Interesting Lecture Oppertunity

This turned up in my mailbox today and I wanted to pass it along. Very relevant to class (especially our current section). If you get a chance, I recommend attending. See you there.

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The Gender Studies Program and the Women’s Center at the University of Texas at Dallas

will be co-sponsoring a lecture by

Judy Norsigian

Executive Director and co-founder of the Boston Women's Health Book Collective

Co-author of Our Bodies, Ourselves

“The Impact of the Media on Women’s Health: Sorting Fact from Fiction”

This presentation explores how the media report on selected women’s health concerns. Topics include: body image and cosmetic surgery, pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, tobacco use in women, advertising of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, environmental exposures, and the risks of egg extraction procedures used in infertility clinics and for embryonic stem cell research egg donations. The talk also offers tips for finding reliable women’s health information on the internet.

Judy Norsigian, executive director and a founder of the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, is a co-author of Our Bodies, Ourselves, Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause and Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth. Judy speaks and writes frequently on a wide range of women's health concerns. She has appeared on numerous national television and radio programs, including OPRAH, the TODAY show, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, THE EARLY SHOW and NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. She served on the board of the National Women's Health Network for 14 years and currently serves as a board member for Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research.

The presentation will take place on Thursday 23 October from 6 – 7:15 p.m. in the McDermott Suite (MC4.4, fourth floor of McDermott Library, near the top of the stairs). It is free and open to the public.

Information on parking and driving directions can be found at:

http://www.utdallas.edu/visitors-index.html

Gender & Videos

Here are the videos we used in class. Our goal was to examine the narrative of these videos, specifically looking for how ideas like masculinity and femininity are depicted in these stories. How do the narratives of these stories jive with the list we brainstormed in class (the tragic frame of gender). How could the comic corrective be applied to disrupt the tragic reading?

• Cassie
• New Music

• Lil Wayne
• New Music

• Danity Kane
• New Music

Fantastic Article About Perspective By Incongruity.

I stumbled across this article just tonight. If you are having trouble understanding perspective by incongruity (or even if you aren't) this article does a pretty good job of applying Burke's method in a very personal and concrete way. The article is by Dustin Bradley Goltz from the journal Genders, published in June 2007. Click here to read it.

McCain Ad Narrative Assignment

I decided to make a little change to our class assignments. I was a little disappointed with myself for class on Thursday and so I wanted to give the basics of narrative criticism another go around in class, this time with a better set of examples.

Below I have selected 6 ads from the McCain 2008 election campaign. For this assignment please watch the videos below (we'll do this in class on Tuesday 9-30) with an eye towards the construction of the narrative elements. Think in terms of the procedures we walked through last week. Who are the characters, what is the setting, plot and conflict? Who constructs the message and who is it meant to influence?

Once you have a thumbnail's sketch of the narrative characteristics begin by constructing a possible research questions. What are your impressions of the videos? As a critic, what strikes you about the stories? What parts of the story stand out and why? When you have developed a research question, the next strep is to propose a possible thesis, or main argument. In a sentence or two describe how you will approach the research question and the specific direction that your criticism will take. Keep in mind that the method (in this case narrative criticism) should be a part of your thesis and connected to your overall argument.

Once you have completed the first two steps, I want you to write a short essay 1-2 pages that proposes a paper using the videos as an artifact. No, I don't expect you to really write a longer paper about the ads. This assignment is to help you through a process of analyzing a mediated narrative and practice asking critical questions and constructing a thesis.

Your essay should be posted to your blog no later than Tuesday, October 7. This will count as your third in-class writing.

Artifacts from the Future

Hooray! I have long been one of those readers that skipped to the back of WIRED to peruse the Artifacts from the Future section first. The artists rendering of our possible futures was always entertaining and provocative. Now, WIRED is opening the section to readers and offering us a chance to put our Photo Shop skills to the test and predict our not too distant future.

I'm still thinking about how I'll use this in class. Some suggested extra credit for working on this side project...so perhaps there are a few extra points in it for the hearty and inspired student.

At any rate, click here to read more about the contest. This month is the McDonalds of the Future!

