Is T.V. Really Garbage?

I had a conversation with my dad about the "brain rotting" power of television. The image of a slovenly, overweight, pathetic, Americans didn't come by accident; there's little denying that television has a stupefying effect. Psychologists claim it's robbing our generation of creativity since it does the job for you. Fair everything is true thus far. However, what about the redeeming quality of television? In the past turbulent 60 years, would people have believed their ears if television cameras weren't there to capture what radio can't even aspire to touch and what pictures are far to inadequate to convey. I came across a piece a art by happenstance on YouTube today. This is a snippet of a film that was a part of what was a multi-sensory theatrical multi-media experience from director Adam Curtis.

(Caution: Contains Disturbing Images)
It shows how television and motion pictures, for better or worse have brought us some of the most important moments of the last half century. It scares us, scars us, and yet rivets us. It takes those unforgettable moments and intersperses them with seeming random scenes that convey subtle themes. The clever editing coupled with music that seems to perfectly suit each moment.

People You've Never Heard Of II

Tonight's "People You've Never Heard Of" features artists who make music that falls into my own made-up category of Electronica/Chill. Because quite simply, these artists defy convention categorization.

Washed Out aka Ernest Greene was one of my favorite artists of 2009. He has a fun, hazy, "washed out" by the sun sound. It sounds modern yet very vintage. Look for more from Washed Out and other vintage 80s and surf pop inspired artist this year.


"Belong" Washed Out [MP3 link]
"Olivia" Washed Out [MP3 link]

Discovery is a little bit harder to describe; it consists of Rostam Batmanglij from Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles from Ra Ra Riot. Some would call it a preppy/indie take on R&B club music; but this is only a half-hearted description, you just have to listen to fully understand it.
"Orange Shirt" Discovery [MP3 link]
"I Want You Back" (Jackson 5 Cover) Discovery [MP3 link]

Tis the Season #7

Its the last "Tis the Season". Rock out; because today IS Christmas. Here's Julian Casablancas of the Strokes with "I Wish It Was Christmas Today"

Tis the Season #6

Because nothing says Christmas like sexy elf costumes and blatant commercialism, Beyonce's ummm Destiny's Child brings us "8 Days Of Christmas" (why 8, I'm not sure). I don't really know what the point of the song was, other than to make a classic Christmas song "hip and new", but it does better than most. And they do help children or something like that towards the end of the video.

The Story Continues

Alicia Keys has always been one of my favorite artists; Jay-Z is hands down the greatest rapper alive now. Their collaboration "Empire State of Mind" was an instant classic telling the gritty story of chasing dreams on the New York City streets. Alicia Keys, on her album The
Element of Freedom, sings the sequel "Empire State of Mind, Pt. II (Broken Down)"; its different, but beautiful take on the same theme. Keys sings the same stirring chorus. Take a listen to both.

"Empire State of Mind, Pt. II (Broken Down)" Alicia Keys [MP3 link]

So New Moon Doesn't Entirely Suck

The fact that the producers choose to include Lupe Fiasco on the soundtrack proves that they are, in fact, not the worst people in the world. That being said I will never see a vampire movie that manages to get away with less than a R rating. But do take a listen to Lupe's new rock flavored single "Solar Midnite"; it took me a second time but I enjoyed it.

"Solar Midnite" Lupe Fiasco [MP3 link]

The Music Video as Art.

Raphael Saadiq is one my favorite artists. He has long been a part of neo-soul a revival of classic soul with a modern twist; he made the transition after leaving Tony, Toni, Tone'. The video for his latest single "Staying In Love" has a beautiful 60s style that perfectly complements his music. The animation adds a nice touch and make the video unique.



Solange, already referenced in an earlier post , is newcomer to the neo-soul game; she's no amateur though. In her debut single as a neo-soul artist "I Decided", she showed not only vocal prowess, but creativity as well. The video features a colorful trip through pop culture and historical moments through the decades, 60s to the present.


