Noble Beast

Just listened to Andrew Bird's latest CD, Noble Beast. It sounded like Roy Orbison meets Enigma to me in ways I can't quite pin down (probably because I've never taken any music appreciation courses). The music is absolutely beautiful! Some of the lyrics are a little odd for my taste, but I really connected with "Effigy" which is both reminiscent of and the antithesis of a sixties protest song. Such depth. "When you learn to burn an effigy, it should be of a man who's lost his way." And then, "It could be you, it could be me."

-DH

Fitz and the Tantrums

If you get a chance you should absolutely check out Fitz and the Tantrums. Can't stop listening to the EP.

AC

Old 97's

Recently picked up a couple of older CD's by the Old 97's at Amoeba in Hollywood. I've had Fight Songs for some time and listened to it a lot back when, but I'd never gotten fully into them. Then my sister gave me a copy of their greatest hits and I bought their latest. Now, haven't been able to stop listening. Funny how that stuff works.

AC

Murakami

Just reread Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami. Hadn't read it for about fifteen years. It was one of a handful of his books I read over the course of a month or two after being introduced to A Wild Sheep Chase way back when.

It's amazing stuff. Both mind bending and very poetic about the small moments of daily life. Something to aspire to.

AC

Rufino Tamayo

I thought I'd take a moment to geek out on some of the way-too-obscure humorous touches thrown into the backdrop of Mr. Huggins & Snugglypoo. One of my favorites is the Rufino Tamayo painting just sitting there in the landfill.

At one point, Tres Personajes, which is valued at over a million dollars, was found in a Manhattan dumpster, and it amused me to think that a gaffe like that could be committed twice.

But I also view it as a comment on the subjectivity of art. What does a million dollar painting look like? Personally I'm very fond of Tres Personajes, but if I'd first laid eyes on it at some struggling artist's exhibit in SoHo, a $400 price tag wouldn't phase me in the least.

-DH

Achewood

Achewood is basically the reason the Internet had to be invented. I don’t even know how to express my deep and ever lasting gratitude for its existence. I can't think of another thing I use the internet for that I appreciate more.

The period when I first discovered and read years worth over the course of a few weeks is still seared into my brain. I am particularly fond of Ray and Roast Beef's road trip. And this line – “A turd with a bullet in it ain't 5 O'Clock News Ray"

-AC

Taken

Saw Taken last night. It was strangely satisfying to watch Liam Neeson punch bad guys in the throat. The man has a great voice.

-AC