Essential viewing this October:
- The Soloist is the true story of a former student at the Julliard music academy who now lives on the streets of Los Angeles. Based on the book by Steve Lopez, here played by Robert Downey, jr. it also features Jamie Foxx as the troubled genius. On paper it's this years clearest chaser of Oscar glory, but there's more to this picture than just that. The two central performances are great, top marks going to Downey, jr. surprisingly. There is a clean-cut and sober style that suits the story well accompanied with beautiful music. A real joy also is the cinematography which really does make L.A. look like the city of angels.
- Something completely different would be Observe and Report. A moronic and filthy comedy with a terrific performance from Seth Rogen. Definitely not for everyone but if you're willing to leave your good taste at the door, there is much fun to enjoy here. And director Jody Hill shold be resptected for assisting in bringing the old balls out comedy back to Hollywood.
- This past decade has not been Woody Allen's best years, but there is still some excitement to be found in his new movies. This time it is called Whatever Works and Allen has handed the acting duties over to, my favorite comedy writer, Larry David. It is certainly an acquired taste but Allen's straightforward and simplistic style, and genuine love of storytelling is bound to make you smile. With great dialogue and terrific performances all around (it is a true delight to catch David outside his more comfortable and usual TV format) with a hilarious turn from the always wonderful Patricia Clarkson.
Essential listening this October:
- British indie rockers Editors return with their third album In This Light And On This Evening and it is a real gem. A bit more electronic and dancefloor friendly than their previous outings but the quality of the songs is still stellar. Proving their worth and still willing to go new ways they are one of the more exciting bands the brits have produced in a while. And I suspect this album will only grow with each listen.
- The frontman of Madrugada, the now disolved legendary norwegian rock band, Sivert Høyem has turned out his third solo album, and this time it is finally his main project. To call it a departure from his previous work (both with Madrugada and on his own) would be an overstatement, but there is still much to collect from his musical abilities. The title of the album is Moon Landing and even though it will not send you all the way there, it is certainly strong enough to keep you satisfied as winter creeps closer by the minute.
- The idea of a second Wolfmother album seemed hopeless for a long time as the band split up a few years ago due to the classic "irreconcilable differences" problem. But one of the original three founding members has stuck around and replaced his lost friends positions around the stage, and the result is Cosmic Egg. Not nearly as good as their self titled 2005 debut, but sticking to vintage rock & roll recipes there is plenty here to enjoy. Still in the spirit of Led Zeppelin and 70's style riffs you'll struggle to find a more respectful album to the rock genre. In a word: fun.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"Last Greeting"
gone away but still not there
a beaten in door left halfway open
don't know what happens tonight
but got a plan for tomorrow
slowly not surely getting to where we are going
the last greeting is a smile in the dark
don't leave it here
torn to the very last seam
young but old enough to complain
where were you last night
the floor in this house is worn down to the dirt
someone should have said something by now
a beaten in door left halfway open
don't know what happens tonight
but got a plan for tomorrow
slowly not surely getting to where we are going
the last greeting is a smile in the dark
don't leave it here
torn to the very last seam
young but old enough to complain
where were you last night
the floor in this house is worn down to the dirt
someone should have said something by now
Monday, October 26, 2009
Muse: The Experience
Last night I went to see Muse perform in Oslo Spektrum, and what a performance it was! The whole concert took me a bit by surprise and in the end it turned out to be one of the best live shows I have ever been to.
Even though I've always liked the band I will fall into the category of a moderate fan. I own a few of their albums, not all of them. I had never seen them live before and I've never been close to becoming a die hard fan. Last nights show just might change that. What made the concert so good wasn't that they played all my favorite songs or that the audience was fantastic or anything like that. And Muse isn't the worlds greatest band either. But the show they put on was just so complete and whole hearted that it was impossible not to be impressed by the band's effort.
A common problem when you go to see big bands perform is that you're left wondering where the money went. Far too many bands and artists have the idea that a concert is simply plowing through a setlist of 15 or 20 songs, showing off their newest stuff mixed with something they know the audience will appreciate. And then take a bow and walk off stage, adding the numbers up and thinking about how much money they earned tonight. Watching Muse last night, there was no question where the money went. It was all up there. On stage in front of you. Ready to be taken in by the excited audience. Which is only fair. After all, we paid for it.
The stage had three massive platforms which went up and down as the band performed, the lights were overwhelming and flying everywhere and even though at first one might think it was simply too much, there was still a feeling that every beam of light had some purpose for the show. And with part of the illuminations being controlled by the bands frontman Matt Bellamy himself, you understand that with Muse nothing is ever "too much." And for the first time in a long time, the venue which is infamous for its poor sound, managed to roar out every tone pitch perfect, adding to the list of positive surprises. With the occasional shower of confetti or balloons, the audience never left the bands side.
