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Friday, September 30, 2005
Serenity Takes Off Goddamn it. I'm on my knees now, begging and pleading to you, my readers. This weekend, please please /please/ go see Serenity. If you're a fan of Buffy, go see it. If you're a fan of Joss Whedon, go see it. If you're a fan of science fiction, go see it. If you're a fan of westerns, go see it. If you're a fan of wit, go see it. If you're a fan of humour, go see it. If you're a fan of movies, go see it. It is easily my favourite film of the year, and it's in the running for my favourite film of all time.
Now, you must be thinking: "Fuck this fanboy shit." While it is undeniable that this is the rambling of an obsessed Whedon-phile, I can discount my fandom and still whole-heartedly recommend the movie. Intrigue, action, humour -- Serenity has it all. In buckets. It's vintage Joss Whedon, which means you'll get an epic story line served with a healthy side of witty dialogue. If you've seen (and liked) Firefly, you will dig this immensely. If you haven't see Firefly, it still works as a stand-alone.
Dude. It's incredible. Go see it for your own good.
NP: The National - Karen
posted by Hanson |
12:07 AM
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Sub-Par Pop Those that know me know my disdain for heavy-handed production (for music). But whatever opinions I or anybody else may have on the likes of Max Martin and The Matrix, it's undeniable that they do their job well, churning out a hit parade of glossy, mainstream pop music. At times, I take this type of slick, mainstream production for granted, thinking that all mainstream radio pop songs have equally "good" production. However, I was recently reminded of how completely false that statement was. For proof, one needs to look no further than the new Canadian Idol single.
The song in question is "Alive," sung by the newly crowned Canadian Idol, Melissa O'Neil. As a song, it's your typical schmaltzy Idol fare, perhaps a little better than its predecessors. However, the production for the version they're playing on the radio completely blows chunks. The song, with a catchier-than-average chorus, has the potential to rock out Kelly Clarkson style. But instead of playing to its strengths (i.e. nailing and building around the chorus), it just drifts aimlessly, going nowhere in 3ish minutes. The producers should've unleashed Melissa on the chorus -- something that she does really well -- instead of holding her back just enough to make it completely boring. If they had gotten their Matrix-on, it could've been a sizable (Canadian) hit...
Ben Lee is playing Richard's the same night as Liz Phair -- November 11th. Boo. Maybe if it's an early show, I can catch them both.
Scout Niblett is at the Brickyard Oct. 1st. If I didn't have more important things to do, I'd totally be there.
NP: Metric - Poster of a Girl
posted by Hanson |
1:15 AM
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Head to Head Veronica Mars and Lost, probably my top two shows right now, are going up head to head at 9pm on Wednesday nights. Fuck! The plan is to watch Lost at Danica's and tape Veronica Mars -- which premieres tomorrow night -- at home. Depends on how well I do in poker on Thursday, I might not get to watch it until the weekend. Well, as much as I like Kristen Bell Veronica Mars, it'd be a good sign if I don't come home early enough on Thursday to watch her it.
Elliott Smith's cover of "Thirteen" is astounding. I love Mary Lou Lord's take on it, but I like Elliott's even more than Big Star's. Too bad...
I'm probably going to get this real soon. I can see myself listening to vinyl at work, just for the hell of it. Oh yeah.
Got my ticket to Stars today. Out of the five, six times I've seen them, they have yet to disappoint me, and I don't think they will this time either.
NP: Immaculate Machine - Broken Ship
posted by Hanson |
12:30 AM
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Hurry Hard Curling season for me began last night. I'm back with my team from last year in the Sunday night SFU league at Port Moody, though Philip was a no-show. Hopefully, he'll be back next week so that "Graham Taylor's Memorial Pancake Breakfast" can kick some ass this year. Tomorrow, I'm in a new league at the Coquitlam Curling Club, curling with a brand new team. It looks like I'll be playing lead in the Ho rink -- yes, our skip is named Ho too. We should unofficially call ourselves "Two Ho's for the Price of One."
