Albums:
Fuel had the top rock debut of the week at #42. Sad.
Okkervil River debuted at #62, 2 spots ahead of Drowning Pool's new album. Good for you, humanity.
Hilariously, the new album from Constantine (from American Idol) debuted at #75. Hopefully we've seen the last of him.
Modern Rock:
Finger Eleven topped the charts for the first week with "Paralyzer".
Paramore debuted at #18 with "Misery Business".
Silverchair debuted at #20 with "Straight Lines".
Mainstream Rock:
Three Days Grace stayed at #1 with "Never Too Late".
The Foo Fighters "The Pretender" debuted at #11.
Hellyeah debuted at #19 with "Alcohaulin' Ass", which is as dumb as it sounds.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
New Movies This Week
Superbad - The last MUST SEE movie of the summer, Superbad is yet another hilarious film from the Apatow comedy machine. I saw the movie last night and it's almost as good as the 40 Year Old Virgin.
VERDICT: SEE IT ASAP
The Invasion - AKA The Forgotten Blockbuster. Every year there's a movie that should be huge that just isn't. This year nearly everything has been absolutely huge... until now. This one is going to flop hard.
VERDICT: Skip it.
The Last Legion - Umm, this must not be very good if they're not even going to bother to advertise it, right?
VERDICT: Skip it.
VERDICT: SEE IT ASAP
The Invasion - AKA The Forgotten Blockbuster. Every year there's a movie that should be huge that just isn't. This year nearly everything has been absolutely huge... until now. This one is going to flop hard.
VERDICT: Skip it.
The Last Legion - Umm, this must not be very good if they're not even going to bother to advertise it, right?
VERDICT: Skip it.
New Shit Available
CDs:
The New Pornographers - Challengers / Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight - Like the other band releasing a new CD this week, the Pornographers are an incredibly talented indie rock band that hasn't crossed over in a major way. Nonetheless, their music is definitely worth purchasing, for a reasonable price.
VERDICT: Buy if on sale.
DVDs:
The Lookout - Yet another potentially brilliant indie film that no one's seen. Plenty of people saw shit like Wild Hogs, so why can't something like this make into more than a handful of theaters?
VERDICT: Rent it.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon The Movie - A cult favorite and a show that I'll watch on occasion, the movie is worth a watch, if not a purchase.
VERDICT: Rent it.
The Lives Of Others - Winner of the Oscar for best foreign film last year, this is supposed to be an excellent look into the lives of average people under the tyranny of East Germany. It should be worth a look.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Fracture - I've seen this movie. It's interesting, but forgettable. Great acting by the leads, two of our finest actors.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Doctor Strange - Another in a series of straight to DVD movies from Marvel Comics. These are generally good but not great and I don't see this one being any different.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Inland Empire - I don't know much about this movie, but it's David Lynch and something like 4 hours long, so if either of those things is a problem, don't bother.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Vacancy - I saw this one while it was still in theaters. It was surprisingly good. Very tense.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Perfect Stranger - I haven't heard much about this movie, but supposedly it isn't very good and yet another black eye on the career of Halle Berry.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Wild Hogs - The absolute, bar-none worst successful movie of the year. I have seen it and I wished I hadn't.
VERDICT: Avoid it like the plague.
The New Pornographers - Challengers / Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight - Like the other band releasing a new CD this week, the Pornographers are an incredibly talented indie rock band that hasn't crossed over in a major way. Nonetheless, their music is definitely worth purchasing, for a reasonable price.
VERDICT: Buy if on sale.
DVDs:
The Lookout - Yet another potentially brilliant indie film that no one's seen. Plenty of people saw shit like Wild Hogs, so why can't something like this make into more than a handful of theaters?
VERDICT: Rent it.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon The Movie - A cult favorite and a show that I'll watch on occasion, the movie is worth a watch, if not a purchase.
VERDICT: Rent it.
The Lives Of Others - Winner of the Oscar for best foreign film last year, this is supposed to be an excellent look into the lives of average people under the tyranny of East Germany. It should be worth a look.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Fracture - I've seen this movie. It's interesting, but forgettable. Great acting by the leads, two of our finest actors.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Doctor Strange - Another in a series of straight to DVD movies from Marvel Comics. These are generally good but not great and I don't see this one being any different.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Inland Empire - I don't know much about this movie, but it's David Lynch and something like 4 hours long, so if either of those things is a problem, don't bother.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Vacancy - I saw this one while it was still in theaters. It was surprisingly good. Very tense.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Perfect Stranger - I haven't heard much about this movie, but supposedly it isn't very good and yet another black eye on the career of Halle Berry.
