Trigger Cut

Over the weekend, thanks to good old Netflix, I caught the latest Don Roos film Happy Endings. I thought it was pretty fantastic, especially since it reminded me a lot of some of my favorite Robert Altman films. The way the characters lives intertwine and the decisions they make about one another feels very true to life; its the kind of film that makes you feel a little less stressed about being a human overrall.

If you've read anything about the film previously, you may already know that a big selling point is the relationship between the characters Maggie Gyllenhaal and Tom Arnold play. They both turn in quality performances, but the entire cast is quite good. Also notable are Steve Coogan (of 24 Hr Party People) and Jason Ritter, son of the late John Ritter.

Posted by Johnny Metro at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Big Guns [mp3]

Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley was bound to go solo at some point, and debut is pretty much exactly what you'd expect. The songs are full of religious overtones and are very country-fied; some tunes sound almost identical to Neko Case. Take a listen to the track Big Guns and see for yourself.

Also pictured in the above photo is the Watson Twins from Kentucky, who lend many backup harmonies across the album. Mr. Bright Eyes himself is releasing this one on his smaller Team Love label, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's in order to keep it a tad more low key -- its got a be a pain to field all those nasty break-up rumors gals like Jenny finally go solo.

More info on Jenny's booking agent's site.

Posted by Johnny Metro at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's a of some of the current releases I'm sorting through right now -- hopefully I'll get some reviews up soon:

AFX - Hangable Auto Bulb (Warp)
Atmosphere - You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having (Rhymesayers)
Audion - Suckfish (Spectral Sound)
Babyshambles - Down in Albion (Rough Trade)
Brakes - Give Blood (Rough Trade)
Castanets - First Light's Freeze (Asthmatic Kitty)
Celebration - s/t (4AD)
Dabrye - Additional Productions Vol. 1 EP (Ghostly International)
DFA 1979 - Romance Bloody Romance (Vice)
Diane Cluck - Countless Times (Voodoo-Eros)
Donna Regina - Slow Killer (Karaoke Kalk)
Earth - Hex; or Printing in the Infernal (Southern Lord)
Edith Frost - It's a Game (Drag City)
Espers - The Weed Tree (Locust Music)
Gris Gris - For The Season (Birdman)
Hair Police - Constantly Terrified (Troubleman Unlimited)
Lady Sovereign - Vertically Challenged (Chocolate Industries)
Magnetophone - The Man Who Ate the Man (4AD)
Marah - If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry (Yep Roc)
Mi & L'au - s/t (Young God)
Pest - All Out Fall Out (Ninja Tune)
Quintron & Miss Pussycat - Swamp Tech (Tigerbeat 6)
Safety Scissors - Tainted Lunch (Scape)
Static - Re: Talking About Memories (City Centre Offices)
Sunroof! - Silver Bear Mist (VHF)
Times New Viking - Dig Yourself (Siltbreeze)
Tristeza - A Colores (Better Looking)
Venetian Snares - Meathole (Planet Mu)

Posted by Johnny Metro at 01:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Link Wray
Native-American Rock Guitar Instrumentalist has died, 76 years of age.

It is with the deepest sorrow that we have to inform Links dear fans that our beloved husband and father Link Wray has deceased November 5. 2005

In respect of Links wishes, he was buried in silence and privacy from the historic protestant Church: Christians Church in Copenhagen Denmark, Friday 18th of November 2005. with attendance of his family Olive and Oliver Wray. Link passed away in their arms, safely in his home in Copenhagen, not ever aware that his heart was getting tired. This was the way he had told us, he wanted it.

(More info on official site)

Posted by Johnny Metro at 01:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After I caught a free screening of the new Sarah Silverman stand-up film "Jesus Is Magic" last Monday night, I told my brother it felt like years ago since we had first watched the trailer online. In other words, we both highly anticipated this film and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.

