Jo-on: The Grudge - 2003 Takashi Shimizu

Jo-on: The Grudge - 2003
Takashi Shimizu

What is it that makes a scary movie scary? The ingrediants are hard to define. Some films seem to follow all the same rules, yet something doesn’t work and the viewer is left annoyed at the characters rather than scared for their safety. This annoying trait chracters have in horror movies is essential for the plot however. Being struck dumb with fear allows our evil spirits, ghouls and monsters to approach as slow as is necessary to create the looming peril dsired. This can too often leave the viewer just annoyed with the stupid people in their stupid lives with no reason to get in the trouble they are in.

This however is not the case for Takashi Shimizus Jo-on: The Grudge. All the ingredients are there to show up the lacking plot and make this another scary movie without the scary bit, but it really works. The music tells you when it’s going to get scary, and it really does. Evarytime you think some character is going to get the better of the creepy evil, they get caught.

There’s number of thngs I like about this movie. Firstly, Japanese, and Asians in general, are much better at looking terrified and at looking like corpses terrified to death. There is also an additional erieness added to the film for western audiences with foreign sorroundings and a language whenn translated for subtitles still leavng some question marks.

The music is very good and sets each scene brilliantly. Shimizu’s camera work is superb, not over doing it, but when the time is right slowly rotating round from a victims terrified face to reveal what horrow awaits them.

I like how a lot of people get killed and the protagonist seems unstopable. I like that there is a child which in any horror equals scary. I like that you get to see the ghosts causing all the suffering, the director not letting your imagination do the work, but scarring it with his.

It’s this evil spirit that carries much of the fear. Like the ring we are allowed to see our supernatural foe, and the similarities classify what makes it scary. I find the movement really works. This evil deamon woman, like the evil Ring witch, like a spider, just moving all wrong. It’s horrible to think about it even now.

This film also has a new trick for me. Usually, those films that have scared me in the past have had some rules. You watch a film in the Ring or you tempt the Blair Witch by marching straight into her forrest. This time, the curse is going to get you if you somehow make contact with it or someone who has contacted it. The film cleverly keeps within a few areas, a house mostly, but we discover it can go anywhere and get you anytime.

The shocking eyes as she suddenly appears or the little boy coming as a forewarning. Or just the fact it’s goning to get all of them, and it’s creeking groan is unstoppabe, this will haunt my dreams for some time.

To Sun Ra with love

From the Jester records site:

'No longer than a year after his "return to darkness" with You are silent, Lars Pedersen and his WHEN is back with a lesson in plunderphonics. Album no. 13 since the start 25 years ago, this one is something else: a mixtape/mashup to celebrate brilliant bandleader, pianist, mystic, philosopher and Afro-Futurist Sun Ra.

The first volume of WHEN's Homage Series, this singular saucer is a jam-packed jamboree of "cosmic jazz", where Lars borrows—not steals—cuts, loops, adds and completely turns the universe of the legendary jazz-brother from planet no. 6 inside out. Pedersen's own Omniverse Arkestra, if you will.

This is not exploitation, or blaxploitation, or anything but a labour of love, respect and admiration—from one space cadet to another. '

Does anyone have a copy of this?

The Cure - Mixed Up (1990)

I'm sure everyone has heard and enjoyed the music from this 1980's Gothic rock band from West Sussex. Through the 80's and 90's they presented alternative sounds which were spacious, elegant and emotionally compelling. They also offered up a pop sound that brought them much success over more than 10 years. The band are seen as part of the post punk and New Wave movements which followed the punk rock revolution in the UK.

This album looks back over the second half of the 80's at some of their more successful work. They have at times steered their work towards a more accessible pop sound, but their success and lasting influence is in the more downbeat rock sound that captured the hearts of a generation. This has left an impression of a depressing sound suited for pasty faced art students to mope about to. Their work however is littered with the odd toe tapping track which got the glum students moving slightly more freely. It is these more up beat tracks that the band audaciously revisited with the intention of showing some extended flare for the dance floor.

It turns out the majority of the tracks they have chosen were pretty suited to this already and the only additional tweaks required was an extension. Others have been deconstructed and presented in a surprising manner. The album ends with a a new track which fits neatly into the project and closes the album well.

The Cure are generally quite an introspective listen for glum teenagers to contemplate hidden in their bedrooms questioning the hardships of the world. This is another look at their work which will keep everyone upbeat and up for a party.

