This song is simply beautiful. Most people just listen to "La Bamba," "Come Go With Me" and "Diana," but Richie Valens was also capable of such quiet beauty:
In a Turkish Town
Friday, November 30, 2007
The perfect kiss is the kiss of death.
Sometime during the summer of 1999 I was taking a drunken late night cab ride home through the streets of East Boston. Most of my memories of that are long forgotten but the one fact of that night that remains is that my cab driver was a huge New Order fan.
He was at least fifteen years older than me and had a thick Boston accent. That I remember. What I don’t recall is how the subject of New Order came about. Perhaps “Bizarre Love Triangle” was on the radio in the cab. I don’t know. I just remember him saying, “New Order was great. You ever hear ‘Perfect Kiss’? It’s soooooo good.”
I had, of course, known about New Order since 1993. I even had Republic. I loved “Regret” but probably didn’t listen to anything else off of that record. I had also seen the videos for “Bizarre Love Triangle” and “True Faith” by then, too. I really liked those songs but it just never occurred to me to seek out more by this band.
Enter the East Boston cab driver.
The following day I picked up Substance at Newbury Comics and the rest is history. “Perfect Kiss” is, in fact, “soooooo good.”
The video was directed by Jonathan Demme!
He was at least fifteen years older than me and had a thick Boston accent. That I remember. What I don’t recall is how the subject of New Order came about. Perhaps “Bizarre Love Triangle” was on the radio in the cab. I don’t know. I just remember him saying, “New Order was great. You ever hear ‘Perfect Kiss’? It’s soooooo good.”
I had, of course, known about New Order since 1993. I even had Republic. I loved “Regret” but probably didn’t listen to anything else off of that record. I had also seen the videos for “Bizarre Love Triangle” and “True Faith” by then, too. I really liked those songs but it just never occurred to me to seek out more by this band.
Enter the East Boston cab driver.
The following day I picked up Substance at Newbury Comics and the rest is history. “Perfect Kiss” is, in fact, “soooooo good.”
The video was directed by Jonathan Demme!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Death of Super-Heroic Theme Music
note: there is nothing cool about this post, nor am I talking about music of any real depth… I’m aware. Deal with it.
Have you noticed that theme songs on TV and in the movies are basically non-existent these days? They’ve been replaced by pop tunes or nothing at all. I’m not sure which is worse. I just know that I miss them.
Most of all, I miss Super-Heroic theme music. Superhero themes have also been replaced with pop music or generic soundtrack music. Some you don’t want to remember (ahem, Smallville). Others are totally forgettable. Can you remember any of the music in Batman Begins, the X-Men or Spider-man movies? I can’t. And these films were seen by MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people.
But, can you remember the music to the Christopher Reeve Superman movies or the Michael Keaton Batman films? Of course you can.
These theme songs were as powerful and inspiring as the heroes themselves, yet completely and wonderfully tied to those characters. They ran as leitmotifs throughout the films and played whenever your hero entered the screen. Your heart raced and you couldn’t help but smile and feel powerful and heroic too.
Perhaps we are going through a period in which it is not cool to have theme music. It’s as if producers and directors are saying, “Audiences are too hip for cheesy theme music.” What a colossal load of crap. We crave theme music. We love theme music. We need theme music.
Or maybe the real problem is that composers don’t know how to make great theme music anymore. The only recent theme music in a comic book film that I can remember is Superman Returns and that film basically just reused John Williams’ original Superman score. And all that really did was make me want to re-watch Christopher Reeve’s Superman: The Movie and Superman II.
The tagline for the first Reeve movie was “You’ll believe a man can fly.”
And when you heard that theme music, you believed it. It was magic. It wasn’t matter-of-fact like today’s heroes. That music was a thing of marvel and joy. It gave you chills and you were thankful for it.
There has been a wonderful pedigree of superhero themes since comic book heroes have taken to the screen, starting with Max and Dave Fleischer’s “Superman” in 1941 (just a few short years after the genre was even invented).
