10.31.2009
10.29.2009
ROY DECARAVA: 1919-2009
10.28.2009
DUCK STAMPS
These are "duck stamps," which aren't used for actual postage but instead to generate income for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Apparently, $0.98 of every dollar goes directly to purchasing wetlands and other endangered habitats. The program began in 1934, and the stamps above (top to bottom) are from 1944, 1959, and 1977 respectively. I'm no philatelist, but there's something very nostalgic about these. They remind me of a sign my dad has: it's a painted plywood cut-out of a snow goose emblazoned with an "Open Season" message and riddle with buckshot.
More here.
Hat tip to MAWOI.
10.26.2009
A NEW YORK ART
The Velvet Underground: A New York Art is a new book that collects the promotional detritus used by the legendary band during their early days in 1960's NYC. A jumble of handbills, press clippings, and hand-scrawled lyrics, the book is the first of its kind and presents a pretty comprehensive snapshot of the greatest NY band ever as it figures itself out.
It even comes in a special edition featuring a fancy binding and 7" signed by Lou Reed and Mo Tucker.
10.21.2009
10.13.2009
SILENT LIGHT
The stunning first 5 minutes of Silent Light
I watched Silent Light, the 2007 film by Mexican filmmaker Carlos Reygadas, last night. Strange, quiet, and moving, the film is set in a Mennonite community in northern Mexico and tells the story of Johan, a married man with 7 children, who has fallen in love with another woman.
Manohla Dargis of the NY Times describes the film as something of a meditation on "the limits of... faith and... faithfulness," but there is more to it than that. I can't quite put my finger on it; Silent Light is an otherworldly, disorienting, and yet somehow familiar film. I think a second viewing may be in order.
10.12.2009
10.10.2009
LET ME ROLL IT
Man it's pretty tempting to write off allmusic as a once relevant internet left over authored by a bunch of yo la tengo loving dweebs who insist that Genesis' early records are totally worth owning, but then I read something like this--
If Brian Wilson can be praised for his half-assed ideas and execution, then why not McCartney, who has more character here than the Beach Boys did on their Brother records? Truthfully.
Yeah! Lay it down Steve Thom!
Anyway, I was at a party last night and the DJ played Cotton-Eyed Joe. It wasn't like a thrilling Montell Jordan moment where we all looked at each other collectively recalling a thousand junior high lip syncs. It was just a bummer. The ironic DJ is fucking up musical Darwinism. Like we have to keep reminding each other about all the pap we forgot existed because finding the good stuff is just too easy nowadays? Just play some fucking Prince you know?
Someone shot off some mace and the party still went on. So I guess they were doing something right.
If Brian Wilson can be praised for his half-assed ideas and execution, then why not McCartney, who has more character here than the Beach Boys did on their Brother records? Truthfully.
Yeah! Lay it down Steve Thom!
Anyway, I was at a party last night and the DJ played Cotton-Eyed Joe. It wasn't like a thrilling Montell Jordan moment where we all looked at each other collectively recalling a thousand junior high lip syncs. It was just a bummer. The ironic DJ is fucking up musical Darwinism. Like we have to keep reminding each other about all the pap we forgot existed because finding the good stuff is just too easy nowadays? Just play some fucking Prince you know?
Someone shot off some mace and the party still went on. So I guess they were doing something right.
10.09.2009
10.02.2009
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