VERDICT: Rent it.
Wild Hogs - The absolute, bar-none worst successful movie of the year. I have seen it and I wished I hadn't.
VERDICT: Avoid it like the plague.
Modern Rock Reviews
Tool - The Pot - A+
The best song off of Tool's new album, the light and trippy "The Pot" is one of the best metal songs of the new millennium.
The Shins - Phantom Limb - A+
Easily the best song off of their new album, "Phantom Limb" features one of the best choruses of the year.
Wolfmother - White Unicorn - A+
Honestly, they could release every song on their debut album as a single and it would be top notch, but this is one of the best and most Zeppelin-esque.
The Thermals - A Pillar Of Salt - A+
One of the best political punk bands in music at the moment, The Thermals deserve a bigger audience and this is the type of song that could give it to them. The lyrics are sharp as ever and the guitars and beat are very radio-friendly.
The View - Wasted Little DJ's - A+
An extremely good indie rock song for a debut CD, "Wasted Little DJs" has a fast beat and hooks worthy of the Arctic Monkeys or Franz Ferdinand.
The White Stripes - Icky Thump - A
A nearly, but not quite, perfect White Stripes that is a bit too heavy for it's own good. This song does tell one of the most interesting lyrical stories of any Stripes song, though.
Tool - Jambi - A
Another great prog metal song from one of the most reliable artists in modern rock music. Like most Tool songs, it features a fantastic build from start to finish.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Hump De Bump - A
An outstanding funk song that gets better every time I hear it.
The Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye - A
Imagine if the Arcade Fire played hard rock music instead of indie rock. This is likely what they would sound like.
The Manic Street Preachers - Your Love Alone Is Not Enough - A-
An excellent comeback song from the long-dormant Preachers. This song has good verses and an above average chorus.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh) - A-
Yet another great single from the Chili Peppers, who seem to be able to create these songs in their sleep.
Velvet Revolver - She Builds Quick Machines - B+
One of the best from Velvet Revolver and a good way to kick off their second album. Probably the best song Guns N Roses never got to record.
The Shins - Australia - B+
A notch below their usual output, this song still has a great sound to it, but the bar is set pretty high for this band.
The Sounds - Painted By Numbers - B+
One of the most overlooked bands at the moment, The Sounds finally puts a song on the radio and it's this excellent indie rocker.
Tim Armstrong - Into Action - B+
A fun reggae-tinged punk song from the lead singer of Rancid that leans heavier on his side project, The Transplants.
The Silversun Pickups - Well Thought Out Twinkles - B+
Not as good as "Lazy Eye", but still just about the best straight hard rock band out there.
Sum 41 - Walking Disaster - B+
One of their best, this is an excellent pop punk song that can't transcend it's genre.
Linkin Park - Bleed It Out - B+
Umm, this song is actually pretty good. As usual, the weakest part is when the screaming guy shows up, but other than that, it's actually well written and well-paced.
Flight Of The Conchords - Business Time - B+
A funny, but not quite hilarious, Tenacious D-lite folk humor song.
The Smashing Pumpkins - Tarantula - B+
Not their best work on their new album, but a nice return for the alt-rock legends.
Tyrone Wells - What Are We Fighting For? - B+
A clever adult oriented rock song with a political message. Essentially, everything that "Waiting on the World To Change" tried to be but failed.
The View - Same Jeans - B+
An excellent indie dance rock debut for the View with a great chorus and breakdown at the end of the song.
The Stars Of Track And Field - Movies Of Antarctica - B+
An excellent debut for an indie band that almost lives up their band's namesake (Belle And Sebastian) with this sweeping indie tune.
U2 - Window In The Skies - B+
A fantastic chorus can't quite completely save the song, but it comes close.
The Vincent Black Shadow - Metro - B+
With a sound that's more like the Dresden Dolls than what their name indicates they'll sound like, this poppy song has a great chorus and good tempo going for it.
Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights - B
A good but not quite great follow-up to "Cash Machine". The song is slower and that doesn't seem to be Hard-Fi's strength.