Can music videos be art? What do you think?

Take A Listen:
"100 Yard Dash" Raphael Saadiq [MP3 link]
"I Decided" Solange Knowles [MP3 link]

Tis the Season #5

I thought I'd give you Christmas song with a bit more attitude

Walt Whitman and his Levi's

Levi's Jeans has one of the best campaigns I've ever seen. I'll be bringing you some of the videos and promotional pictures over the next few days. Levi's, a most American of jean companies choose Walt Whitman, one of America's greatest poets to center their campaign around. The moving black and white footage covering many different parts of America from corporate America to shanty-towns and natural spaces. The result is a powerful, fun, poignant and artful commercial or 60 second piece of art.



the portion of Walt Whitman's "America" used
America
Centre of equal daughters, equal sons,
All, all alike endear’d, grown, ungrown, young or old,
Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich,
Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love,
A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother,
Chair’d in the adamant of Time.

Levi's America (Go Forth) commercial directed by Cary Fukunaga for Wieden+Kennedy, Portland using poem by Walt Whitman. The prints were photographed by Ryan McGinley.

P.S. While this post isn't titled "Is It Art?" it falls into the category, as people don't usually think of commercials as art. What do you think

Tis the Season #4

Chestnuts roasting on a open fire....

Enjoy!

Blueberry Pancakes

Fink is a British singer-songwriter, producer and DJ. He has a great chill style that blends R&B and acoustic music. Take a listen.



I really miss your blueberry pancakes
I don't buy maple syrup in Asda no more
Sunday morning cooking em up
wearing my t-shirt, I'm lifting it up

And now I'm in the Holly Bush baby, the Holly Bush
The Holly Bush baby
Sitting at the table where it all began for us...

And everything else is momentary and
Everything else just stops

I'll have another pint of Stella please Brooke
And I remember before this place was so cool and so full and
I remember you wearing a yellow t-shirt
and you had a friend, I was dying to meet her and we did
back in the day

And now I'm in the Holly Bush baby, the Holly Bush
The Holly Bush baby
Sitting at the table where it all began for us...

And everything else is momentary and
Everything else just stops

Everyone else is secondary
Everyone else is temporary
and I read into the letter that is filled with beauty
the beauty of what was, what is, and what won't be

Sitting at the table where it all began for us...

So Pop isn't so bad

I've often had a disdain for "radio-friendly" pop music. As of late I've changed my mind a little. "3" by Britney Spears is a more than catchy pop tune, odd is the song's reference to Peter, Paul, and Mary in relation to a threesome. Another great pop hit is "When Love Takes Over" by Kelly Rowland and David Guetta; it rips off Coldplay, but is so danceable you forget it.


"3" Britney Spears [MP3 link]
"When Loves Takes Over" Kelly Rowland & David Guetta [MP3 link]

for further research visit WAPS Presents The 50 Greatest Pop Songs Of 2009!

Oh just because Ms. Spears is looking good

They Just Don't...

They just don't make them like they used to. Kid Cudi and DJ Sharam team up to mix some Patsy Cline with Cudi's smooth rapping style. The video is a masterpiece... beautiful women, gun, violence, and a good story. Check out and tell me what you think

Kid Cudi feat. Sharam "When She Came Along"

The Only Good Thing About New Moon... Part 1

Other than the vampires who "glitter" in the sunlight, the sexual objectification of a 17 year-old boy, and the pushing the notion that dependence on a man to the extent that it resembles drug addiction is okay...it's the music. The soundtrack reads like a who's who of the indie blogosphere. A neat fact is that all the songs are unique and written for the movie. Nick Harmer, who is the Death Cab for Cutie bassist said "We wrote 'Meet Me On the Equinox' to reflect the celestial themes and motifs that run throughout the Twilight series and we wanted to capture that desperate feeling of endings and beginnings that so strongly affect the main characters". Grizzly Bear along with Victoria Legrand from Beach House give "Slow Life" a beautiful ethereal quality.