Faustian Album of the week 666

Morte Macabre
Symphonic Holocaust


John: There’s more than one way to skin a cat!

Jim: Well John, that’s bloody interesting but what has it got to do with planning permission?

John: No, it’s a saying. You know, ‘there’s more than one way to skin a cat’

Jim: I know it is a saying, but we’re not skinning bloody cats, we’re trying to secure planning permission.

John: Oh Christ, I know. I’m not talking about skinning cats either…

Jim: (interrupting) Why the hell did you bring it up then?

John: It’s like a proverb; it’s a saying with a meaning.

Jim: Yeah right, if you want to skin a cat there’s more than one way to go about it.

John: No, that’s not it.

Jim: Oh, so there is only one way to skin a cat.

John: No, I’m not saying that. I’m not saying anything about skinning cats.

Jim: Yes you did! Are you trying to say I’m bloody deaf? You said, and I quote, ‘There’s more than one way to skin a cat’. ‘SKIN A CAT’!! Not a dog or a pear. You didn’t say there’s more than one way to cook a potato or drive to Devon.

John: Yeah I know… but then I’d be saying the same thing if I’d said there’s more than one way to cook a potato.

Jim: (getting quite heated) Right, that’s it. You’re going mental. I mean, how can skinning cats and cooking potatoes and getting bloody planning permission be the same thing? Seriously John, are you taking the piss?

John: (defensively) No, no; look it’s a saying, that’s all. It’s like metaphorical… saying one thing which means something else.

Jim: (in disbelief) Now I know you’re taking the piss. So you’re honestly saying you said one thing about cats, which incidentally has nothing to do with what we’re talking about, and you actually meant something else. (Looking away and pointing at John) You’re mental.

John: No, no, no. Just stop a minute and listen. You’re getting me all wrong. ‘There’s more than one way to skin a cat’ is just a saying with a meaning. It’s a way of saying there are several ways to do something; in this case several ways of getting planning permission.

Jim: Come on, why would anyone talk about skinning cats when they could simply say ‘there are several ways to do something’?

Jim becomes immediately distracted by his own thoughts

John: You must have heard of various sayings. There are loads scattered through our language. Too many cooks spoil the broth; he’s got a fox behind his ear, Cut your coat to suit your cloth; don’t change horses in midstream; there are endless examples.

Jim: (still not really paying attention) You know, I don’t even think there is more than one way to skin a cat. I mean I’m no expert but think about it. There’s the traditional way… just off the top of my head I guess you would have to cut the length of the body from below the head to the pubic bone and then carefully tease the skin away from the underlying muscle. You would then have to do the head and tail separately I presume. For the life of me, I can’t think of any other way to do it! I suppose you could try an acid or even burning, but this would seriously damage the rest of the cat’s body and so defeat the object of skinning. Hmm, it’s a tricky one John.

John: Yes, but you’re still not listening. There’s more than one way to skin a cat is an old saying with a number of variants. Charles Kingsley used one old British form in Westward Ho! in 1855. He said “there are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream”.

Jim: Now that makes a lot more sense. Why, I can imagine endless ways of killing cats other than choking it with cream. We could start with variables on the substance to choke the cat with; yoghurt, custard, etc. Then we can move onto ways of killing a cat other than choking; burying it in cat nip for example!

John: You’re weird

Jim: Fuck off am I. You’re the one obsessed with skinning cats

An old man in a loin cloth enters and abruptly interjects

Old Man: Well lads, I think you’re find you’re both barking up the wrong tree. What you’re really talking about is a type of gymnastic exercise, involving passing the feet and legs between the arms while hanging by the hands from a horizontal bar!!

Jim and John: Huh??????????????????????????????????????????

Hidden - Michael Haneke (2005)

Austrian Director Michael Haneke just picked up the prestigious Palm d'Or award from Cannes 2009 for his new film. Having seen a few of his films I was prompted to continue my viewing of this highly acclaimed director, and next on my list was this French language suspense thriller, Hidden (ou Cache en Francais).

Haneke is a real artist. Every scene is wonderfully constructed with attention to every composition detail. He leads the eye subtly through a picture drawing you slowly to every intricate detail. His direction seems flawless and he pulls excellent performances from an excellent cast which includes seasoned French stars Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche.

Briefly the plot follows a content family whose life style is threatened when strange video tapes start arriving at their home. The family's nerves are tested as they try to find out who is doing this. The following developments test the family's trust and commitment as they have to look into the past.

