tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62605512011-12-30T14:04:28.570ZThe Manilla EnvelopeSort of brown, sort of made of paper
Under the counter Music/Film/Media observations and attempts at humour.planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1128304953907679632005-11-06T02:53:00.000Z2006-10-04T18:39:05.253+01:00Screenwriting (I would shoot the writer but there wasn't one working on this film)Recently saw an item that said the reason for recent Hollywood summer big budget flops was the LACK of good writing. Does anyone know anyone who's actually seen The Island? Good writing takes time and costs money and the prevaling Hollywood attitude is why hire writers when planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1084746646725417262005-10-03T22:58:00.000+01:002005-11-07T01:16:29.766ZMusic, Humour, the Press and MediocrityThere's a lot of humour in music. This humour can manifest itself in many ways, certain band dress like derrided eighties outfit and get props for being 'simply outrageous' or 'wow, they really pulled it off' No, they didn't. They are just half famous and can get on TV during Glastonbury essentailly their music is shit or at best a bad copy or a really bad planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1127956447970310652005-09-29T02:04:00.000+01:002005-10-31T00:42:35.423ZWhy do bands split-up?In reply the answer is shit happensIn our case guitarist slices hand open and becomes unwilling frontman, new guitarist buys house and goes AWOL for practices, members argue, some better than others, shame, the music was good at times.Murph told Lou Barlow (words never seemed to come to J. Mascis when he was around his bassist) that Dinosaur Jr. were disbanding. Needless to planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1124661439577052312005-08-21T22:37:00.000+01:002005-08-21T23:04:49.983+01:00Muse SickJust played last gig with current band and it was a blast so to celebrate here's some soundings.i) Shipping NewsDon't watch the film it was self-important rubbish that a good cast couldn't steer away from the rocks. The band have delivered a treat, melodic guitar, precision rhythm and beautiful undulating vocals combined with production that fills your earholes to the brim with majesty planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1106597012151691952005-06-04T19:52:00.000+01:002005-10-21T20:37:57.690+01:00Hitchcock cont./5 Best1. Psycho (1960)One of the scariest films I've ever seen. Tension, suprise and bloody violence mixed up by the master to create probably his most famous film. Based on the novel by Robert Bloch about Ed Gein who lived as a recluse and had a mother fixation. Gein did well in the movies as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre also took him as inspiration with Leatherface.Psycho changedplanetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1112661631194250512005-04-05T00:42:00.000+01:002005-05-05T22:20:54.053+01:00PlaylistChariotsTravis from Songs of Zarathustra new outfit. They display a more mature approach than the desparate melodies of SOZ. This means not all the songs are played at 160bpm and feature screamed vocals. His keyboards and effects feature here and suprisingly they don't tame the carnage. They'll tear it up live. Go see.Neil YoungRevistiting his huge body of work. After the Goldrush is planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1107902089060340612005-02-08T21:13:00.000Z2005-03-15T22:35:38.803Z Sport and MediaFirst rant of the year otherwise the football will be over soon.This could run and run (no pun intended). Anyone familiar with the Premiership will know that Chelsea have had the title sewn up for months. This is according to everyone from your opioniated mate down the pub to the top pundits in TV studios, but mostly it is the media and by this I generally mean the 'papers' and 'planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1106595941871852822005-01-24T19:09:00.000Z2005-02-15T21:02:08.583ZThe Motorcycle DiariesWalter Salles' film is adapted from the journals of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara detailing his trek to Peru to take up a medical residency. Accompanying him are his jovial friend, Alberto Granado and of course, a motorcycle. The comaraderie of the two buddys is well played, as they bumble their way through Argentina, Chile and Brazil. In one scene they try to blag a free meal by planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1105313474338171052005-01-09T22:51:00.000Z2005-10-31T01:23:39.116ZAn Introduction to HitchcockRecently developed an acute obsession with the man and his films; he himself often dealt with the helplessly compulsed. He made 53 films, give or take a few, and in every one was a piece of himself, his quirks, his humour, his insecurities, his dreams and often himself. He was well known for his cameos in nearly all of his films. You might say that he made the same planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1100305238328117552004-11-12T23:40:00.000Z2004-11-13T00:45:09.750ZWhy listen to ... when you can listen to ...
or
(If you like ... then check out ... )
Taste the cream not the dregs ...
Fourtet vs. Alice Coltrane
It is clear that Kieran Hebden is influenced by Journeys in Sascatchduwanda (sic), her masterpiece. Apart from the obvious musical similarities, he always raves about her in interviews. So if you think Fourtet is nice but ultimately bland planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1098491454598825372004-10-23T01:29:00.000+01:002005-10-31T01:25:25.156ZGod Save This Country: An Essay on Not Seeing the Sense in PatriotismMaybe its because I was born in Germany (yes, with the war and the football) or because I'm just bitter and cynical but the country I live in gets on my tits sometimes.Its the contradictions.A nation of aloof repressed types with a legacy of sophistication and charm who obsess over the sordid affairs of larger than life planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1097680066403828762004-10-13T14:58:00.000+01:002004-10-13T16:07:46.403+01:00Something Uplifting
It's time I told you what is getting me excited, seeing as I have the 'privilage' of working in a record shop and able to listen to 'music' nearly every single minute of every single day.
