Obligatory Wednesday Post

Well the world still eagerly awaits for Evan and Shawn to post, the best thing we can all do is comment to their posts that they have up so it'll be forwarded to their emails, hopefully that will motivate them.

I have nothing else to say right now, but I want every one with a few minutes, a decent internet speed, and a love for the daily show to check out Jon Stewart making fun of blogs, it's hysterical and if you missed it watch it again.

Off The Back Wall #2

Novena On a Nocturn By The Good Life"Melancholy Melodies In Heavy Hangover"

This debut album from The Good Life (Tim Kasher from Cursive's side project) is the antithesis of what the band's name suggests. Like the album's title indicates the album is crafted with religious solace conveying a colorless medieval tapestry of erie keyboards and haunting vocals. Certain albums are crafted for listening at certain points of one's life. This is my perfect 12:37 a.m. album, flawlessly suited for that half conscious state between sleep and wakefulness.

From the start of the album we are greeted by Kasher's hauntingly melodic vocals and from there on in it becomes a simplisticly layered experience of keyboards, faux electronica, acoustic guitars and accordions. Ultimately the album is melancholy, yet starkly beautiful especially for those of us that get caught up in self reflection and regret. Novena's melodramatic, sometimes painfully honest life - lessons whisper back to influences such as The Cure and The Smiths, thus providing a musical perspective for a generation that grew up without these bands.

Kasher is one of the most underrated songwriters of today, and when he sings "I'll try to describe the way that it felt/To tell my own mother her son's a failure/His heart is too cold/ To love anyone but himself" he has the ability to shake tears out of even the hardest souls and deepest depths.

Released in November 2000, Novena on a Nocturn's standout tracks include Dim Entrance, Your Birthday Present, What we all Fall for When we're Down.

Worst Movies Ever # 1 A Love Song For Bobby Long

Ever have your face beaten with a mallet while you watch ninjas murder your fellow villagers and burn down your home? Well me either but I've come pretty damn close while Watching A Love Song For Bobby Long (who's working title by the way was Yawn). My main reason for seeing this movie was Scarlett Johansson, but even she could not assuage the feeling of being slowly buried alive that this film imposes on the viewer. I knew something was fishy when the clerk at the video store said "I hope you're a Travolta fan." Well I'm not, so I should have backed away from the counter, but silly me I went through with it (like the time I rode the Scream Machine high on mescaline and crank).

Acting (and I use the term loosely) is non existent in this movie. Moments of levity are serious (because they are the opposite of funny) and moments of seriousness are downright laughable. Scenes where Travolta and Johansson fight are contrived and often humorous as Travolta tries his hardest to portray a drunken southerner. The plot is thin and the big surprise of the movie is easily figured out in the first twenty minutes--rendering the ending anti climatic and predictably weak. This movie has erectile dysfunction and even a potentially good cast appeared to be lulled into a coma by it's poor pacing and shitty retread of a plot (did I mention that already? Yawn). For die hard Travolta fans you get to see his bloated carcass dance once again and see him wallow in self pity on a bathroom floor in his tighty whities. Oh and he plays a weepy blues guitar and sings songs of the South and love lost. Did I mention that? Like driving through Chernobyl on a motorcycle, avoid this movie at all costs.

Food For Thought

Ok so I was just thinking about a few things last night and then talking about them with Pete. When I go to a ski slope I have balls the size of grapefruits, I'm ready to chew the world up, spit it out, and then ask for seconds. It's all good, from the parking lot, to the entrance, to the little hut where you pay. Then things go wrong, you have to sign the "oh shit" sheet. That's when I panic, it's like "why do I have to sign this waiver? What's going on?" Then I pussy out and decide that snowtubing is cool after all.

Which of course brings me to my food for thought.....People that work on the slopes (instructors, ski patrol, etc...) do they have to sign the waivers? If they fall and get hurt do they get workmen's comp or do they get nothing because they too signed "oh shit" waivers?

Monday, err, wait Tuesday.

So what can I say? Another week some more shit to blog about. Hopefully I'll find out this week how that interview went, if all goes well hopefully I'll have a new job. James pretty much covered the whole Star Wars angle this week, I'll let him live the dream. Shawn I have a whole bag of pants for you, Evan I have that stereo, when you guys start blogging we'll make the exchange.

