The Red and the Black
by Jerry Harrison
allmusic entry (please refer to your favorite legal digital music provider for clips and the sort)
While David Byrne faffed about with Brian Eno and Tom Tom Club (Talking Heads' rhythm section: Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth) made themselves a gold album, Jerry Harrison released his first solo album to little fanfare. Well with the influx (the albums were out within months of each other), one of those albums was bound to get lost in the hooplah. A shame though, because it is definitely not only worth checking out, but arguably one of the best albums to come from the decade of excess (and Teddy Ruxpin).
Friday, October 1, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Book Review: 4 of 24
The Stepford Wives
by Ira Levin
Barnes & Noble link
(I read this on a whim while reading Stephen King's Danse Macabre, which mentioned the movie and the novel on the chapter about horror films. I finished it in less than two hours, go me. *fails to mention her vision is blurry as all-get-out*)
Ira Levin may not be much of a household name these days, but respectful horror nerds (of both the literary and film varieties) must acknowledge his footprints on this metaphorical frontier. He first brought the world Rosemary's Baby, a story so deep-rooted in modern culture that you don't have to see the film in order to understand why it scared the bejeebus out of everyone. It became a popular film, one in the lauded tower with others such as The Shining and Halloween. In 1972, he did it again. In the wake of women's lib taking on the world, he released The Stepford Wives. The book, unlike his last hit, wasn't much into grisly horror. It instead punched readers and viewers (once the film was released) with subtle, even paranoid, horror.
by Ira Levin
Barnes & Noble link
(I read this on a whim while reading Stephen King's Danse Macabre, which mentioned the movie and the novel on the chapter about horror films. I finished it in less than two hours, go me. *fails to mention her vision is blurry as all-get-out*)
Ira Levin may not be much of a household name these days, but respectful horror nerds (of both the literary and film varieties) must acknowledge his footprints on this metaphorical frontier. He first brought the world Rosemary's Baby, a story so deep-rooted in modern culture that you don't have to see the film in order to understand why it scared the bejeebus out of everyone. It became a popular film, one in the lauded tower with others such as The Shining and Halloween. In 1972, he did it again. In the wake of women's lib taking on the world, he released The Stepford Wives. The book, unlike his last hit, wasn't much into grisly horror. It instead punched readers and viewers (once the film was released) with subtle, even paranoid, horror.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Book Review: 3 of 24
Piercing
by Ryū Murakami
Barnes & Noble link
(This was a library borrow. Two down, four to go. This also will be the last review that will be lacking quotes from the book, since I keep forgetting to do that.)
Ryu Murakami is no stranger to writing novels that will make readers squirm in their seats (please refer to Almost Transparent Blue, Audition [yes, that one], and In the Miso Soup... but with caution). Compared to the more popular Haruki Murakami and his surrealistic settings, Ryū Murakami could be almost the shock jock of modern Japanese literature, especially with his focus on sexual violence, drug addiction, and deviant behaviors. But calling Murakami (referring to the author of Piercing from this point on) that would be missing the point of his work. If readers looked past the violence and sexuality and drugs, they would discover something just as hideous as a growing pool of rich red blood: people can be terrible.
by Ryū Murakami
Barnes & Noble link
(This was a library borrow. Two down, four to go. This also will be the last review that will be lacking quotes from the book, since I keep forgetting to do that.)
Ryu Murakami is no stranger to writing novels that will make readers squirm in their seats (please refer to Almost Transparent Blue, Audition [yes, that one], and In the Miso Soup... but with caution). Compared to the more popular Haruki Murakami and his surrealistic settings, Ryū Murakami could be almost the shock jock of modern Japanese literature, especially with his focus on sexual violence, drug addiction, and deviant behaviors. But calling Murakami (referring to the author of Piercing from this point on) that would be missing the point of his work. If readers looked past the violence and sexuality and drugs, they would discover something just as hideous as a growing pool of rich red blood: people can be terrible.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Overdue Reviews, Part 1
My Life In the Bush of Ghosts
by Brian Eno and David Byrne
Barnes & Noble link
*A long time ago, I posted this brief review (go to the near bottom) on the album. While, in a few words, it did sum up my initial feelings on the album, it wasn't enough to call it an actual review.*
Brian Eno and David Byrne had been working on the album, at least a few years, before its release in 1981. When it was unleashed onto the world, electronica music would have its solid foundation. Nothing like it was being done at the time. Eno and Byrne borrowed various samples, mostly from radio shows and old records, and created music around them. No other lyrics than what was said or sung on the tracks. The result was a feast for the ears.
by Brian Eno and David Byrne
Barnes & Noble link
*A long time ago, I posted this brief review (go to the near bottom) on the album. While, in a few words, it did sum up my initial feelings on the album, it wasn't enough to call it an actual review.*
Brian Eno and David Byrne had been working on the album, at least a few years, before its release in 1981. When it was unleashed onto the world, electronica music would have its solid foundation. Nothing like it was being done at the time. Eno and Byrne borrowed various samples, mostly from radio shows and old records, and created music around them. No other lyrics than what was said or sung on the tracks. The result was a feast for the ears.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Book Review: 2 of 24
Miracles of Life: An Autobiography
J.G. Ballard
Amazon link
(Quick backstory: I purchased this, along with several other Ballard novels, while I was in London a few months ago. My only regret was not buying Millennium People, since it is near-impossible to find in the States.)
After reading Concrete Island, the late J.G. Ballard gained a new fan in me. Upon learning that he had published a memoir, which was released one year before his death from prostate cancer, I made sure to track it down when I was in Europe.
J.G. Ballard
Amazon link
(Quick backstory: I purchased this, along with several other Ballard novels, while I was in London a few months ago. My only regret was not buying Millennium People, since it is near-impossible to find in the States.)
After reading Concrete Island, the late J.G. Ballard gained a new fan in me. Upon learning that he had published a memoir, which was released one year before his death from prostate cancer, I made sure to track it down when I was in Europe.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Oh, look! A book review!
Imperial Bedrooms
Bret Easton Ellis
Barnes & Noble link
(A quick note before I begin: I am going to write 24 reviews for this blog, the 24 being the age I turn this year. A commemoration of 24 years of living. Cheesy, I know.)
Readers were first introduced to Clay and company in Less Than Zero, set in L.A. during the drug-and-champagne eighties. We watched as Clay wandered among his former pals, coming to a sudden realization that like him, we honestly didn't know what was going on.
Bret Easton Ellis
Barnes & Noble link
(A quick note before I begin: I am going to write 24 reviews for this blog, the 24 being the age I turn this year. A commemoration of 24 years of living. Cheesy, I know.)
Readers were first introduced to Clay and company in Less Than Zero, set in L.A. during the drug-and-champagne eighties. We watched as Clay wandered among his former pals, coming to a sudden realization that like him, we honestly didn't know what was going on.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
A formal album review
Here Lies Love
by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim
Link to standard edition - Link to special edition
(the following review was based on the special edition, which included a DVD and a book)
Imagine this: the leader of Talking Heads and the guy responsible for songs like this one got together to make a concept album about one of Philippines' most historical political figures. Once you recover from the arduous brain power it took to consider such a reality, I present you with the result: Here Lies Love.
by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim
Link to standard edition - Link to special edition
(the following review was based on the special edition, which included a DVD and a book)
Imagine this: the leader of Talking Heads and the guy responsible for songs like this one got together to make a concept album about one of Philippines' most historical political figures. Once you recover from the arduous brain power it took to consider such a reality, I present you with the result: Here Lies Love.
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