The short list of great themes from both the big and small screen is pretty obvious to most, but I love lists so I’m going to run through it anyway (in chronological order):
Superman – Sammy Timberg (1941)
Timberg started it all with the Fleischer’s brilliantly animated Superman shorts including “The Mechanical Monsters,” one of my personal favorites. For a while, this was THE superhero theme song – and rightfully so. I can only imagine the wonder children in the early 1940’s movie houses must have felt watching these elaborate shorts for the first time.
The Adventures of Superman – Leon Klatzin (1952)
Superman flew right into people's homes with this unforgettable opening. George Reeves WAS Superman to millions of children in the 50’s and this music played a huge part.
Batman – Neil Hefti (1966)
Call it campy, but don’t call it bad. This cheesy classic stays with you. Nana nana nana nana, nana nana nana nana LEADER!, er, BATMAN!
Spiderman – Paul Francis Webster (1967)
Another classic sixties theme. For most people, this is the only Spiderman theme.
Wonder Woman – (1975)
Ok, this one is kind of crappy, but you remember it, don’t you?
The Incredible Hulk (The Lonely Man Theme) (1978)
The opening theme to Bill Bixby’s 70’s Hulk show took a back seat to this great anti-theme closing credit number. It’s also the saddest song ever written for television credits. Fast forward 'til there only 1:00 left of the clip and sob.
Superman – John Williams (1978)
Wiliams’ score stands as the single greatest Superhero theme ever written. You will believe man can fly.
Batman – Danny Elfman (1989)
Elfman’s Batman theme gave Williams’ Superman theme a serious run for its money. Unforgettable and undeniably Batman. It is arguably the last great superhero theme.
Lastly, I’ve saved for you MY FAVORITE TV SUPERERO THEME SONG EVER! - Johnny Douglas (1981)
I’m completely serious about this. This show had non-stop music cues including this awesome theme song. It’s like crack to me.
Have you noticed that theme songs on TV and in the movies are basically non-existent these days? They’ve been replaced by pop tunes or nothing at all. I’m not sure which is worse. I just know that I miss them.
Most of all, I miss Super-Heroic theme music. Superhero themes have also been replaced with pop music or generic soundtrack music. Some you don’t want to remember (ahem, Smallville). Others are totally forgettable. Can you remember any of the music in Batman Begins, the X-Men or Spider-man movies? I can’t. And these films were seen by MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people.
But, can you remember the music to the Christopher Reeve Superman movies or the Michael Keaton Batman films? Of course you can.
These theme songs were as powerful and inspiring as the heroes themselves, yet completely and wonderfully tied to those characters. They ran as leitmotifs throughout the films and played whenever your hero entered the screen. Your heart raced and you couldn’t help but smile and feel powerful and heroic too.
Perhaps we are going through a period in which it is not cool to have theme music. It’s as if producers and directors are saying, “Audiences are too hip for cheesy theme music.” What a colossal load of crap. We crave theme music. We love theme music. We need theme music.
Or maybe the real problem is that composers don’t know how to make great theme music anymore. The only recent theme music in a comic book film that I can remember is Superman Returns and that film basically just reused John Williams’ original Superman score. And all that really did was make me want to re-watch Christopher Reeve’s Superman: The Movie and Superman II.
The tagline for the first Reeve movie was “You’ll believe a man can fly.”
And when you heard that theme music, you believed it. It was magic. It wasn’t matter-of-fact like today’s heroes. That music was a thing of marvel and joy. It gave you chills and you were thankful for it.
There has been a wonderful pedigree of superhero themes since comic book heroes have taken to the screen, starting with Max and Dave Fleischer’s “Superman” in 1941 (just a few short years after the genre was even invented).
The short list of great themes from both the big and small screen is pretty obvious to most, but I love lists so I’m going to run through it anyway (in chronological order):
Superman – Sammy Timberg (1941)
Timberg started it all with the Fleischer’s brilliantly animated Superman shorts including “The Mechanical Monsters,” one of my personal favorites. For a while, this was THE superhero theme song – and rightfully so. I can only imagine the wonder children in the early 1940’s movie houses must have felt watching these elaborate shorts for the first time.