Was in the city on Saturday down by 28th street. It's like herding cattle down there. All they sell is jewelry, accessories, and clothing. That's why I thought it pointless when a man, not wearing a sign, not passing out fliers, just walked through the crowd shouting "pants, shirts, men women." No shit buddy, that's all there is down there. Was he just making an observation? Or, were we supposed to meet him around the corner and ask "oh please, sage of all things cheap and plastic, where is this mysterious store you speak of?" Other than that it was cool picked up some new duds.

As for the pic, I bought Life Aquatic last week and finally went through the special features. I can't say anthing bad, people I think have given up on Wes Anderson or have yet to "get*" his movies. (*man I hate saying that). Either way I thought Zissou was awesome, and I love the Criterion Collection, a little bit more money but worth it, great presentation and special features. Bill Murray Rocks, Owen Wilson Rolls, and Pele plays a wicked guitar.

That's it for now, stay tuned for a new blog entry sometime this week.

Off The Back Wall #1

Team Boo By Mates of State

"Exuberant Pop Duo Weaves Harmonies"

The first time I heard Mates of State they were on tour for the Team Boo effort, since then their infectious pop styling has had me hooked. This husband and wife drums and keys duo effortlessly weave their vocals to produce one of the most complete harmonic experiences put to record in recent years making you quickly forget the lack of guitars and ultimately realize you don't miss them at all.

What would seem like a handicap turns out to be advantageous in this case allowing for simplistic harmonies to be mixed into counterpoint call and response pop music. If you think this has been done before you are right, but if you think it's sounded this good you're wrong. The songs on Team Boo range from catchy to introspective as displayed with a dynamic in songs like Open Book and Middle is Gold like only a husband and wife can achieve, finally resting on heavier subjects in songs like Parachutes, An Experiment and Gotta Get a Problem.

Released in September 2003 Team Boo standout tracks include Whiners Bio, Open Book, Middle is Gold and An Experiment

Weezer Concert

Went to the Weezer concert last night, and I must say it rocked. It was by far the best Weezer show I've seen. Maybe because it was at Roseland a so called "smaller" venue. The band was tighter and their sound was amazing, some tracks sounding just like the albums (which is good in this case because Weezer isn't an improv band). Their new album is pretty good, I like it more than Maladroit, and it draws comparisons to Pinkerton. Despite it's Pinkerton comparisons it still has that handful of songs that remind the listener of the Blue album days. It's a good blend despite the drastic slow down near the end of the album. On record and in concert it's refreshing to see Weezer adding synths and keyboards to their sound.
All around on the boards and websites they are saying that last nights show (the second and last of the NYC series) rocked the most. I believe it. Just goes to show you have to get tickets to the last show in a city, they always do something extra special the crowd the night before didn't get to see.

Here's the setlist for those that are curious.

Tired Of Sex --In The Garage--No One Else--This Is Such A Pity--Buddy Holly--Photograph--Hold Me--Getchoo--Say It Ain't So--We Are All On Drugs--Island In The Sun--My Name Is Jonas--Peace--Beverly Hills--The Good Life--Undone - The Sweater Song

Haunt You Every Day--Hash Pipe

R.I.P.

Well the fro is no 'mo. Got an interview lined up for tomorrow and decided I had to look presentable for the man. Hopefully all will go well I shall post the results. Im drinking this soda that I had from Burger King that's been sitting in the fridge, it tastes like gray carpet. I'm going to attempt to update rexojunkies. I've been busy so I've been slow catching up. Peace out fools.

Episode III

OK well the time is almost upon us to feast our eyes on the supposed masterpiece that is 22 years in the making. As a heads up reviews are up for episode III, and most of them are good. The biggest beef seems to be that it's pg13. People are complaining that the children will be shut out. Well you know what, I had to sit through the last two movies (Three if you consider Jedi) that were geared towards the kids. Fuck the Kids. People have grown up with these movies, time to have some adult content. Bravo Lucas! Can't wait to check it out. Supposed to be the Empire of the new trilogy.

Summer Concert Update!!!