Tomorrow will see the release of a couple of Canadian albums I'm really looking forward to. Metric's Live It Out is on top of my list, though the one that will be spinning in every hipster's stereo will be Wolf Parade's first full length, Apologies To The Queen Mary. 9.2 from Pitchfork? Shit. You can't /buy/ publicity this good.
Jem's playing Sunday, Oct. 16th. Too bad I got curling!
NP: Wolf Parade - Shine a Light
posted by Hanson |
12:44 AM
Monday, September 26, 2005
Hot Hot Helsinki Last night's Architecture in Helsinki/Wolf Parade/Dr. Dog show went down in this weird space on the edge of the crack district on Hastings. Apparently, when Carlos was waiting for us, he was offered "rocks" by a dude -- twice. And I don't think the guy was selling diamonds.
The venue itself was little more than a big room with a very poor ventilation system. It was like a furnace in there, the lot of indie kids baking in medium-high heat. The fact that the big-ass stage lights were on me the whole time (except when all the light in the room went out) didn't help things; the sweat on my arms was actually dripping off of them. Luckily, one of the girls from AiH came out and gave some of us bottle water. That ruled so harshly, I could barely begin to describe its awesomeness. I drank some and poured some on me. Ah. That felt good.
All through the night, I was hoping there wouldn't be a fire. I mean, we were at the very front, so if shit went down, we'd be the suckers left roasted crispy by the roaring flame. I tried to find the fire exits, but I don't think any existed. The place was just a big box with one back alley entrance, the front door on Hastings sealed off by metal fencing. Now, the number of fires that have been started at shows I was at was precisely zero, but that didn't stop my paranoia. No. The thought that this show could be the indie version of the Great White in Rhode Island incident had me unnerved. Every time I saw a guy was smoking on stage, I cringed inside a little.
Anyways, on to the show. Dr. Dog was decent. If I weren't so tired or distracted by the heat, I might've enjoyed their set more. Instead, I kept thinking during their set, "where's Wolf Parade?" So when Wolf Parade came out and said that their set would be shortened due to the late start time, part of me was relieved. That said, they put on a great show despite the small stage and the room's crappy acoustics. I don't know if I'd label them the Next Big Thing (i.e. the Next Arcade Fire), but maybe seeing them under better conditions might change my mind.
Architecture in Helsinki, as usual, was excellent. The stage they had to work with was bigger than last time at the Media Club, so they had more room to work their stage antics (rolling on the floor and such alike). Unlike the first time I saw them -- at Richard's opening up for the Starlight Mints and Dressy Bessy -- the crowd was really into them, heat be damned. I was happy to see that they're not all just buzz-flocker-to-ers there to see Wolf Parade. For their encore, they did "Do the Whirlwind" with both their opens on stage singing and banging on stuff. What amused me the most was one of the Wolf Parade guys wearing a Wolf Eyes t-shirt. Hehe.
After the encore, the DJ started spinning, throwing on Spoon's "I Turn My Camera On" to lead it off. Despite my fatigue, my body couldn't stop the crazy-dancing. Then it was "Galang" and "Float On," so you know there was no way I could stop. After that was a hip hop song I didn't know, which allowed me to make a graceful exit. Damn it. I need me an indie rock dance party.
On a side note, the girl standing behind us at the show really looked like the guitarist from the Organ. I didn't want to ask or anything, cos you know, I don't do that sober. But it really looked like her -- except that she smiled. Heh. If they weren't touring the East coast of the US right now, I'd place a good size bet that it was her.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:59 AM
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Hit and Run No time to post. Must run to the quizbowl tournament. I'll say this though -- the impromptu cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" was awesome.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
8:40 AM
Friday, September 23, 2005
Old Pornographers The New Pornographers show is tomorrow. Yes! It's been two weeks since my last show, and this one should be a doozy. And Architecture in Helsinki is playing with Wolf Parade on Saturday, which is exciting for two reasons. First, it's at a room -- Artspace -- that I've never been too, and second, it's Wolf Parade, a band whose music I dig but haven't seen before.
