[ Thursday, May 22, 2003 ]
Just got back from seeing Matrix Reloaded...I was pleasantly surprised, not just by the moviemaking, which was mighty impressive and usually not excessive, but by the fact that the film's twists make the story much more complicated, and - danger, danger, brief intellectualization ahead - also complicate the various allegories that have been assigned, both fairly and unfairly, to the film's story. I'm not gonna give away any of those twists (many of which aren't fully explained in this film, and we'll all have to wait for the next one to accurately gauge them, both in terms of quality and context), but suffice it to say that any allegorical connections (Christian, Marxist etc.) get shaken up right good by the film. I recommend seeing it, but definitely see the first film beforehand.
By the way, you'll never guess who makes a very brief cameo. When I plunked down my eight dollars and settled in with my popcorn, I certainly never expected to see an appearance from Dr. CORNEL WEST, but that's exactly what I got. Popcorn almost got spit out at the sight of one of my favorite writers/thinkers sitting on the Zion Council. A nice surprise, and indicative of the fact that somebody connected with the movie must appreciate Dr. West's work. Big ups to whomever that is...
Before I forget...Legendary Shackshakers, COCKADOODLEDON'T. Get it. Love it. Live it.
On the box right now: Solomon Burke, DON'T GIVE UP ON ME.
Peace...
Dove With Claws [10:41 PM]
[ Tuesday, May 20, 2003 ]
I'm starting to feel more like a grown-up every day....yesterday, I had to go to another funeral (this time, my great-uncle Erv), and today I went to the bank in the morning and spent all afternoon in LensCrafters getting new glasses. Oh well...I put on the Ramones when I got home and felt suitably childish again. In a good way, of course.
So there was this big party in the apartment next to mine the night of the last finals day. I hate to sound like a fuddy-duddy, but the music at this party was WAY too loud; I don't mind feeling bass, or even occassional off-key singing, through my wall, but when I can understand every lyric to a song and I can clearly take in the song's entire mix, I start to get testy. This is all particularly true when the party didn't get rolling until 3:30 in the morning. What really blew my mind about this particular party was the incredibly stereotypical obviousness of the musical selections. If one were to compile a list of probable tracks to be heard at a late-night college party, you'd sure hit a lot of the songs I got to experience through the wall that night.
Tom Petty's "Free Fallin" - complete with terrible vocal accompaniment from the party-goers. There's something about the chorus of that song that sends certain crowds into an absolute frenzy, no matter how many times they've heard and sung it. Tom Petty is one of my favorites, but he deserves a certain amount of penance for this one, I think.
Dr. Dre and 2Pac's "California Love" - I love Dre and 'Pac, but I think we've figured out by now that California does INDEED know how to party. Besides which, this is one of the few hip-hop cuts that most white kids have decided it's okay to like.
The Black Crowes' "Hard To Handle" - Great track, even though Otis Redding's original version is a million times better. I don't understand the appeal of this one, since most of college folks who love it won't touch the Stones or the Faces (or Otis, for that matter) with a 10-foot pole. Strange.
Then there's that horrible country song with the chorus "I like it, I love it, I want some more of it" by an artist whose name I don't know. Let me make this plain: I don't like it, I really don't like it, I don't want any more of it ever. Thanks.
There were probably some others, but those were the four that stuck with me. I was waiting for "American Pie," "Jungle Boogie" and "Gin and Juice," either Snoop's or the bluegrassy cover from The Gourds, but I was spared.
On the box right now: T. REX, Electric Warrior: Deluxe Edition. (Does anybody out there besides me realize how great the song "Mambo Sun" is?)
Peace...
Dove With Claws [4:30 PM]
[ Sunday, May 18, 2003 ]
Not much to report today...except for the fact that
The Junkers show last night, the film STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN, and the
Fat Possum Records book/music package DARKER BLUES are all awesome.
And the apparent "boycott" against Danny Glover for his political beliefs is bullshit.
On the box right now: DARKER BLUES, Disc 1
Peace...
Dove With Claws [8:09 PM]
