Welcome Back

MIA isn't just an amazing female artist, it's also been my status for the last couple weeks. I just started a new job (yay capitalism!) and have been working 8, and sometimes 10 hour days. Yikes! It's been a trip though, seeing as I work with some awesome people. And things should stabilize a little in the coming weeks into more like 30 hour work weeks. Tomorrow is also the application deadline for the coveted internship position at KEXP radio station here in Seattle. I can't wait to find out if I can spend my free time working the 20-30 hour/week unpaid internship circuit; it's worth it just to be around so much amazing music. I'll let you guys know how it goes. For now, I'm back online - and as Mase would say "Harlem's Back," which I realize has absolutely no bearing on the situation, I just wanted to own it.

Tuesday's Releases Worth Owning: March 25, 2008

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

Foals - Antidotes

Jack White = always good. And Foals, well they just continue to surprise me.

There have been so many great new releases, it's hard to keep up. Everyone is of course buzzing about the Crystal Castles self-titled release which came out last Tuesday. If you enjoy Justice, Boys Noize, Digitalism, or any indie electronica really, you and this quirky effort will bond instantly. Think 80s dance music meets 90s video game soundtrack, spawning a child who is unique as it is addicting. Party on CC - I know I am.

Crystal Castles - Vanished [ysi]

Crystal Castles - Alice Practice [ysi]

After finally seeing Grindhouse last week (OMG loved it - Planet Terror especially) I have been rocking the soundtrack like nobody's business. I haven't loved everything Robert Rodriguez has done - including his homewrecking hook-up with his movie's star, Rose McGowan. The director that thinks he is Renaissance man, able to executive produce, write, music score, etc. can be offputting and just plain annoying. I understand having a specific vision for a film, and thinking the best way to communicate that is by covering all creative aspects yourself, but this can also be stifling and detrimental to the final product. Sometimes you have to step away objectively and ask if you really are the best person for the job. But just like several Tarantino films, Planet Terror is an exception to this complaint. Equal parts ridiculousness, gore and brilliantly simple dialogue, the movie and its soundtrack, are one for the books. "It's Go Go not Cry Cry." PS. Bruce Willis is the best zombie I've seen since the original Dawn of the Dead. And I continue my obsession with Freddy Rodriguez/"El Rey", the hottest gunslinging, Mexican assassin-type ever.

Robert Rodriguez - Grindhouse Main Title [ysi]

Rose McGowan - You Belong to Me [ysi]

Chingon (See also in Kill Bill Flashback) - Cherry's Dance of Death [ysi]

I don't think I really need to plug the new Gnarls B. The Odd Couple pretty much sells itself.

Other things I'm obsessed with lately? Funnies. Sarah Silverman's "I'm Fucking Matt Damon" video, as well as Jimmy's response.

My favorite is the hip-hop breakdown. Matt is priceless.

Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon - I'm Fuckin Matt Damon [ysi]

Jimmy Kimmel and Ben Affleck (and a bunch of famous people) - I'm Fuckin Ben Affleck [ysi]

And for more entertainment? I can always count on South Park. Like the episode when Cartman does a tribute to Kenny Asia-style. As Cartman lobbies Congress for Stem-cell research on Kenny's behalf he breaks into song. So Amazing!

Asia - Heat of the Moment (Cartman Tribute) [ysi]

PS. I told you MTV ruins people. Now they're taking Yelle from me! Those bastards! Check out my original post on the break-out female artist, back in February. And now eMpTV is jumping on the train.

Peace, Love, Cartman and NO more Oxford Commas (Vampire Weekend shout-out),

Lydia