Ok so I was talking to a friend online, and we started running through the summer concerts that are happening here in NYC, so I'm helping all of you loyal readers out by posting some that I think are interesting right here. I'm sure more will pop up at they're announced but here are some so far.

MUSIC

• The New Pornographers at ProspectPark.
• The Killers, Modest Mouse, Dinosaur Jr/Broken Social Scene, Evlis Costello/Imposters, Death Cab for Cutie/Decemberists all at Central Park. Yeah these ones cost some bucks.
• Arlo Guthrie , Garth Hudson, Yo La Tengo/Steven Malkmus, The Wailers, Calexico, M.Ward, Fiery Furnaces - ALL FOR FREE as part of the WFC concert series (mostly in Rockerfeller Park and Castle Clinton.)
• The Downtown NYC River to River festival, which rocked last year, is yet to put up it's schedule. Likewise for the Siren Festival in Coney Island.

Movie Stuff

• Jaws is playing in Bryant Park on Aug 22. I'm down for that.
• Rooftop Films in Brooklyn is working on their schedule.
• Fish Called Wanda, Dr. No, and Chinatown all playing at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
• Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (7/13), The Big Lebowski (7/20 You Know I'll be there), Up In Smoke (7/27), Clerks (8/03),Animal House (8/10) and Fast Times At Ridgemont High(8/17) all playing at pier 54 as part of the River Flicks event.
• As well as Back to the Future at pier 25 on 7/22.

Did I forget to mention that Def Leppard and Bryan Adams are playing at Keyspan Park? WHoops! Anyway's check back I'll try to keep this stuff posted. I'm also going to put this up on friendster just to back it up for those who (gasp!) don't check the blogs. Let's make some plans people.

Just An Update

Coming to Rexojunkies.com will be the Icons, Evan and Shawn. They will be providing new content for the site so I hope everyone is excited. Also look for a new article from Jibba pretty soon, or at least it seems that way from the phone call I received today.
Also, I've made my official tally, and since I began looking for my job, I've sent 205 resumes, I don't know if that's alot, but it's seems like a lot to me considering I haven't been called for one interview.
Can it be they know about me? Do they read the blog and check out the site, is that why they don't like me.
Also, I haven't forgot Evelyn sent me a special guest article that I'm going to post. Fun fun fun, keep checking back people. That is all for now. Carry on.

Oh I'm also selling my one good kidney on ebay. If anyone wants it let me know.

Live From My Desk.....

....It's another post. This weekend was this weekend. You go out maybe expecting something crazy and wild is going to happen but then it doesn't. But while in the midst of waiting you forget and it doesn't bother you that things are as they should be, as they always are. Nothing crazy happened, went to a party in Williamsburg, hung out with some of my friends I haven't seen in a while. Drank some 40's (big up's to Mario) had a few laughs. Wound up going to Grattons where I saw some other people I forgot that I had missed. All in all it was good, topped it off with stoner's special of bagels and bacon, and came home and passed out.

It took a week but I finally got my Eels cd. See originally I had pre-ordered it from the website because it was a good deal and came with a t shirt. Then I get an email mid last week saying there was a foul up with the record company and that I would receiving the cd late, with a special gift from the record company. So I said "cool" I'm in no rush. But admittedly, and shamefully, I was anxious to get this "free gift." Like Christmas morning the package arrived today and I opened the box searching for my gift. P.S. it was a shitty poster the size of a piece of looseleaf. But as I unrolled it I hoped for one last ditch effort that at the bottom it would be signed. It wasn't, and I wept. Bastards!!!!

I kept getting these email for friendster which I signed up for like two years ago but I haven't been active. Finally I broke (because I hate shit like myspace and all that junk, don't people actually make friends in real life anymore?) and went back on. Anyway I'm up and running, so those of you who know me, sign up and look me up. For those of you that don't know me, or just want to make a new buddy on friendster, check out the profile I made as 'rexojunkies.' It'll be a good way to organize field trips for friends of the site. And you can also see who else is a fan and checks out the content.

Check back again, I'm planning on adding some bells and whistles to the blog and the website. Lots of pens, lots of legal pads being used for this operation. Hope I don't disappoint.