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My Top 10 CDs of 2002

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To everyone, have a great New Year's and here's to a great 2003 for all of us!

Check out NME's top 20 CDs of the Year 2002

1. Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
2. The Vines - Higly Evolved
3. The Streets - Original Pirate Material
4. The Coral - The Coral
5. Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club - BRMC
6. Queens Of The Stoneage - Songs For The Deaf
7. Doves - The Last Broadcast
8. Eminem - The Eminem Show
9. The Datsuns - The Datsuns
10. Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights
11. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
12. The Libertines - Up The Bracket
13. The Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages Of…
14. NERD - In Search Of…
15. The Music - The Music
16. Beck - Sea Change
17. Boards Of Canada - Geogaddi
18. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - Behind The Music
19. The Hives - Your Favourite New Band
20. Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around

posted by Fawaz at 12:52 PM

 
My TOP TEN CD's of 2002

>1. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head



What a excellent follow up to what was one of my favorites from 2000. Every song had something to like about it and almost every song could be a single. Showed great maturity and kudos to being excellent when played live. It's one of those albums that takes a few listens to really like and a few more to really love. I think I over played this album when it first came out, but it's one of those CDs where if you put it away for a while and then listen to it, you're like "I need to listen to this CD more." More kudos from continuing the tradition that Embrace, the Bluetones, the Verve, and Oasis have of releasing bsides that are as strong as album tracks.

My Favorite Songs: 3.God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, 4.The Scientist, 8.Warning Sign

>2. Doves - The Last Broadcast



Another excellent sophomore effort. These songs have that quality where they just pick up your spirits, surprising feelings from a band many people think to be very somber. The music has that 'inspired by dance' kind of rock sound to it. This CD took me a while to really love, but it really stands out as a great CD with great anthems.

My Favorite Songs: 9.Pounding, 12.Caught By The River

>3. The Streets - Original Pirate Material



This record blew me away when I finally listened to it. I read somewhere that Chris from Coldplay was really into it so I thought I would check it out - I had heard it was some UK garage CD, but I found that it was an excellent laid back hiphop slice of UK urban life. Mike Skinner has some excellent lyrics that let's us know exactly where he is coming from and even though I am nothing like him I can relate to. Cool beats (all made my Mike in his bedroom) and excellent lyrics about hanging out in the pub, adventures in Amsterdam, taking his first E, and general stories about day in the life of a geezer. It sounds so much cooler then the hip-hop out of the US these days.

My Favorite Songs: 12.Weak Becomes Heroes, 3.Let's Push Things Forward

>4. South - From Here On In



Never heard of these guys until this year, but I decided to look em up since I heard a cool song on XM by them and I had read that James Lavelle had produced them. That song I heard on XM "Paint the Silence" turned out to be my favorite song of the year and the album turned out to be excellent as well. Maybe the reason I like it so much is who their influences are - the Stone Roses - baggy/dance music - and trip-hop. the guys in South are very accomplished musicians and the music on the CD shows their talents off. Great grooves, cool hushed lyrics and James Lavelle's influence on producing this CD makes it one of my favorites of the year.

My Favorite Songs: 2.Paint the Silence, 3.Keep Close, 7.Run on Time

>5. Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World


A Return to form from this very inoovative Welsh group. Scratch that - should read a contiued excellence with this CD. I've actually been listening to this CD since it was released in the UK during the late Spring of '01, but since I didn't publish my top ten list last year and since it was released in the US this year, and since it's such a great CD - I thought I should put it here too. Excellent catchy pop songs that ranges from the very Beatle-ly "Receptacle For The Respectable" to the Seemingly Ozzy Inspired "Receptacle For The Respectable." That's how innovative it is. Excellent techno freak-out at the end of "No Sympathy" and superb disco funk on the first single "Juxtapozed With U." The simultaneous DVD release was excellent visually and in full 5.1 audio quality.
My Favorite Songs: 6.(A) Touch Sensitive, 9.Juxtapozed With U, 8.No Sympathy

