The best of the worst: Die Unterbrechung
Ach. Have I mentioned that it has been freaking nuts? I've worked two twelve hour days this month, and don't think I'm the kind of masochist who shoots for workaholism. My CD burner was giving me static, and I wasted a stack of discs before I figured out a solution. I wrote a review of the second date for Sounds of the Underground 2006, which is here, followed by something that passes for an Ozzfest preview (I originally hoped to include DragonForce, Walls of Jericho or Full Blown Chaos, but their new records were all MIA). In addition to a very toasty day at Great America, a bit of MySpace drama and these other computer-related stresses, this final bad movie entry is taking foreeeeeever. Why did I have to pick things that are so hard to track down?
Anyway, I figured a progress report was in order since it's been so long between posts. I'm about 2/3 done. In the meantime, I'll direct you to two recent hip-hop EPs offered for free download by Adult Swim. "Chocolate Swim" is a Chocolate Industries sampler with remixed tracks by Mos Def and Diverse, Vast Aire and MF Doom, the suddenly unavoidable Lady Sovereign and more. "Occult Hymn" is a follow-up to DangerDoom's "The Mouse and the Mask," on which Danger Mouse and Doom offer remixes from that disc, one new song and some fresh skits. (Newer Adult Swim shows like "12 oz. Mouse" and "Minoriteam" are highlighted, but sadly there is no "Tom Goes To the Mayor" rap. Yet.) Both are pretty cool, so get 'em while the gettin's good. Until we meet again, here's one of those space-filling surveys, this time in keeping with the movie theme.
Anyway, I figured a progress report was in order since it's been so long between posts. I'm about 2/3 done. In the meantime, I'll direct you to two recent hip-hop EPs offered for free download by Adult Swim. "Chocolate Swim" is a Chocolate Industries sampler with remixed tracks by Mos Def and Diverse, Vast Aire and MF Doom, the suddenly unavoidable Lady Sovereign and more. "Occult Hymn" is a follow-up to DangerDoom's "The Mouse and the Mask," on which Danger Mouse and Doom offer remixes from that disc, one new song and some fresh skits. (Newer Adult Swim shows like "12 oz. Mouse" and "Minoriteam" are highlighted, but sadly there is no "Tom Goes To the Mayor" rap. Yet.) Both are pretty cool, so get 'em while the gettin's good. Until we meet again, here's one of those space-filling surveys, this time in keeping with the movie theme.
| A Movie Survey | |
| Who, what, where, when, etc. | |
| Who do you like to go to the movies with?: | Friends, myself. |
| Where do you like to go to the movies?: | The Music Box and the Cascade Drive-In are my favorites. |
| Where do you like to sit in the movie theater?: | Somewhere in the middle. |
| Would you rather rent a movie or go to see one?: | I still prefer the theater, although I understand why someone might feel otherwise these days. |
| When is the last time you went to see a movie?: | A couple of weeks ago. |
| What is the last movie you saw?: | "X-Men: The Last Stand" |
| When is the last time you rented a movie?: | A few months ago. |
| What is the last movie you rented?: | "MirrorMask" |
| Do you rent your movies at a store or have them mailed to your house?: | At a store, but I may rethink that. |
| What is the last movie you bought?: | "Cemetery Man" |
| Would you rather go to an early show or an evening show?: | Depends on what else I have to do that day. |
| Have you ever? | |
| Gone to a drive-in movie?: | Hell yeah. |
| Walked out of a movie because it was that bad?: | Yeah, but never if I've paid for it. |
| Made out during a movie?: | Yessir. |
| Done more than just kiss?: | Not in a very long time. |
| Started a fight in a movie theater?: | I remember pissing my girlfriend off by laughing during an inappropriate moment of "Circle of Friends." |
| Been thrown out of a theater?: | Yeah, but we hadn't even gotten in yet. The manager was offended by Kyle's anti-Rush Limbaugh pin. |
| Snuck into a theater for free?: | Oh, yeah. |
| Gotten caught sneaking in?: | Once. They just told us to leave. |
| Catch a double feature?: | Yep. |
| Steal a movie display, poster, etc.?: | No, I used to get them all the time when I or a friend worked at a theater. |
| Go to a theater on a holiday?: | I saw that shitty "Wolf Creek" last Xmas. |
| Sneak snacks or drinks into a theater?: | Sure. |