The Adventures of Superman – Leon Klatzin (1952)
Superman flew right into people's homes with this unforgettable opening. George Reeves WAS Superman to millions of children in the 50’s and this music played a huge part.
Batman – Neil Hefti (1966)
Call it campy, but don’t call it bad. This cheesy classic stays with you. Nana nana nana nana, nana nana nana nana LEADER!, er, BATMAN!
Spiderman – Paul Francis Webster (1967)
Another classic sixties theme. For most people, this is the only Spiderman theme.
Wonder Woman – (1975)
Ok, this one is kind of crappy, but you remember it, don’t you?
The Incredible Hulk (The Lonely Man Theme) (1978)
The opening theme to Bill Bixby’s 70’s Hulk show took a back seat to this great anti-theme closing credit number. It’s also the saddest song ever written for television credits. Fast forward 'til there only 1:00 left of the clip and sob.
Superman – John Williams (1978)
Wiliams’ score stands as the single greatest Superhero theme ever written. You will believe man can fly.
Batman – Danny Elfman (1989)
Elfman’s Batman theme gave Williams’ Superman theme a serious run for its money. Unforgettable and undeniably Batman. It is arguably the last great superhero theme.
Lastly, I’ve saved for you MY FAVORITE TV SUPERERO THEME SONG EVER! - Johnny Douglas (1981)
I’m completely serious about this. This show had non-stop music cues including this awesome theme song. It’s like crack to me.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
LACMA's "Sundays Live"
Is a wonderful FREE live classical music concert every Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Go.
Be there about 30 mins early for a good seat (although there isn't a bad one)
-Editor In Chimp
Go.
Be there about 30 mins early for a good seat (although there isn't a bad one)
-Editor In Chimp
wakeywakeyman's Favorite Records of the Year
11. Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
"The Perfect Me" Download
10. Idlewild - Make Another World
"No Emotion" Download
9. PJ Harvey - White Chalk
"When Under Ether" Download
8. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
"My Body Is A Cage"
7. The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters
"Last Year's Rain Didn't Fall Quite So Hard"
6. A Place To Bury Strangers - A Place To Bury Strangers
"To Fix The Gash In Your Head" Download
5. Gravenhurst - The Western Lands
"Trust" Download
4. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
"Sipping On The Sweet Nectar" Download
3. The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
"Bookshop Cassanova" Download
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
"Jigsaw Falling Into Place" Download
1. The National - Boxer
"Mistaken For Strangers" Download
"The Perfect Me" Download
10. Idlewild - Make Another World
"No Emotion" Download
9. PJ Harvey - White Chalk
"When Under Ether" Download
8. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
"My Body Is A Cage"
7. The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters
"Last Year's Rain Didn't Fall Quite So Hard"
6. A Place To Bury Strangers - A Place To Bury Strangers
"To Fix The Gash In Your Head" Download
5. Gravenhurst - The Western Lands
"Trust" Download
4. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala
"Sipping On The Sweet Nectar" Download
3. The Clientele - God Save The Clientele
"Bookshop Cassanova" Download
2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
"Jigsaw Falling Into Place" Download
1. The National - Boxer
"Mistaken For Strangers" Download
The Tunnel's Favorite Records of the Year
THE TUNNEL'S 10 FAVORITE SONGS OF THE YEAR (so far) IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
2007 was a great year for music. As we close in on Thanksgiving I'd like to give thanks to those songs that brought me great joy this year.
Where I can, I have provided FREE DOWNLOADS and/or videos of these songs. But please, after listening, buy the albums/songs if you like them. Support these artists!
