Animation Domination

Over the past several years Community has been a bit of a puzzling show in that it displays moments of television brilliance with the occasional well-crafted high concept episode, while often trudging through the rest of the season with clever, if not overly memorable entertainment. But it's hard not to root for and support a show that has given us the Paintball episode, the Blanket Fort episode, Inspector Space Time in all it's glory, and also exists of several alternate timelines. 

A few episodes back, Community brought another classic to the small screen. This time it ventured into the animated world of 1980's G.I. Joe, as well as the more narrowed sphere of G.I. Joe toy commercials. This dead-on parody brought the characters into the Joe universe, with spot-on code names and outfits. It took on the some of the more puzzling aspects of the cartoon, like why no character ever dies in their endless explosive battles, or why Cobra is always targeting tourist destinations with no military value. It was hilarious, especially if like me, you were a fan of the cartoon in your childhood.

 

As with most of the episodes, it used this alternate world to deal with one of the character's personal issues. The show always does a good job by making those connections in ways that don't feel forced, yet always seem play into sitcom troupes with a tongue in cheek attitude. It's sort of amazing that this show has lasted so long, and even more surprising is that it's better than it's been in years. It takes chances usually not reserved for prime time, major network shows, and that's what has always kept me coming back for more.

Yo Jobra!

Weekend Music Roundup

For second time in the last few weeks, the Roundup is dedicated completely to 2014 releases this time around. As the clock ticks down to next Saturday's big event, Record Store Day, and the wealth of releases that will be flooding stores around the country, I've been trying to get a handle on some of the recent music to come out and make a short list of things to search out. A few albums on this week's list are certain to make it on that list, and hopefully yours too. A nice mix of rock genres on here, and definitely up tempo stuff for the most part as I continue to welcome in the warmth of spring. Enjoy.

Fireflies - In Dreams: Just released this past week is the Chicago dream pop bands third album, and it lives up to its title. This a beautiful sleepy record, taking inspiration from shoegaze and folk, combining them into a dreamy blend. It conveys the feeling of a sophisticated children's book, and I've always been a sucker for albums like that. It reminds me of Mojave 3 or a more mellow Joyzipper, or perhaps a more pop version of Mazzy Star. Either way, it's joyous and makes for a wonderful morning springtime record.

The Black Angels - Clear Lake Forest: The Austin neo-psychedelic band is releasing this 7 song EP on colored vinyl for Record Store Day next week, their first release since last year's Indigo Meadow. Since their 2006 debut, they have released four consistently good rock albums that are just the right blend of psychedelic and garage. This is no different, and is perhaps their freshest sounding release in years. There isn't a bad song on here, but "Linda's Gone" is perhaps the most interesting and different from the rest of their catalog. This is definitely going to be on my search list when I make my annual Record Store Day travels. 

Kimono Kult - Hiding in the Light: Formed earlier this year, the band features Omar Rodriguez Lopez and John Frusciante, along with the singer from Omar's other band Bosnian Rainbows. This debut EP was released digitally back in March and features the synth sound that both Omar and John have been into lately. Teresa's vocals are reminiscent of Yoko Ono, though more melodic. It's got a nice groove to it, and manages to stay away from anything too grating, but it lacks the spark that makes their other work so appealing. An interesting listen for fans, but otherwise not much more than a curiosity. Hopefully with the recent news, Mars Volta will be back in action and Omar will contribute to a proper prog release.

Squadda B - 10th Grade Dropout: The Oakland rapper has released six albums in the last three years, and 19 mixtapes since 2009. Out this past month, this is his 20th mixtape. It's easy to say that perhaps he's stretching himself to thin, and this release would certainly support that assumption. The laid back groove wavers between a chill out vibe and just plain laziness. There are moments where the record hints at the potential of something good, if only it had the chance to develop more. "Tell It Like It Is" and "Cash Click Floe" are the only tracks that will get any repeat playtime, the rest is pretty forgettable.

Varsity - Thanks for Nothing: Released last week on limited edition blue cassette was this debut EP from the Chicago based trio that sounds a bit like Best Coast with a garage rock feel. There's also a '90s alternative vibe that sort of intrigues me. Only five songs, but often that's enough and it seems like just the right amount for this album. The band is clearly just beginning to click, and could potentially put out a damn fine album one day. A fun little introduction that has them on my watch list. "Jackie" and "Despite the Warning" are my favorites, and the album is available at their bandcamp site for a "name your price" download.

