Whut up on this fine Moon Day?

Don't forget. Out on DVD & Blu-Ray tomorrow, Quentin Taratino's latest gourmet cinematic offering...

Brilliant fucking film! Saw it twice in the theaters when it came out earlier this year and I plan on taking it in a few more times when I get this bad boy home. Always new lil' things to catch and feast your eyes and ears on when watching a QT flick. This is one is no different. A definite return to form after "Death Proof", his half of "Grindhouse, which some perceived as a lackluster effort from the writer/director following "Kill Bill" (I, personally, loved the 'giallo' homage in the first part of "Death Proof" and only liked the second act which features killer car stunts, but I think veered (No pun intended.) too far from the tone of the first part. A trick which worked better in the Tarantino scripted "From Dusk Till Dawn".)

Check it out people!!!

TALES FROM THE SHUFFLE:


1. "Red Rain" - The White Stripes - I dig Meg White. What?!


2. "Lovefool" - The Cardigans - Without a doubt, the bands biggest hit in the US, but it is by far the "poppiest" song on this rather dark album. There's even a cover of Sabbath's "Ironman" on this one. The Cardigans are one of my favorite bands, and I always try to give anything they do a listen to. Singer Nina Perrson also has two solo albums under the moniker, A. Camp. (Although, I haven't gotten my hands on the second album yet.) Everybody knows "Lovefool" though.


3. "Groove Holmes" - The Beastie Boys - Killer funk instrumentals. One of my fave Beastie projects.


4. "Torn Curtain" - Television - One of the unsung bands of the 70's punks scene. This, their first album, is pretty kick ass. The guitars pierce and rip, tearing through your mind and soul. Obviously a big influence on bands like Interpol and The Killers and the like.


5. "Human Behaviour" - Björk - The video with the giant teddy bear stomping through a crazy ass forest. She rocks all kinds of shit!



B

Art Gallery: "The Castaway". Hey. Guy's in better shape than I am. I'm jealous of his beard, too.

Prepare yourselves... Wait for it...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Oh, man. That was scary.

...

Thursday, it is. Means tomorrow, Friday, it will be.

Flick Pick O' The Week:

"Carriers" - Written & Directed by Alex and David Pastor.

America (Perhaps the world. I don't recall it being specified.) has been decimated by a pandemic outbreak similar to the very recent bird flu scare of a few years ago (And the more recent H1N1 flu.). Amidst all this two brothers Brian (Chris Pine, Capt. Kirk in the new "Star Trek") and Danny (Lou Taylor Pucci), with Brian's girlfriend (Piper Perabo) and Kate (Emily Van Camp), a companion they have picked up on their travels, are headed to Turtle Beach, a childhood vacation spot, to find refuge in an abandoned hotel.

Of course, it's not as simple as that.

Along the way, they encounter various dangers. For not only must they avoid becoming infected with the deadly disease, but they must also deal with other survivors in a world where socitey has broken down completely, and one's morals compass is constantly tested in situations that are literally of the 'life and death' kind.

This is not a typical 'pandemic' film. The infected are not flesh-hungry zombies. The disease is dealt with in a very real way, thus making it all the more timely in today's world.


The film is extremely atmospheric. With a lot of warm color hues that slowly, but surely turn more cold and dark, the further we get into the it. It isn't high on action, but the character dynamics and the tension build up in certain scenarios more than make up for any lack of the shoot-em-up-bang-bang shit. But don't get me wrong, there is blood, but it's never gratuitous or over the top and services this PG-13 film just fine.


The performances are solid all around, led by Pine (Who's star turn in "Star Trek", hah! has helped finally get this movie out there. It only had limited release here in the states way back in September, but has just come out on dvd this week.) and Perabo. There is also a memorable turn by "Law & Order: SVU's" Christopher Meloni as a father of an infected 8-year old girl, trying to get his daughter to a place that might have a cure. (I tell you, as a father, and as a father of two girls, there is one scene that is absolutely heart breaking.)



