Up All Night

by: Blink 182

One of my favourite bands growing up has came back to release an album after an 8 year absence!

Back to the Start

AMAZING!

 

Great cover of Coldplay's "The Scientist" by country legend Willie Nelson

Not only the track is outstanding but the video is superb!

Description:

Coldplay's haunting classic 'The Scientist' is performed by country music legend Willie Nelson for the soundtrack of the short film entitled, "Back to the Start." 

The film, by film-maker Johnny Kelly, depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the errors of his ways and opting for a more sustainable future. Both the film and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system.  

Download the song "The Scientist" by Willie Nelson now available on iTunes for $0.99. Label and artist proceeds benefit The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-scientist-single/id458479961

Great opening track

Mogwai - White Noise

taken from the album  Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (2011)

Eddie Vedder - Ukelele Songs (2011)

A great album from one of my favourite vocalist of all-time and frontman of one of my favourite bands:

Eddie Vedder

This Ukelele Songs (2011) just comes to show how versatile Eddie can be... also giving reinsurance on his colossal ability to write songs. Even though its far from the same quality of the soundtrack he wrote for the movie Into The Wild (2005), it's still very mellow and soft, shifting from what Pearl Jam are used to do... It goes easy on the ear and it provides a "zen" feeling to the listeners.

Here are two distinguished tracks out of his 2nd solo project.

The King's Speech (2010)

It took me some time, but I finally watched The King's Speech (2010)!

Even with my high expectations, I managed to be surprised with the perfect execution of this film in almost every single aspect! Not saying it's my favourite movie of all time, I'm just stating that it's almost flawless.
The script is wonderful, the scenery is very rich and enlightening, showing a different view of London, a city that like most of you know by now, I became very fond of.

Direction is superb and the three main leads are magnificent! 

Colin Firth is once again outstanding, as it is Geoffrey Rush! Helena Bonham Carter comes as a revelation of some kind... Never did I enjoyed so much one of her characters... and even though the Duchess of York is very likeable, I have to give credit when credit is due! 

Tom Hooper, the main conductor of this historical drama shares the spotlight as well. Didn't know much about him... still don't! Aside from The King's Speech, I've never seen none of his work... but I have to say I'm looking forward to see him in the future!

To recreate such a time and age accurately while providing depth and interest to the characters is unquestionably a hard task, one that Mr. Hooper was able to perform in a very good fashion! The opening scene is a clear example of that, as it grips you with a excellent moment by Colin Firth addressing the audience, something that created even more of an impact by the context it was inserted!

And speaking of scenes, another one of my favourite is the dialogue between the Duchess (H. Bonham Carter) and Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). That just comes to show how good they are and how well the script is written! It's intense, moving... but also funny as their personalities distinguish both performances!

A third one (and please forgive me for handing out a few spoilers) is the "because I have a voice" scene, one that most people are aware due to it's presence in the official trailer! Knowing of it's existence and when it would appear, it felt completely different when watching to it's full extent, in which Firth and Rush "take a go at it"... Captivating acting from both, one that certainly gave me the "goosebumps".

All and all, it's not a surprise any more that this movie did so well in the Oscar ceremony! A must see!

Pumped Up Kicks

by: Foster The People

Know this track for quite a while now, but never crossed my mind to share it until a few days ago.

One of those examples in which you hear it for the first time and it's good...
Hear it two or three times and you become addicted!

Awesome track and amazing video!

Another Summer track!

Typical Londoner Club Track

DJ Fresh feat. Sian Evans - Louder


It's unbelievable the amount of times this song plays on the radios...
and from I heard is also a huge success in London's dance floors!


It's a guilty pleasure of mine... I know it's bad, but I actually enjoy it haha

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light (2011)

Rock is made by people and instruments! Our record was made in my garage!
(Dave Grohl on Wasting Light during a gig in Portugal)

It's sort of refreshing when I see a live gig in which the band plays a lot of the tracks from their latest album and you are just clueless! That's what happened when the Foo Fighters went to Portugal. Among the great classics, they played several songs from Wasting Light (2011), which only now I'm taking time to listen.