The film has won many awards and has been well received by critics. I would concur with the professionals that this is an excellent film, but it seems very strange that it is so successful. In all honesty even with a good plot, not a lot really happens. The film is very slow with much in common with art house cinema coming from France. The winning ingredients of this film come from Haneke's perfect structure and balance in telling the story and his skill in painting excellent individual scenes, one after another.

Even though the plot stumbles along, and truly not too much happens, what does happen is extremely powerful, and this maybe the reason for such a slow moving story. There are points in this film I think will stay with me forever.

Although perhaps I preferred the faster pace of Funny Games and the weird characters in The Piano Teacher, but this is still another amazing addition for a director who seems to excel in his work. I am now very excited to see his new film which has given him the full respect of Cannes which he certainly deserves.

Timothy Treadwell April 29 1957 - October 5 2003

"I'm in love with my animal friends, and I'm very troubled.”

Stacs of Stamina - Tivoli (2005)

Yo yo Bluntheads.

Now I know you fly cats have a taste for the best of hip hop's kicked rhymes, as you both seem to be indulging the flavour of the most fly deep type flow, but I'm afraid this is where I am not keeping up. I find rap music (by rappers (you know, the rap stars, you've seen them on the TV .....)) often a little dull, and hip hop beats soon get repetitive and predictable. This is not to say there is nothing worthy in the genre, like anything if one looks to the extremes there are some experimental highlights. Many of my favourite producers of recent years have a hip hop vibe and embrace the mastery of turntablism. I just don't have quite the love that you two have shown over the last few months, with so many offerings featuring some form of MCing.

I've tried to step up and represent, embrace the beat, the liver of hip hop. For Christmas I bought Dan the Shape of Broad Minds album which was described in reviews as 'future hip hop' and was stirring up opinion in crews across the land. On listening however, I believe we all found this to be yet again predictable wanna be gansta rap (AYE!). My musical quest seems to have now remedied this situation and offered up an album that seems more appropriate to be considered 'future hip hop'. Something that brings together my love for electronic music with layers of rap. An album good enough for me to embark on a further backpacker journey. All this inspiration amazingly comes from a Swedish production outfit, Stacs of Stamina.

Let's get this straight though, perhaps it is unfair for me to describe this as Hip Hop. I am loosely assigning a generic title in the hope that my brothers (literal) will see me as the player I aspire to be, you feel me? Perhaps my weak logic in connecting this album with hip hop is an honest reflection of my appreciation of the genre. None the less, I am assigning some hip hop qualities to the album, and I am sure you will see why. The music blends European rapping style with jarring electronic sounds. Points sound like a less bassy dubstep, and at many occasions the productions hold a shimmering techno value. My friends at Boomkat have adopted the name Eurocrunk for this. It's like Garage's twisted nephew rebelling against any dub heritage. The genre is 'A mixture of crazy Euro lyricism and blip-hop over snazzy syncopated beats'. I think the term blip-hop sums it up very well, and it is an avenue I will be focusing some of my research efforts in the coming weeks.

The album kicks ofF gently with an almost atmospheric electronic number. It feels like the start of a dance music record, but turns neatly towards the promised lyrical rhyme kicking. The album features some elements of Scandinavian rock, with the vocals having affinities with the Norwegian genre mixing brilliance of Manes. It would be fair to say this album sits somewhere between the best Manes have to offer and the french electronic and rap band TTC. In fact TTC feature on the 6th track introducing the second part of the album after an unexpected burst of bird song.

So, yo yo yo blood. This album is whack fly sick. It was a bit of a shock to the senses on first listen. Too hectic, too chaotic and pretty much too stupid. The electronic music could stand up on it's own, but the almost opposing rapping is a bold and effective addition. This one grows, and every time I hear it and think how inappropriate parts of it sound, I can't help loving every foot stomping second of it.

Thanks Dan

Dan and I were discussing music which had been suggested by one another and has found it's way into our favourites. Thanks to Dan I have many, many albums which have enlightened, inspired, and furthered my musical journey. So Thanks Dan, here is a taste of the sweet sounds I have grown to love and owe to you:

Arve henrikse
Bonnie Prince Billy
Laibach
Miasma and the Carousel of Headless Horses

And many more. This really is just the tip of a wonderfully full ice berg, and I have only mentioned music. The amazing movies Dan has offered up would form an extensive list of cinema brilliance.