NPR and PopCulture-

How did I ever live without this? While browsing the NPR podcast selections I cam across this little gem - National Public Radios pop-culture central. Designer stun guns and articles about the 'Batman Curse' make this page worth checking out...now. No, really, what are you waiting for?

Holy Lion of Zion -- click here and check it out. For you iPod addicts, the podcast is fantastic - worth the space on your media player.

Pop Culture Criticism - Cultural Surplus

I found this great article on shirky.com - I think it is a pretty good example of what pop-culture criticism can be. Being a critic is more than just attacking an idea, rating a movie or album or pointing out flaws in logic. As you'll read in the Ivie article and as I think you'll start to realize after reading this fun piece is, criticism is productive, not just constructive. Criticism shed new light on ideas, open new pathways for understanding and relating to our surroundings. It gives perspective and invites revision and reconstruction.

This article by Clay Shirky, about cultural surplus is a hybrid of film and cultural criticism. When you read it, ask yourself a few questions.

1. What is the artifact in question? What made it significant or interesting to discuss?

2. What are the main ideas or arguments of the article? What is Shirky trying to communicate to the reader and what impact does it have?

3. Does it spark any questions from you? How does it conform to or oppose your definition of criticism and/or the role of a critic?

4. Ivie and to a certain extent Foss argue that criticism is productive, that it produces new social knowledge and poses new questions. Think about Ivie's short article -- what is produced in this article?

OK, enough of the instructions! On to the article. I hope you enjoy it! Click here to read the article.

Webisodes

An emerging form of story telling that blends short story with commercial called 'webisodes' are about to take off and with the support of some pretty big names in entertainment. While YouTube darlings Darth Vader Day Manager and Lonelygirl were DIY endeavors produced by fans and auteurs, new shows like Gemini Division are produced with the support of major name actors and production companies (in this case, Rosario Dawson and NBC).

Interesting for a couple of reasons. First, it is another example of entertainment becoming more interactive. Part of the appeal of Gemini Division will be a role for the viewer. Texts and emails direct fans on missions that have an impact on the serial's storyline and characters. Yes, we have seen this before. Abrahms did it with lost and recently on this blog you saw how Trent Reznor incorporated a science fiction theme into a recent tour. The difference this time is that while in the case of Abrahms' Lost and Reznor's tour back story, which served as a backdrop to an external story line, Gemini Division actually involves the viewers in the primary storyline.

The second reason that this is interesting is that GD looks really cool. A cross between Sin City/Blade Runner and the 40's Buck Rodgers movie serials GD could be the break out hit that NBC and other major media outlets are looking for to take the YouTube generation to the next logical step. The moment we keep hearing about where online storytelling begins to eclipse traditional TV based nightly entertainment could be upon us on August 18 when GD premiers.

More on the making of GD can be found here. For now, enjoy the trailer. More on this once Gemini drops!

Youtube Post-Punk Retrospective

My buddy, Josh Hoe and I put together this impressive list of the classics of post-punk, including links to relevant youtube videos. The dates listed refer to the year of the bands inception, not a release date for the song in the video. This is hours of fun to listen to and explore. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do -- if you see something is missing -- add it to the list. If you find a link to a better video, or just an alternate video that is pretty good, feel fee to leave it as a comment. We'd like to see this post grow into a massive homage to the era of music that we love.

Old Influences:

Captain Beefheart 1965

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TBMTui7qg8&feature=related

Can 1968

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG_ssOWKq74&feature=related

David Bowie 1964

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBQ-S6njQQw

Detroit:

MC5 1964

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I8o3y5wP48

Iggy and the Stooges 1967

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLCQU8iKalA&feature=related

New York City:

Velvet Underground 1965

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UpFGoJHwLI

New York Dolls 1971

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXd9OIYL9xM

Germany

Kraftewerk 1970

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXa9tXcMhXQ

UK

Roxy Music, 1971

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVeEBMJt8vs

Swell Maps 1972

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGlIki2vq5w

Elvis Costello and the Attractions 1970

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRT8nA665Gs&feature=related

CBGBs

Television 1973

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFkQq_UpLwU&feature=related

Ramones 1974

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIf-k9vElhQ&feature=related

Blondie 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUG0GjdoGHE&feature=related