I subscribe to numerous periodicals and it seems Sarah had a feature in every single one in the past few months: Black Book, Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, GQ, even Radar. And I think the latter said it best when they outlined, "if you're in your 30's and own a Guided By Voices album, you probably have a big crush on Sarah Silverman."

I can't remember whether it was on Conan O'Brien or Bill Maher's late night program where I first caught a few minutes of her stand up, but I was blown away. She's the closest equivalent in my opinion, male or female, that I've seen to the late Lenny Bruce. Keep an open mind and go see this film, because I think absolutely everyone has something to gain from Sarah's unique "learn-edy."

Posted by Johnny Metro at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nine years after the very first Terrastock, the festival returns to Providence, Rhode Island for 2006. And this time it promises to be bigger and better than ever, with an unrivalled international line-up of hand picked experimental rock and folk bands from across the Terraverse.

I've always wanted to check out this fest and hopefully this year I can make it. The lineup is full of old favorites plus a few new names:

Avarus (Finland)
Bardo Pond
Black Forest / Black Sea
Charalambides
College Girls Gone Wild
Damon and Naomi
Fursaxa
Ghost (Japan)
Glenn Jones & Cul de Sac
The Green Pajamas
Kemialliset Ystävät (Finland)
Kinski
The Kitchen Cynics (Scotland)
Sharron Kraus
Landing
Larkin Grimm
The Magic Carpathians Project (Poland)
Major Stars
Marissa Nadler
MV/EE
Paik
Jack Rose
Salamander
St Joan (England)
Spacious Mind (Sweden)
Spires that in the Sunset Rise
Tanakh (Italy)
Thought Forms (England)
Urdog
Windy & Carl

Posted by Johnny Metro at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm on a constant search for quality music dvds and I really think the market is lacking -- this new Pixies dvd is unfortunately not helping contribute much to the cause. For some reason the producers (or the band, who knows) chose to make one French performance by the group the main focus of the disc. I can see no real distinguishing factors that made them determine this was the best show from the sell-out tour -- its mostly pretty bland.

I caught a Pixies show in Charlottesville VA a few months back that was very good -- full of energy -- but that's not what's displayed on this dvd. Obviously you'll need to be a pretty big fan of an artist to endure 2+ hours of live performance, but this release leaves something to be desired.

Posted by Johnny Metro at 01:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight I'll be DJing on my home turf with my good pal and bandmate Miguel as we celebrate his birthday -- do stop by if you're in the area.

Posted by Johnny Metro at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My favorite new television program this year by far has to be Weeds on the Showtime network. As luck would have it Comcast Cable offered my household the channel for only an additional 5 bucks a month, and we jumped at the chance. Turns out most of their programming is garbage, but this show made it all worth it.

Mary-Louise Parker is definitely not bad for the eyes, and she plays a upper middle class housewife that turns to selling pot around the community to make ends meet after her husband suddenly passes away. Kevin Nealon turns out some good performances as her reefer addict accountant, and Romany Malco (who was fantastic in The 40 Year Old Virgin) also does fine work.

I don't want to reveal too much but hopefully the completed first season will be released on DVD soon for those in need -- the show's website is also well done and ahead of the game with cast podcasts and downloads.

Posted by Johnny Metro at 08:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Bloodline [mp3]

I'm a sucker for lots of indie solo female artists with a whispery and distinctive voices, and you can add Orenda Fink to the my ever-growing list. In the same way Beth Orton, Chan Marshall, or Keren Ann made such quick and strong impressions on me in the past, this new solo record from one of the members of Azure Ray continues to grow on me. The posted mp3 of Bloodline is the most full-on-band-rocking track of the disc; expect lots of the typical low key string plucking ballads and minor piano chords you've come to expect from sappy indie rock gals.

Posted by Johnny Metro at 03:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a little promo for my pal Tim's DJ night tonight in Arlington. Stop on by if your in the neighborhood.

Posted by Johnny Metro at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)