Thanks Dan

What are Christopher Walken's best films?

There is no doubt that Christopher Walken, rather than having a fundamental Carbon make up, is in fact made of pure cool. He has been seen to be a great actor. True. But I ask you, what are his best films?

He has a leading role which makes the 1990 gangster film King of New York great. Apart from the first hour, The Deer Hunter is excellent and Walken really deserves his praise. What else can I watch though? I saw The Prophesy recently. Walken is brilliant, but the film is rubbish. I fear there are too many great Walken performances in poor films.

Opinions?

Lawrence - The Night Will Last Forever (2005)

Lawrence is an Electronic Music artist from Germany. This 2005 release show’s off his post minimalist style ticking boxes in Deep House and Tech House. I came upon this expecting an album of minimal techno glistening with the marks of the Kompact World. Rather than another repetitively plodding piece of minimal work (which can of course be excellent), I was happily taken on a more diverse adventure which carried me through ambient patches of expectant floating layers, building tentatively to lush house beats, effortlessly pulling the listener out of the minimal hush into a dance floor heaven. Like a dreamy rollercoaster the music follows several paths always with a comfortable, smooth change.

The production uses a variety of familiar electronic sounds with the glitches and clicks holding on long enough without having to carry the full burden of the record. The synth layers come through strongly and there are several memorable baselines which lead the more up tempo parts.

This is a highly rewarding take on the home listening electronic music sound having appropriate parts for laying back to as well as some dance floor classic sounds.

Faustian Album of the week 5

In the Woods

Strange in Stereo

Drums… check. Guitar riffs… check. Over blown guitar solos… check. Self indulgent electronic tomfoolery… check. Desperately emotional vocal cries… check. But, bizarrely, the cheese seems to be missing. There’s not even a subtle whiff of economy cheddar! I’ve looked my boys; hunted for gorgonzola, nuzzled its crevices seeking a mozzarella surprise. Hell, I’ve even wrung its sodden body to dislodge any latent, spreadable, garlic roulade (yum tum). It’s just not fucking cheesy Grishnach!

If rock were likened to the pleasure of squashing worms between two plates of glass, this album would be like the juicy squelching of a worm farm massacre. It slips and slides past us like an enigmatic pied worm piper. It plays its epic chants in a seductive manner, leaving us lost in trance following its dizzying dance.

Believe me friends, I am all too aware of how ridiculous metal is. It’s embarrassing nonsense. But oh my boys… oh boys… there are so many marvellous droogs making perfectly crafted soundscapes buried within the beast. This is one of those albums to play when you want to shout “THERE ARE SOME FUCKING GREAT METAL ALBUMS, THEY’RE NOT ALL SHIT”.

Buck 65 - Secret House Against the World

This excellent album by Richard Terfry AKA Buck 65 was released back in 2005 as his 10th album. So it’s fair to say when an artist with this much material spreading over more than 10 years is probably going to show some diversity in his work, or at least you would hope?

So I have come to this album with no former experience of his work having no pre-judgment apart from those instilled by Dan. I was expecting a fairly straightforward Hip-Hop album with some cool maybe alternative beats. What I found was a joy that surprised and warmed my soul.

As soon as that funky country beat kicks in and that lyrical rhyme-phrasing magic gets delivered by his cool soothing voice I was blown away. Then the Hip-Hop glitch beat kicks in and I am in love. Could this be the start of perfection? It’s fair to say when the second track starts I get the sudden feeling that I am going to be very let down after all. What develops then is an amazing experience so different from the previous track I have to check the album has not changed. Now I wish all the tracks were of this high quality but sadly there are a few let downs but listen to the whole album and enjoy the highs and lows.

In summary it is a sandwich of outer amazing mind blowing music with a center of disappointment. It finishes well so bear with it.

So the highly anticipated first review by Matt Sim AKA Mega Matt Mega Matt Mega Mega Matt Matt is now published! I am off now to find some more Buck 65.

XX ENJOY XX

Album of the 00’s

May I remind you that January will herald a new decade which, amongst other things, signals a journalistic squabble to identify the album of the decade. Being a consummate planner, I am going to begin short listing asap in the hope of bringing you, my esteemed readers, the Faustian top 20 of the 00’s without any delays or influence from other lists doing the rounds in the new year. I hope very much that the pair of you will undertake a similar project.