It's rare now that I get to see a band I like but haven't seen before. It seems that I see the same bands over and over again. For instance, tomorrow, I'll be seeing Destroyer and the Pornos, both of which I've seen on a number of occasions. The last band I saw -- Metric -- I've seen them many times as well. And in the crazy month of October and November, I'll only be checking out two "new" bands, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Controller.Controller. So yeah. Yay for the new!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:42 AM
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Almost Lost It Wow. The premiere of the second best new show of last year, Lost, was incredible. Just when you thought they'd stop doing shit, they do more shit. Danica said it was like an accelerated X-Files where stuff actually happens. And here I was thinking that /last/ season was good. I just hope the premiere of last year's best show -- Veronica Mars -- goes just as well.
I like the new stellastarr* album, having "found" it online but not in stores. Every time I hear Amanda Tannen's back-up vocals, I can't help but picture her singing it live. And every time I picture her singing live, oh, hot. I really want to see stellastarr* again.
No Dar at Zulu or Scratch. I should really go flog myself now. However, I did find the soundtrack to Thumbsucker, which features unreleased Elliott Smith. That should stave off the self-beatings.
I paid $40+ for my Arcade Fire ticket. This shit is bananas!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:54 AM
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Da Da Dar The new Dar Williams record, My Better Self, was released on today. I best do myself a favour and pick that shit up tomorrow. If not, somebody's gonna get a whooping. I'm not saying who, but I think he knows me very well.
Looks like Pitchfork agrees with me when it comes to You Say Party, We Say Die. I probably liked them more than they did, but what's new. The only downside: they beat me to the Pretty Girls Make Graves comparison.
I bought a ticket to My Morning Jacket today. Well, looks like I wont' see Bright Eyes in Bellingham after all!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:50 AM
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Broken Window Whilst having drinks tonight with some co-workers after work, the Ho-mobile was broken into once again. The wankers smash the tiny back window on the passenger's side and proceeded to ransack my car. Since I had nothing worth stealing, all they made off with is the change in my change holder. They didn't even take my Dirty Martini CD, which I thought was a bit weird -- them not taking it, not the CD itself.
Of course, the big pain in the ass in all this is that I'm going to have to get my window fixed. Fuckers. I hope my poker winnings last week is enough to cover this shit.
NP: Ladytron - All the Way
posted by Hanson |
12:58 AM
Monday, September 19, 2005
Dana Gets Hers When they announced that Felicity Huffman got the Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, I screeched. Loudly. I might've irreparably damaged Danica's hearing through that, and I've never even seen an episode of Desperate Housewives. So when she mentioned Aaron Sorkin and Sports Night, I screeched even louder. Yeah. My love for Sports Night is undying.
Speaking of the Emmys, Kristen Bell singing the theme to Fame had me all giddy. Lost winning Best Drama had me smiling. And Jon Stewart's bit had me laughing my ass off.
Nice try, O.C., but you won't win me back simply by using Soul Meets Body and putting the new Klosterman in Seth Cohen Start Pack: Rehab Edition. I'll still watch you, but you're on the clock.
I now have an extra ticket to each of the following shows: The New Pornographers this Friday (Sept. 23rd), Architecture in Helsinki and Wolf Parade this Saturday (Sept. 24th), and Feist and New Buffalo on Oct. 5th. I'm still going to the first two, but I won't be seeing Ms. Leslie due to Sarah's VIFF debut. Interested parties, holla.
