fireballs & tsunami

Some notes on glam-rock outfit Louis XIV (I think Jethro Tull are responsible for starting this trend, that is, naming your musical act after a historical figure, see also Franz Ferdinand, 50 Cent (named after George Washington’s long-lost twin brothers, okay, not really, but I’m still waiting for a group to call themselves Nathan Hale, I mean, why not? Oh, by the way, I just remembered, funny story, when I was in 3rd grade my teacher asked us to illustrate a prominent event in American history, so I drew Nathan Hale and a tree with a second person asking, “Nathan, what are you doing?” and his answer? “Just hangin’ around.” That was so NOT NICE of me).

In unrelated news, I think my phone is tapped. I can’t imagine why.

IN ANY EVENT, back to Louis XIV (the band, not the French monarch), when I first heard “Finding Out True Love Is Blind,” I passed the group off as an absolute (pun intended) Iggy Pop/Sweet rip-off, but after listening to their albums The Best Little Secrets Are Kept and Illegal Tender, I am really digging their sound. It’s fun, apologetically oversexed, and kind of drrrty.

Of course, this doesn’t change the fact that they wear their influences on their sleeves…and on their leather pants…and on their glitter-dusted boots. But you could argue that the band is keeping it real because, after all, the real Louis XIV certainly wasn’t shy when it came to wearing HIS influences on his GINORMOUS SLEEVES.

I really like Nine Inch Nail’s new song “Only” as well as the excellent David Fincher-directed music video, in which Trent has some fun with office supplies/decorations (watch the video HERE). I read a funny Fincher quote somewhere about what a pleasure it was for him to shove Trent Reznor’s face in a box of pins, but I am unable to locate that quote online. Reviews of NIN’s With Teeth, anyone?

I also discovered on the wonderful Singing Fool website that Liz Phair made a video for “Supernova” (my personal favorite, sorry Liz Phair fans). Watch it HERE.

At the moment my Audioscrobbler statistics indicate that I have listened to 6,188 tracks in the past six months. In other statistical news, I hit the 7,331 track mark (track mark?) on my iTunes, which essentially means my 40 GB iPod is just about full. If I manage to save a paltry 40,000 pennies I can afford a 60 GB iPod just in time for my birthday. HUZZAH.

Ladytron’s new album Witching Hour is pretty fantastic, featuring the usual despondent vocals, intricate mixing, and sinister organs. I hope they bring on the U.S. tour dates soon. Highlights: “White Light Generation,” “Destroy Everything You Touch,” “Fighting in Built Up Areas.”

I cannot get enough of Depeche Mode’s new release, Playing the Angel, up there with Violator and Ultra (Black Celebration is also one of my personal favorites, a great album, really terrific). Highlights: “John the Revelator,” “Precious,” “Nothing’s Impossible,” “Lilian.”

I also recently purchased Chopin: Piano Favorites and Peggy Lee’s I’ve Got a Crush on You, both of which I highly recommend.

In other news, Yoko Ono attempts to repair her image after last week’s little outburst.

I am entertaining the idea of dressing as Nancy Sinatra for Halloween. How does that grab you, darlin’? And speaking of Nancy, I recently discovered that she recorded a stunning version of the Statler Brothers’ 1966 classic “Flowers on the Wall.” She harmonizes with herself like nobody’s business. Listen to it, love it, wear it on a sweatshirt.

I find it ludicrous that Fernando Ferrer’s campaign people are politely requesting supporters to provide their middle name when the mayoral candidate refuses to divulge his own. Sigh. I always suspected that politics were dirty.

Apparently, Ridley Scott and Tony Scott are working on a remake of cult classic The Warriors. It will be set in LA and will — this is just speculation — likely feature a briefcase full of money exploding in mid-air with hundred-dollar bills flying everywhere in slow motion.

ABBA’s “Waterloo” is voted best song of 50 Eurovision years. Way to go, Agnetha Bjorn Benny Annifrid.

I am looking forward to the shipment of my “vintage style” (read: cheaply constructed) Hershey’s shirt, which cost me $15 in candy purchases and the price of filling 24 cavities. Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t. Hurry up, sugar fiends, the deadline for sending your proofs of purchase is Halloween (how apropos).

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 26th, 2005 at 11:05 pm and is filed under Random, Music, Film, Television, Festivities, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.