Under The Covers

Its rare that we find a cover of a song that we like more than the original.  Below are 5 songs that, in my opinion, blow the originals out of the water.  Hopefully you will agree...

It isnt always about winning...

FAILBLOG
...a place that has captured hundreds and hundreds of true fails, whether it be communication fails or a failure in design this blogspot has it all. Dont fail to check it out.

(and yes, I think I am very funny.)

Only in Dreams

Thank you to Jesse for introducing me to this breathoffreshair.

Genius Advertising

“The perfect con is one where everyone involved gets the thing they wanted."

Written and directed by Rian Johnson, The Brothers Bloom is the story of two con men that leaves you with an "emotional payoff," says Johnson. This film stars Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz, Rinko Kikuchi, and Robbie Coltrane.

Heavier than expected, The Brothers Bloom is most definitely worth a see. The dialogue was smart and witty, and the cinematography by Steve Yedlin was perfectly executed. Every last shot in this film was entirely thought out to a tee.

Fact not Fiction: In the film Penelope (Rachel Weisz's character) is asked by Bloom (Adrien Brody's character) "So what do you do?" she replies "I collect hobbies." During the two week rehearsal period Weisz had to learn to look like she could do all the skills that her character Penelope knew. This included banjo, violin, guitar, piano, juggling, break dancing, skateboarding, card tricks, and more. Brody helped Weisz learn to skateboard, she said, "Brody is a good skateboarder, we were in the parking lot outside the place we were filming." Brody also helped her with the difficult talent of rapping, when she first tried "he was so ashamed." The card trick was the most difficult for Weisz and took her a month of practicing every day to learn. The shot itself took eleven or so takes, but the one continuous shot in the film is not enhanced in any way.

Your Mothers Vagina

Umm, seriously, how much do we love this girl??

Radiohead is back in the studio!

This definitely calls for a Yeah Baby!

"Radiohead have started working on the follow up to their 2007 album In Rainbows.

Bassist Colin Greenwood told 6 Music the Oxford band have been busy in the studio over the last week with producer Nigel Godrich. "It was very noisy and chaotic and really fun," he said. 

"It’s at the stage where we’ve got the big Lego box out and we’ve tipped it out on the floor and we're just looking at all the bits and thinking what’s next?"

"I'm very impressed and grateful for Nigel our producer and his ability to make it all sound vaguely plausible," he added.

Greenwood, who was speaking at the Great Escape music festival in Brighton, where he was helping to launch a new music journal called Loops, gave no indication as to when the Oxford five-piece will be releasing their next record or whether they will be briging it out in a similar format to their last LP.

"It's at the stage where we've got the big Lego box out  and we've tipped it on the floor." Colin Greenwood on Radiohead's new album 

Last time, Radiohead offered fans the chance to choose how much they were prepared to pay for In Rainbows.

"We were just saying to people how much do you think we're worth?" he added. 

"It's like a long term relationship and it was great because it kicked off lots of debate about it."

The band have just finished touring with electro pioneers Kraftwerk in South America which Greenwood described as a "brilliant experience".

"They are one of our musical heroes and it was a real privilege to share a stage with them," he enthused.

"What I like about Kraftwerk is I obviously love the beats but I love their melodies too. They seep into your brain and stay there."

The five-piece are due to headline the Reading and Leeds Festivals this summer for a headline show where they have some unfinished business.

"It was a bit frustrating when we were playing some of our own shows last year because it was light for the first half hour, 40 minutes of the show... so we wanted to do it as it was meant to be seen – darker and louder," Greenwood said."

**Article was taken from BBC Radio 6music**

Ear Candy

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson!  My guess is that this is going to be a pretty amaaazing album.  Hear the single "Relator" now at www.thebreakupalbum.com.   

The ablum of duets, titled The Break Up, is said to release on September 8, 2009.  Until then, the lead single, "Relator" is available starting today on itunes.  

About the idea to collaborate with Johansson, Yorn says "I was having a strange week of insomnia and when I finally passed out, it came to me in a dream. I woke up and the whole thing was in my head, fully formed."

Here is the track list for The Break Up: 

-Relator
-Wear and Tear
-I Don't Know What To Do
-Search Your Heart
-Blackie's Dead
-I Am The Cosmos
-Shampoo
-Clean
-Someday

Ridiculously Cheap Flights to Europe!!