Suicide 1971

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBrn2mBWLeo&feature=related

Richard Hell and the Voidoids 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUU85sOxZ78&feature=related

The Heartbreakers 1975

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_-HR3R72hc

Talking Heads 1974

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5zFsy9VIdM

Massachusetts

Modern Lovers 1970

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4H4p3lmTLyE

Cleveland

Devo 1973

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRguZr0xCOc

Pere Ubu 1975

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qnRzCWFgd4

UK

The Sex Pistols 1975

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z2M_hpoPwk

The Clash 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiVvA9YQpiI

X-RAY SPEX 1976

http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fxfyxqwgldte

The adverts 1976
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8SqkYzzGI0

Souxsie and the Banshees 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF0OjrFIVWY

The Damned 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91rAHIb8BwY

The Subway Sect 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6jCR-12Y5E

Wire 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYv3TqwCle4

Joy Division 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZwMs2fLoVE

The Fall 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEOtckaZtLg&feature=related

A Certain Ratio 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb2rINWj_Ho

The Buzzcocks 1975

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRE79bxfMtY

Human League 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNrnmDmffRc

Caberet Voltaire 1973

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkfzXq0tA3c

Gang of Four 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ottNzDkaU&feature=related

The Raincoats 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt0cPSUdeQI&feature=related

The Slits 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGAbV2NborY&feature=related

The Specials 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGDQ85Dg-ss

Madness 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIdfiCybLAE&feature=related

The Cure 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQhh4Xs8RcM

The Police 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bXMi3PSyW8

Throbbing Gristle 1975

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8klW9trVTQ

Ireland

U2 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHzLWLFTPPI

California

Dead Kennedy's 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrOCwk3U7H4&feature=related

X 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo74OnQbhr4&feature=related

Black Flag 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFF7jzVfSB0&feature=related

The Cramps 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cukdOaBZgAw

Circle Jerks 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTPFhuRDI6w

The Screamers 1975

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0-w0hUnhpI&feature=related

The Germs 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzm2cNQQ6mE

Georgia

B-52s 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9sG_Hr2RyQ

Back to NYC

James Chance and the Contortions 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPb18CzG2gg

DNA 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laQjL_IDMkI&feature=related

Teenage Jesus and the Jerks 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Il2GWc4r_4

Theoretical Girls 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXmQy8dCU2s

Back to UK

The Pop Group 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL0tYowbIxE

Public Image Ltd 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfVTqqBpbyg&feature=related

The Au Pairs 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjbBr1_rSD8&feature=related

Young Marble Giants 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW4qqfJaLlo

The English Beat (The Beat) 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bM0wVjU2-k&feature=related

The Selecter 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v0-NPIXrtE&feature=related

New Order 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VcGJZpfl1c&feature=related

Bauhaus 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJCuF6cJGVs

Depeche Mode 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLA3WA9QOh0

Echo and the Bunnymen 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1B6LrOmNsg

Fire Engines 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm1vIfmmLUQ

Psychic Television 1982

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1yr8w_vZ5E

Gary Newman 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu6MDdxBork

The Wedding Present 1985

Back to Georgia

REM 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA57Pafq_NU

Minnesota

Husker Du 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoKeH7JYE48

The Replacements 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHXBOoDmQk8

Germany

Einstürzende Neubauten 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm_aut6RDAY

California again

Minutemen 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzyzVZZfUfM

Negativeland 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY0ASHW3604

Switzerland

Liliput, 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocBJt6Xz0iI

Scotland

Cocteau Twins, 1978

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f72lVV_o9MY&feature=related

More Mass

The Pixies 1986

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQgIOUwVZ1w

Evolving Forms of Media Messages - NIN's secret Code

I remember reading this article in an air port last December and thinking it was perfect for class. Not only is it an example of how our experience with media is becoming increasingly interactive, it is also point to how one medium remediates another...the ecology of the world is changing, while we are destroy the natural environment -- new, digital ones spring up.

I should also put in my pimp for Wired magazine and the online companion Wired.com, with no doubt my favorite pop publication.