NP: You Say Party, We Say Die - Stockholm Syndrome Part Two
posted by Hanson |
12:37 AM
Friday, September 16, 2005
You Say Party? Among the slew of new releases this week, my favourite has to be Hit the Floor, the new (and first) full-length from Vancouver's own You Say Party, We Say Die. Their sound is a cross between the crazy disco-punk of Controller.Controller and the crazy all-out partying of United State of Electronica -- all served with a hefty portion of leftist politics. It's fun, gloomy, and incredibly danceable at the same time. If you're familiar with their debut EP, you would notice considerable growth in terms of their songwriting. Whereas their EP was just OK, Hit the Floor is pretty damn good. If I walked into a club and they were spinning this -- if I walked into clubs, that is -- I'd be dancing like crazy for a half an hour. I'll try to post a sample tomorrow since my CD is still at work, but until then, you'd have to take my word on it.
It's funny how the article Ron pointed out about Vancouver being the new indie hot bed of Canada doesn't mention these guys at all. That said, they're not completely off the radar, as the record is burning up Canadian college radio, landing at #3 on Chart Magazine's weekly Top 50 airplay, errrr, chart. These guys are currently on a cross-Canada tour, so you could probably catch them at a bar near you in the next month or so.
Speaking of shows, Martha Wainwright is playing at Richard's on October 13th. From Blown Speakers always breaks news of Vancouver shows. I haven't decided if I'm going yet since October is pretty crazy, but if it were any other month, I would've so been there.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:44 AM
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Burning Alone Everyone's going to M.I.A. on Oct. 7th, so no one will be going to the Arcade Fire with me. Solo show at the PNE? Boo...
A cop pulled me over after I made a U-turn getting out of Danica's place -- yes, after going the wrong way. I didn't get a ticket, but she did take my license back to her car. For what reason? I know not...
Melissa O'Neil as the third Canadian Idol. Yeah, that sounds right.
NP: Kate Earl - Officer
posted by Hanson |
1:21 AM
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Angel at the VIFF These Girls, a film starring David Boreanez and Caroline Dhavernas, will be at the VIFF on Oct. 6th and 8th. I haven't checked the full schedule yet, but I know I'll see at least two things at this year's fest.
MIA plays the Commodore the same night the Arcade Fire plays the damn PNE (Oct. 7th). Here's another reason why the Arcade Fire show won't do so well at the box office.
The Nada Surf show on Oct. 18th has been moved from the Media Club to Richard's. That's not surprising, since I'd expect them to play Richard's anyway. Now I might actually be able to get that +1 for the show...
Speaking of Nada Surf, their new one, The Weight is a Gift, dropped today, as did Devendra Banhart and stellastarr*'s new ones. I need to pick up the latter two at Scratch tomorrow -- right after I do some postering for the release of the former. Dar William's new one is out next week too, I believe. Mmmmm. New Dar.
NP: Nada Surf - Always Love
posted by Hanson |
11:37 PM
Pics of All Sorts As promised, here are my pics from Bumbershoot. I think I went a little nuts over Tift Merritt, as pics of her alone comprised half of all the ones I've upload to Flickr. What can I say? She's photogenic and the lighting was perfect.
Here's what I call a classic win-lose situation: my friend Sarah's short film, Because You Demanded It!, made it into the Vancouver International Film Festival! I'm going to go check out her very entertaining film during its only evening showing in an effort to lend my support. However, that screen happens to be on October 5th -- the night of the Feist/New Buffalo show. This means I won't get to see the lovely Ms. Leslie nor the cute Aussie Sally Seltmann, aka New Buffalo, which is a bummer. That said, I'm more than happy to give that up to support Sarah on her festival debut. Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.
NP: Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To
posted by Hanson |
12:22 AM
Monday, September 12, 2005
Best. Burfday. Evarr. Friday night was tonnes of fun, despite the "oh they don't have karaoke here anymore" hiccup in the middle. Introducing so many people to the K was my pleasure. And big ups to Dan for the ride home. Dude, you rule. For photographic documentation, check out the ones posted by The Best Ho, who took much better pictures that I did.