1. The Hunches
Ramshackle yet abrasive indie noise band from Seattle (what are the chances). Don't be put off by the 'The' as they're really good at submerging what would be great pop planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1096404881886634832004-09-28T21:47:00.000+01:002005-01-20T01:59:07.106ZQuotes
If a player disagrees with me then we talk about it for twenty minutes then decide I was right
Brian Clough (R.I.P.)
Film your murders like love scenes, and film your love scenes like murders.
In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director. Hitchcock
He said, instead of throwing himself off a forty storey building, he decided to fall out of a one storyplanetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1095032367189921802004-09-12T23:25:00.000+01:002004-09-23T21:42:24.626+01:00Do People Actually listen to Music
We get regulars who'll buy a couple of albums a day, often including a new release or two, which begs the question if they are in record shops all the time and they work (some wear suits and look educated) when do they listen to the music. The main time I get to listen to music (though not always of my choosing) is at work and thats only coz I toil in a shop planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1093829851270775702004-08-30T01:47:00.000+01:002004-10-05T21:42:10.806+01:00DVDs
1.Usual Suspects
Great extras including deleted Scenes, Keyser Soze: Lie or Legend Featurette, out-takes (see them mis-pronounce the criminal mastermind's name), interviews with writers and cast members, something called a gag reel and the all important commentary where, amoung other facts, you find out that director Brian Singer's favourite film is Jaws ... the film's pretty good too.
2.planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1092693323542791702004-08-16T22:17:00.000+01:002004-11-13T00:46:17.843ZRecord Shop Blues or My Goat and How to Get at it
1. The House compilation
At work we have a system whereby the first seven or so people in get to put a marker down as their album choice for the day. Each day a colleague of mine who shall remain nameless, gets in early and puts on somnething that fits the following criteria.
i) it is House, or one of its frivolous sub genres (e.g. Click HouseplanetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1090532781241283512004-07-22T22:24:00.000+01:002004-07-24T15:58:29.220+01:00What is Good Recently
The Intima: Band from Portland, Oregon who've done stuff on K Records. They make the violin sound sexy and dangerous by realising that you don't have to sound like Godspeed or Rachel's if you use one. Stuff not really available here (try www.zumonline.com) but worth checking as they have potential to rule.
David Grubbs: Newie has more song based stuff from Dave or planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1089315999354372602004-07-08T19:34:00.000+01:002004-07-20T20:35:42.886+01:00Good Music Themed Films
1. Twenty Four Party People
Still not convinced about Steve Coogan playing Factory Records Label owner Tony Wilson, but as he says in the film 'its not about me, its about Manchester and the music'. Besides Michael Winterbottom is directing and he knows how to tell a story.
The locations are extremely convincing with the late 70s/early 80s North-West looking as grim planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1088876910238200602004-07-03T18:01:00.000+01:002004-07-05T00:25:26.686+01:00J G Ballard's Cocaine Nights
Read this nearly a year ago but has definitely stuck with me. The title is kind of misleading as clandestine, profuse narcotic consumption is only part of the web of intrigue that this writer is spinning.
The story has the feel of a crime thriller with reporter Charles Prentice arriving at a Spanish resort for ex-pats in order to unravel the events of his brother'splanetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1086917933650388912004-06-11T02:18:00.000+01:002004-06-11T02:38:53.650+01:00 Yay for Music
Check this sheet out. Rarely get blown away by stuff these days being exposed 24/7 to music and its machinations but recently found a purple patch. Stand up guys one and all.
Black Eyes: They've done two albums, new one just out and it is the best thing I've heard for eons. Baddass dual drummer action with brass and as one website puts it caterwhauling vocals. I'm so drunk with planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1085096705401166972004-05-21T00:38:00.000+01:002004-05-23T21:09:02.073+01:00Coco Rosie 19th May 2004 @Spitz
Great venue for these sisters to weave their magic. I'd been digging the album after a friend put a song on a compilation for me. Turns out that said friend hasn't any interest in seeing them live. Aaah the fickle nature of indie rock street cred.
It becomes clear he's missed out from the moment they take the stage, exuding an innocent yet commanding presence. planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1081796908014905312004-05-16T22:20:00.000+01:002004-05-16T22:55:44.426+01:00Travelling Around Canada/USA Pt III: New England
Boston
Harvard, UMASS, MIT, Irish People, College Rock, Good Will Hunting, Funny Accents, Celtics, Red Sox, Mystic River and Cheers.