As I go through the tracks, my memory starts uploading moments from that amazing night, July 7th, in which FF played for over two and half hours. Rope and Walk standout as probably the two new singles that I liked best! 

The album is pretty good! A more intense Rock&Roll aura surrounds it, with Grohl stating proudly that no electronic devices were used in the making of the album! 

I think it's fair to say that it certainly feels like it!

Salão Paroquial

by: Asterisco Cardinal Bomba Caveira

Don't know why it never occurred to me to upload this in my blog once I heard it for the first time...

Quite like this track and these kids look promising! Another band from the growing Amor Furia!

Let's see what the future has stored for them...

This trailer...

... got me really interested!

Surprise Hotel

by: Fool's Gold

Coming from work, depressed because of this awful London weather! But while, I entered the bus and scrolled through my iPod I came to the Fool's Gold debut album.

Clicked on their first track, Surprise Hotel, and instantly I was transported to this tropical beach, with a Caribbean flavor to it. It was time for a bit of party in the sand, then to chill for a while near the ocean! Life looks pretty good with my headphones on!

As soon as the music ends, it's back to reality! 

I wonder how's the weather back in Portugal and if those amazing days at Guincho are on...

And then...

... I play this track again!

Alternative video... SXSW 2010 Showcasing Artist

Holocene

by: Bon Iver

Beautiful video with gorgeous landscapes from Iceland
More info here

It's impossible not to like this guy!

Can't really remember how Louis C.K came to my attention!

I remember seeing him playing the part of Ricky Gervais best friend in the movie Ghost Town (2008) but other than that, nothing special...

Anyway, it's not so much of his actor skills that I want to write about (although I hear his new show Louie  has been getting a lot of attention)...

I want to point out how great of a standup comedian he is!

Like most comedians, they usually pick up day-to-day routines to discriminate how funny certain situations can be... where are a few examples (most of them taken out his HBO Special: Shameless)...

There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight

by: Cloud Control

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Sometime ago I wrote about my expectations towards Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)... and if you read it, than you know I've raised some concerns related to it's director...

But what d' ya know? Joe Johnston didn't suck after all!

Even though it's not an amazing comic book movie, it's still good enough to provide the audience with great entertainment, worthy of a summer blockbuster" I would change a few things here and there, but all and all, enjoyed myself watching what is to become the Avengers leader!

Chris Evans does a wonderful job as the Cap, while Hugo Weaving didn't provide a role of greater magnitude only because the script didn't allow him to. The Red Skull should have a bit more time and attention to detail, taking into consideration he has a very interesting backstory.

Meanwhile, I was surprised with Bucky's (Captain America's sidekick) outcome, but to avoid any spoilers, I will leave it at that!

Like any other flick related to comics, this one has an awesome supporting cast with actors in the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Hayley Atwell and Toby Jones.

The formula has been similar to most Marvel films...

Adding to the cast, you also have good action sequences, punchlines and use of some cliches (not in an excessive way), excellent retro look, nice looking costume and a more than fairly adaptation from the original source to the screen, it stands as yet another win for the sequence of heroes (Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye and Iron Man) coming up to assemble the Marvel's Squad.

DragonFly

by: Ziggy Marley

Bushwick Blues

by: Delta Spirit

Although I know this track for quite some time, it seems I can't stop listening to it in these past days. it's been constantly in repeat on my iPod and it will remain like that for the upcoming days.