Chain & The Gang - Minimum Rock N Roll: This is the fourth album from Ian Svenonius' garage rock band that formed in 2009. Ian has fronted very influential bands like Make-Up and Nation of Ulysses, and written an incredible book of rock essays entitled The Psychic Soviet. I was excited for Chain & The Gang's debut, but left a little underwhelmed. This album however feels like a proper return to the vital sound of Make-Up, a band which still amazes me. It has a raw energy that fuels an intense paranoid rhythm. From beginning to end, it delivers and is easily his best release since Make-Up disbanded back in 2000. "Devitalize," "Never Been Properly Loved," and "I'm a Choice (Not a Child)" are among the stand out tracks.

Into the Forest

As I wrote last week, I'm working on two different manuscripts right now. One is a children's novel and the other is the revision of a YA novel. Interestingly enough, both feature an element of frightening forests. The classic fairy tale setting has always appealed to me, though I've had little opportunity to take advantage of it in the past. However, both of these stories have their roots in ancient folk and fairy tales, making the forest and all its darkness fair game.

My attraction to the forest goes back to my childhood. I spent most of my outdoor time in the woods that surrounded the area near where I grew up. Luckily I lived near a decent sized state park, and the housing developments were still few and far between. The woods were a place where children could live removed from the rules of an adult world for a few hours. In that space, the imagination took shape. Adventures were born and characters came to life. I'm really enjoying the journey back there and can think of no better place for my stories to exist.

Weekend Music Roundup

Spring has finally arrived here in the foothills of the Catskill mountains and to celebrate, I've been rocking out this week. And whenever I think of rock, somehow L.A. always creeps into my thoughts. It comes as no surprise then that there are three L.A. bands on this week's round up. I also took some time to track down a couple records that I'd wanted for some time, and pulled one out from back in the day to give it a review just in time for the band's induction into the Hall of Fame. For the first time in months, there is no folk on this week's roundup. You can blame that on the weather. Hopefully there's something you'll like. Enjoy.

John Frusciante - Enclosure: Continuing in the synth/glitch style of his last album, 2012's PBX Funicular Intaglio Zone, comes the newest record from one of my favorite songwriters of all time. Though the style is similar, he does infuse a bit more of his traditional acoustic rock melodies into the vocal parts, making this a more accessible album. "Sleep," "Run," "Stage," "Fanfare," and "Zone" are all amazing tracks. Like his early work, this is one of those records that can take a few listens to completely appreciate, but also like those works, it's quite brilliant.

Royal Blood - Out of the Black: Released two weeks ago, this is the debut EP from UK noise rockers out of Brighton. Four tracks that show a ton of promise, this is heavy noise rock with garage rock undertones. This is the kind of high energy rock that has become rare these days and I've been loving every minute of it for the past week. It reminds a lot of Icarus Line, one of my favorite bands. As of now there is not an album scheduled for release, but hopefully that will quickly change. Definitely worth checking out.

Mobb Deep - The Infamous Mobb Deep: Nearly 20 years after the release of their groundbreaking album The Infamous, the Queens natives have decided to revisit the source of their greatest success. Coming five years after their disappointing last album, this was a welcomed return to form. It's clear they got a bit of their swagger back for this album and it's pretty tight throughout. "Check the Credits," "Say Something," and "Taking You Off Here" are some of their best tracks in over a decade. It also includes a second disc with re-recorded and alternate versions of The Infamous. It's nice to have them back and this should get plenty of play come summer time.

Christian Death - The Decomposition of Violets: Coming out of L.A. in the early 80's, Christian Death is a bit of oddity. Sounding like their British gothic post punk contemporaries, the band shunned the glam metal scene that ruled their city at the time. This 1985 live album, recorded in Hollywood, captures the band at their peak. It has all the darkness and eerie guitar work that a great gothic album should. It would be the perfect soundtrack to those long ago goth clubs that I ventured into while in High School, but unlike a lot of music that intrigued me at that age, this stands the test of time, managing to remain haunting after all of these years. "As Evening Falls," "Electra Descending," "Face," and "The Drowning" are among my favorites.

Tweak Birk - Under Cover Crops: This week I'd been listening to this psychedelic L.A. band's first ep again when I learned they had one that came out in 2012 that I'd completely missed. Having loved all their previous work, I quickly sought it out. They create stoner rock with incredible catchy hooks, something like Tame Impala but with the oddness of The Flaming Lips. Like their other albums, this one is heavy, fun, and completely rocks. "People," "Psychorain," and "Weight" are among my favorites. Great stuff.

