The Flaming Lips Are...Straight Chillin'

To quote my and your best friend, Wikipedia, "The band (The Flaming Lips) is known for their LUSH, multi-layered, psychedelic arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song and album titles." In other words, these guys are fucking too legit to quit. I got into these Lip guys one day when I was mad blazed, smookin fools in FIFA '09. Apparently, they were on my Ipod. Sweet. They are a little weird, but in a good, different way (as in, unique). They are chilled out, but, as the remix posted down below demonstrates, reeeeal noice and feel good. And if you look at bands (i.e. MGMT) that rely heavily on electro sounds in their music, but are still considered "rock bands," look no further than these dudes (been around since the 80s) for the starting point aka inspiration. They are coming out with an album that has the working title "Embryonic," which I expect, like most of their music, will be quite the trip.

Here is their album from 2002, which is the titties:

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (straight chillin, this album be)

The YEAH YEAH YEAH Song, Flaming Lips (Twelves Remix)

Right Click and Save As.

With all your powers, what would you do?

And here's a pretty a killa video of a bootyshakin', assgyratin' song, titled "Woman":



...Meet me in the club, it's goin dern...

In a Minute I'll Be Free, And We'll Be Splashing in the Sea

As evidenced by the rainbow in the picture, the gods were smiling on Fenway Park last night. Considering I'm watching the Yankees right now, last night was one of the few times I bid Fenway good wishes.

For those of you unaware, Phish opened their summer tour last night with their biggest non-festival show ever. While you may expect me to gush about how amazing the band was, I assure you I won't. In fact, I thought that the first nine songs of the show were garbage. The band seemed to think instead of play, with Trey Anastasio, the guitar player, and Jon Fishman, the drummer, working especially tentatively. Then came "Down With Disease" and the band let loose. Next came the rare "Destiny Unbound" followed by "Character Zero" to close out an average first set. Download the first set here:

Set One - Phish - Fenway Park 5.31.09

After a set which the band certainly knew they underperformed in, Phish opened the second set with a blazing "Tweezer." The four dorks from Vermont seemed to finally remember how to play music together. After segueing into "Light," a new song, they brought out the fan favorites, "Bathtub Gin" and "David Bowie." Next came what had to be the most promising new song of the night, "Time Turns Elastic." Just the other day, Phish released that song as a single off of their upcoming album. As the studio track is more than 13 minutes long, Trey joked after they played the song saying, "That's our new single," which he quickly followed up with a laugh, referencing Phish's "prolific" career on the Billboard Top Ten. It will be interesting to see the improvisational direction Phish takes this multi-phased song throughout the tour. The band came next with a high-flying "Free," followed by the extremely rare Lynyrd Skynyrd cover "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," which Phish played only 25 times before, the last time coming in 1993. To end the far superior second set was the quintessential Phish song, "You Enjoy Myself." With a bass solo by Mike Gordon that sounded more like Peter Frampton on the talking-guitar and an extra scary vocal jam, Phish ended the set with a bang. They encored with "Cavern," the Led Zeppelin cover "Good Times, Bad Times," and a fitting "Tweezer Reprise." Here's the download for the second set and encore:

Set Two & Encore - Phish - Fenway Park 5.31.09

All in all, Phish put on a good show to start off the tour. Being an improvisational band, you've got to give them some time to get used to playing with each other. Tomorrow night marks the first of three shows at Jones Beach. I'll be there in person for the first two shows so I'll be able to bring back some first-hand experience for all you Phish lovers. I know you're all jumping up and down and simply can't wait that long. Don't worry, I've got a video of the encore to hold you over haha:

HEY!

I realize that only a select group of people are lucky enough to understand the genius that takes the form of four dorky musicians from Vermont. Yes, I understand that many of you do not like Phish but allow me to enjoy my excitement today. In a mere few hours, Phish will take the stage at Fenway Park to open up their first summer tour in five years. I urge those of you who are skeptical to give Phish a try. I understand that their songs are long and you may think that they just ramble on into nothing. You may be intimidated by the sheer volume of their music and think that there's no way you can catch up and know all of their music. The key is that that's not the point. Phish's music is a celebration of life and can take you to states of pure bliss. Put all your preconceived notions aside and maybe you'll find your new favorite band.

