12/26/04 - Jared Kaufman

[Jared Kaufman]

Well, the year has come to an end. I hope you've checked out the staff's "End of the Year" lists and also gave your two cents as to what you thought was some of the best music to come out this year. I must say, however, that I'm beyond anxious for next year. There's a lot of promising releases on the way. With that being said, here's what I've been listening to the past week.

Northstar (http://www.northstarrock.com) - Pollyanna
To me this is one of the most underrated bands out there today. Every time I listen to their music I'm amazed they're not bigger than they are. They also put on one hell of a live show. It had been awhile since I played this disc, though, so I had to remind myself why it was one of the best to come out this year. Nick Torres' has an amazing voice and can write some amazing lyrics. I sure hope that their break is just that, a break, and doesn't last too long. These guys have what it takes to takeover the world.

Armor For Sleep (http://www.armorforsleep.com) - "Car Underwater" and "Stay On The Ground"
I seriously have not been able to stop listening to these songs. I'm a huge fan of their previous album, Dream To Make Believe, but I'm very excited for their new one, What To Do When You Are Dead, and the new sound and direction they've headed into. These songs will just have to tide me over until I get to hear the new disc. Make sure you check them out (http://www.purevolume.com/armorforsleep) if you haven't yet.

Minus The Bear (http://www.minusthebear.com) - They Make Beer Commercials Like These
This is another one of those bands that I can't believe isn't bigger by now. I've been listening to this band for awhile now and ever since I heard their album, Highly Refined Pirates, I thought they'd be all over the place. The potential is there especially after releasing the above mentioned EP. It's just full of memorable lyrics, mathy guitar work, and vocals unlike those of any other. My personal favorite track is "Fine + 2 Pts." Make sure you get their full length too.

Eisley (http://www.eisley.com) - Room Noises
My feeling on this band is that people either love them or hate them. I, for one, think they're insanely beautiful. Something about the vocals are just eerie and haunting, but in a good way, while at the same time being pure and moving. I was very anxious to get and hear this record and I must say that I was by no means disappointed. "Telescope Eyes" and "Memories" are seriously two of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. If you're a fan of Straylight Run (http://www.straylightrun.com)'s songs where Michelle sings, then this album is for you.

Also, I'm a huge movie buff so I recommend you all see:

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Meet The Fockers ("You've been fockerized")

I don't recommend:

Darkness

If any of you have seen The Life Aquatic, then please tell me how it was as I'm very anxious to see it.

Finally, Garden State comes out on DVD this Tuesday. It is definitely my favorite movie of the year so make sure you pick it up and see it for yourself if you're one of the few who haven't yet.

[thenewline]

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events was one of the woste movies in my eyes,no offence but i thought it was boreing as hell.

[byebyebeautiful]

i think nylon magazine described eisley's sound as something that hobbits would write on a rainy day. but, yeah. amazing stuff. and the nicest people you will ever meet. (anyone who's met them can vouch for me.)

xoxo conor

[Jared Kaufman]

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events was one of the woste movies in my eyes,no offence but i thought it was boreing as hell.
No offense taken. I'm just really surprised by that. You're the first person I've heard say they didn't like it. I thought it was well done (amazing sets, costumes, characters, acting) and quite entertaining and amusing. Just personal opinion, though.

[Cleanplateclub]

I saw the life aquatic....all my friends loved it (because they think it makes them cooler to like a wes anderson movie) but truely its a terrible movie. The last 15 minutes were somewhat redeeming for the rest of the movie though.

[sdpunkrock]

great recommendations, and i'm seeing life aquatic today !

[ForeverInADay]

nice picks man, cant wait for afs though.

i wanted to see the life aquatic last night with my friend cus i dislike my relatives, but it was rude and not polite to leave lol i heard it was great though.

[Speyside]

I saw The Life Aquatic last night with my friends and none of us liked it. In fact all of my friends categorically hated it. I thought if I got the chance to see it again when I wasn't so tired it might have been decent, and yes the end parts of the movie are by far the best. But nevertheless, unless you're just a huge Wes Anderson fan, then I'd pass on this movie.

[The Bled 13]

Oh my god, this is pathetic.

[lostxinxmotion]

i saw northstar in 2003 when they played a show at the roxy in LA with river city high and dont look down. they played last and only about 25 ppl stuck around till the end, which was really sad. it was a great set and they stuck around afterward and chatted with all the ppl who stayed. so major respect to them and hope they have success in 2005.

[musical monkey]

meet the fockers was not funny, i didn't enjoy it.

[tecmobowl]

i was convinced that in the whole theatre only me and my friends were laughing. its a real subtle type of humor that maybe only few can appreciate. out of all the wes anderson films the life aquatic was definitely the oddest one out of the whole bunch.

but youve got to also reason what will you go watch, The Life Aquatic or Christmas with the Kranks.