"Die Die Die" – Avett Brothers
This may be the single most fun three minutes of the year. The Avett brothers are becoming masters of raucous modern-yet-old-timey country. I simply DARE YOU not to sing along to this song. Wonderful harmonies. Their album "Emotionalism" is also a great time. Download
"What's a Girl to Do?" – Bat For Lashes
There are several wonderful tracks on Bat's new album "Fur and Gold" (DON'T MISS: "Prescilla"), but "What's a Girl to Do" beats out Amy Winehouse for the best Ronettes impersonation/interpretation of the year. Oh, and it's a hauntingly beautiful song and probably the best video of the year. Download
"Fake Empire" – The National
I just cannot say enough about "Boxer." Right now, I'd call it the album of the year - hands down. There just is not a bad song on this album. I just picked "Fake Empire" because it was a single and completely wonderful. BUY THIS ALBUM!!! Also, DON'T MISS: "Squalor Victoria." Download
"Leyendecker" – Battles
Or is it THE Battles? I can't remember. What I do remember is freakin' loving the hell out of this very odd, but surprisingly beautiful music. Do yourself a favor and find this track. It kicks ass without saying (or singing) a word.Download
"Little Birds" – Levon Helm
This year, a lot was made of new albums by aging rockers including Neil Young, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, and The Eagles. But somewhere in there Levon Helm came out with this unassuming album called "Dirt Farmer" - his first proper album in 25 years. Simply put, it is a miracle. The former drummer, singer, mandolin player, etc for THE Band recovered from a decade-long battle with throat cancer which threatened to end his singing and his life to make this lovely, lovely country album. It reminds me of the joy I felt when Loretta Lynn came out with "Van Lear Rose" and showed everyone that she could make a better and more relevant country album than any one else. I'm not sure if "Dirt Farmer" is quite that good, but it certainly is just that genuine and heartbreakingly honest. So few will hear this album, but for those who do it will be the treat of the year. Download
"Sunshine" - Atmosphere
Simply put: fluff hip-hop at its absolute best. It's just such a damned happy and catchy song. I DARE YOU not to smile when listening to this track. Find this song, roll the windows down, and play it as you roll down the street. Off the EP "Sad Clown Bad Summer Number 9." Download
"Indestructible Sam" – Buck 65
This is a cheat. Buck actually self released this song in 2006, but I didn't know about it until 2007 (and it's better than anything on his 2007 release "Situation.") What other hip-hop artists can rap about a civil war era gravedigger over banjo music? WHO? No one else, that's who! There's only one Buck 65. Download
"House of Cards" – Radiohead
"In Rainbows" is the first Radiohead album I've truly enjoyed since Kid A. Makes me feel bad that I didn't give them any money for it. And "House of Cards" is my favorite track. Download the whole damn thing
"So Far to Go" - Common/J Dilla feat. D'Angelo
This is another cheat and another treat.
Why it's a cheat: Technically this song came out in 2006 on J Dilla's last album before he died called "The Shining." That was quite possibly the best album of 2006. Anyway, Common raps on this track and put it on his new album "Finding Forever." There's a few solid tunes on that album especially the very fun "Drivin' Me Wild" produced by Kanye West and featuring lovely vocals by Lily Allen.
Why it's a treat: For one, it has a rare appearance by train wreck D'Angelo whose singing is once again soulful and achingly beautiful. Also, as much fun as Kanye West is, he'll never match the subtle and bottomless deep soul of J Dilla. I eagerly await more posthumous releases.
"1234" - Feist
I know it's become another ipod jingle, but what a wonderful jingle! So pretty.
Ironically, it's just 89 Cents and DRM free on Amazon.com:
Honorable Mentions:
"Stars" – Au Revoir Simone
Dreamy, adorable and infectious. This song is a joy.
Download
"Hit That" – M.I.A.
This unannounced track is better than her hit "Paper Planes" from her much hyped but hard to label album Kala. Hard to find, but worth it.
Download
"Can I Get Get Get" – Junior Senior
Great dance record.
Download
"None Shall Pass" – Aesop Rock
Great underground white guy hip hop.
Download
"You Know I'm No Good" Amy Winehouse ft. Ghostface Killah
As much fun as mainstream pop gets.
2007 was a great year for music. As we close in on Thanksgiving I'd like to give thanks to those songs that brought me great joy this year.
Where I can, I have provided FREE DOWNLOADS and/or videos of these songs. But please, after listening, buy the albums/songs if you like them. Support these artists!