It's an amazing track that I want to share with you, adding also another great song called Children, a song once already posted in this blog, but like Bushwick Blues, I've been listening to it over and over again

Hold on to my hand
Never let go
Never let go
We were just two kids acting tough
Then we grew up
Me, not so much

All the other guys that you've seen
are nothing compared to me
Because my love is strong
And my heart is weak
After all

When we first met
We spoke so brief
When you sang a sonnet
I hummed sweet relief
Do you recall that night we took the L
Out into Bushwick
It was colder than hell

So maybe there
We should have stopped
Cause I'm left here feeling like a cop
Because my love is strong
And my heart is weak
After all

To the other side
of the state's return
I met a young girl
Well I couldn't manage her
Because I think of you
In every girl i meet
It's no relief
That sounds to me just as sweet

So maybe I'm the fool for feeling used
By the way we kissed that night i though you knew
Because my love is strong
And my heart is weak
After all

Children shut your eyes
we'll tell you what to see
this world is burnin' down
and you're the ones to lead

now look into their hearts
all those who hold the lead
don't listen to their lies
they only want one thing
well i only want one thing

they'll rob you from the truth
and they'll steal you from our house
the blind leading the blind
don't hang around with their kind

cause i love the life i lead
and i know my enemies
well if God is on our side
well that's all you really need
well that's all we really need
well that's all i really need

follow down the road
i was led before you were born
no its not your choice
to pick your own fight

when you sitting second class
and as long as you're in control
speaking when you're asked
you make your own stand
and you take your own stand
well i'll make my own stand
and i take my own stand

Scream 4 (2011)

So after many years of absence, the Ghostface Killer is back for yet another edition of the Scream saga. The fourth installment to be specific! Many people immediately disregarded the movie for it's poor advances especially in the third sequel, however, being a franchise with some potential and directed by horror master Wes Craven, you should always give the benefit of the doubt! 

Scream 4 (2011) comes in it's traditional Slasher form... well... to certain extent! 

You see... more than being an typical slasher movie, this one works out as more of a satirical film, that analyzes the development of the genre to our days, while paying homage to some of the great classics (with a lot of cultural references and trademark sequences), but also criticizing and pointing out some of the biggest flaws and cliches. But its a healthy criticism, as Scream 4 assumes itself to be one of that kind! Horror is not (at all) what this movie is about... It's not about making you jump out of your chair or to shock you with gruesomeness! Is in every shape in form a slasher as earlier mentioned, with a lot of killing, chills and thrills. That made this one a lot more fun to watch then the previous two...

Add to that the fact it gathers some of the original cast. Neve Campbell is back as Sidney Prescott, as well as Courtney Cox and David Arquette. Add to those names some other well known actors with significant relevance to the plot or just small participation and cameos. Hayden Panettiere, Adam Brody, Kristen Bell, Anna Paquin or Rory Culkin are among the list...

I've enjoyed this movie very much, especially the sharp dialogues that could either be tense or sense of humor, using sarcasm and naivety as it's key factor! 

Movie Cliches - Illustrated

Came across this and wanted to share with all of you!

These are some of the biggest movie cliches to ever exist in posters...

(click on the pictures if you want to see them bigger)

Mulher a Dias

by: Linda Martini

Among the audience!

Os Golpes are one of my favorite Portuguese bands. I've written many times about them, expressing my thoughts on their albums and gigs.

This time I will only post their brand new video for the track entitled "O Amor Separa-nos-a" - translation: "Love will tear us apart", much like the Joy Division track (although they don't seem anything alike).

Not the best of tracks from the Portuguese group, however, it has a piece of trivia:

Most of the footage on their new videoclip was filmed on the "Coliseu dos Recreios" in Portugal, during their opening act for The Walkmen.

I was there!

Money

by: The Drums

I know I've already posted this, but instead of just leaving the track, I leave you with the official video.

What a good omen for then upcoming album!

Super 8 (2011) | Hanna (2011) | Super (2011)

These are the three latest movies that I saw before I came to London... The first I saw it in the cinema and the other two, just recently over a friend's house!

Obviously, since all three are so much different from one another, I will try to briefly make a comment on each of them...

Super 8 (2011) directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg, seems like a crossover of:

- Stand By Me (1986), based on a novella by Stephen King entitled The Body,

- E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)  

- The War of the Worlds, also a novel, written by H.G Wells, adapted later on by Spielberg in 2005.

All three of them combined display a show of science fiction and fantasy while demonstrating human kindness, sensitivity and innocence, but at the same time showing some of our flaws and possible consequences of our greed and evil ambition... all of this with massive special effect scenes! It's a modern day fiction fairy tale (if there is such a thing) mixing bits and pieces of action, comedy and drama! A good summer blockbuster without a shadow of a doubt!

Hanna (2011) is a Joe Wright movie that takes a big turn from the latest genres he has been associated with!

Action packed flick, with a interesting  screenplay and a terrific cast lead by Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett... Oh and let's not forget to mention a hell of a score by The Chemical Brothers that gives the movie a more intense and invigorating rhythm!

Even though it might seem sometimes a bit incoherent in terms of plot development and the directing style applied to demonstrate that, it's still a very solid movie that will make your while!

Super (2011) is a movie directed by relatively unknown James Gunn that comes in a time and age where super-heroes without powers are becoming sort a trendy theme recently. Forget comic books adapted into films in the likes of Batman or The Punisher... I'm talking about movies such as Defendor (2009) or Kick-Ass (2010).

Presenting itself as a comedy, it takes a whole different route as times goes by! Well... to be fair, it sort of never loses it's comedy touch (black humour), but gets incredibly violent and graphic, but also more deep and insightful! As Rain Wilson's character gets more subversive into his new role as a masked crusader, we feel his pain, thus becoming more comprehensive about his attitudes, that although not always right... are enough to "shut up crime", as he would say.

I just want to add that when you reach the middle of the movie it gains a whole new intensity! Finally when you reach the end... after the credits roll down and you have some time to reflect... that's when it hit me! It's a nicely done flick!

I said I had a good feeling about this one...

I was right!

Melanie Laurent & Jean Reno...

... what is there not to like?

Our Deal

This is Best Coast latest video, directed by Drew Barrymore

Best Coast

California Soul

Cascais Jazz Club - Workshops e afins

Para os que ainda não sabem, abriu em Cascais uma associação de Jazz (ou um clube se assim preferirem chamar) de seu nome Cascais Jazz Club, situado mesmo no centro da Vila ao lado da farmácia Cordeiro. 

Este clube foi inaugurado com o intuito de promover aquilo que é na minha opinião o género musical mais rico e influente no cenário musical. O projecto foi levado a cabo por um grupo de pessoas no qual consta a minha Mãe (cantora Maria Viana) e Padrasto (Manuel Franco), que se deixaram levar por várias influências e contributos históricos de pessoas como Villas-Boas ou Duarte Mendonça, mas acima de tudo pela sua paixão pelo Jazz e vontade de transmitir os valores por detrás da música de raízes assentes nos Estados Unidos.

Desde o seu inicio, quando o espaço não tinha ninguém que zelar por ele, muita coisa aconteceu! Muitas horas e dinheiro foram investidos neste projecto (de grande cariz pessoal diga-se), muitos sacrifícios pessoais foram feitos... tudo para que Cascais pudesse usufruir de algo que contribuísse para o espectro cultural dos habitantes desta terra em tempos conhecida como a terra dos pescadores.

A iniciativa mais recente, uma que infelizmente não estive presente por estar fora, aparentemente foi um sucesso! Para ficar com esta ideia, bastou-me uma simples conversa com um dos presentes ou uma rápida análise à reportagem elaborada por João Moreira dos Santos, autor do blog Jazz Num País de Improviso e também ele membro fundador do CJC.

Mas como se isso não bastasse,  fruto da minha curiosidade (e também orgulho) vi uma pequena peça de autoria da Geração C Cascais que demonstra parcialmente o que foi este dia...

Take a look...

Bridesmaids (2011)

When I first saw the trailer, I admit it had a few good moments, but not enough to make me get out of my house towards the nearest cinema... A comedy to drag me to a theatre has to be very very promising and also has to involve a lot of friends in order to make the best out of the laughter experience!

So why did I watch Bridesmaids (2011)? Well, for one because I started reading a few reviews and checked the score on iMDB. It holds an impressive 7.5 out of 10, which usually means it's good! Also, it was an Apatow production, so here I had enough to  be aroused with! Also, taking in to consideration we were with a female friend, it made more sense to watch this movie opposite to Transformers 3 (which let me tell you, I will only see it due to special effects! Hated the second one and I'm almost certain I'm bound to hate this third sequel).

So there we were... Ready to watch a female cast lead by Kristen Wiig, who also wrote the screenplay!
Both Wiig and fellow actress Maya Rudolph have a comedy background, with a special connection to the acclaimed show Saturday Night Live, making this even more interesting to watch!

Didn't took long for me to realize I was in for a ride! As the inaugural scene came up, slowly but steadily I started giggling... a giggle that seconds later turned out to be a huge outburst of laughter!

No doubt about it... this was promising and throughout the movie I came to a point in which I was certain this was for me to recommend to friends (Watch out for the dress scene... it's absolutely hilarious!)!
There's a chemistry between the female group, which providing different set of skills into this comedy, allowed it to consistently progress without reaching a dull moment!

Please go watch it while you can... and make sure to go with a huge army of close friends!

Beach Fossils - What a Pleasure (2011)

A wonderful EP (or should I call it a half record?) that has a summer feel into it! And What a Pleasure (2011) it is to dive in a beautiful ocean of sweet guitars and gazed bass notes.

It's irresistible melodies have the capacity to make the listener travel through waves of mellow and cool subtleness... One that is increasingly better if near the sea or with an intense sunshine in your face, while contemplating a sublime landscape through the lens of your set of Raybans!

Well, maybe none of the mention above will work for you while getting your head around Beach Fossils, but at least it has provided me the will to write something in a more eloquent fashion! It's not a proper writing skill of mine... I'll give you that! But what's the point of fighting it? That's what their music has given me right now... A sudden rush to wonder off in tales and descriptions of Summer time, my favourite season of the year and one that I've been enjoying a lot back in my home town in Portugal.

Beach, Sunsets and Sundowns, dancing, partying, chilling out with friends over a cold beer, summer romance... all of it is mandatory in these months... and these kids from the Big Apple, so-called Beach Fossils, are certain to make all of those present, even if only in your minds.

In fact, Beach Fossils definitely are amongst a group of indie rock bands that provide that same feeling. Bands in the likes of The Drums, Wild Nothing or Beach House... All of which are required throughout the entire year, but especially in July and August!

Elefantes Azuis

by: TRÊSPORCENTO

PJ 20 - Coming Soon

Snyposis (Apple Website):

Pearl Jam Twenty chronicles the years leading up to the band's formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after their rise to megastardom, their step back from center stage, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround them-giving way to a work culture that would sustain them. Told in big themes and bold colours with blistering sound, the film is carved from over 1,200 hours of rarely-seen and never-before seen footage spanning the band's career. Pearl Jam Twenty is the definitive portrait of Pearl Jam: part concert film, part intimate insider-hang, part testimonial to the power of music and uncompromising artists. 

Director Cameron Crowe unveils never before seen footage of one of the most influential and significant rock bands to ever step foot on a stage! One that has especially left a huge stamp on my generation! They have a special relationship with Portugal and have come many times, but unfortunately (for one reason or another) I was never able to see them! Last year when they announced on stage they would stop playing I felt horrible... I could I have missed so many chances to see one of my all time favourite groups? They give amazing shows... one after another... they keep coming back to my country and I'm still able to miss every single gig! Shame on me! But even beneath that sense of misery and (sort of) disregard, I am keeping the faith alive! They will be back! Until then, there's nothing left for me to do then to keep listening to their music and wait for this documentary to come out!

Can't wait for that to happen!