Incredibly, the rest of the weekend was probably even better. Clearly, when seeing Emily Haines do her robot thing was but a minor blip on my happy-inducing radar, everything else had to be nothing short of amazing. Anybody who can put up with a stinky Ho has to be. See! I'm finally blogging about it!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:46 AM
Friday, September 09, 2005
All Your Dreams Are Made When I heard the first few chords of "Morning Glory" tonight, I was instantly transported back to junior high again, playing video games all night and listening to Oasis. And all the while, I couldn't help but think that Wing Kee should've been at the show also, as Oasis was /his/ band. Too bad he's all the way over on the other side of the Pacific Ocean now.
Back then, I didn't even like Oasis. I hated them because all my friends liked them. Strange, I know. But over time, I was converted; good music was good music and it cannot be denied. The show tonight was pretty good overall -- a bit short, and no "Supersonic," but we got "Acquiesce," and that's not nothing. Nostalgia rules the day. *sigh* I wish Wing Kee were here.
The Arcade Fire show on Oct. 7th is back on! It's at the terrible PNE Forum, but hey, it's the Arcade Fire, so I'm definitely going.
Controller.Controller /and/ Magneta Lane plays The Red Room on Oct. 27th. So much for seeing Okkervil River!
PS: Bumbershoot details/pics will come this weekend.
NP: Oasis - Don't Look Back in Anger
posted by Hanson |
12:49 AM
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Good Day Plans debuted in fourth place on the Billboard album chart, moving 90,000 copies in its first week. I was /so/ right.
IPod Nano. I want you.
Kanye's right.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
2:44 AM
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Not So Peaceful Our Lady Peace are a great live band, but since they are radio-rock, their shows bring out the wankiest of the wankers. I knew what was coming, so I ducked out to the periphery before they started playing. Others that I went with weren't so lucky, as they had to escape, one by one, as the crowd got rowdier and rowdier. Fucking devil-horns throwing, crowd-surfing, people pushing-frat-boy fucks. Crowd surfing to "4 AM"? Are you shitting me? My pictures turned out shitty too, but I probably won't be posting any. Still, "Starseed," "Superman's Dead" and "Naveed" so completely ruled, it made the show more than worthwhile.
Stars on November 21st at the Commodore. Nice. I'll never get tired of seeing them.
NP: Haley Bonar - Car Wreck
posted by Hanson |
2:00 AM
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Back Up North I'm back. Can't really blog in detail tonight, but the trip was wicked fun. Bumbershoot was great, but there were plenty of other things that made the Ho happy. Hanging out with Matt and Larry, seeing John Vanderslice and the Posies do in-stores at Easy Street Records, buying tonnes of CDs at said record store (though not the new Laura Veirs because they ran out), going to the Long Winters/indie dance party at Chop Suey, discovering the wonderful Haley Bonar, and finally, chatting with (and getting the cell phone number of) the inspiration for the name of this blog -- Mary Lou Lord (and watching her busk too).
I'll try to post more tomorrow, but I'm going to see Our Lady Peace at the Commodore. Maybe I'll come up with something at lunch. Anyway, I've got tonnes of emails to read/send. And yeah, work tomorrow too. Best stop this post here. Now. Blah. OK now.
Poo poo.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:31 AM
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Going Down South I'm off to Bumbershoot. This year's line up may not be as good as previous years, but with The Decemberists, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Tift Merritt, Smoosh, Earlimart, Ted Leo, and Harvey Danger playing, just to name a few, it ain't bad either. I shall come back, dazzled by the sounds, writing about how the roast corn was as good as ever. Mmmmm. Roast corn....
I bought the new Our Lady Peace album on Tuesday, but I have yet to listen to it. Since I don't have a CD player in my car -- and my discman was jacked about a year go -- I probably won't be able to listen to it until next Tuesday, the say of their show. Speaking of which, this will be the first trip I take without bringing any sort of recorded music. And ironically, it's a trip all about music. Ah well. At least with KEXP and KNDD, Seattle radio isn't half bad.
The cynical part of me is just waiting for someone to try to cash in on Katrina. My money's on street vendors selling "I (Heart) NOLA" t-shirts.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
9:55 AM
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