>6. Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights


Great Debut from the coolest band out of NYC since the Strokes. A 2002 version of Joy Division. Beautiful soundscapes and lyrics sung in a way that you just can't figure out what exactly he is saying.
My Favorite Songs: : PDA, NYC, Obstacle 2

>7. Sonic Youth - Murray Street



After being one of my favorite bands in the early 90's SY feel off the face of the earth for me for quite a while, until this CD was released and reminded me exactly why I loved them so much.
My Favorite Songs:1.The Empty Page, 2.Disconnection Notice, 3.Rain on Tin

>8. Badly Drawn Boy - About a Boy Soundtrack



Another excellent pop record from Damon. Wonderful sing along lyrics and that quirky music that Damon is so good at making and making sound so good.
My Favorite Songs:: 3.Something to Talk About, 5.Above You, Below Me

9. John Squire - Time Changes Everything



Finally something new from Squire and it might not be what people expected. No obvious guitar heroics, but there is some might fine guitar on this CD. What is the most surprising thing on this CD is John's voice. Very gritty but at the same time very listenable. The lyrics remind me of the Roses. My Favorite Songs: 3.Shine A Little Light, 1.Joe Louis

>10. Richard Ashcroft - Human Conditions



While being a let down when compared to anything by the Verve and his solo debut, this is not a bad CD infact it's quite good. Is it good enough to be on my top ten list - maybe not, but it is Richard Ashcroft - enough said.
My Favorite Songs: 6.Science Of Silence, 3.Bright Lights

List of other CD's I loved this year: the Chemcial Brothers-Come with Us, Elbow-Asleep in the Back, Underworld-100 Days Off, Beck-Sea Change, and Groove Armada-Another Late Nite

posted by Fawaz at 10:32 AM

 

I downloaded the new (upcoming 02-11-03) Massive Attack CD, 100th Window last night. It is really good, I've only listened to it twice, but I can definately say that if you liked Mezzanine you will like this. Sinead O'Connor sings on quite a few tracks and they all really good. I'm so late in really liking Massive Attack. I remember actually being in London when Unfinished Symphony first came out. I heard it but it did nothing for me. When Tricky came out with Maxinquaye my mind was officially blown and I became a fan of may artists who got labeled trip-hop. I was down with Portishead and DJ Shadow, but I never thought to go back and check out one of the original groundbreaking groups who influenced many artists I was becoming a huge fan of. My cousin Mohib, who also loves this ambient hip-hop genre and who checked out Tricky opening up for PJ Harvey with me got Mezzanine. I heard it a few times with him and although he was raving about it I didn't fall head over heels like he did. I said it took me a while, but in the past 6 months they have been growing and growing on me. I got their whole backcatalog and have been venturing into it on a weekly basis.

Now I can officially state that I love Mezzanine and by the first few listens, 100th Window.

I was checking out some sweet MA websites (1) (2) (3) and found out that they might release the CD as DVD with a 5.1 mix and videos of each song. Damn that will be sweet since I love releases like this (Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World ring a bell?)

Robert Del Naja has an art book out and it's limited to only 150 copies, you can purchase one right now, that's right they are still available and only for $600.00. Check it out here and check out some of his art below.

Also many props to MA for their very sincere and active anti-war effort and do check out there amazing new album website. 100th Window

100th Windows Tracklisting
1.FUTURE PROOF (3D)

2.WHAT YOUR SOUL SINGS (Sinead O'Connor)

3.EVERYWHEN (Horace Andy)

4.SPECIAL CASES (Sinead O'Connor)

5.BUTTERFLY CAUGHT (3D)

6.A PRAYER FOR ENGLAND (Sinead O'Connor)

7.SMALL TIME SHOT AWAY (3D)

8.NAME TAKEN (Horace Andy)

9.ANTISTAR (3D & 2D)

I caught Die Another Day last night and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It's amazing how Pierce (as James Bond) at his age can pull of similar stunts that 'todays' spies make look so cool. But he does and he looks cool too. OK the plot was kind of hard to imagine - complete DNA transplants? and invisible Aston Martins? But the action was good as where the Bond girls and Villans. Brosnon was born to play this role and I'm sure the next Bond will pale in comparison. Can you imagine there was rumor that they wanted Cuba Gooding to be the next Bond - I think (and hope) Snow Dogs put an end to the even remote possibility) About every third line was pun and about 1/3 of those acutually hitting. The worst thing about this movie was Madonna - her song and her cameo. The song is not that great and her cameo is bad. After she delivers one of her one liners (she has about 5 in the 3 minutes on screen) something about not liking cockfights (which I highly doubt) someone in the audience yelled out "that's my girl" - huge cringe inducer. Rosamund Pike as the icey and at the same time hot, Miss Frost was a pleasant surprise.