The Young Knives - Weekends And Bleak Days - B
A solid debut from a band that can probably do better in the future.
The Starting Line - Island - B
Another solid pop punk band enters the airwaves with this solid song from The Starting Line.
The Vincent Black Shadow - Control - B
Another good-to-great song from VBS which is dominated by an excellent chorus.
The Used - The Bird And The Worm - B
I'd call them a My Chemical Romance knock-off, but they were around before MCR. This song isn't their best, but is still good for it's over-the-top genre.
The best song off of Tool's new album, the light and trippy "The Pot" is one of the best metal songs of the new millennium.
The Shins - Phantom Limb - A+
Easily the best song off of their new album, "Phantom Limb" features one of the best choruses of the year.
Wolfmother - White Unicorn - A+
Honestly, they could release every song on their debut album as a single and it would be top notch, but this is one of the best and most Zeppelin-esque.
The Thermals - A Pillar Of Salt - A+
One of the best political punk bands in music at the moment, The Thermals deserve a bigger audience and this is the type of song that could give it to them. The lyrics are sharp as ever and the guitars and beat are very radio-friendly.
The View - Wasted Little DJ's - A+
An extremely good indie rock song for a debut CD, "Wasted Little DJs" has a fast beat and hooks worthy of the Arctic Monkeys or Franz Ferdinand.
The White Stripes - Icky Thump - A
A nearly, but not quite, perfect White Stripes that is a bit too heavy for it's own good. This song does tell one of the most interesting lyrical stories of any Stripes song, though.
Tool - Jambi - A
Another great prog metal song from one of the most reliable artists in modern rock music. Like most Tool songs, it features a fantastic build from start to finish.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Hump De Bump - A
An outstanding funk song that gets better every time I hear it.
The Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye - A
Imagine if the Arcade Fire played hard rock music instead of indie rock. This is likely what they would sound like.
The Manic Street Preachers - Your Love Alone Is Not Enough - A-
An excellent comeback song from the long-dormant Preachers. This song has good verses and an above average chorus.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh) - A-
Yet another great single from the Chili Peppers, who seem to be able to create these songs in their sleep.
Velvet Revolver - She Builds Quick Machines - B+
One of the best from Velvet Revolver and a good way to kick off their second album. Probably the best song Guns N Roses never got to record.
The Shins - Australia - B+
A notch below their usual output, this song still has a great sound to it, but the bar is set pretty high for this band.
The Sounds - Painted By Numbers - B+
One of the most overlooked bands at the moment, The Sounds finally puts a song on the radio and it's this excellent indie rocker.
Tim Armstrong - Into Action - B+
A fun reggae-tinged punk song from the lead singer of Rancid that leans heavier on his side project, The Transplants.
The Silversun Pickups - Well Thought Out Twinkles - B+
Not as good as "Lazy Eye", but still just about the best straight hard rock band out there.
Sum 41 - Walking Disaster - B+
One of their best, this is an excellent pop punk song that can't transcend it's genre.
Linkin Park - Bleed It Out - B+
Umm, this song is actually pretty good. As usual, the weakest part is when the screaming guy shows up, but other than that, it's actually well written and well-paced.
Flight Of The Conchords - Business Time - B+
A funny, but not quite hilarious, Tenacious D-lite folk humor song.
The Smashing Pumpkins - Tarantula - B+
Not their best work on their new album, but a nice return for the alt-rock legends.
Tyrone Wells - What Are We Fighting For? - B+
A clever adult oriented rock song with a political message. Essentially, everything that "Waiting on the World To Change" tried to be but failed.
The View - Same Jeans - B+
An excellent indie dance rock debut for the View with a great chorus and breakdown at the end of the song.
The Stars Of Track And Field - Movies Of Antarctica - B+
An excellent debut for an indie band that almost lives up their band's namesake (Belle And Sebastian) with this sweeping indie tune.
U2 - Window In The Skies - B+
A fantastic chorus can't quite completely save the song, but it comes close.
The Vincent Black Shadow - Metro - B+
With a sound that's more like the Dresden Dolls than what their name indicates they'll sound like, this poppy song has a great chorus and good tempo going for it.
Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights - B
A good but not quite great follow-up to "Cash Machine". The song is slower and that doesn't seem to be Hard-Fi's strength.