| Take off your shoes while watching a movie (in a theater)?: | Not that I can remember. |
| Fall asleep during a movie (at home doesn't count)?: | Not since the 24 Hour Sci-Fi Marathon in Columbus. |
| A Movie about You | |
| What would you call it?: | "Urine Luck." |
| Would you star in it or cast someone in your place?: | Someone else. |
| Who would it be?: | Ron Jeremy. |
| Who would you cast as your on screen love interest?: | Catherine Keener. |
| Would you ever do a nude scene?: | Jesus God, no. |
| If you casted someone to do a nude scene for you, who would it be?: | Ron Jeremy. |
| Who would you cast as your parents?: | Tom Bosley and Amy Madigan. |
| Who would you cast as your sibling(S)?: | A CG dinosaur named Flookie. |
| Who would you cast as your best friend(s): | Usher, Michael Moore, Sandra Bernhard, Sarah Silverman. |
| Who would you want to play you enemy?: | Greg Kinnear. |
| Where would the movie take place?: | Celebration Station. |
| Your Favorite Top 10 Movies | |
| 1.: | "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" |
| 2.: | "Suspiria" |
| 3.: | "Edward Scissorhands" |
| 4.: | "Female Trouble" |
| 5.: | "Jaws" |
| 6.: | "Cemetery Man" |
| 7.: | "The Toxic Avenger" |
| 8.: | "Gremlins" |
| 9.: | "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" |
| 10.: | "Night/Dawn/Day/Land of the (Living) Dead" |
| Random Questions | |
| What is your favorite movie genre?: | Horror. |
| What is your least favorite movie genre?: | Historical romance. |
| Do movies ever make you cry?: | Sure. |
| How many times do you go to the Movies in a week?: | Not very often lately. |
| How many movies do you rent per week?: | None lately. I borrow a lot. |
| What's your favorite movie snack(s)?: | Popcorn, Reese's Pieces. |
| What's your favorite quote in a movie?: | "I wouldn't suck your lousy dick if I was suffocating and there was oxygen in your balls!" - Mink Stole, "Female Trouble" |
| Who is the sexiest actor?: | Johnny Depp? |
| Who is the sexiest actress?: | Catherine Keener! |
| Who is the funniest actor or actress?: | I miss Edith Massey. |
| Who are your favorite actresses and actors? | |
| 1.: | Divine |
| 2.: | Kate Winslet |
| 3.: | Johnny Depp |
| 4.: | Terrence Howard |
| 5.: | Lynn Lowry |
| 6.: | Eddie Deezen |
| 7.: | Catherine O'Hara |
| 8.: | Katharine Hepburn |
| 9.: | Catherine Keener |
| 10.: | Luigi Montefiori |
| What's your favorite holiday movie?: | "Gremlins" |
| What's your favorite animated movie?: | "The Nightmare Before Christmas" |
| What was your favorite childhood movie?: | "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" |
| What's your favorite scary movie?: | "Suspiria" |
| What's your favorite drama?: | "Jude" |
| What's your favorite action movie?: | "Commando" |
| What's your favorite comedy?: | "Female Trouble" |
| Should babies and children be banned from movie theaters?: | No, but their parents should if they can't keep a lid on them. |
| Take this survey Find more surveys | |
posted by SoulReaper at 7:48 PM
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Sounds of the Underground includes good and evil
Only in its second year, the Sounds of the Underground tour is already making a strong impression. Concertgoers witnessed a worthy alternative to Ozzfest at the July 9 show, which was jammed into a narrow section of Tinley Park's First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre parking lot.
This year, the confused Ozzfest line-up runs the gamut from screamo and power metal to jockcore and hoary nü-metal, as if throwing as many trends against the wall as possible with little regard for quality. SotU felt more like genuine diversity was at work, although naturally, melodic metalcore remained predominant.
Headliners As I Lay Dying were the best example of that popular style. They seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the spotlight; members repeatedly leapt up to perform on platforms, but quickly hopped back down to the stage. The San Diego Christian band's tuneful energy closed the day on a high note, with monster drummer Jordan Mancino leading the charge on "Morning Waits" and fan favorite "94 Hours."
In comparison, other merchants of melodic metalcore paled. The Black Dahlia Murder proved tight but scattershot, their frantic melodies buried by the mix. On the other hand, Trivium's professional blend of harmonies and thrash felt like a slick and hollow pop version of the style.
