Listening AM

Dear Michael,

For many years now, I have not been much of a fan of Wilco's first album, A.M. It's not a horrible album. In fact, it did produce
,
so it clearly isn't too horrible. I think what I don't really like about A.M. is that it sounds too much like Uncle Tupelo. Just not quite. What worked so well for Tupelo was the interlplay between Farrar songs and Tweedy songs. Their distinct writing styles matched with their equally distinct voices worked nicely with punktry Tupelo sounds. A.M. sheds much of the punk sound and opts more for the roots rock/country stylings. This works quite well for Tupelo and Son Volt, but I don't think Tweedy's voice and writings work as well solely in the roots-rock sound.

----------------
Now playing: U2 And Leonard Cohen - Tower Of Song
via FoxyTunes

Pleistocene hilarity

So these Geico caveman commercials ring true with contemporary audiences because they have the same problems that everyday shlubs have. Therapists, neuroses concerning mothers, and techno-pop playing while strolling through airports carrying wood rackets (ah, more cleverness). I'm not sure the new show on ABC can maintain such richly comedic textures.

So, this fall we will see if they can outlast Nielsens.






Additionally this fall, we have the privilege of seeing more Heroes. I just began watching the show myself. It's fun. Indestructible cheerleaders, serial killers (or are those the same things?), and a glorious musical score by Mr. Michael Sembello. Wait, you didn't score the show? Then why the hell are you talking to me about it? Sometimes you piss me off real good, Michael Sembello.

I think you're done with Sergio

Michael,

I hadn't listened to it in a while, but "Jane Says" is a really good song. I got kind of tired of it because that's the song that seemed to be popular by Jane's in the late 80s. I still thought it was a good song but was just tired of it. But after listening to Nothing's Shocking again, I feel "Jane Says" is quite strong and holds up all these years later. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the horn-fueled "Idiots Rule" leads into "Jane Says", but song sequencing alone doesn't explain why the song has aged so well. I think it's the steel drums. You?

Anyway, Superbad opens on Friday

Hopefully, you are in it, and Bret Ratner did not direct it.

I think this is my third entry

Hi Michael. I continue waiting patiently for your correspondence. I hope all is well with you. I presume you still have your interest in Balinese puppetry. I happen to be watching another Bret Ratner masterpiece, "After the Sunset". Pierce Brosnan says "Don't go in there" as what's her name is about to go in there. She retorts with, get this, "I'm getting nervous, and I don't get nervous." Oh Michael, I'm surprised I can type through the laughter. Now Woody Harrelson is getting out of bed. I wonder how many takes it took for Bret to stop howling when he asked for Woody to come onto the set. That guy is a prince. A real gem. All movies should somehow feature Chris Tucker. Oh damn, Pierce Brosnan's character answers the phone with "State your business". Where was this movie when I was learning the steeley resolve one needs in order to be cool in the world?

See the brilliance of "After the Sunset" is the conceit that the movie consciously makes fun of its own attempt to be "To Catch a Thief," only in a playful, uninteresting way. The main running gag is that Brosnan's character, a former thief retiring to an island paradise (ahh, ahh, see the connection?), is being chased by the cop, Woody Harrelson, who is, I suppose, the new Grace Kelly character. Anyway, the continuing gag is that Pierce rented a copy of "To Catch a Thief" for Woody's character. Redoubtable laughter ensues. Unfortunately, Don Cheadle was dragged into this film, and he's not very funny. Not Bret Ratner funny at least. I think the accents are Bahamanian, but I'm too enthralled with the majestic dialog to actually take note of the accents.

Well Michael, I wish you were here to enjoy this beautiful, tender filmmaking with me. Maybe, instead, you're watching the episode of "The Twilight Zone" which features the old folks in the old folks' home who learn the value of being old by being made young again. It's on at the same time.

This is not a title?

Dear Michael,

I haven't heard from you yet, but I remain steadfast in my hopes to read from you soon. In the meantime, have you received my flowers? I sent them to Michael Sembello, c/o Canada. You should have them soon. I should have asked before: Are you Canadian? A friend of mine is sure you're Canadian based on the accent in your songs, but I'm not sure. What is a singing accent? Is it an accurate measure of one's nationality?

This is the beginning

Despite the name, this blog will have little to do with the forgotten joys brought forth from Michael Sembello, perhaps only 2-3 posts per day on that topic. Of course, I will often denigrate the unimaginable career of Brett Ratner. For instance, Rush Hour 3 has received a 23% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This makes little sense to me as the rating system allows for 23 fewer fresh % points which that movie could receive. How did this not happen? Somehow, Brett Ratner has credibility, even after ruining the promising X-Men and Lecter properties. Russell Simmons, thank you for sharing Public Enemy with the world. But you are kind of a dick for hiring Ratner for videos and then nefariously unleashing his directing skills on the world.

Anyway, Michael Sembello, if you read this, give me a write. Let me know how your post-"Maniac" world has become. What are you hobbies? Do you like tapas? I met a steel-town girl but not on a Saturday night. Should I still worry about being cut like a knife? I recently moved to Denver and have not yet mastered baking at such an altitude. I know it involves something with eggs. Do I substitute brown eggs for white eggs? Or does that not add enough vanilla?

Also, I'm sorry I haven't gotten around to writing a Wikipedia entry about you. I feel ashamed that such a gaping whole exists in that cultural ephemera. Soon, this void will be filled, possibly with information about you.