I will not give away much over the next 9 months except for this: are we not all already destined to crown 2008’s masterful release from the Fleet Foxes as supreme ruler of the decade?

Pivot - O Soundtrack My Heart (2008)

Much of my discussions in music over the last couple of months have revolved around the best albums of 2008. Unfortunately I had concluded that 2008 wasn't a great year for music. Many reviewers have highlighted Fleet Foxes as stand out, which on repetitive listens I have defined as boring. The Wire, usually a reliable source for the more cultured listener put as their most favoured record the new offering from in demand producer The Bug. I was some what surprised on listening to this record that although there were some very impressive atmospheric and dubstep sounds infused through this record, the overall flavour was not to my taste with an over reliance on obtuse Garage MCs clogging the album up from start to finish.

I have really despaired in my attempt to pinpoint an 'excellent' record from 2008. My despair is mostly aimed at myself rather than the of world music as I have concluded I just can't have looked hard enough. So it is with this in mind that I am happy to mention last years work by John Zorn which is brilliant, the stunning fully Electronica immersed new album from the mighty Laibach, and a piece of wonderful post rock from a band I have newly discovered, Pivot.

O Soundtrack My Heart is the second album from the Australian post rock band Pivot. The album is their first release on Warp Records and was mixed by John McEntire best known for being in pioneering post rock band Tortoise. The band come with their own weighty credentials with Laurence Pike and Adrian Klumpes both having been members of the outstanding electronic jazz trio Triosk (now disbanded).

As for the album, they have produced an exciting piece of music that has a wealth of rock diversity which flows effortlessly through an upbeat carousel of musical wonder. They avoid the atmospheric melancholic sound of God Speed, whilst not committing totally to the more electronic plod of Tortoise. They have truly found the middle ground which will no doubt appeal to wider variety of listeners, whilst still being a bold and at points demanding listen.

YES, I am pleased to have another album of 2008 that I think is 'excellent' and I offer it humbly as a recommendation to you fine readers.

Enjoy

Faustian Album of the Week 3

Pere Ubu

Dub Housing

The radio is on and a majestic sound splurts from the rhythmic vibrations of my speakers and seeps through the pours of my skin. David Thomas rants almost incomprehensibly in a muffled plea for attention. Thump thump thump… to my left I look over to see Socrates looking resplendent as he lies back tranquilly on the turquoise leather, sofa gorged from the feast (Loin of Venison Wellington with Carrot and Cardamon Mousse, Honey Turnip and Juniper Berry Sauce). Socrates Interjects “But what is x in itself Protagoras?”
“Having an x or being an x”
I think, ‘boy that’s all swell, boy that’s all swell.’
“But these are all fine examples of x, I want to grasp the essence of Xness; I want to know what x is in itself”
“Perhaps knowing a moment; perhaps standing on the edge of existence, perceiving the minds I”
“Bogus Bunkum!!!!” I have desire, I have desire…

Thump thump thump… the day begins to break, a muffled drums begins to sound, a crowd begins to gather in the square. The presence of the hangman in his terrifying mask weighs heavy on the minds of all those there. The rope round his neck, the door drops and the boys neck snaps with a horrifying CRACK. He cums three times on impact, ecstatic joy written across his face. I’ve got these arms and legs, flip flap flip…. the hangman sees his victim and the blood drains from his face as he views his brother’s mother’s son. Flippy flippy flap…

Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!!... the crowd chant in unison; Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!! Oh please forgive me God, I thought, we hang him in thy name… thump thump thump.

The music stops to the resounding question: what do you do with a drunken sailor? Oh how industrial… Oh how all post punk should sound!

Faustian Album of the Week 3

Faustian Album of the Week 2

Current 93

Thunder Perfect Mind

’93 current’ is an idea developed by Alister Crowley about men of power internalizing spiritual change from which Current 93 derive their name. 25 years of work has seen David Tibet deliver a continuous stream of ground breaking records; a discography with more than his fair share of master pieces. Certainly one of the jewels in the crown is Thunder Perfect Mind, a definitive apocalyptic folk album. It contains two songs based on the Gnostic poem ‘Thunder perfect, Perfect Mind’ (or more accurately ‘The Thunder, Perfect Intellect). A paradoxical monologue from an immanent saviour (parts of its text are spoken and snarled by Tibet on the track "Thunder Perfect Mind I").

