Eleanor Rigby, Get My Revolver

The lack of new television programming this week has made me bitter before my time. I always thought the inevitable senility would set in around sixty. I was actually looking forward to the scaring little children part. But it seems I could apply for retirement by next Tuesday at the rate I'm going. Okay WGA, noble cause and all, but while you hold out for more money my premature aging condition worsens. I hold you personally responsible for my early demise.

The one bright spot in my ailment was a brand new episode of Pushing Daisies. I can't get enough of the adorable Kristen Chenoweth - Wicked fans rejoice. I have to give it up for Jim Dale as well; without his narration skills PD would just be another eccentric hour of exaggerated, unrealistic plot twists. And I'm convinced there is no one in the world who can bring Vernon Dursley and Dumbledore to life with quite such creative perfection. Move over Ron Howard, theres a new vocal omnipresence in my heart.

Harry and the Potters - Save Ginny Weasley

Because theres no new TV tunes to impart I decided instead to turn my focus to the silver screen. One movie I'm ever so excited about is Guy Ritchie's newest flick, Revolver. Starring potential husband number five, Jason Statham, as the charismatic gambler/conman/inmate Jake Green. Really how gorgeous is handsome Rob?

After being released from a 7-year stint in the pokey, Jake becomes unbeatable at the card tables using a formula for the ultimate con he learned from some lifers on the inside. Now he is primed and ready to exact revenge on Dorothy Macha (Ray Liotta), the man responsible for his jail time. Long story short: Macha catches wind of the scheme, only after being royally owned by Jake in a game of poker, and sends his goons to 'take out the trash'. Instead Jake is saved by two enigmatic ruffians, one of which is Andre Benjamin (Bust out B.O.B.!) and unintentionally involves himself in more shenanigans than he can handle. "But, the biggest danger of all comes from a totally unexpected source…himself. It gradually transpires the real conman is in his head." Classic Richie right? Crazy as shit characters, fast-paced crime drama, nonsensical British dialogue, the guarantee of chauvinistic reactions to card games, plenty of laughs, and don't forget the glorification of violence. I just wiped a little drool. Anything Jason is in is worth the arm and leg movie theaters now charge - even Transporter 2.

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels Soundtrack
I Wanna Be Your Dog
Hortif**kinculturalist
Why Did You Do It

Snatch Soundtrack
Diamond

Revolver Theatrical Trailer



Going with the theme musically, I thought it was an opportune time to hop in my time machine (Same model Kip got off ebay) and take a little trip back to the turbulent days of 1966. August 5 to be exact - the day The Beatles seventh studio album Revolver was released in the land of the Queen. Three days later it would hit hoards of screaming teenage girls in the US - those who found bowl haircuts and bad teeth extremely sexy; kids who thought sticking it to the man was rocking out to "Good Day Sunshine" and the ever-popular "Yellow Submarine." Bad-ass.

I might be bias, but Revolver is quite possibly the best album released by the original boy band. Compared to its predecessor, Rubber Soul, this album is more rock than folk, more electric then eclectic. Gimme that old time rock and roll right Seger? Revolver remained #1 on the charts for upwards of six weeks in the states and abroad. It was a pioneer for studio techniques including string arrangement ("Eleanor Rigby"), backmashing (Lennon's marijuana-induced mistake with "I'm Only Sleeping") and Motown-ish brass instrumentation ("Got to Get You into My Life"). It also includes some of the best collaborations between dynamic duo Lennon and McCartney, as well as elevating Georgie H from pretty(?) face to songwriter. Fun fact: The peace-loving Beatles weren't all about the handgun industry; the name of the album is a play on the revolving motion of the record as it plays. So grab your tea and biscuits, don your red, white and intellectually superior, and raise a toast to the most famous quartet in history. Here, There, and Everywhere.

The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby
The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby / Julia (LOVE Version)
The Beatles - Yellow Submarine

John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War is Over)

Instead of answering take-home final questions about cultural relativism, this weekend I'll be putting together my end of the year Bestest Albums, as well as my personal Turkeys lists. Its a staple of any music blog and I can't wait to reveal my rather unconventional collection of 2007's best. I might also include a list of amazing selected singles, according to the entirely unprofessional opinion of me. Of course I'll be doing all of this naked at the request of a certain individual. There's even a jar of honey sitting next to my computer JBG.

Peace, love, and records.
LTK