Check out the article here, also can you solve the puzzle?

Gearing up For Class

I've been behind with the blog. I have a backlog of interesting articles, links and bric-a-brac to post. In the meantime, one of the things (the many things) I'm distracted by at the moment is the up coming Joy Division documentary. Control was a bit of a disappointment, but the preview before that film for the epnomymous documentary by Grant Gee and Tom Atencio was startling.

Here is the trailer for the film -



The documantary is available for purchase on Amazon.


Also, click here to read a great interview with Peter Hook about the film, courtesy of Suicide Girls.

Dallas Independent Film - Disowning Claire

This is the trailer from the Four Dogs Film, Disowning Claire. Not only am I excited to support local independent film, but this one is especially rewarding as the director/writer is a former student. A.C. was a student in the first semester of Media Narratives five years ago. I haven't seen it yet (*ahem* A.C. when is the screening?), but from the preview one can tell that this film will tackle issues of race, relationships, sex and family. Familiar academic territory for the immensely talented A.C. Abbott.

If I can get her permission I'll post a couple of her papers on this blog. So, check back for some updates on Four Dog Films and it's creator, A.C. Abbott.

Congrats A.C., this is quite an accomplishment. Read more about the film, the production and the cast and crew here.


Disowning Claire Trailer from ac abbott on Vimeo.

Day 2 - Diamond Head & Sunset

Today was a busy. We left the resort and ventured out into Honolulu. First stop was in China town. The food was amazing, though the picture taking opportunities were scarce. Unless, you want to take picture of fish markets -- which, while cool, don't make all that great of a subject for photos.

We did snap a couple interesting shots. Here they are:

This is the Kuan Yin temple, you can read more information about it here.

Here we are in front of the river walkway in China Town.

Next stop was Diamond Head. This was a climb; it took us nearly 45 minutes to hike to the top of the crater. Yes, hike. It is not a path, there are no cleanly cut walkways....you wander up to the top along an uneven path and some very steep stairs. From the top you have a great view of Waikiki beach -- hum the theme to Hawaii 5-0 as you look at these next pictures.

Waikiki from atop Diamond Head, if you click the picture it should enlarge.

This is the other side of the bay, near Hananuma.

Here we are, Waikiki in the background.

We got to Ko Olina just in time to see the sunset. This picture is taken between the lagoons for our resort. Just past our beaches is the open ocean, this is pretty much the reason you go to Hawaii. Amazing.

The sunset, just behind our resort.

OK, that is all for now. Tomorrow we are going to try surfing and then up to the North Shore to sight see. More pictures tomorrow night.

What I saw this Morning

We arrived in Oahu yesterday. Flight delays meant that it was too late to really take in our surroundings, but this morning we awoke to this:

Indeed. Jet lag has us up at 6:30 AM local time, but once I opened the curtains to the rooms I didn't care what time it was. Today's agenda includes food, beach, snorkeling and Mai Tai.

Yes, of course I know that this has nothing to do with the topic of the blog, but WHO CARES. I'll throw up some other pictures as we start to see the sights, and this blog will return to regular programming in a week or so when we return to the mainland.

For now, I'm off to grab Mahimahi and eggs then to the beach to get a heinous sunburn.

Playslists from CWR's Through the Years

The last few weeks CWR has been doing a countdown of some (there is so much I am not playing -- I could do the show again with all new music and bands) of the best music of period. This has turned out to be a tough task, but rewarding. I started with 1980, since I've done 77-79 shows in the past. I think when the semester starts back up I'll replay the '77, '78, '79, shows again, then continue with 1983, which next to '77, is one of the best years for music ever.

Since some people have asked for a complete list of what I've been playing I thought I'd include it here (you can also read past play lists here). Feel free to drop me a line if you want to know more about an album/artist. If you have comments, maybe I have left off your favorite band or album, let me know that too.