Driven by the acoustic guitar work of long time collaborator Michael Cashmore and Tibet’s distinctive, almost nusery rhyme like vocals it is certainly not flipent or journalistically lazy to describe this as spiritual. This is a personal record with songs dedicated to friends, colleagues and people Tibet has met. An intense, yet beautiful journey, drawing on aspects of atonal and uncomfortable lessons he learnt from his industrial heritage (as a member of 23 Skidoo, Pyschic TV and early Current 93 albums) repressed in a neo-folk context. Thunder Perfect Mind is an album that handsomely rewards repeated listenings and demands attention. This is most true of the longest and perhaps most complex piece "Hitler as Kalki (SDM)". Here Tibet plays with the idea forwarded by the Hindu social Darwinist, Holocaust denier and Hitler worshipper Savitri Devi Mukherji (SDM), that Hitler was in fact the final avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, and the initiator of apocalypse. The Pysch guitar gradually develops throughout to a frantic strummed acid-jazz wah, climaxing in a trippy storm of feedback and deranged emotional vocals.

Thunder Perfect Mind is a superb starting point to explore Current 93’s extensive back catalogue, it is certainly one of the most important records of the 90s. For those who have not fully graspped the Current 93 vibe, this is the perfect place to invest some effort; effort which will be rewarded on an apocalyptic scale for the sucessful journeymen.

“Hitler comes as Kalki, Kalki comes as Hitler”

The Sopranos - The Best TV Show ever?

The Sopranos is a TV series spanning 6 seasons and containing 86 episodes. It was originally screened on HBO between 1999 and 2007. The show was created and produced by David Chase who used many of his own life and family experiences from New Jersey.

The show focuses around Mob Boss Tony Soprano leading a Mafia family in New Jersey. The first series shows his ascendancy to the position of Don accompanied with anxiety and mental health problems. These problems cause him black outs which lead him into therapy, an important aspect of the continuing stories.

Many of the cast had previously worked together with 27 cast members having appeared in Martin Scorcese’s film Goodfellas. The cast immediately gel together and are definitely a key element to the success of the show. The show is arguably the most successful TV drama ever made and certainly laid the foundations for the surge of American dramas seen over the last decade.

The episodes involve aspects that form a one off one hour story, whilst continuing other plots which develop throughout the programme as a whole. The show draws on successful aspects from many great gangster films and will appeal to fans of films like Goodfellas and The Godfather. The show is deservedly a commercial and critical success which keeps an excellent standard throughout all the episodes. In fact, it would be fair to say at no point does the show loose the ingredients that make it so successful, which is surprising as it results in 86 excellent episodes of near perfect Mafioso drama.

Unlike Twin Peaks this show didn't loose it's way, so, is it the best TV show ever?

Faustian Album of the Week 1

Thee Maldoror Kollective

Pilot (Man With the Meat Machine)

A seeming resurgence of praise worthy avant-garde metal during 2008, although being much appreciated, leaves a yearning for purveyors of Post Metal. Italian band TMK began by emulating their True Black Metal fore fathers only to experiment and finally go beyond their metal heritage (Metamorphosing in a manner akin to Ulver or Manes). Previously classifiable as a metal industrial band on New Viral Order, with A Clockwork Highway they quite quickly shifted into a band that has a penchant for movies rather than the mosh pit. Not to say this is not a rock album; admittedly it is far from continuous, but there are passages which remind the listener that these boys play rock. The rock kicks in with rolling drums and almost stadium guitar sensibilities. But this is far from straight up and is never lasting or over bearing.

More striking is the cinematic kaleidoscope which ensues, laden with avant-garde jazz tempo changes and unpredictable and stylistic deviations. Pilot is as much an Industrial electronic album as anything else; an album full of programmed effects changing direction and atmosphere throughout. In fact on tracks like Zombie Children Do Synthetic Dreams it sounds almost as though Bill Laswell had laid down the sumptuous electronic groove. Movie references abound throughout the 50mins, both as samples and as a feeling of flicking randomly from B-Movie to B-Movie. A slick production defuses some of the more extreme metal moments making them hugely palatable and more in keeping with the heady electronic broth throughout. It is this balance, which so many experimental artists fail to achieve, TMK have so comfortably nailed. The meandering journey never feels contrived, with each musical twist contributing skilfully to the eclectic whole.

“Initiating shut down sequence”

CocoRosie - Noah's Ark (2005)

CocoRosie are an experimental duo of American sisters based in France. Their sound, as with many experimental artists is hard to categorise, but the overall result is engaging and at many points beautiful.