Just shy of two hours the show came to an end. Walking out into the chilly autumn night it was impossible to feel cold. Because what made the concert one of the best in ages was that Muse wasn't simply out to impress you with their best songs. They didn't wanna score points just by playing for a long time, ensuring that the die hard fans were happy. Nor did they come simply to promote their new album and play mainly new stuff. They didn't set out just to play a decent concert. They didn't want to perform a "great live show." They wanted to offer an experience. And every rock concert or live show should be just that: an experience.
Muse at Oslo Spektrum - October 25, 2009
Photograph by Monica Strømdahl, Aftenposten
Even though I've always liked the band I will fall into the category of a moderate fan. I own a few of their albums, not all of them. I had never seen them live before and I've never been close to becoming a die hard fan. Last nights show just might change that. What made the concert so good wasn't that they played all my favorite songs or that the audience was fantastic or anything like that. And Muse isn't the worlds greatest band either. But the show they put on was just so complete and whole hearted that it was impossible not to be impressed by the band's effort.
A common problem when you go to see big bands perform is that you're left wondering where the money went. Far too many bands and artists have the idea that a concert is simply plowing through a setlist of 15 or 20 songs, showing off their newest stuff mixed with something they know the audience will appreciate. And then take a bow and walk off stage, adding the numbers up and thinking about how much money they earned tonight. Watching Muse last night, there was no question where the money went. It was all up there. On stage in front of you. Ready to be taken in by the excited audience. Which is only fair. After all, we paid for it.
The stage had three massive platforms which went up and down as the band performed, the lights were overwhelming and flying everywhere and even though at first one might think it was simply too much, there was still a feeling that every beam of light had some purpose for the show. And with part of the illuminations being controlled by the bands frontman Matt Bellamy himself, you understand that with Muse nothing is ever "too much." And for the first time in a long time, the venue which is infamous for its poor sound, managed to roar out every tone pitch perfect, adding to the list of positive surprises. With the occasional shower of confetti or balloons, the audience never left the bands side.
Just shy of two hours the show came to an end. Walking out into the chilly autumn night it was impossible to feel cold. Because what made the concert one of the best in ages was that Muse wasn't simply out to impress you with their best songs. They didn't wanna score points just by playing for a long time, ensuring that the die hard fans were happy. Nor did they come simply to promote their new album and play mainly new stuff. They didn't set out just to play a decent concert. They didn't want to perform a "great live show." They wanted to offer an experience. And every rock concert or live show should be just that: an experience.
Muse at Oslo Spektrum - October 25, 2009
Photograph by Monica Strømdahl, Aftenposten
Monday, October 19, 2009
Time and Love
Today is my parents wedding day anniversairy. They have been together for a long time and I am often reminded of how blessed I am to call them my Mom and Dad.
These days there are not many people who manage to stay together for as long as my parents have. It's not always a lack of love or affection that is the problem, but being able to live in the same house and spend every day together can sometimes just be too complicated. Love is not always enough. But my parents have lived together since long before I was born and I am very proud that they have been able to take such good care of not only each other, but our entire family.
I have always been a big fan of Bruce Springsteen and his music has played a big part in my adult life. Not only does he record great music, but he has always been one of my favorite writers of song lyrics. He has a great way with words which is both poetic and lyrical. Recently I watched an interview where he talked about the songs on his new album which came out earlier this year. For those of us who know his music, it has become clear on the albums of recent years that he is very aware of the fact that he is growing older. And he is very appreciative of love and the people around him. In this interview he was asked how he felt about growing older, himself having been married for nearly twenty years. This is what he said:
There seems to be a transcendence of time in love, and I believe that there is. I carry a lot of people with me that aren't here anymore. The normal markers of the day, over the month, over the year... those are very fearsome markers. As you get older particularly. In the presence of love, and someone you care about, they loose some of their fearsome powers. And instead you're marking time by light, and the way it plays on a persons face at any given moment. That's your awareness of time over the course of that day.
Tonight my parents have been married for 35 years.
These days there are not many people who manage to stay together for as long as my parents have. It's not always a lack of love or affection that is the problem, but being able to live in the same house and spend every day together can sometimes just be too complicated. Love is not always enough. But my parents have lived together since long before I was born and I am very proud that they have been able to take such good care of not only each other, but our entire family.
I have always been a big fan of Bruce Springsteen and his music has played a big part in my adult life. Not only does he record great music, but he has always been one of my favorite writers of song lyrics. He has a great way with words which is both poetic and lyrical. Recently I watched an interview where he talked about the songs on his new album which came out earlier this year. For those of us who know his music, it has become clear on the albums of recent years that he is very aware of the fact that he is growing older. And he is very appreciative of love and the people around him. In this interview he was asked how he felt about growing older, himself having been married for nearly twenty years. This is what he said:
There seems to be a transcendence of time in love, and I believe that there is. I carry a lot of people with me that aren't here anymore. The normal markers of the day, over the month, over the year... those are very fearsome markers. As you get older particularly. In the presence of love, and someone you care about, they loose some of their fearsome powers. And instead you're marking time by light, and the way it plays on a persons face at any given moment. That's your awareness of time over the course of that day.
Tonight my parents have been married for 35 years.
Monday, October 12, 2009
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