And speaking of pop, it was sad to note what has become of Sweden's In Flames. Once icons of melodic death metal and a major influence on this new school of American metalcore, the quintet focused on mostly midpaced newer material, stuff that was heavy on rhythm and atmosphere. They were received like kings by the young audience, but aside from the peppy "Clayman" and impressive new single "Take This Life," came off like a cynical mix of ABBA sugar and Slipknot sour.
The day's biggest surprise came from death metal veterans Cannibal Corpse. The band has never been the freshest or most interesting in the genre, but here, providing what was probably many younger attendees' first exposure to real death metal (unless they saw the band's appearance in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"), bassist Alex Webster commanded a powerful and compact set that proved there's a science to sonic brutality.
The only guys who seemed to get a bigger response than Cannibal Corpse were their former labelmates GWAR. Part lowbrow punk/metal band, part fluid-spewing theatrical troupe, their cartoonish gore puppets and cover of Alice Cooper's "School’s Out" made more impact than the subversive message suggested by song titles like "War Is All We Know" and "Bring Back the Bomb." Aside from "Nintendo-core" hooligans HORSE the band, GWAR provided the most fun set, skewering effigies and turning the crowd's faces into a sea of turquoise with heat-battling water cannons.
After that, Boston artcore heroes Converge wiped off a few smiles with their more realistic version of chaos. Kurt Ballou's tense guitar jabs sent vocalist Jacob Bannon into stage-spanning spasms, the only respite coming in grueling trudger "You Fail Me."
Converge outshined The Chariot, whose similarly discordant metalcore lacked focus, grating in a bad way. And what does it mean when a Christian band like The Chariot sounds less commercial than the Satanic band that follows them? Poland's Behemoth made "the devil's music" proud, their black/death blasts skewed accessible with forceful, chant-ready rhythms which challenged Terror's roughneck hardcore stomp for pure brute force.
*******
Rising stars take center stage at Ozzfest 2006
Ozzfest 2006 is the first time Ozzy Osbourne isn’t headlining the tour named for him. But local fans shouldn't fret, since Ozzy is closing the second stage for a few dates, including Sunday's show at Tinley Park's First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre as well as Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin on July 22. Other names on the bill this year include System of A Down, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Hatebreed, Black Label Society and Atreyu.
Most of the bigger bands don't have new albums out, but a number of the up-and-comers do. Here's a look at recent releases by some of Ozzfest 2006's rising stars.
Lacuna Coil, Karmacode" (Century Media) *½
Lacuna Coil suffers comparisons to Evanescence due to their silky gothic tones and their looker of a brunette singer, Cristina Scabbia. Granted, the veteran sextet was doing female-fronted gloom long before Amy Lee and gang, and heavier, too. Regrettably for fans who liked them as a doom metal band, the comparison is now more apropos, as today's Lacuna Coil is probably the most radio-friendly rock act Italy's ever exported.
Karmacode, the band's fourth LP, is packed with bouncy nü-metal rhythms and bubblegum choruses. Lead single "Our Truth" uses those pop metal tools to build a luxuriant, churning winner, Scabbia's light but pleasant voice twirling a vaguely Middle Eastern melody in the windstorm. But the uniform pace and mood of this set makes it feel repetitive and, by the time it closes with a predictable cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" (making LC the umpteenth metal band to cover the synth-pop faves), way too long.
For all its lyrical melancholy, this is not a very dark-sounding record. Male co-vocalist Andrea Ferro's attempts to inject aggression continue to be superfluous. More than anything in the band's catalog, Karmacode is like a rich dessert, sweet and sumptuous but lacking in nutrition. It is not meat and potatoes heavy metal, nor is it meant to be. Those seeking just this sort of decadent trifle could do worse, but Lacuna Coil themselves have done better.
All That Remains, The Fall of Ideals (Prosthetic) **½
Three albums into their career, All That Remains still get the "featuring original Shadows Fall singer Phil Labonte" tag. This may be unfortunate for the band's individuality, but ATR fit handily into the melodic metalcore bin. Compared with Shadows Fall's thrash backbone, their sound is more a cross between As I Lay Dying's serviceable European melodies and the fortified emo of Killswitch Engage (whose Adam Dutkiewicz produced this disc).
Then again, to some, all metalcore sounds the same, and although The Fall of Ideals is a professional and often catchy set, it doesn't push any boundaries that would dissuade them. Tracks like "We Stand" and "The Weak Willed" sail right past, stomping and soaring in all the expected spots. Labonte’s a good vocalist, handling eye-popping screams and earnest crooning with equal force, although his Soilwork-y bellow on the chorus of "The Air I Breathe" is downright annoying. His lyrics are frustratingly typical, addressing vague politics, broken romance and personal ideals.