KISS - Alive: This week I've been reading the Kiss cover article in Rolling Stone and it made me want to dig out this classic 1975 album. In true rock 'n' roll fashion, I stole this double CD from Tower Records back in 1993, though I'm sure the corporate mind of Kiss wouldn't approve. This is the album that really launched the NYC glam rock band into the mainstream. After mediocre success with their first three studio albums, the label decided they needed something that could capture the energy of their live shows, and the natural conclusion was to release a live album. From the blistering guitar opening on "Deuce" the album launches into a hard rocking evening. Ace Frehley stands out on this album, his guitar work is amazing. Peter Criss plays the drums with a swing rhythm that is captivating. Paul sounds great. And Gene's bass is as evil as ever. With songs like "Black Diamond," "Parasite" and "Strutter," it becomes clear how these pioneers assisted in saving rock from it's first declared death. 

On Burning Out and Fading Away...

Twenty years ago, I was eighteen years old and very drunk in Munich when someone stopped me in the hotel lobby to say Kurt Cobain had committed suicide in his Seattle home. Though I was a huge fan, I remember my reaction wasn't one of devastation or even surprise. Though sad as it was, I rather expected it to happen sooner or later. It sort of amazed me that it came as a shock to anyone. A few months before he had tried to commit suicide in Italy and had ended up in a coma. His songs, especially many of his later ones, read like a diary of one suffering with life. It was this very quality about him that spoke to so many lost teenagers in the first place. So his death didn't surprise me, yet it still saddens me.

To this day I often think about what kind music Kurt would have recorded in the past twenty years. Sometimes I hear a song and can't help thinking Kurt might have made something that sounded like this. After hearing his last songs that have showed up over the years, "You Know You're Right," "Do Re Mi," etc, I think Kurt was moving on to something spiritual in his music. I could also see him doing something like Elliot Smith's self titled album or Johnossi's debut. And though we will never know what was to come, his influence can still be heard and the music he left behind is still enjoyed. True legends never fade away.

Scattered Thoughts

Over the past month I'd been trying to work on several projects at once. I was feeling ambitious and energetic when I made that fateful decision, but as I got busier and busier, I found the effort was a bit too much to take on. Something had to give. This week I made the choice to shelve the new novel I'd started back in December. 

I hate when this happens. I go into each new novel with such high hopes and when they sputter out, it can be devestating. But I had to face facts. My momentum on the story had stalled a little. When this happens, I always try to figure out why, so that I can correct it and change courses. While I'm pretty sure where I started to go wrong, I didn't have the focus to correct it at this time. Rather than struggle through it, I'm going to focus on two children's book projects that I've been tinkering with, and which have been moving along nicely. I've also decided to continue with a revision of a novel length manuscript that I'd completed nearly two years ago. I figure that is something that will take up less energy and keep me on track. 

I hope to go back to the novel once I've finished these other projects. Perhaps with a clearer mind, I'll be able to accomplish the vision I'd set out with. Balancing your imagination is all part of the writing process. You have to go where the energy is at in the moment, however hard that may be to accept. 

The Pledge of Allegiance

In its second season The Americans has quickly become one of the best shows on television, combining intense plot lines with clever character development. During its debut season, the show evolved from an adequate Homeland substitute into a grippingly original show. Set in the early 80's, the show has become a defining statement on the Reagan era of Cold War intrigue. Having grown up under that constant cloud of looming nuclear war, I find the politics within the show to be compelling, and appreciate the care with which the nuances are handled.

The strength of the show comes from the main characters, two Soviet spies who have lived in the U.S. for nearly their entire adult lives, even raising two very American children who have no idea about their parent's political allegiances. As the years have passed, the couple increasingly finds themselves conflicted over the cause they committed to in the past, and the life they've come to lead in the present. They believe in what they're doing, but they've come to see that not everything about America is as evil as they once thought. The lure of a free society is very powerful, and through the characters we can see why the outcome was sort of inevitable.

One of the most interesting things about the show is how you end up rooting for them, thus bringing out "traitorous" emotions within the viewer. As a result you are forced to examine the Cold War from different perspectives than the ones indoctrinated during that time. These conflicts are embodied in the main characters in a wonderful way, adding to the drama that plays out on the screen. Of course, it's also an extremely satisfying spy story, complete with all of the cloak and dagger elements that makes spy stories so addictive. The show keeps the surprises and suspense at a high level, and should be rewarded come Emmy time. Here's to hoping the Cold War never comes to an end.