It's not really a feel good time on the couch, but if your in for a solid lil' flick, give it a rent.

TALES FROM THE SHUFFLE:



1. "Theme From Hong Kong" - Lee Perry, The Mighty Upsetter - Kick back reggae instrumentalizmsssssss!


2. "Beautiful Lie" - Esthero


3. "The Name Of The Game" [Instrumental] - Reflection Eternal (Hi-Tek & Talib Kweli) - Actually since it's the instrumental, I guess it's just Hi-Tek. Tight beat.


4. "Simple Rules" - Massive Attack - From the soundtrack to Luc Besson scripted, Jet Li flick, "Danny The Dog" (Released in the states with the more mainstream title, "Unleashed".) This is a cool lil' soundtrack that features mostly the instrumental score by Massive, plus extra tracks from RZA and Thea.

5. "Anticipation" - DJ Krush feat. DJ Hide - Another cool track from Krush's "Mesio" album.

Peazzzzze

B


Art Gallery: "Therapy". You think I might need some? ... Nah!!!




Click for a larger session...

A Quickie...

Hola!

Not too much for today, but I did wanna get on so peep it...

Tales From The Shuffle:



1. "Like A Tattoo" - Sade - The most soothing voice in the world.


2. " 20 Dollars" - M.I.A. - Incorporates The Pixies' "Where Is My Mind" (Of "Fight Club" fame.) into the chorus. Catchy.


3. "Redman" - Kenna - Possibly the most underrated dude on the whole music scene (Next to Kanye. Oh wait. He would be the most overrated "artist" in the world!). This is 2003, peeps! And still there are folks who have never heard of this guy.


4. " Troubled Waters" - Cat Power - Cover of a Helen Merrill song from her first covers album. Haven't heard the o.g., but if I only ever heard Chan's version, there would be nothing wrong with that. Love this song.

5. "Where I End And You Begin" - Radiohead - Off of the "Hail To The Thief" album. Which was a return to form (of sorts) after two back to back experimental albums, "Kid A" & "Amnesiac".

That's all, folkers!!!!

B


Art Gallery: Photos of two big sketchbook pieces, "Johnny Luna, Robot Fighter" & "Wolverine In Battle".





Click 'em for "mas" bigger...

Back (Sort of)

What the eff is up, my neos?!

Nothing much on this frontage. Pardon me for my absence. How you say, "I have found, lately, that the weather has gotten on top of me."? Is correct? No?

As they say in stalker speak, "You may see me, but I am always there... Watching."

Anywaste. I always try to 'member the tracks that come on for Tales From The Shuffle, and sometimes, I 'member to write 'em down. Sometimes, I don't. So here is (to the best of my abilities) a marathon list from the last few days. (In interest of time, I'm not goin' to post the album art this time 'roun, but hopefully, things can back into the swings.

So without further Mountain Dew, and in the immortal words of Slick Rick (The Ruler!), "Heeerrrreee we go..."

TALES FROM THE SHUFFLE marathon (And in no specific order) :

1. Method Man song... That's all I wrote down was Method Man. What an idiot. (Me, that is. Not Meth for something like, I don't know. Not paying taxes. I know, fuck the Gov't and all, but come on! You gotta pay taxes, bro.)

2. "Save Yourself" - Aesop Rock

3. "Vycegripp Pt. 1" - Mixmaster Mike - Scratchin'!

4. "The Widow" - The Mars Volta - I can only take so much of dude's voice at a time, and unfortunately most of their songs are long as hell, but this is a sick track. Good beat. Steady build up. And it's not too long.

5. "Rhymes & Ammo/Thirsty!" - The Roots - What's up with the rave music? I like the first half of the track. I'm just not feelin' the jungle beats and shit on "Thirsty!". Love me some Roots, but no thanks.

6. "Blow Out"[Live] - Thom York w/ John Auer and Ken Stringfellow (of "The Posies") - Cool ass lil' bootleg live track from some radio show. I'm not sure if it's Live 105 or not. Good song from Radiohead's first, "Pablo Honey".