"Die Die Die" – Avett Brothers
This may be the single most fun three minutes of the year. The Avett brothers are becoming masters of raucous modern-yet-old-timey country. I simply DARE YOU not to sing along to this song. Wonderful harmonies. Their album "Emotionalism" is also a great time. Download
"What's a Girl to Do?" – Bat For Lashes
There are several wonderful tracks on Bat's new album "Fur and Gold" (DON'T MISS: "Prescilla"), but "What's a Girl to Do" beats out Amy Winehouse for the best Ronettes impersonation/interpretation of the year. Oh, and it's a hauntingly beautiful song and probably the best video of the year. Download
"Fake Empire" – The National
I just cannot say enough about "Boxer." Right now, I'd call it the album of the year - hands down. There just is not a bad song on this album. I just picked "Fake Empire" because it was a single and completely wonderful. BUY THIS ALBUM!!! Also, DON'T MISS: "Squalor Victoria." Download
"Leyendecker" – Battles
Or is it THE Battles? I can't remember. What I do remember is freakin' loving the hell out of this very odd, but surprisingly beautiful music. Do yourself a favor and find this track. It kicks ass without saying (or singing) a word.Download
"Little Birds" – Levon Helm
This year, a lot was made of new albums by aging rockers including Neil Young, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, and The Eagles. But somewhere in there Levon Helm came out with this unassuming album called "Dirt Farmer" - his first proper album in 25 years. Simply put, it is a miracle. The former drummer, singer, mandolin player, etc for THE Band recovered from a decade-long battle with throat cancer which threatened to end his singing and his life to make this lovely, lovely country album. It reminds me of the joy I felt when Loretta Lynn came out with "Van Lear Rose" and showed everyone that she could make a better and more relevant country album than any one else. I'm not sure if "Dirt Farmer" is quite that good, but it certainly is just that genuine and heartbreakingly honest. So few will hear this album, but for those who do it will be the treat of the year. Download
"Sunshine" - Atmosphere
Simply put: fluff hip-hop at its absolute best. It's just such a damned happy and catchy song. I DARE YOU not to smile when listening to this track. Find this song, roll the windows down, and play it as you roll down the street. Off the EP "Sad Clown Bad Summer Number 9." Download
"Indestructible Sam" – Buck 65
This is a cheat. Buck actually self released this song in 2006, but I didn't know about it until 2007 (and it's better than anything on his 2007 release "Situation.") What other hip-hop artists can rap about a civil war era gravedigger over banjo music? WHO? No one else, that's who! There's only one Buck 65. Download
"House of Cards" – Radiohead
"In Rainbows" is the first Radiohead album I've truly enjoyed since Kid A. Makes me feel bad that I didn't give them any money for it. And "House of Cards" is my favorite track. Download the whole damn thing
"So Far to Go" - Common/J Dilla feat. D'Angelo
This is another cheat and another treat.
Why it's a cheat: Technically this song came out in 2006 on J Dilla's last album before he died called "The Shining." That was quite possibly the best album of 2006. Anyway, Common raps on this track and put it on his new album "Finding Forever." There's a few solid tunes on that album especially the very fun "Drivin' Me Wild" produced by Kanye West and featuring lovely vocals by Lily Allen.
Why it's a treat: For one, it has a rare appearance by train wreck D'Angelo whose singing is once again soulful and achingly beautiful. Also, as much fun as Kanye West is, he'll never match the subtle and bottomless deep soul of J Dilla. I eagerly await more posthumous releases.
"1234" - Feist
I know it's become another ipod jingle, but what a wonderful jingle! So pretty.
Ironically, it's just 89 Cents and DRM free on Amazon.com:
Honorable Mentions:
"Stars" – Au Revoir Simone
Dreamy, adorable and infectious. This song is a joy.
Download
"Hit That" – M.I.A.
This unannounced track is better than her hit "Paper Planes" from her much hyped but hard to label album Kala. Hard to find, but worth it.
Download
"Can I Get Get Get" – Junior Senior
Great dance record.
Download
"None Shall Pass" – Aesop Rock
Great underground white guy hip hop.
Download
"You Know I'm No Good" Amy Winehouse ft. Ghostface Killah
As much fun as mainstream pop gets.
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