My Top Ten Lists of the Year coming next week!
posted by Fawaz at 12:17 PM

 
My Condolenices to all of us, we lost a great man this past week. Joe, you will be missed but the music you created will live on!

My Top 3 Bands of all time (in no order since it these 3 change depending on which one I am listening to:

The Verve

The Stone Roses

The Clash

I need to start updating this blog once again, hopefully the new year will allow me to do that.

Coming soon will me by favorite records, movies, dvds, and significant pop culture moments of the year.

My favorite moment of the year has been the whole year of watching my daughter grow and finding out that we have another one on the way.

I've finally been able to see some movies in the past week. the Two Towers. One can one say about this movie? Since the exteneded Fellowship of the Ring DVD came out, I have in LOTR mode. I've been watching the DVD way to much, my wife is getting very sick of it. But I still want to watch it with the Peter Jackson and writers commentay. Also I started to read the books, they actually go pretty fast, but I'm only 1/30th of the way into it. Anyway needless to say, the movie was great (I can't wait until the third to watch all three in a row!) Gollum is absolutely amazing!!!

I also saw Star Trek : Nemisis, Please follow my advise and skip this movie, it sucked, and I even like the Next Generation cast. I feel asleep for the middle third and I was happy since I enjoyed my sleep much more then watching the movie. No props to my cousin for wanting to see this a second time!

Last night I watched The Gangs of New York, I bought a ticket to see Die Another Day and since it was starting 10 minutes after 'Gangs' I thought I would sneak in to 'Gangs' and catch the Kill Bill trailer attached to it. After not seeing the trailer I thought "what the hell this is Scorcese and he has been working on it for over 2 years and it's garnering critical acclaim" , so I decided to stay. I didn't like it that much, Daniel Day Lewis does do a great job, but the political sub plots and the fight for the immigrants story did not grab me. Hats off for not making the gang battles not too violent - imagine what could have been shown when people do battle with meat cleavers and battle axes in a movie that takes place in the real world - therefore making it all the more real. Cameron Diaz does a good job and looks good. I might be one of the few of my friends who actually likes Dicaprio. He does a good job in this movie, although his advisary steals the show. recommendation - skip it unless there is nothing else to see.

I saw some cool trailers when watching these movies. Stephen King's Dreamcatcher look positively freaky. I can't make out what exactly this movie is about, which I hopefully will continue into the movie - but it looks really f'ed up and it has a good cast - Morgan Freeman, Jason Lee, and Damien Lewis (Col Winters from Band of Brothers) who looks positively mad. I hope this guy follows up his amazing acting in Band of Brothers with some great roles - followed with what I'm sure will be more critical acclaim.

posted by Fawaz at 11:45 AM

 
The sites been absent a while due to a few things. One of them being Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4. I'm a sucker for TH games, I've bought all 3 for the xbox in the past year. Maybe because it's one game I can actually get good at and good enough to beat my gaming cousin or maybe just because it's so cool to see skaters do such amazing tricks (I know the game is not totally realistic, but skaters noadays can do some amazing things.) Or maybe it's just because this game rocks. The levels are huge, there are many many things to skate off of and the goals this time are not so repepative.

Another topic on the gaming front is the news of Doom III from id Software, I'm sure you guys have played games from id (like the original Doom or the many releases of Quake). Well this new version of Doom is going to take gaming to that next level. The graphics are so cool looking (while being totally freakish), it's like looking at an image of Toy Story written by Clive Barker. The release date is sometime next year, but a early, early version was leaked to people over the weekend. People who have played it (even in this early format) are saying that it is awesome. Take a look: (the image is from in game footage, not a cut-scene)

Been listening to:
The Streets:Various remixs found on website.
Richard Ashcroft:Human Conditions (I like it, my wife says I've brainwashed myself to liking it, look for review soon)

posted by Fawaz at 12:45 PM

 

From the NME : Look at this dream set list from a benefit show played yesterday for the 'Fair Play' concert held by the daughter of the guy who puts on the yearly excellent Glastonbury Festival. I would love to get a CD of this show. I love my favorite bands playing covers.

Noel Gallagher's set ran:

• 'Talk Tonight'
  
• 'Slide Away'
  
• 'Wonderwall'
  
• 'Don't Look Back In Anger'
  
• 'Married With Children'

Coldplay played:

• 'In My Place'
  
• 'Don't Panic'
  
• 'The Scientist'
  
• 'It Takes More' (with Ms Dynamite)
  
• 'Three Little Birds' (with Ms Dynamite)
  
• 'Dy-Na-Mi-Tee' (with Ms Dynamite)
  
• 'Yellow' (with Noel Gallagher)
  
• 'Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before' (with Noel Gallagher)
  
• 'Live Forever' (with Noel Gallagher)
  
• 'Many Rivers To Cross'
  
• 'Whatever' (with Noel Gallagher)

posted by Fawaz at 11:17 AM

 

OK my verdict is still out on the new Richard Ashcroft, although he is my favorite artist of all time (so far) I am not sure if I really love his new CD "Human Conditions". I have loved everything (verve-related and solo stuff) that he has put out so far, but since I've been listening to so much other new music I haven't been giving the new CD the proper attention it deserves to really get my opinion made about it. I have been waiting until I get the full new CD instead of just having the mp3s. I really want to like/love it, but after just a couple of listens it just doesn't grab me like everything else of his. I will write my full review soon though since I should be getting it shortly. The CD was delayed here in the US until Febuary, and since we live in the day's of MP3s this does not piss me off as it would have a few years earlier. But I found a UK distributor that has it listed for $12.99 shipped,yes as is 13 US dollars Here is the link for it at CD-Wow, take a look for other releases not scheduled for a stateside release as of yet, Suede's "New Morning" comes to mind.


Cool Link:Rock List I was just thinking today I can't wait until those cool end of the year top 50 albums of the year come out from magazines like NME and Q. Well although we might have to wait a couple more months for those lists for this year, this is a great site that lists many end-of-year lists but also stuff like Q's "The best 50 CD’s of the last 15 years" or "Q Readers All Time Top 100 Albums". They have lists from magazines like Mojo, Face, the defunct Select, Melody Maker, the Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Keerang (metal mag) and many more. Check it out. The lists are quite comprehensive, going pretty far back. Linkafied. Cheers to Julian White the creator of this great site.
posted by Fawaz at 4:23 PM

 


Song I've Been Listening to:

Eminem:Lose Yourself My verdict is still out on Eminem, granted some of his raps are really good, he really has a way with words and rhyming with the beat, but most of his songs are too verse-chorus-verse-y for me to really appreciate. But even though this song follows that same formula it still is the shit. They way he rhymes is the first verse, emphasizing the right word that goes perfect with the beat is sweet. The lyrics are good too, the incorporate the character (Rabbit) from his new movie 8 Mile along with situations from his real life. I'm sure most of you have heard it, if not I'm sure you will, probably just a few hundred times.


I'm looking forward to seeing the movie, Xzibit, who plays a thug in the movie, was giving it an amazing review (of course.) I'm interested to see if it's any good, it has a few good things going for it, such as Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential and Wonder Boys) directing. When I first heard about it I was very skeptical, was it a movie to just cash in on Eminems' popularity. Well in part I'm sure it is, but that doesn't mean it's going to be a bad movie. Interested to see if it really has some Oscar potential (or has the hype been that, hype.) Well I just have to wait and see.




We'll I plan on going to see The Ring this weekend. Horror/suspense movies are about 10% succesful in actually being good; I've heard that his one is. The trailer definately is very strange and compeling. I've heard that this is based on a Japanese movie and that there is a sequal for it.


I'd love to go see jackass: the movie, but I know that is not in the cards unless I want to go without my significant other. I think the hidden camera/crowd reaction commercials for the movie are pretty smart. The New York Post is already calling in the worst movie of the year, that's pretty bad since Pluto Nash and Swept Away both came out this year.

posted by Fawaz at 4:09 PM

 


I've been listening to a lot of Badly Drawn Boy the past few weeks, his new CD is good, his soundtrack to About a Boy is excellent and I just found this excellent fan site, It Came From the Underground, after not finding it for a long time. It has a great discography section, lyrics, and best of all LIVE MP3s!!! Inlcuding the full concert from an excellent show that Damon did about two years ago at the Shepard's Bush Empire. The show is a classic, full of his improversations and conversations. (His opening line "As soon as I get over my nerves I am going to turn this into one of the best nights of my life", Classic.) Even if you are a casual fan - check it out, here. Also if buying his new CD, in Canada you can get a free bonus 2nd disc of his full Glastonbury show from earlier this year, very tempting...... (about $16.50US shipped)




posted by Fawaz at 4:43 PM

 
Michael Jordan story listed below - reported to be a hoax (see below)


Movies watched this weekend:

The Windtalkers: War movie from Mr. Woo. It was ok, nothing great 637 out of 1000

Comando: I only watched half of this Ah-nold movie, I still remembered most of the one-liner from watching this movie many, many times when I was a kid. 759 out of 1000

Insomnia: Expected more from Chris Nolan and the good reviews this movie recieved, it has some classic Pacino-like acting from Pacino, but overall was nothing great. I had to watch in full-screen, damn you Blockbuster. 715 out of 1000


Been listening too:

UNKLE: Essential Mix: I've really been on a James Lavelle tip this past few weeks, but I keep discovering new stuff by him that is really good. This mix done on the excellent Essential Mix on Radio1. This is a weekly mix, broadcast on the radio and web, by many of the top DJs in the world, they had a great live set by Underworld a few weeks ago. James and his partner in crime, Richard File, lay down some sweet mixes on this set. Such as a cut-up of DMX's "Who We Be" with Tears for Fear's "Shout", "Tomorrow Never Knows (Unklesounds Edit)", Leftfield vs. The Doors - "Phat Plant + The End", and a UNKLE Radiohead mix of "Everything In it's Right Place". C'mon that has to sound good to many of you out there. I only have 2 hours of the 3.5 hour show, if anyone wants to share the whole thing email me. Here is the whole setlist.

Check out the very cool UNKLE site I found, it has some downloadable mixes, including one done by DJ Shadow during instore appearence by UNKLE (at the time James and DJ Shadow) in NYC I saw the instore appearence in Chicago and I met both of them, very nice guys. I asked Shadow about the rumor that George Lucas approached him for re-working some Star Wars music for the re-release of the original trilogy, he did confirm it, but said George's ideas about what it should sound like were very different from his.)

posted by Fawaz at 4:32 PM

 
Review of the Week:

South : From Here on In: After listening to last James Lavelle's GU#23 (see review below) I thought I would pick up a CD that I always was interesting in listening to, but as of yet have not done. I remember reading that James was now producing a proper indie rock band a while ago and I wondered what they would sound like and if they would be any good. I heard a few songs on XMU on XM radio and thought they were pretty good and I was exited to see them open up for an Oasis show that I was going to see in Toronto in the late summer. (South ended not opening up for them, replaced by the very good Soundtrack of Our Lives.) My interest was peeked again after hearing James's Mix CD so I thought what the hell, let's finally give the guys a listen to. I really like most of the CD as it reminds be of some of the 'baggy' Manchester bands I love. The second song 'Paint the Silence', is one of those songs I listen to over and over again (this hardly ever happens,) sounds a lot like the excellent Stone Roses, and it has a cool lyrics and great groovy instrumental break. South really are accomplished musicians that can really carry a groove as proven by the song a the few instrumentals on this CD. You can definitely spot their influences, but it doesn't sound as derivative as the first Embrace CD, where you can tell, OK this is an Oasis song ...this is a Verve song ... this is a Radiohead song. I like this CD and it's grooves don't sound as forced at they do on the debut CD from the Music. Jamie McDonald's vocals are pretty respectable, after sounding very much Ian Brownish (this can be a good thing) during "Paint the Silence", he eventually develops his own sound. I read a review of this were they said that James Lavelle should have taken more of a hands-off approach when producing this, since they thought he added too much in musical florishments to this CD. I didn't find this at all; actually I would have thought he would have made it more dance-y/techno-y. Whatever stuff he did add, sounds fine and goes with they type of music they play very well.


If you are a fan of dance-rock fusion (or some other similar categorization) I would definitely check this CD out. It starts out strong with a couple of their best songs ("Paint the Silence" and "Keep Close") up front, but keep listening for some more excellent songs hidden in tracklistings. Check out their site for some downloadable b-sides.




Music I've Been Listening to This Week:


Radiohead : Live at Hutchinson Field in Chicago 2001.08.01 - Great show, I was there



Dead Prez : Let's Get Free : What a great CD, every time a go back to this CD I am amazed how good it is. Let's hope they release a full new CD soon.
Remember back in the late 80's/early 90's when things were so great around here in the US (kind of like it is now.) We were about to get into a war with Iraq, the economy wasn't the greatest, and the government was losing respect of the people. Well around this time hip-hop with a political awareness was somewhat popular. We had bands like the excellent Public Enemy, X-Clan, and the often forgotten about rapper Paris, openly speaking about the government and what is wrong with it. Well I wonder since the boom economy is over and with all the Bling-Bling hip-hop getting old, if we are in for a renaissance of social and political aware hip-hop reclaiming the peoples tastes. I really hope so since hip-hop (except for a few bands and artist) for the past few years has not been cutting it for me. Maybe people like Dead Prez, Mos-Def, El-p, and others will start appealing to more people then they have been, with songs and lyrics that really make them think and challenge what they believe. Anyway check out the Dead Prez link for some excellent mp3s and for their very rarely seen videos, including the banned "They Schools".



Underworld : European Club Gig : I found this bootleg on Soul Seek. It's really an excellent performance, with what seems like a soundboard recording with hardly any crowd noise. Underworld are pretty amazing in concert, for those of you who have never seen them, they improvise the whole show (without a predetermined setlist). They still play their own very recognizable songs, but they change them and morph each song into the next. (Much like the Grateful Dead did on a good night - Don't you wish more bands did this?). The show is from Munich, Germany sometime in 1996. It has all the classics from that time, Pearls Girl, Dark Train, Rez, Cowgirl, and Born Slippy. Definitely try to find it or email me if you want it. Also check out Underworld Live for some more live and rare Underworld mp3s.



Nick Drake - Four Leaves : A generally unknown folk singer from England who died after just releasing 3 albums. I was turned on to him by hearing one of his songs being played in a Volkswagen ad where some teenagers ride to a party during a beautiful summer night, park in front of the house but then turn around, realizing they would have more fun driving around in a VW convertible during a gorgeous night then hang out with a bunch of drunken fools. I don't know what song was on the commercial, but it could be anyone of the songs on his melancholy debut CD as they all have that general vibe. The guy has a good voice and the guitar sounds nice too. I found the song played in the ad. It's called Pink Moon from his 3rd album, "Pink Moon".



Deals of the Week:

This is not really a deal, but advise as to buy the new Lord of the Rings : Fellowship of the Ring DVD coming out on November 12th. After reading the reviews (2) and loving the movie, I can't wait for what seems like the best and most throughout DVD to come out ever. (I mean EVER!!) For you bargain seekers take a look here. But look for Best Buy to have it priced somewhat similarly on the release day.



Cool Links of the Week:


The All Music Guide: This is the reference guide to music in terms of band bios, discographies, tracklistings, and reviews. When you want to find out about a band you just heard or about a band you used to like - look here.


Digital Photo Contest: Check out the photos from the daily winner from amateur photographers. Some beautiful pics on this site.

Mr. Boy Studios Check out this site from some young filmmakers, one of whom happens to be my cousin.
posted by Fawaz at 4:53 PM

 
If Woody Harrelson were President "I'd honour Kyoto. Join the world court. I'd stop subsidising earth rapers like Monsanto, Dupont and Exxon. I'd shut down the nuclear power plants. So I already have $200bn saved from corporate welfare. I'd save another $100bn by stopping the war on non-corporate drugs. And I'd cut the defence budget in half so they'd have to get by on a measly $200bn a year. I've already saved half a trillion bucks by saying no to polluters and warmongers.

Then I'd give $300bn back to the taxpayers. I'd take the rest and pay the people teaching our children what they deserve. I'd put $100bn into alternative fuels and renewable energy. I'd revive the Chemurgy movement, which made the farmer the root of the economy, and make paper and fuel from wheat straw, rice straw and hemp. Not only would I attend, I'd sponsor the next Earth Summit. And, of course, I'd give myself a fat raise."


Read more from the article and his anti-war views in the Gaurdian.
posted by Fawaz at 11:53 AM

 
I just read this incredible article about Michael Jordan's support of the resistance movements all over the world. I have not followed Michael's political affiliations over the years (I thought he had none), so this article and Michael's stance on these issues was a surprise to me. I've always thought he was the greatest basketball player and one of the greatest athletes of all time, but now I have a newfound respect for the man. Check out the article at this site.


UPDATE: This could very well be just wishful thinking (a hoax), my cousin, huge MJ fan, did some research and could not find another news source with the same story and in fact Michael's been wearing the black arm band for a while now.
posted by Fawaz at 1:59 PM

 
Movie Review: I saw a pretty good movie this weekend. An English release called Bend it Like Beckham, it's one of those English comedies written and directed by an Indian. I actually saw it with my wife's whole family and we all enjoyed it quite a bit. I love seeing movies made by Indian writers/directors because it's something that I can actually relate to. Usually these type of movies (East is East, My Son the Fanatic, etc) show Indian/Pakistani families living in the west that have gone a little bit to the extreme in one way or another, but still there are things that totally remind me of my upbringing. Usually it's the parents and what they say or the way they react to their children taking on western customs. You know all those stereotypes do come from somewhere and what makes them funny is that more often then not they are spot on. The movie is about an English/Indian girl, Jess (short for Jessminder), who is excellent at soccer and confides her feelings and thoughts to a poster of David Beckham she has up on her wall. Needless to say she loves playing soccer, while her traditional Sikh parents want her to forget "these games" and concentrate more on becoming someone who will attract a nice boy who would want to marry her, much like her sister has done. (The movie kind of takes place around the engagement -> breakup -> marriage of her sister, Pinky.) Jess ends up being recruited in play on a girls club team by a fellow girl player who struggles with her own mothers dislike of her favorite pastime. Anyway the movie was funny and has some good performances, it was somewhat predictable and the ending was not too realistic but overall I enjoyed it a lot more then East is East and My Son the Fanatic.

This movie has not been released in the states as of yet, but has done great business in England this summer. I watched it on a DVD bootleg that we rented from some local Indian store. I usually do not rent or watch these because the quality really sucks (not all DVDs are created equal!), as did the video and sound on this boot. But I really wanted to watch it and I could easily see myself buying once it does get released her in the US. Unfortunately the few people like myself and the people from this site who oppose bootlegs of Indian movies are note really going to make a difference when most the people who rent or buy these have no idea that if a DVD is original or a pirate. I've asked plenty of Indian shopkeepers "Is the quality of the movie on this DVD any good?" They usually answer with "It's on a DVD isn't it?" Sorry wrong answer, numbnuts.

posted by Fawaz at 11:29 AM

 
October 1102:


This is my first posting, look for content and style to change as I get used to this Blogging stuff. Send me feedback if you want.