[The Bled 13]

And for the record no "real" movie "buff" would recommend that crap. Jesus christ man, I'm not trying to be a dick, but when are you going to change up your recommendations. I think you give us the same shit each week.

Fuck, I'll be banned for voicing my opinion.

[waggy]

i saw the life aquatic at an advance screening at my college and the theater was packed with film geeks and scenesters, so unlike most audiences (i'm guessing) everyone was laughing consistently throughout the entire thing. in fact it may be wes's funniest movie yet (except for possibly bottle rocket). it's also his wierdest movie yet and will definitely be the most divisive among audiences. all in all i like rushmore and the royal tenenbaums better, but the more i've reflected on the life aquatic, the more i like it. plus every one of his movies has gotten better with multiple viewings in my eyes.

[The Bled 13]

Rushmore and The Royal Tenebaums were two amazing movies.

So is Shuan Of The Dead.

[d1rtejerz]

And for the record no "real" movie "buff" would recommend that crap.

Fuck, I'll be banned for voicing my opinion.

Harsh but true.

[Jared Kaufman]

Rushmore and The Royal Tenebaums were two amazing movies.

So is Shuan Of The Dead.
I'm sorry I'm not a "movie buff" in your eyes, but I love all the above mentioned movies. They're actually some of my favorites. By the way, "you've got red on you."

Second, sometimes what I mean by recommendations is what I've been spinning for the week. I'm sorry it's been rare the last couple of months for me to hear something new that I want to spread the word on. So this week I've been listening to MTB, Northstar, AFS, and the new Eisley album. I don't know how I would've already recommended the new Eisley when I just got it this week. I also don't know how I would've recommended the new AFS since I just heard the second new song. Finally, I recommend Northstar and MTB because not only have I been listening to them, but I think they deserve to be a lot bigger than they are now and some people have still yet to go see for themselves. Instead of bitching, which I think you're only capable of doing, just voice what you've been listening to and what you like. That's what the forums are for. Seriously, sometimes I wonder if you're a chick on the rag for the first time.

[Jon Wark]

a series of unfortunate events was terrible, how could you recommend that ?

[Adrian Villagomez]

Finally, Garden State comes out on DVD this Tuesday. It is definitely my favorite movie of the year so make sure you pick it up and see it for yourself if you're one of the few who haven't yet.Easily my favorite movie of the year as well. An awesome movie with a great soundtrack.

Why else is the movie great... oh yes, Natalie Portman. :love:

[slickwataris]

True, A Series of Unfortunate Events was hard to get into but once it got going it was good. The scenery was very nicely done and the chick was even cute.

[nizzlefoshizzle]

I really enjoyed the life aquatic. It is by far my favorite wes anderson movie, although i liked them all. I can also see why people are so divided on it, it's dry humor that some people just dont like.

[popdisaster00]

why isn't anybody reccomending flight of the pheonix? i saw it last night and i fucking loved it. thoughts?

[The Bled 13]

I'm sorry I'm not a "movie buff" in your eyes, but I love all the above mentioned movies. They're actually some of my favorites. By the way, "you've got red on you."

Second, sometimes what I mean by recommendations is what I've been spinning for the week. I'm sorry it's been rare the last couple of months for me to hear something new that I want to spread the word on. So this week I've been listening to MTB, Northstar, AFS, and the new Eisley album. I don't know how I would've already recommended the new Eisley when I just got it this week. I also don't know how I would've recommended the new AFS since I just heard the second new song. Finally, I recommend Northstar and MTB because not only have I been listening to them, but I think they deserve to be a lot bigger than they are now and some people have still yet to go see for themselves. Instead of bitching, which I think you're only capable of doing, just voice what you've been listening to and what you like. That's what the forums are for. Seriously, sometimes I wonder if you're a chick on the rag for the first time.

"What can I get you cunts to drink?"

I am a chick.

[Northstar2313]

"Who died and made you fucking king of the zombies?"

haha sorry can't help myself, I love that movie.

[Talib Scottie]

Life Aquatic is probably my second favorite (behind royal tenanbaums), and come one, the dude playing bowie on guitar? i loved it. the first 30 mins or so are very dry, but once you get past that it's great

[The Bled 13]

pete.. pete.. pete AY PRICK.

[thenewline]

No offense taken. I'm just really surprised by that. You're the first person I've heard say they didn't like it. I thought it was well done (amazing sets, costumes, characters, acting) and quite entertaining and amusing. Just personal opinion, though.

i dunno i just thought it drug on for way to long.its like watching a game show when u know the answer but they dont get what is in front of there face.i think it looked amazing no doubt but it was just so predictable and i thought they could have done alote better.my girlfriend walked out of it cuz she was so bored lol but i could see little kids liking it.but thats my opinion,everyone likes diffrent things...

[monique]

"Who died and made you fucking king of the zombies?"

haha sorry can't help myself, I love that movie.

haha
i just saw that movie
hilarious

[Throwback]

Shaun of the Dead was amazing to the max.