Anyway, I'll stop plugging the band and get to the music. I'll throw in some dope new electro but I'll start with Phish. Here's a download of their cover of Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll, Part 2," which I'm sure you know from Jock Jams as well as numerous sporting events:

"Rock and Roll, Part 2" - Phish

Next is a teaser from the Australian electro band Van She's upcoming album. You might have heard some of their stuff before and if you have you know that it's supafly:

"Ze Vemixes (Teaser Mix)" - Van She

Next is a dope remix of a Don Diablo (see "Confusion Girl" [currently my favorite song] from an earlier post) and Example song:

"Hooligans (Noisia Remix)" - Don Diablo & Example

Finally here's a real chill song I just found today by the band NightWaves (sweet name for a band):

"She's Electric (Demo)" - NightWaves

Happy listening and please give Phish a chance (there's a reason I'm obsessed with them).

Prrrretty Goooood

Larry David is not only extremely good looking, but he is the funniest man alive. Curb Your Enthusiasm is perhaps not only the best comedy, but perhaps the best show period. The only shows that are on its level are Mad Men and Breaking Bad. That said, the seventh season of Curb should be coming out sometime this summer, and it will include all the members of Seinfeld, along with, of course, the Blacks. This season's storyline will revolve around a film that Larry is making with Woody Allen, which, in case you don't know is real and is called Whatever Works. This season of Curb, along with LD's intro to the big screen will make for one fucking hilarious summer. And here are five of my top ten Curb episodes in no particular order (which everyone must see):

"The Car Pool Lane": Larry David + Weed + Fat Hooker = Pure Genius. This episode's got it all, from Larry's classic awkwardness to the weird eye movements with music to the fat dude (Hurley) from lost.

"The Grand Opening": This episode is good but becomes great at the end, when the chef with Tourette syndrome starts droppin F bombs. The hilarity ensues. Cunnilingus! Rim Job!

"The Car Salesman": Larry decides to become a car salesman, trying to prove that he can handle this job. The drama unfolds, and Larry dishes out his classic lines and akward aura all around.

"The Therapists": Larry stages a mugging that he is the hero of so that Cheryl will take him back. Unfortunately, Cheryl's therapist develops a crush on Larry. Full of classic Leon lines as well.

"The Anonymous Donor": Joe Peppertone Motherfucka! Larry and Leon at their finest.

Lots more of Curb lore to come in the future, and here's a classic clip from one of these illin episodes (from the Car Pool Lane):

I've Lost Control

I piss my pants about as often as I cry in during movies. Fact: I pissed myself during the first Matrix because I was so into it and had a rather loose bladder at that point and time in my life. Fact: I once pissed my pants on a subway on the way to a Yankee game. Fact: I cried during Life Is Beauitful. Fact: I cried during Wall-E. Another film I cried in was the incendiary Control, a film about the late 70s punk rock band from Manchester, Joy Division. The film is the bdc and hands down one of the best I've seen in the past year. It centers around the tragic tale of Ian Curtis, the band's leader, an epileptic who could not deal with fame and fortune. The movie is spectacular, both as an art form and in content. Filmed in black and white, it creates an unbelievably real and almost too true atmosphere that you can help immersing yourself in. Unlike your typical rock biop, this film does not romanticize the star too much, but instead creates a biting, honest portrait of a lesser known legend in Curtis. Lots of drugs, lots of sex too. Netlfix this shit, as it is a film definitely worth checking out, and the band is actually pretty good too. Even if you don't like punk music , this movie will have a profound affect on you:

Konichiwa Bitches

On May 4th, 2009 Dom DeLuise died. Some may have known him as the voice of Pizza the Hut, the moderator of this blog.

Anyways... Here are some pretty baderp news stories from the past couple of days:

1. Anyone ever heard of James Cameron, director of Aliens, the two good Terminators (still haven't seen the fourth, but not feeling good about it), and Titanic. Well he is coming out with what could become his masterpiece. It also could be the highest budgeted movie in history. It's called Avatar, and a basic synopsis would consist of the words: aliens vs. humans. I would say more, but there is not that much more on the project and plus its a lot more to find out on your own. Anyways, here's one of he first images to come out of the production and it is a picture of a mech, i.e. powersuit, worn by the humans. Looks dope and this is one of my most anticipated movies of the winter:

http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2009/05/exclusive-first-look-avatar-heavy.html

2. This is a must watch for anyone who is a sci-fi fan. Heres the synopsis:
Film takes place in the year 2092, a time when Mars is a vacation spot. Nemo Nobody is a 120-year-old man who is the last mortal among humans who have become immortal due to scientific advances. When Nemo is on his deathbed, he reviews the three possible existences and marriages he might have experienced.
Stars Jared Leto (Requiem for a Dream) and just looks mindblowing.