Review of the week:


James Lavelle : Global Underground #23:Barcelona: This is what I look for in a good techno mix CD. I want to hear a few of the songs I know mixed in with stuff I have yet to be exposed to and that I would really like, and at the same time I want the CD to have a very varied feel to it. To be honest I am not a huge of most dance compilations because usually I don't know most of the stuff that's on there and to me the stuff I don't know sounds very repetitive. James Lavelle is different, of course I like most of his Mo'Wax stuff, I like Psyence Fiction quite a bit, and I love DJ Shadow. The guy has a love for hip-hop, indie rock, and from what I hear here some really good techno. What grabbed my eyes is listings on the CD for Dead Prez and Doves (points for being varied) songs remixed by UNKLE. They both are good and I actually like most of the other techno stuff on there too (although it can be repetitive.) I liked his Radio 1 Essential Mix and Fabric:Live CD (because these favored more down tempo hip-hop then this mostly trance/techno mix). He's going to be at the Smart Bar in Chicago on the 30th of Oct, if anyone is lucky enough to be there then.




Movies Watched This Week:

Filth and the Fury : I am extremely happy I caught this on pay-tv this week, I've been wanting to see thing since it came to video/dvd, of course I never saw it for rent at the local Blockbuster and I was too lazy (or cheap) to rent it online. I love seeing stuff like this, as even though I kind of love shows like Behind the Music , they never cover bands that I love. Julien Temple directed this and from what I know he has been close to the Pistols and their camp since the early stages (He also directed The Great Rock and Roll Swindle ). It was great to see early performances, unfortunately you could tell they replaced the live sound with album recordings. The interviews in this doc really show that Johnny Rotten is extremely bitter about the Pistols and especially Malcolm McLaren, and every right he has to be. Malcolm colm was only in it for money and notoriety, from the way negative way he is portrayed, needless to say that Malcolm doesn't have any new interviews in this doc. The Pistols were created to be a boy-band. Times were different back then. People were pissed at the government, their lack of jobs and money, and life in general. The Pistols were created to appeal to this populace, the disenfranchised youth. Now a days the populaceis franchised youth and that is what current boy-bands appeal too. Malcolm took what was already around (punk music), politized it for the times and created a movement. While at the whole time reaping in financial gain (the tons of money the Pistols were getting by signing recording contracts were definitely not going to them). It was nice seeing the archival interviews with Sid, he comes of as knowing exactly what they were doing and not as some junked up pawn. I really enjoyed this and recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Pistols. Another doc similar to this is the Clash Westway to the World. I totally enjoyed that one too.



Shouldn't Behind the Music be doing shows on bands like this, I haven't watch it in a while but I am sick of seeing Poison, the Crue, P. Diddy and stuff like that, I know they get high ratings, but they could sensationalize bands with crazy histories like the Pistols, the Clash, the Charlatans , the Stone Roses , and the Verve. OK I know these would not get ratings and would probably signal the death of the show, but I would love to see them.



Van Widler: I wasn't expecting much, but I though this movie was very funny, much better then most of the teen gross-out laugh fests to come out recently. Sure it's contrived but it's funny and has good performances, especially from Kal Penn, maybe I am just happy to see an Indian representing, but his lines are hilarious. He was also very funny in American Desi. Be warned: the gross out humor in this movie is extremely gross.



Music I've Been Listening to This Week:

Badly Drawn Boy : whole catalog - Man, Damon is prolific. I was reading an article on Weezer and how they released a new CD just one year after releasing their last. Well BDB is releasing 2 full CDs in one year and both of them rock. Damon's coming back to Chicago this month, I think this might his 4th time around. I have yet to see him, but I have to decide between him and the Streets at the Double Door. Decisions, decisions. Have a look here, you can preview the whole new CD.

Joy Division : Heart and Soul Box

Elbow : Asleep in the Back

Underworld : King of Snake Remixes

John Squire : Time Changes Everything.



Deals of the Week:

Band of Brothers DVD - Looks like a great box for about $50 - Retail $119.99



Other Musing:
I really want to see Rules of Attraction, and I just kind of want to see Red Dragon.



Other Cool Sites I found this week:

The Modern Age : good taste in music, excellent pics

HereInReality : interesting antiwar and awareness links, found from linking from Massive Attack's site


posted by Fawaz at 3:51 PM