BuzzSugar

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:30:15 -0700

Eddie Murphy is out and Marlon Wayans is in for the Richard Pryor biopic - Cinematical
Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to The Phantom of the Opera gets a premiere date! - Playbill
5 TV shows that deserve the big-screen treatment - TV.com
Modest Mouse has a brand new video, and it's trippy - Stereogum
The Good Wife and NCIS: Los Angeles get picked up for full seasons - HitFix
Check out this list of poorly cast film roles - Moviefone
EW reveals Part 1 of their 40 Bad Romantic Comedies - EW
Take this America's Next Top Model beauty quiz! (Then check back later for mine.) - BellaSugar

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:41 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download.

Modest, Modest Mouse: Indie darlings Modest Mouse have been around since 1993, but made their mainstream break in 2004 with the success of the song "Float On" and the album Good News for People Who Love Bad News. Since then they've released just one other CD, but along the way have amassed quite of collection of unreleased tracks and B-sides. Being released on its new EP, No One's First, and You're Next, are the re-polished versions of these songs. In addition to this EP, check out the Heath Ledger-directed video for Modest Mouse's "King Rat," which recently came online.

Must-have music: As featured in my monthly must-haves, Yim Yames' EP of George Harrison covers comes out today. Simply titled Tribute To, the six-song disc - which was recorded days after Harrison's death in 2001 - includes classics like "My Sweet Lord," and "All Things Must Pass." If you don't recognize the name, Yim Yames traditionally goes by Jim James and is the lead-singer of My Morning Jacket. It's cool to hear Yim/Jim a little more acoustic and pared-down. Download this one if you're a fan of Jacket or Harrison.

One more download worth checking out if you read more.

A little bit country: Currently No. 1 on the iTunes album chart is the self-titled debut from country act Gloriana. Reaching the top of the iTunes chart is impressive for any artist, but it's especially noteworthy coming from a new country act. The group is building on the success of its first single, "Wild at Heart." If you're feeling a little more country than rock-and-roll, this one's for you.

The Heath Ledger-Directed Video For Modest Mouse's "King Rat"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:30:42 -0700

The text at the end of this video reads: "This began with our friend, a great defender of life, and was completed in his spirit." And though the video for Modest Mouse's "King Rat" seems cutesy at first, it soon becomes clear why the words "defender of life" are included in this note about the video's director, the late Heath Ledger.

The animated video starts out seemingly sweet and innocent, with whales enjoying themselves on a boat, the colors all slate-gray and blue, with a happy little sun and trumpets blaring from the clouds. But, oh my, does it become gruesome. In a violent turning of tables, the whales hunt the humans and skin them, make them into food and profit nicely from it.

Apparently, in early 2007, Ledger told Modest Mouse of his idea for a music video that would "marry his love of bold and original music with his impassioned stance against the illegal commercial whale hunts taking place of the coast of Australia each year. Always one to operate from his heart and take a stand for what he cared deeply about, Heath's intention was to raise awareness on modern whaling practices through a potent visual piece without having to say a word." Proceeds from iTunes video downloads will go to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for one month.

To check out the intriguing and disconcerting video for "King Rat," read more.

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:30:37 -0700

Pop idol: Jordin Sparks, American Idol's sixth winner, is back today with her second album, and it sounds like a solid collection of the pop/R&B tunes we've come to expect from this teenager. Battlefield kicks off with some driving beats in songs like "SOS" and "Walking on Snow," then later slips in some ballads like "Was I the Only One." The song "Emergency (911)" reminds me of Rihanna, and I could see "It Takes More" doing well on the radio.

Everything all at once: The Fiery Furnaces is a band that does "weird" in the best sense of the word. Brother-and-sister duo Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger's releases aren't necessarily easy listens, but they contain some of the most creative indie rock around. The new I'm Going Away is relatively straightforward for a Fiery Furnaces release, but that's only if you consider things like wild syncopation, jazz-influenced riffs, and breathlessly rushed lyrical delivery "straightforward." I'm digging "I'm Going Away," which has an old-timey vibe that got me bouncing in my desk chair, and the folky "The End Is Near."

For one more release to check out, just read more.

A modest proposal: Modest Mouse has been releasing new material and old B-sides for a while now leading up to August's No One's First, and You're Next EP, and today, the latest of those singles is out. Perpetual Motion Machine contains two tracks: the title song, which has a swingy, big-band, brass-backed feel, and the guitar-based, slightly more expected "History Sticks to Your Feet."

Music Video: "Satellite Skin" by Modest Mouse

BuzzSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:15:54 -0700

I'm a pretty big Modest Mouse fan and recently they released a new video for a track titled, "Satellite Skin" which will be on their forthcoming album No One's First and You're Next. The video is . . . strange, to say the least. There's a scary wooden house rambling around as well as an alien that looks like it's straight out of an X-Files episode. Basically, it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea but it's worth a listen because the song is good.

To check it out for yourself, read more.

Modest Mouse - Satellite Skin from Old World Monkey on Vimeo.