Had to go through a toll to get there. We didn't have exact money but ended up in the pre pay lane and got some serious road rage directed against us for our crime against humanity. I made sure I looked like a planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1083426163110833562004-05-02T13:14:00.000+01:002004-05-02T13:20:42.653+01:00 Lightning Bolt
Much has been said about the sensation that is Lightning Bolt. For those who don't know they are a two piece band who use bass and drums to create music that is a lays waste to other people's attempts to make fast, loud, extreme, intense noise not only palatable but enjoyable. They are a great band and their live show is something to behold. But will people care in two years planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1083428724706201912004-05-01T17:21:00.000+01:002004-05-01T17:32:51.810+01:00Good Things this Summer
1. Paul Auster in conversation at some Institute in Central London, Wednesday May 5th 2004
Not sure what the nature of this is exactly and it could be a bit too knowingly high brow. However, the man is a modern day literary legend and will have a lot to say on many subjects including typewriters, travelling, war, gambling, religion, Paris, although I hope he doesn't go planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1083428429563987402004-05-01T17:17:00.000+01:002004-05-01T17:34:46.716+01:00 London Gig Venues
London is a big place where we are spoilt rotten over the amount of bands we get to see. Hence the venues often suffer from a lack of atmosphere. Actually there is atmosphere, an arms folded, 'impress me' type atmosphere. Nevertheless here are some good places that have good people and good bands.
1. Buffalo Bar
Highbury N5, not least coz its under the Famous Cock Pub (fnarrplanetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1083428125438325562004-05-01T17:15:00.000+01:002005-10-25T02:00:18.633+01:00 Michael Winterbottom's Wonderland Somehow feel compelled to write about this film because the 3 times i've seen it I have fallen more in love with it. It won't appeal to people who like films to be fast and furious as it ploughs its own modest furrow. Its shot on hand held 16mm camera giving it a documentary feel. As for the plot, there isn't one, instead we get a dysfunctional South London planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1083428055239966532004-05-01T17:13:00.000+01:002004-05-01T17:18:35.170+01:00A Dream
Once, I had a very vivid and peculiar dream that I gladly took the time to write down.
It was like the very beginning of the film Being John Malkovich (I must be obsessed), some kind of minature puppet theatre thing where I had to prove my worth through the medium of dance to an unseen audience. With me, for some reason were a swan and an old Victorian era lady.
Choosing to ignore planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1081458032504811922004-04-12T19:58:00.000+01:002004-04-12T20:02:42.920+01:00 A Rant About Music
Everyone's into it, everyone wants it but does it want them?
Gonna come off like a complete snob but really I'm a pussycat. I know people who make showing their nostrils a career, who will not hesitate to kick the puppy who is raving about the latest release. They humour no-one. They tend to be the people I work with in a record shop.
My point is that if someones really planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1081714574130414802004-04-11T20:04:00.000+01:002004-04-11T21:35:37.966+01:00Shellac @ All Tomorrow's Parties Sunday 28th March 2004
We had got out of the chalet in record time, just so we could catch their first set at the small stage only to realise that the clocks had gone forward and left us behind. Needless to say when we got there it was packed and they were finishing up. I wasn't disappointed having experienced two of their three afternoon performances at ATP planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1077994255778786572004-03-13T22:43:00.000Z2004-03-13T22:47:02.903Z Travelling Around USA/Canada Pt II; Lost in the Midwest
Chicago
The Windy City. Blues. Jazz. Soul. House. Gangsters. Home of the Skyscraper. Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan. Pizza. Sears Tower. Blues Brothers. Al Capone and an amazing local rock scene. Definitely open!
Its the weekend and Chicago beckons like the metropolis it is. Except we're stuck in some serious rush hour traffic. We book planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1073842873791767662004-01-11T16:56:00.000Z2005-10-31T01:20:12.000ZTravelling Around Canada/USATorontoWe landed in Toronto, which is already cool because its in Canada and people keep their doors unlocked, as in Bowling For Columbine. My brother inquired about how i found room in my rucksack for a sleeping bag and i replied 'What sleeping bag?' We were camping you see.Hence the first night was probably the worst nights sleep i've ever had. The campsite was like planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1072985473443370742004-01-01T19:14:00.000Z2005-10-31T01:12:40.906ZThings that were good in 2003 in no particular order.Film: Adaptation:Not really a Nic Cage fan but this film had the genius scriptwriter of Being John Malkovich behind it, Charlie Kaufman. Indeed it is he, who is the central figure in a film that is at times as bizzare and quirky as its sister film. In one early scene we see Kaufman on the Malkovich set, hanging out with the actors, planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1072725157066643342003-12-29T19:07:00.000Z2003-12-29T19:12:54.423Z Andrew Rules!
He showed me the way
Here is he:planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6260551.post-1072724702594979342003-12-29T19:02:00.000Z2005-10-31T01:07:33.383ZWelcome to the Manilla Envelope! Now here's how you can get out; a link to the band i'm in planetShhhhnoreply@blogger.com