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/mr-nobody/international-trailer




3. Do you like Star Wars? If yes, watch the trailer below. If no, figure it out and don't read any more of my posts. This trailer looks awesome, kind of a Fanboys meets Almost Famous type thing, I dunno. Just watch it. Plus, stars the kid from Freaks and Geeks (dope show) and Waiting.

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/77/trailer



That's as big as they will embed at the top, so I would suggest hitting up trailer addict for the full sized one. So there are some of the more important stories of the day to me. As you can see from above I am a sci-fi nerd and pretty much all around closet geek. So if you don't like the stuff above, you aren't going to like any of my stuff later. I am using this post more as a get to know me type thing and I will be posting less news and more opinion when I get around to it. Hopefully I will be seeing Terminator 4 in the next day or so, and I'm thinking of a comparison of it to some other summer blockbusters to find what makes them work or not. I am also finishing up my essay on why Michael Bay is the greatest director in Hollywood and Bollywood today and maybe some stuff on some more great graphic novels in case you read and loved Watchmen. Toodaloo

Fifi Mon Goes Down

The Kobe of Europe--Christiano Ronaldo--got his ass handed to him on a silver platter today by my boys Messi, Eto, and Xavi of Barcelona. Booyakasha. Yes, he has skills. Yes, I'm sure he rakes in the poonani. Yes, he's probably got a sick crib. Or five. But anyone who dances before a penalty kick and applies that amount of hair gel, is, yes, a fifi mon. Hopefully, Kobe will follow suit, and we get to see two botti boys go down for the price of one on this evening.

While watching last night's Magic-Cavs game, I had the following three thoughts:
1. The Refs in the NBA are either semi-retarded, getting paid by David Stern, or had money on the game. There was no way Pietrus fouled Lebron there--it's a contact sport.
2. Mike Brown is a shitty coach and should (and probably will) get the boot. He played Boobie Gibson and Wally's World big minutes when they have barely played all series. How can a team be expected to win a championship when they do not even have a set rotation in late May?
3. Lebron's chances of becoming a Knick just increased--by a lot. BOOM.

Lykke Li keeps it real:



Cop her album. It's the bdc. And she's not bad looking either.

When There's a Will...There's A Way?

What makes a good electro/house song, in the mind inside this man's madness? Beats that weave in and out...Fruity vocals...Ecstasy...The rise and the fall...Funky rhythms...Miley Cyrus (that white girl)...Steam maaachines...And more flamboyant, yet sexalicious vocals...Basically, what separates from the men from the boys in the world of house music is this: some songs make you want to have sex, others make you feel like you are actually having sex. Here are some tunes you can hump the shit out of (shout out to my boy cbass on these jamz):

You've Got The Power- Alex Dario & Damien K, Miss Brown ft. Vlad Scala

Kasino - Stay Tonight (Exteme Deejays Remix)

I am probably going to post this video every week, because it is both ill and the best house song EVER!!!



BONERS!

He's Tho Dirtay

Dahntay Jones (a Dukie, normally meaning a squeezer of the d) did what the whole world wants to do to Kobe--he dropped that fool on his ass! I don't know what Kobe was trying to do with his facial expressions last night, but he looked more like one of Michael Vick's champion bulldogs than MJ. Kobe not only looked like a whiny bitch all night, but got schooled over and over again by my boy and Jersey alum, J.R. Smith, who is an up and coming supastar.T his guys a balla, shot calla, and has 20 inch rims on the impala. His swag has officially turned on, and he is on his way to stardom if he can keep his cool.

Speaking of talented jerks, here's a video of one TEARING IT UP:



He's basically my guilty pleasure. More on him soon to come.

I Feel on Top of the World

With Larry's complaints that posts have been dragging on here, I guess I'll get down to business. You've most likely heard LMFAO's song "La La La". Here's a dope remix:

"La La La (Death to the Throne Remix)" - LMFAO

If you're into electro, I'm sure you've also heard of Frankmusik. Here's a remix of one of his songs done by Don Diablo. Real chill:

"Confusion (Don Diablo Remix)" - Frankmusik

Finally, with the first Phish show of the summer less than a week away, I'll throw up a video related to the band. Lead guitarist Trey Anastasio played a concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra just a couple days ago. On a separate blog I wrote about how I love it when classical music is incorporated into the modern day scene. Well here is a perfect example. Here's an exerpt from an instrumental Phish song called "First Tube", performed by Trey and the Orchestra: