Came accross this right about the time I first moved into London, but only know I'm sharing it!
It's a great mashup album, one that crosses the worlds of indie rock-pop with Hip-Hop!
That's right! Featuring Phoenix and Lil Wayne, the little album contains 5 tracks that will certainly delight both genre fans! All without exceptions are awesome tracks, to which is hard for me to point out one... so I will not only leave all of them in this post, but also highlight a link in which you can download this EP!
I've listen back and forward Portamento (2011) from the American indie band The Drums and I guarantee you it's amazing!
After a terrific début - which a wrote about many times in this blog [1][2] but at the time, in Portuguese - they were expected to raise their game.
And so they did...
I think it's fair to say that after recently coming in to the music scene, with just a few years as a group they've established themselves as a big reference! At least according to my book...
You see... even though at the time with just one album, it was crystal clear they would go a long away, if nothing major happened to them (like having a feud).
Especially in a time and age where New Wave is becoming increasingly popular with a sort of vintage revival (like many other things that are coming up from the 70's and 80's), The Drums are a safe bet in a terms of musical choice. This second project of theirs just comes to show that with danceable tunes and summer beats... with catchy choruses and the use (and abuse - like we say in Portugal) of bass lines and synthesizers.
And yes, you can sense influences of groups in the like of Joy Division or The Smiths (Money has Morrisey's band written all over it), but at the same time you can't deny they acquired a identity of their own! It's not something that common' for a band only on their second album.
I took the liberty of uploading some of their tracks into YouTube just so I could share it with you guys, but I advise you to get your hands on Portamento so you can be ready to their live gigs!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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...
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)...
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.
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
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!