"Meet Me On The Equinox" Death Cab for Cutie [MP3 link]


"Slow Life" Grizzly Bear feat. Victoria Legrand [MP3 link]


New Moon Soundtrack:
1 "Meet Me on the Equinox" by Death Cab for Cutie
2 "Friends" by Band of Skulls
3 "Hearing Damage" by Thom Yorke
4 "Possibility" by Lykke Li
5 "A White Demon Love Song" by The Killers
6 "Satellite Heart" by Anya Marina
7 "I Belong to You" [New Moon Remix] by Muse
8 "Roslyn" by Bon Iver and St. Vincent
9 "Done All Wrong" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
10 "Monsters" by Hurricane Bells
11 "The Violet Hour" by Sea Wolf
12 "Shooting the Moon" by OK Go
13 "Slow Life" by Grizzly Bear featuring Victoria Legrand
14 "No Sound But the Wind" by Editors
15 "New Moon (The Meadow)" by Alexandre Desplat

Good Things Happen To Good People

Ryan Leslie is one of hip hop/ R&B's hottest up and coming stars. Leslie did take an unorthodox road in getting there. He was something of a child prodigy arranging cords to make song at a young age and teaching him self how to play music. At sixteen he was volunteering with at risk kids [as seen in the second video], and scoring 1600s, a perfect score, on the SAT. Leslie eventually selected Harvard; at 19 he delivered his class's comencement address after graduating with a degree in Government. Later Leslie entered the music business producing and writing for everyone from Britney Spears and Beyonce to New Edition. Under his imprint with Universal he signed Cassie and wrote and produced "Me & U" for her, which became one of the biggest hits of the year and sold over a million digital copies (exceptional for 2005). His first solo album was highlighted by the track "How It Was Supposed To Be", again arranged, written by Leslie; he even directed the music video. His latest album, Transition, shows even greater promise, especially "Your Not My Girl".

"You're Not My Girl"


KWTV Interview with 16 year-old Leslie

"Your Not My Girl" Ryan Leslie [MP3 link]

Tis the Season #3

Time to get into that holiday spirit. I've got a Christmas classic you may have never heard hope you enjoy.

How Music And Fashion Come Together: Polo Rocks

Rugby is Polo Ralph Lauren's collegiate clothing line. Their ad for the fall 2009 collection is somewhat typical, impossibly beautiful people, incredibly expensive casual wear and the best side of Central Park. Yet, the music chosen is a bit unorthodox for a refined, dignified Polo ad; the target audience is 18-25 year olds, albeit rather well of ones, and what appeals to this market better than rock music. The White Rabbits are a six-piece post-punk band from Brooklyn by way of Mizzou. Their sound is unique. "Percussion Gun" the song featured in the ad starts outs hard and heavy; but in between incredible percussion sections lead man Alexander Even's emotional vocalizations change the tempo and give the song a great varied quality.



Here's the full track
"Percussion Gun" White Rabbits

Rugby by Polo Ralph Lauren

Tis the Season #2

Grab some hot cocoa and curl up, it's time for another Christmas video. Get a nice helping of Wham!, full of 80s schlock and charm. Enjoy.

Interesting Point of View

I just got my "Not This MAPS" t-shirt and it inspired me to share this video with you. This woman is not the most eloquent speaker, she doesn't have a fancy title, but what she is saying is real. I think it takes an incredible amount of courage to stand in front of the mayor and city council and really let them know what you think



Give involved in politics. Stay informed; most importantly vote and make your voice heard.

Cold War Kids

The Cold War Kids are back; after experimenting with a more low-key sound, the hard driving piano beats and drums return. "Audience of One" brings back to mind some of my favorites like "Hospital Beds".

Take a listen

"Audience of One" Cold War Kids [MP3 link]

Just for nostalgia