7. "I Know Sumptn" - Method Man/Redman - From "Blackout 2".

8. "Dinner With Blockhead" - Aesop Rock - Nice lil' instrumental interlude from the album, "Float".

9. "Wrapped Around Your Finger" - The Police

10. "Niggaz & Bitches" - NaS - It's the name of the song and it's in quotes, so don't hate!

11. "Afro Theme" - The RZA - From the "Afro Samurai" soundtrack. Good album. Overrated as hell anime, though! I don't think Sam Jackson's voice helps any.

12. "Stimulation" - Method Man - Classic M-E-F!

13. "Fixed Income" - DJ Shadow - Dope!

14. "Only The Strong" - DJ Krush (feat. CL Smooth) - From the "Meiso" album. Lotta good lyricists on this album to go along with Krush's sick beats.

15. "Leave In Silence" - Depeche Mode

That's all I had written down and the rest is lost in oblivion. So, some cool stuff here and there. I love "THE SHUFFLE". It's like havin' the best radio station 'cause it's all shit that I put on, but it's always a surprise how things play out. Riiiiggghhhttt? (I'll try to get back on track, so to speak. Bare (Bear?) with me.)

B

Art Gallery: The Conan-ish "Accursed Wind" and the more futuristic "Station". More sketchbook mayhem.

"Accursed Wind" (Above) / "Station" (Uhh... below)

Click to "en-biggen"...

What In Thee Hell Happened To Me?!!!

Nuthin'. Just Rip Van Winkled (Not Robert Van Winkle!) it for a few dayz (Is that how 'Pac spells it?). Plus I had computer probs.


Sooo. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. How many 'Thanks' did you give out?

I'll catch up in a few, including a 'ish'-load of TALES FROM THE SHUFFLE stuff fo' that axe.

Not tonight, though. I'm paintin' a bit this eve... (Won't say too much. Just 'corndog'. I'll try to post it as 'pas' - that's Tagalog for 'fast' - as I can. Wish me luck!)

B

Art Gallery: "Smoke" & "Smoke III". Their cousin, "Smoke II" was featured in a previous post. They're not necessarily 'sequels/prequels' to one another. There just happens to be 'smoke' in all three of them, and I'm not so great with the original titles (So fuck off! Nah. Just kiddin'. Wait! Come back! I'm sorry about that...). So in the immortal words of... somebody: Smoke 'em if you got 'em.


'Smoke' (Above), 'Smoke III' (Below)


Click on the dudes for bigger 'Smokes'...

Feliz 'Dia De Muchas Gracias' M-Effers!!!!

Tomorrow is...


Hope your turkey doesn't suck like this one. (I guess he could smell the BUSH!!!)


But in all seriousness (As much as we allow here, anyway!), hope ury'body and your families have a safe and satisfying Thanksgiving.

Before...

After.

And to any of you who are planning on braving the shops on "Black Friday", I wish you luck, and I want you to know that I will pray for you (So get me sumptin' good!).


And for those who didn't catch "Grindhouse" in the theaters a couple o' years ago (Shame on you!), check out Eli Roth's "fake" trailer for (The soon to be real movie?) "Thanksgiving". It is a hilarious, though very gory, homage to the holiday-themed slasher movies of the 80's. It captures the look and feel of those flicks to a tee. Plus it features Michael Biehn of "Terminator" and "The Rock" fame (He's also featured in Robert Rodriguez's "Grindhouse" zombie opus, "Planet Terror".). Honestly. If you haven't seen it, you need to. And I promise, you won't think of this holiday in the same way ever again.

"Light meat. Dark meat. All will be carved." Love it.


(THIS BE A WARNIN' - EXPLICIT MATERIAL!!!!)

And now, once again, because nobody demanded it, here is today's ...

