I saw This Is It over the weekend, and was blown away. I think everyone—Michael Jackson fan or not—should see it. You come away with a new respect for the man and his artistry. Whether or not he was talented isn’t debatable—even his detractors couldn’t argue with that—but what impressed me the most was his insane dedication to his craft. He obsessed over every detail of the show, from beginning to end, and not in a diva/superstar “flatter me and make sure my lighting is perfect” sort of way, but as a true, bona fide artist who was really at one with his work, an artist who truly cared about the quality of the entire performance and making certain it was presented to his audience in the most authentic possible manner.

Two things you have to get over first: obviously, Jackson wasn’t well, and didn’t look it. In fact, much of the time he looks downright ghostly. The other thing is, yes, it’s an obvious bid to cash in on his death. I think the latter in particular is keeping some people away, people who feel they shouldn’t see the film as a matter of principle. I am telling you, get over yourself and see it NOW while you can still catch it on the big screen. Everyone needs to violate a few principles once in a while, and this is one of those times.

Seeing the film reminded me—yet again—how sad the current generation of entertainers is in comparison. And I’ll take this opportunity to point out a few, just because they make it so damn easy.

Exhibit A: Hilary Duff.


Ten bucks says she's listening to pubescent punk goddess Miley Cyrus's cover of "Baba O'Reilly" on those things.

I don’t think Duff has done much singing as of late, as she appears to be focusing on an acting career. I actually caught Hilary Duff’s performance in War, Inc and I’m guessing Meryl Streep isn’t feeling too threatened by it. (The entire movie is a giant dried up dog turd, incidentally. I love John Cusack as much as the next Gen-Xer, but when he makes a bad film, he doesn’t fool around. See also: Grosse Pointe Blank and Pushing Tin). One entrance in Duff’s musical catalog is particularly horrifying. It’s her cover of The Who’s "My Generation." I checked it out, and it’s every bit as execrable as you’d imagine. I found out about this remake on Cracked.com, which is where I get most of my news these days. They sum up Duff’s hatchet job better than I ever could:

People try to put your generation down, do they, Hilary? Maybe it's because your generation has a habit of mistaking glorified Mouseketeers for musicians. Or maybe it's because your generation gave rise to a version of the music industry that asparagus-pisses in the face of everything rock stands for. Either way, it looks like Hilary's in the process of following her own advice and just f-f-f-fading away.

Exhibit B: Britney Spears and her tired lip-synching.



Holy fucking shit. I think this is the un-sexiest image ever caught on film.

It seems that a certain official in the land down under is calling out Britney Spears and her puppeteers for foisting her phony, bland, karaoke-track lip-synching ass on their fair country.

Virginia Judge, the Minister for Fair Trading for New South Wales (the Australian state that includes Sydney), said she is considering options to make sure fans aren't misled when buying tickets to Britney's Circus tour concerts. Some seats are going for more than $1,300.

"It is Britney's 'prerogative' to lip-sync, and it is my job to make sure consumers know what they are paying for up front," Judge said in a statement released by the government.

Australia, I now totally forgive you for producing Russell Crowe.

Exhibit C: Kid Rock


Actual mug shot. Not kidding.

My friend Marcus and I once decided that Kid Rock looks like a heavily tattooed janitor who definitely can’t work past 5:00 tomorrow because his cousin is giving him a lift downtown to meet with his parole officer, and this time for sure he really positively CAN’T be late, motherfucker, or he’ll get his ass sent right back to the slammer (I believe we also decided he’d served time for something involving crystal meth and domestic abuse).

Kid Rock recently sort of covered/sampled/raped “Sweet Home Alabama” and substituted the original lyrics for his own, which sounds about right. Other than that, I believe he is best known for giving the pork sword to Pamela Anderson, and for being the President of the Asshole Douchebags of America (Eminem is the VP).

In conclusion (going back to the original point of this post), I strongly encourage you to see This Is It. Think of it as paying your respects to the memory of a true artist whose legacy will—let’s hope—far outlast the dog shit-encrusted footprints of the current crop of glorified karaoke-fied lip-synching strippers and abominable musical whores exemplified above.

On a side note…I’m really into the high-falutin’ polysyllabic words today, aren’t I?

Happy Day 'o the Dead!

I would have posted yesterday on Halloween, but I was too busy getting drunk and trying to keep my Magenta wig on straight, an effort that required every brain cell I have left.

Today I thought I'd post a little something for the kids, because I believe the children are our future and we don't want them having all the fun that we had; the little bastards are spoiled enough already. Here is an anti-LSD vid from the sixties. It seems the makers of this short really know their subject matter, as whomever produced this video seriously had to be tripping their balls off. Not only does it function as (sort of) an anti-drug PSA, it also has a strong pro-vegetarian message--definitely a cause I can get behind.

Next time you are about to stuff a hot dog in your face, you're going to think of this video. And scary, hairy, screaming trolls.

Another Joshua Path plug:

This is the video he recently posted for his cover of "Don't Fear the Reaper." It's a brilliant version, spookier than the original. If you are squeamish, heed the warning at the beginning...there will be blood!

The Other Side of Summer (Songs), Part II

Because winter sucks.

2001

Dave Matthews Band "I Did It"

Say what you want about DMB; this song fucking rules. It's apparently about wizzing your tits off on 'shrooms. The video is certainly fitting, if that's true. Summer 2001, I remember driving along 96th, smoking a P-funk light, buzzing on Xannies, Merlot, and Nyquil. I had hit a rough patch and was depressed/ambivalent about my job, my boyfriend, and pretty much my life in general. I cranked this song and thought--screw it! The whole world can kiss my ass! This happens to be an awesome "FUCK YOU, LIFE!" song. We've all been there.

2002

No Doubt "Hella Good"

I remember this being a very fucking hot summer in Indiana. I was working two part time jobs, renting a tiny room from a friend of mine and basically living the starving artist's dream. The rest of this CD sucks ass, but this song is cool.

2003

Fleetwood Mac "Say You Will"

Very sentimental about this one. I spent the summer packing up and saying goodbye to my life and my family and friends in Indianapolis. I was leaving behind someone I loved (dead-end relationship) to be with someone else I loved in St. Paul. That relationship bit the dust about four months after I moved to the Twin Cities (thank GOD!). But, still, here I am...

2004

The Killers "Hot Fuss" (whole album)

I was spending my first summer on my own in an unfamiliar city, but it was also very exciting. I felt like I could pretty much be whoever I wanted, since no one knew me. I was temping at a sales office that summer. One of the younger sales reps burned this CD for me, and I've loved the Killers ever since.



Finn Brothers "Everyone Is Here" (whole album)

I saw them at the Guthrie that July, and met Neil Finn after the show.


2005

Gwen Stefani "Hollaback Girl"

One of the best summers in recent memory! I had just quit my (much hated) job of 10 months at Mt. Zion in St. Paul, and was living off money my dad had set aside for me. The money was supposed to be for my wedding, but since I hadn't been in any danger of getting hitched, he said I could have it whenever I wanted. I took him up on it that June and spent the entire summer writing my book, biking St. Paul, and stumbling from happy hour to happy hour with my friend Shane. It was like being a teenager again. This non-sensical Gwen Stefani song epitomizes a great chapter in my weird little life.

2006

Fergie "London Bridge"

This was another good time. I started working as a massage therapist that August, and it was the best career move I ever made. I went from temping and being flat broke to actually having money and being able to keep myself in cool clothes, new shoes and real food--plus I met some great friends. Shane and I (we were flat-mates at the time) could finally afford to move from our depressing neighborhood in Little Canada to bright, shiny new digs in Uptown. Life was good.

2007

Of Montreal (Basically their entire discography)

My ex Matthew (who dumped me in May of that year) introduced me to Of Montreal, and I quickly became obsessed with them. In fact, I spent pretty much this entire summer listening to Of Montreal and licking my wounds.

Lily Allen "Smile"

I also spent a lot of time listening to this song while trying to get over Matthew. Although I didn't do all the evil things Lily does in the video, I was hoping that one day I could relate to what she was singing about. And whaddya know? Once I stopped caring, I did.

2008

R.E.M. "Man-Sized Wreath"

The summer started out promising. Marcus came up to visit and we saw R.E.M. at the Xcel Center in early June (it was the day after Obama had announced his candidacy at that same venue). This turned out to be one of the best live shows I'd ever seen. Michael Stipe did this song justice. (The accompanying video pales in comparison--you really had to be there).



Black Kids "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You"

This is one of those bands that gives me hope for modern music. I absolutely fell in love with this song the first time I heard it on the Current, and I went out and bought the CD the same day. (I didn't download it...guess I'm old-school). The album was the backdrop to what was (at the end) a shitty summer, with the whole Simon Reid debacle and everything. On a lighter note, I saw the Black Kids at 7th Street Entry with DeAnna later that year (October, I think) and they rocked the house. That lead singer is a bit of all right.

2009

Franz Ferdinand: "Tonight" (whole album)

Has there ever been a more badass song? I think not.



This album ruled my summer. 'Nuff said.

And-archy in the UK

I just returned from a magical 3-week holiday in England. Words cannot express how much I love that country; I must have some kind of mystical past-life connection to it (...and I'm Irish! My ancestors would consider me a vile traitor!) I hung out with Ian, went punting on the Cam river, nearly killed myself bouldering on the Dorset coast, explored great Cornish towns like Tintagel, Land's End and Polperro (pictured), ate lunch at the hotel that inspired Fawlty Towers in Torquay, fell in love with the town of Clovelly and all its cats, went book shopping in Hay-on-Wye (Wales), and generally had an amazing time.

I will get around to posting the second half of my summer song list--now that it's nearly winter--but first (for Ian), here is one of my favorite Morph shorts.

Cheerio!