1980:

Imitation of Christ - Psychedelic Furs - s/t
The Friend Catcher - The Birthday party - s/t
Total War - Comsat Angels - Waiting for a Miracle
Rescue - Echo and the Bunny Men - Crocodiles
Get up and Use Me- The Fire Engines - Lubricate Your Living Room
It's Her Factory - Gang of Four - Yellow Single
The Human League - Being Boiled - Travelogue
Sorry for Laughing - Josef K - Sorry for Laughing [Unreleased]
Seen and Not Seen - Talking Heads - Remain in Light
Komakino - Joy Division - Atmosphere Single
Split - Liliput - Die Matrosen
A Raincoats Room - Swell Maps - Jane from Occupied Europe
53 Miles West of Venus - B-52's - Wild Planet
Paradise Place - Siouxsie and the Banshees - Kaleidoscope
High Fidelity - Elvis Costello - Get Happy!
The More I See You - OMD - Organisation
Tattooed Love Boys - The Pretenders - s/t
Health and Efficiency - This Heat - Health and Efficiency EP
Danger Becomes Apparent - Scott Wilks + The Walls - s/t
A Forest - The Cure - Seventeen Seconds
Cry Baby Killer - The Flesh Eaters - No questions Asked
Barbra - The Modernettes - Teen City EP
Because of You - Glaxo Babies - Put Me on the Guest List

1981:

Real Toys - Altered Images - Happy Birthday
Washed up and Left for Dead - The Selecter - Celebrate the Bullet
Repetition - The Au Pairs - Playing with a different Sex
Don't Choose the Wrong Song - The Embarassment - s/t EP
Only Loved at Night - The Raincoats - Odyshape
Dreams Never End - New Order - Movement
Bim, Bam, Boum -Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Mambo Nassau
Treason - The Teardrop Explodes - Wilder
Flowers of Romance - PIL - Flowers of Romance
Choir - A Certain Ratio - To Each...
Loads of Noise - The Zounds - Curse of the Zounds
Part Time Punks - Television Personalities - Mummy You're Not Watching Me
Love Action (I Believe in Love) - The Human League - Dare!
Kids in America - Kim Wilde - Kids in America
Walkaway - The English Beat - Wha'ppen?
Love Zombies - The Monochrome Set - Love Zombies
Swimming - Martha and the Muffins - Trance and Dance
S.P.Q.R. - This Heat - Deceit
Smiles and Laughter - Modern English - Mesh and Lace
Joan of Arc - OMD - Architecture and Morality
Capitalism - Oingo Boingo - Only a Lad
To Hell with Poverty - Gang of Four - Anthrax Marxist EP

1982:

Save it for Later - The English Beat - Special Beat Service
Accretions - Shrieckback - Tench EP
Car Trouble - Adam and the Ants - Antmusic
Several Sins - The Birthday Party - Junkyard
America - The Au Pairs - Sense and Sensuality
The Hollow Men - The Cocteau Twins - Garlands
The Force and Wisdom - Crispy Ambulance - The Plateau Phase
Low Profile - The Blue Orchids - Greatest Hit
Winter pt. 1 - The Fall - Hex Enduction Hour
Life During Wartime - Talking Heads - The Name of this Band is...
A Strange Day - The Cure - Pornography
I Don't Want to Push it - Sonic Youth - Sonic youth
Ill Wind Blows - Eyeless in Gaza - Drumming the Beating Heart
Talk Talk - Talk Talk - The Party's Over
Slowdive - Siouxsie and the Banshees - Kiss in the Dreamhouse
Never Say Never - Romeo Void - Warm in Your Coat
Beyond Belief - Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom
Know Your Rights - The Clash - Combat Rock
Space Age Love Song - A Flock of Seagulls - s/t
Visitation - Section 25 - The Key of Dreams
Underground - Men at Work - Business as Usual

Well, that will pretty much get you caught up for the summer. Soon, I'll be putting shows up in MP3 format. Hope you enjoyed the show this semester, much more to come.




Cold War Radio -- Last Show of the Semester

So today will be the last CWR of the semester. Of course, i'll be back on the air in the Fall. Until then you can enjoy the 4th installment CWR Through the Years. Today, I'm running through 1982 (surprisingly good year) from 2-4.

Check out the show on Radio UTD. If you are a fan of post-punk/new wave music, you are sure to enjoy Cold war Radio's stroll through the archive.