Tales From The Shuffle:

1. "Pungee" - The Meters - This is a kick-ass 2 disc "Anthology" from a group widely considered to be the pioneers of funk music. I really can't say enough about this album. I first heard it about 15 years ago whilst workin' at The Wherehouse in Milpitas (Shout out to Mike Rice for puttin' me on to it.). I prefer the first disc as it contains mostly instrumentals, while the second disc's tracks all feature vocals. If you like to funk... funk this shit.


2. "Somtimes I Rhyme Slow" - Nice & Smooth - Ahh. 1991. The days.


3. "Strokin' The Grtis" - The Poets Of Rythm - More funk. This time, from Germany (?!). This album, "What Goes Around", I burned off my buddy, Carlos (Amongst other gems.). I really haven't got a chance to explore more from them, but I like what I hear. Perhaps one day, I'll remember to peep some more on iTunes.


4. "Cancer For The Cure" - Eels - Best known for their 1996 hit, "Novocaine For The Soul" (They also had tracks featured on "Shrek" - "My Beloved Monster" & "Hellboy II" - "Beautiful Freak"), this track is off of their second album, "Electro-Shock Blues". It features some killer surf rock-style drums and other "distorted" sounds. (I just found out that they dropped a new album back in June! I've been sleepin' on shit lately. Life and responsibility has a way of doing that to you, though.)

5. "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" - Marvin Gaye - Classic. "Marvin-Marvin-Marvin. You were a friend of mine. You stood for something. Tupac. Biggie. Ohh-" (Ooops. Wrong song!)

Art Galley: This is "Bad-Ass B!#@%". Love her. But don't fuck with her.

Thazzit fo' this week. Have a great weekend and don't forget the punkin' pie!!!

B


"Click" for a bigger look at this B!#@%...

Two Days Till I Explode...

Not much goin' on today. Just preppin' the ol' belly for TURKEY DAY '09. Wish me luck.

Tales From The Shuffle:


1. "Da Bomb" - Gravediggaz - After being unjustly mislabled as part of the extremely short "horrorcore" rap movement of the mid-90's, hip-hop "super group", Gravediggaz (Producer extraordinaire Prince Paul, Too Poetic, the late Frukwan of Stetsasonic & Wu-mastermind, RZA) dropped a lot of the hard, abrasive, piercing beats of their debut album, "6 Feet Deep", and came with a slightly more "polished" sound on this second album, but without losing any of the impact of the lyrical content that made the first cd a standout.


2. "Legendary Street Team" - Kool G. Rap feat. M.O.P. - This is off of the "Lyricist Lounge 2" album. Kool G. Rap is the original East Coast gangster. His flow is still one of the sickest today. Peep that old joint, "Fast Life" with him and Nas for proof of that. And M.O.P. are the ultimate confrontation rappers. Why are they yelling all of time?


3. "Hell On Earth" - Mobb Deep - Ahh. When they were hungry and had something to proove. What happened fellas?

4. "Yegelle Tezeta" - Mulatu Astatke - Awesome track from this Ethopian jazz composer. I discovered this on the "Broken Flowers" (A kick ass lil' flick from Indie god, Jim Jarmusch and starring the always brilliant Bill Murray, a frequent Jarmusch collaborator.) soundtrack. Like Tarantino, Guy Ritchie (Swept Away, excluded) & Wes Anderson, a soundtrack to a Jarmusch film is always going to be just as interesting an experience as the films themselves.

Check out the trailer...




5. "Gratis" - Prefuse 73 - A quick lil' beat off of beatmaker, Prefuse 73 (aka Scott Herren) collabo album, "Surrounded By Silence". Most of the track features guest vocalists (including Wu-Tangers GZA & Masta Killah, and Ghostface with El-P, Aesop Rock and others.), but others are straight up sick beats, what the man is best known for. If you like the beats of DJ's Shadow, Krush or Lucian, you'll definitely dig this shit.

Art Gallery: "A Magic Trick". Just more effin' around from the sketchbook.

Bye-bye.

B


"Click" for a bigger "Magic Trick"...