Link Time! 5/14

BuzzSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:30:00 -0700

Fringe vs. The X-Files vs. reality. - TV.com
Rian Johnson talks The Brothers Bloom. - Cinematical
Jay Leno's final guest on The Tonight Show will be . . . Conan O'Brien. - TV Squad
Check out the new Modest Mouse track. - Stereogum
Are all-star movie casts really always better? - Popwatch
This year's Tony Awards just got awesome. - The TV Addict
The 10 least convenient modes of time travel in history. - Vulture
Can Paste magazine be saved? - Pop Candy
Kristin Cavillari is already stirring up drama on The Hills. - PopSugar

Source

New Modest Mouse Video: Cute or Creepy?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:30:00 -0700

Cute? Creepy? Sweet? Trippy? Endearing? Too weird? You be the judge, since I honestly can't decide. Check out the totally surreal, Candyland-ish video for Modest Mouse's tune "Fly Trapped in a Jar" and tell me what you think. Adorable? Bizarre? What is it?

Sasquatch: Mythic Creature With Great Taste in Music

BuzzSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:30:00 -0800

The Sasquatch Music Festival, held annually at a gorgeous outdoor amphitheater in George, Washington, has just released this year's lineup, and at first glance I'm liking what I see. R.E.M. and The Cure are the big headliners, which, like Coachella where they're spotlighting Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, is in keeping with this year's trend of bringing back older bands. At least with Sasquatch I don't have to go as far back as bell bottoms; I just have to dig out my Doc Martens (or find new versions of my old Docs!).

Billboard reports that The Flaming Lips will premiere their anticipated film Christmas on Mars at Sasquatch. They'll also perform their U.F.O. Show in which the band emerges from a giant U.F.O. and then one of them finds himself in a hamster ball of some sort. I've seen these guys live, and it's super fun.

For more bands in the lineup and ticket information, read more.

The festival is held on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26 and tickets go on sale March 8th for $56.50 per day. The price increases two days later. Also, this is a camping event so you have to plan for that as well. More info is available here.

A good chunk of the lineup is what I would describe as "Northwesty" as many of them hail from that part of the map, including Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, Built to Spill, The New Pornographers, and Kinski. In addition to those bands M.I.A., the Hives, Tegan & Sara, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and the Breeders will be there, along with Flight of the Conchords! I'd also love to check out power-bop band The Cops that I've heard a lot of good things about.

A little something for everybody, no? What do you guys think of this lineup?

Source

Music Video: Modest Mouse, "Little Motel"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:30:39 -0700

The pensive and delicate "Little Motel" stands out among the more raucous songs on Modest Mouse's latest album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. And the stunning new video is a far cry from the nautical-themed highjinks we saw in the clip for "Dashboard."

The visuals for "Little Motel" are more like an indie movie, complete with backwards storytelling, a la Memento. I love the little details in this bittersweet video, set in Reno; notice the hotel manager playing computer solitaire? Be sure to watch until the end for the "twist," although there are definitely some unanswered questions. Tell me what you think it all means when you read more

Modest Mouse - Little Motel

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Treasure Island Music Festival Recap, Part II

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:02:14 -0700

I was downright giddy to attend the first-ever Treasure Island Music Festival this weekend, and the two-day event far exceeded my expectations. Yesterday, I gave you a gallery and my thoughts on the fest, and today, I'm breaking down the highs and lows of the performances.

As with any festival, it was fun to get turned on to some new artists. In the discovery department, I was probably most charmed by the cello-buttressed indie rock of Sea Wolf, while YumSugar was impressed by the tango revisionists Gotan Project. It was also pretty awesome to see the newest Modest Mouse member, Johnny Marr of the Smiths, tearing it up again. For all of my highlights and disappointments, read more

The Highlights

M.I.A.: I expected this to be one of the highest-energy shows at TI Fest, and the Sri Lankan rapper and her crowd did not disappoint. During "Paper Planes," M.I.A. started scaling the stage, and at another point, about 30 women from the audience joined her for a wicked group dance.
Funny aside: My friend Phil, who snapped the photo below, overheard one pair of girls debating whether or not to go on stage to dance. Girl #1: "Come on, let's go!" Girl #2: "But what am I going to do with my bag?" Girl #1: "Just leave it!" Girl #2: "This bag was $4,000 dollars. I am not leaving it!" Ok, If you want to spend $4,000 on a bag, that's your business, but why would you bring it to an outdoor music festival?

Spoon: As you may remember, I'm rather obsessed with the new Spoon album, and I couldn't wait to see how the dance-inducing songs sounded live. The energy was infectious and, even better, the musicians also brought out the music's slightly bizarre, trippier vibe during a few stretches.
M. Ward: The last time I saw M. Ward, his performance was a bit too folksy and subdued to hook me. But in this early afternoon show on Sunday, he was powerfully channeling every bit of his ragged blues influence, pounding on a grand piano and coming off like a soulful veteran.

The Disappointments

DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist: Even YumSugar, who is a huge DJ Shadow fan, agreed that this set was disappointingly dull. Given, there's something kind of wrong about seeing a DJ set in the middle of the day, but the concept - dueling DJs using on 45s - sounded awesome. Unfortunately, the music choices were pretty lackluster.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: I really adore this band's beautifully unbalanced music, but both times I've seen CYHSY live, the off-kilter charm has translated into too-rough performances. The songs lacked focus, and the sound regulation was all over the map.