Bag (probobly my favorite song of hers)

Never is a Promise (very pretty, soft.)

Fast As You Can (uptempo, jazzy, breakbeat,)

If you like those than check out the rest.

Movies: DONNIE DARKO

Donnie Darko follows the story of one teenaged boy growing up in a 1988 suburbia. His name, of course, Donnie Darko. In the first parts of the movie we learn that Donnie is a very smart yet very troubled person. He has 'emotional problems' for which he has been taking pills, also he has a bit of a sleepwalking problem. Recently he's begun to see an imaginary friend named Frank, Frank is a six foot tall grotesque montrosity of a rabbit who one night, lures Donnie out of his bedroom and out onto the street and tells Donnie that he's from the future and that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. Shortly after this, mysteriouslly a jet engine falls from the sky and crashes right into Donnie's room, surely if Frank hadn't led him outside, he would be dead.

From there the movie's mysteries begin to unravel as the movie nears Frank's predicted date. And Jesus! I just got the shivers thinking about this movie. It really is an awesome movie. It's a love story, a mystery, a comedy and more than anything else, it's an emotion stirring psychological thriller.

So go out there and rent it, I assure you that you'll be glad you did.

(plus it has Drew Barrymore as the rebellious teacher, and Patrick Swayzee as a sleazy motivational speaker.)