PS - I'll start posting my shows play lists here and soon to follow the podcast. Stay tuned.

Album Review - Why?

Why?

Alopecia

Anticon Collective

RIYL: Slint, Black Heart Procession, Trip-hop, Anticon Collective

Rating: 7.5

Whatever you are expecting, stop it. Unless you have heard any of the several previous releases, in that case you knew what to expect. I was a WHY? virgin and now that I know “Why?” I’m a convert. My point: Alopecia defies strict categorization. This is a good thing.

From Oakland, California Alopecia is the fourth, full length album released on the Anticon collective, a label known for hip-hop/post-rock indie act, a bill that Why? fits nicely. Yoni Wolf’s vocal contribution swings from a nasal melody to spoken, hip-hop like lyrics. What stands out though is the narrative Wolf weaves for the listeners. Themes range from urban sprawl, to stalking, to sex and desire. As you listen you get the sense that you are hearing a soundtrack to someone’s life, varied, complex, contradictory and occasionally scary. Wolf’s stories are layered over a range of sounds that gives each tale a unique setting and mood. Sometimes you recognize the synthesizers and beat of traditional hip-hop, other songs feature stripped down, post-rock guitar tracks.

My favorite track is ‘the Hollows.’ Deconstructed guitars and a great combination of Wolf’s rap/singing style creates a hummable, if slightly disturbing, refrain. Calliope like organ and sharp snares drift just under the surface of 'These Few Presidents.' 'Simeon’s Dilemma' is bittersweet and dark. Lyrics like “you are the only proper noun that I need” seem charming until you remember that the song is about a stalker with ominous plans. But, it is exactly this juxtaposition of themes, styles and images that make Alopecia wonderful/frightening.

Check out a "video" for The Hollows . This goes out to all my underdone and undertongued, monk-lunged frontmen...

Album Review - Working for a Nuclear Free City

Here are a couple of album reviews I did for Radio UTD over the last few months. I'll post more of these as I complete them. Of course, you can also read my reviews (and other great reviews) at Radio UTD.

Working for a Nuclear Free City
Businessmen and Ghost
RIYL: Spiritualized, Spacemen 3, Ride, My Bloody Valentine, Ride

I was not even remotely surprised to read that Working for A Nuclear Free City hailed from Manchester, England. Everything about their second full album Businessmen and Ghosts feels like these guys would fit nicely onto a bill at the Hacienda circa 1987. Listening made me want to cozy up to the Gay Traitor, sip a drink and nod off into a musical trance. OK, so it’s 2008 and the Hacienda is closed, but thankfully the spirit of the ‘Madchester’ scene is alive and well on this album. One can hear traces of Section 25 and the Happy Mondays, hints of New Order and Joy Division and even some of the funkier elements on A Certain Ratio. While there is a lot you could compare WFANFC to, they are entirely their own entity. A mix of deep, groove inspired bass lines, staccato drum beats and crashing guitar scapes, a la Spiritualized or Ride, combine post-punk and shoe gazer sounds with a danceable flair. One element that stands out across the entire album is its cohesion. Songs flow from one to the next, inviting you to get completely lost in the tracks, never sure when or where it began or ended. But who cares, the appeal of this album is how easy it is to be sucked into the crescendos and doldrums. Businessmen and Ghosts is a two disc set that mixes new tracks with others that appeared on their 2006 debut, self titled LP and their 2007 EP, Rocket. Asleep at the Wheel was one of my favorite tracks. A mellow number with a great guitar work that layers and mingles. Tapes’ baseline is Hookesque, simple, driving and perfectly suited to the songs mood. England part 2 is an ideal place to start if you are surfing for a song that sums up the experience of the album. All the previously mentioned elements are there, plus a great beat, topped off with a wood block pudding in the background. Yes, a wood block, like you used to play in music class in elementary school. Trust me it works. Maybe it is just my affection for the period this album references that keeps it playing in my car, but I don’t think so. More likely, the explanation is that WFANFC is an amazing band, that revisions the familiar and takes you to new places that you were itching to explore.

I meant every word of that review and then some. Check out the video for Rocket.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Soon to be the home of blog about music, media, culture and futurism.