1. Sierra Rose "Rosie" Casady moved to France to pursue a career as an opera singer. She studied in Paris where she was later reunited with her sister Bianca Leilani "Coco" forming the band in 2003.

Although throughout their work there are moments of obvious technical expertise, many parts sound raw and obtuse. The vocals are often harsh and stuttered, but with a control and a rich engaging quality. Sierra plays guitar piano and harp while Bianca a variety of strange sounds ranging from childrens toys through to standard percussion instruments. They often sound disjointed yet somehow very right.

The Album Noah's Ark (2005) is the duo's second and for me is a real success. Saying that, it starts rather weakly with a track entitled K-hole, which paints an appropriate musical picture for the title, but is quite disappointing when compared to the rest of the album. The second track sets the scene and injects an instant attention grabbing beauty when Anthony Hegarty starts the track off with his distinctive vocals. The track is a delicate balance of a classic piano melody over some spacious crackling beats with the regular band vocals almost competing with Anthony's for the strangest and most beautiful sound.

The album carrys on from here with no disappointments and demands multiple listening. This is an album best enjoyed on your own with the comfort of a sofa and no distraction.

For those torrent types here is an address to find a download.
http://btjunkie.org/torrent/Cocorosie-Noah-s-Ark-2005/3796a75d4718ff26f3cce83e2dd505d9dc88796b4073

Is the vengeance trilogy really any good?

A good question raised. Critically the three films were all very well received and were all successful. This led me to sumarise the director, without discussion, having triumphed. This was a little rash of me but seemed appropriate when writing about I'm a Cyborg.

I think I should retract my previous comment and instead only describe Old Boy as a triumph. It is an amazing film and perhaps the best example of Asian cinema I have seen. It would be fair to say that Sympathy for Mr Vengeance was a very good film, but no where near as rewarding as Old Boy. The last of the three films, Lady Vengeance, unfortunately was quite forgettable. Perhaps I should watch it again, but for now, my opinion is it's not so good.

Sorry to miss lead you all there. Old Boy and I'm a Cyborg however are both outstanding films. Watch them.

Holiday time

I was trying to think what does a single man do for a holiday? Apart from tagging on with one of you or going on a "singles holiday" i was a little confused. I fancy doing something different so was thinking of some volunteering abroad.

http://www.concordia-iye.org.uk/projects/?details=24302

Has anybody got any better ideas?

Is the vengeance trilogy really any good?

Without any hint of doubt, Oldboy is superb. However, isn't describing his Vengeance trilogy as a triumph a little excessive? I was under the impression that the other two were a bit light weight. Should I check them out again?

I'm a Cyborg

This weekend I had the pleasure of watching Park Chan-Wook's New film I'm a Cyborg, But that's OK. Coming from the extreme Korean director holding the triumphs of the Vengeance trilogy under his belt, I wasn't sure what to expect from a film sold as a romantic comedy. What I discovered was a charming, quirky film with a good plot and a host of excellent performances.

It was really good to see the director show he has more to offer than the graphic violence and shock twists offered up in his films like Old Boy. This film is memorable and in many ways quite unique. A good couple of hours here that will leave everyone with a broad smile following a some what strange movie experience.

At last a picture frame

Imagine this in my front room!

You Mitchel, have just eaten a sheep’s bollock

I am pleased on three accounts:

1. Sim world is a smashing idea and already an unprecedented success.
2. I’m thrilled Matt enjoyed The Cook… so much. Greenaway is an undisputed auteur of the highest calibre. Exquisite, lush, gripping, moving… just some words to describe the film.
3. How great it is to be reminded about the liberation of our European comrades from the tyrannical Ottoman reign. Hail ‘This day in History’ brothers.

Before we go, we must feed and water the animals!!

The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

Thanks to Dan for sharing this surprisingly interesting film with its outrageous characters and theatre like staging gave a very rewarding experience.

Just an experiment

kool aid acid test_0001.wmv

Electric Kool Aid baby!!!

Headhunting the funky beast Herb?

Welcome Tim Sim

Welcome Matt Sim

Welcome Dan Sim

We are time

we are time_0001.wmv

Chop Stick Blues Keyboard mix

Chop Stick Blues (Keyboard mix).wma

The Brazen Flying Freak-Flag Cardinal mix 2

The Brazen Flying Freak-Flag Cardinal mix 2.wma

T-Shirts Dec 2008