The Young Knives - Weekends And Bleak Days - B
A solid debut from a band that can probably do better in the future.
The Starting Line - Island - B
Another solid pop punk band enters the airwaves with this solid song from The Starting Line.
The Vincent Black Shadow - Control - B
Another good-to-great song from VBS which is dominated by an excellent chorus.
The Used - The Bird And The Worm - B
I'd call them a My Chemical Romance knock-off, but they were around before MCR. This song isn't their best, but is still good for it's over-the-top genre.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
New Movies This Week
Stardust - The latest movie to be adapted from a Neil Gaiman novel, Stardust features an all-star cast and tells a fascinating story. In short, I can't wait.
VERDICT - SEE IT.
Rush Hour 3 - I'm not a big fan of Chris Tucker or the Rush Hour movies. I think they're both pretty sad. It should be a big hit, though, so if you like stupid buddy cop stereotypes, by all means, have at thee.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Daddy Day Camp - The first movie sucked and this one doesn't even have any of the same stars or the same director. Cuba? Yeah, we're gonna need that Oscar back. Now.
VERDICT - NOT A CHANCE IN HELL.
VERDICT - SEE IT.
Rush Hour 3 - I'm not a big fan of Chris Tucker or the Rush Hour movies. I think they're both pretty sad. It should be a big hit, though, so if you like stupid buddy cop stereotypes, by all means, have at thee.
VERDICT - SKIP IT.
Daddy Day Camp - The first movie sucked and this one doesn't even have any of the same stars or the same director. Cuba? Yeah, we're gonna need that Oscar back. Now.
VERDICT - NOT A CHANCE IN HELL.
Modern Rock Update
Albums:
Korn's Untitled album debuts at #2, surprisingly high for a band otherwise assumed for dead.
The Starting Line debuted at #30 with Direction.
Modern:
The White Stripes stayed at #1 with "Icky Thump" for a third week.
Debuting this week at #16 is the new single from the Foo Fighters, "The Pretender".
Mainstream:
Three Days Grace has the new #1 single with "Never Too Late". Great...now this one will probably stay on the charts for 6 months like every other damn Three Days Grace song.
Debuting this week at #20 is Flyleaf's "All Around Me".
Korn's Untitled album debuts at #2, surprisingly high for a band otherwise assumed for dead.
The Starting Line debuted at #30 with Direction.
Modern:
The White Stripes stayed at #1 with "Icky Thump" for a third week.
Debuting this week at #16 is the new single from the Foo Fighters, "The Pretender".
Mainstream:
Three Days Grace has the new #1 single with "Never Too Late". Great...now this one will probably stay on the charts for 6 months like every other damn Three Days Grace song.
Debuting this week at #20 is Flyleaf's "All Around Me".
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
New Shit This Week
DVDs:
Disturbia - A surprisingly tense teen-oriented thriller that knows it's nothing special and doesn't go to the extreme in any direction.
VERDICT - RENT IT.
I Think I Love My Wife - Slow week if this is the second best movie available. I haven't seen it, but I'm not terribly excited about it. Still, Chris Rock is always worth a look.
VERDICT - RENT IT.
TMNT / Unaccompanied Minors / Are We Done Yet? - Three movies that are absolute shit from concept to cellulouid. I barely even want to talk about any of these movies, let alone watch them.
VERDICT - AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE.
CDs:
Operator - Soulcrusher - It's an even weaker week for new CDs. Frankly, I don't even know that much about this band, but their first single is pretty good, so they may be worth a listen.
VERDICT - BORROW IT.
Disturbia - A surprisingly tense teen-oriented thriller that knows it's nothing special and doesn't go to the extreme in any direction.
VERDICT - RENT IT.
I Think I Love My Wife - Slow week if this is the second best movie available. I haven't seen it, but I'm not terribly excited about it. Still, Chris Rock is always worth a look.
VERDICT - RENT IT.
TMNT / Unaccompanied Minors / Are We Done Yet? - Three movies that are absolute shit from concept to cellulouid. I barely even want to talk about any of these movies, let alone watch them.
VERDICT - AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE.
CDs:
Operator - Soulcrusher - It's an even weaker week for new CDs. Frankly, I don't even know that much about this band, but their first single is pretty good, so they may be worth a listen.
VERDICT - BORROW IT.
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