Fact is, you can't be a musical slouch and expect to be taken seriously in this subgenre. Drummer Shannon Lucas and bassist Jeanne Sagan are locked together in a seamless pummel, and the bracing Euro harmonies spilled forth by guitarists Oli Hebert and Mike Martin push "Whispers (I Hear Your)" and "Six" beyond the merely listenable. As lead track and single "This Calling" attests, All That Remains can write a song that sticks in your head. It's true that at this point, melodic metalcore has been done beyond death, but this crew - the Testament to Shadows Fall's Metallica, perhaps – helps to justify its popularity.
Strapping Young Lad, The New Black (Century Media) ***
Since guitarist/vocalist Devin Townsend is also one of metal's most revered studio wizards, Strapping Young Lad's cocky cyberthrash is always bound to sound great. Yet ever since Townsend revived the dormant project in 2003, longtime adherents have moaned that the newer SYL material lacks the gonzo humor and over-the-top vitriol of their early albums, Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing and City.
Last year's Alien jacked up the tempos, but it's Townsend's trenchant sarcasm that returns with The New Black. From its title to the rumor that this disc was rushed out in time for Ozzfest, a theme of disposable fashion permeates the album, and when a crowd starts chanting "S! Y! L!" not two minutes in, it's hard to tell if these guys are pandering or lampooning. If it weren't for Gene Hoglan's powerhouse drumming and Townsend's sardonic wildman delivery, the petulant taunt "U Suck" would be just another profanity-laden speedster for the world's Slipknot fans to blast while sulking about being grounded. Unfortunately, the mocking industrial dance song "Fucker" does not fare as well.
The lush side of SYL's recent albums is also in force along with the rage. Symphonic and big band sounds creep into a few tracks. Expansive vocal harmonies, spacy keyboards and layered guitar buzz come to the forefront on the eclectic title track and the beautiful prog almost-ballad "Almost Again." The disc’s highlight is "Far Beyond Metal," which briefly morphs into a GWAR cover ("Maggots," complete with vocals by Oderus Urungus) and includes Townsend howling a melodramatic chorus about wanting to feel heavy metal again like when "I was just a boy." If you can appreciate both the sentiment and the risibility in that, Strapping Young Lad's diverse, whacko approach should tickle you.
Between the Buried and Me, The Anatomy Of (Victory) **
After last year's Alaska, one of most creative albums yet unleashed by the metalcore generation, North Carolina's Between the Buried and Me return with a disc of cover songs. Sure, it’s a corny move, yet the result manages to be interesting.
The track listing on The Anatomy Of might prepare you for a jokey mangling of classic rock songs, half-hearted metal retreads and swipes at '90s alternarock, but the band's sincere, chameleonic nature ensures that Pink Floyd's ethereal dorm room staple "Us and Them" sounds as authentic as "Forced March," a lumbering hardcore anthem by Earth Crisis.
Their versions of Queen's "Bicycle Race" and Pantera's "Cemetary Gates" lack the personality of the originals. The world would survive without another metal Depeche Mode cover or a too-straight reading of Mötley Crüe's execrable "Kickstart my Heart," both of which are included here. However, Soundgarden, Faith No More and King Crimson tunes all come out fine, and as with any of BtBaM's albums to date, you've got to respect the variety on hand.
It takes a special band to remain credible while adding Paul Waggoner's fiery solos and Blake Richardson's furious blastbeats to Metallica’s already-frantic "Blackened" at the top, yet closing with a straight-faced, peaceful rendition of Counting Crows' "Colorblind." That's why Between the Buried and Me is a special band. Those who already know this should check out The Anatomy Of, but newcomers should begin with the tumultuous tide of technical tones that is Alaska.
You reminded me of something. As I recall, you were a highly vocal member of the chorus recommending "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" to me. It took me a while, but I finally saw it about a month ago. And you were right--it was a fantastic movie. I loved it.
I have to compliment you on your recommendations. You always think about what the other person would like and you don't casually suggest anything. It is truly an art. With the possible exception of "Nightmare before Christmas", which I might have liked if I had not been so horrified at the thought of children watching it, you're batting 1.000 on your movie recommendations to me.
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