STA Travel is offering a limited number of travelers the chance to buy $30 round-trip airfare to London or Paris on Wednesday, May 20, starting at noon Central time (STA offices are open earlier and will accommodate a line, but won't sell the tickets until then). The $30 round-trip tickets, including taxes and fees, are available to any full-time registered students (over age 13), anyone under the age of 26, or any teacher. Tickets can be booked by visiting an STA Travel branch or by calling 1-800-360-9273, not online. The discounted tickets are available only on departures from New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle. Tickets sold will be on either Virgin Atlantic or American Airlines and the purchase is nonrefundable and not amendable. All travel must start before June 15 and be completed no later than midnight 90 days after departure from origin.

"She makes other beat boxers look like Nickelback"

Dont miss out on Brandon Sheer!

"Let Me Let You Go", is the debut EP from the 21 year-old NYC-based singer songwriter Brandon Sheer. The EP is a heartfelt collection of songs that truly capture his feelings of angst and emotion without coming off trite or sounding cliché. The record was Brandon’s first attempt as a producer and hopefully not his last. With songs like “Stare at the Sun” and title track “Let Me Let You Go”, Brandon is well on his way to commercial success, resembling artists such as Pete Yorn and Ryan Adams. “The EP was really just the culmination of my frustrations over the last year. I needed a way to vent”. Undaunted, Brandon realizes the challenges on the road ahead. "To me there just seems to be a void out there right now - a total lack of straightforward, well written, melodic pop rock songs," says the 21-year old dynamo. "I'm not claiming to reinvent the wheel here, nor do I feel that I have to. I just want to write the type of songs that people can relate to and sing in the shower. I am really excited about the response to the new songs," says Brandon. "The reaction is far greater than I’d anticipated" he adds. Brandon's songs combine noticeable elements of his favorite 90's alternative acts as well as some Nashville influences. The lead single, "Stare at The Sun", is a deceptively sunny pop-rock song about self-destruction with an undeniably catchy chorus, while the title track, "Let Me Let You Go”, is a slow burning rocker about trying to get over someone but not being able to. The EP is rounded out by the Beatle-esque “Someone Else”, a ballad about people losing themselves when they become romantically involved with another person. Brandon will continue writing and playing shows and hopes to have a full-length album out sometime next year.

Come see Brandon Sheer LIVE on Wednesday May 20th at 7:00pm at The Canal Room in NY!!!

Brandon Sheer's Myspace

Lets Give Them Something To Talk About

Since I havent done so in a while, I was excited to post some music to share with you. Between Merriweather's voice and lyrics and Francis' Elvis/Michael Jackson dance moves I realized that I couldnt pick just one. So heres two awesome songs/videos that I feel you would enjoy...

We cant hear you when you mumble, Brat-man.

Consumer Email

Like most Americans I am an avid consumer, and as I avidly consume I often find myself ranting, raving, or even questioning a product. Countless times Ive found myself saying "Im going to write to this company blah blah blah" but not once have I actually done so.

Today I came across a site called Minor Tweaks. Its a guy by the name of Tom Bartlett's blogspot dedicated to consumer emails AND responses. You may be asking yourself "Who cares what this dude has to say about random products?" but I kid you not, these emails are definitely worth a read. If you have any sense of humor at all you will enjoy these hysterical and sarcastic emails and responses.

Oh and if you dont have a sense of humor I heard you can buy one on Canal Street for pretty cheap, Recession Special perhaps. The author of these emails, Mr. Bartlett uses his wit and cleverness to make ordinary questions something to laugh about. Heres one for example that I personally enjoyed...

"CONSUMER E-MAIL: Gatorade

Dear Gatorade,

I recently tried your new flavor, Rain. It tasted just like rain -- only sweeter! Way to go! Have you considered offering an icy version of Rain? You could call it "Snow" or perhaps "Sleet." Also, in your advertisements you ask "Is it in you?" Just so you know: It's in me.

All the best,
Tom

[REPLY]

Tom:

We are glad to hear how much you liked Gatorade Rain. One of the brightest spots in our work week is receiving comments like yours. We have ways of measuring success, but none of them are as satisfying as hearing directly from you.

Please be assured that we will always do our best to produce high-quality products that you and your family will enjoy. We want you to know we do make Gatorade Ice, we have Gatorade Watermelon Ice flavor and All Star Ice Punch flavor. Please talk to your store manager to see if they can order it for you.

We appreciate your interest and thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Geri
Gatorade Consumer Response"


So go ahead, do it, click on the link and laugh away. What else are you going to do on this rainy Sunday anyway?
Ohhh right.. you may be heading to Canal Street for that Sense of Humor Special.
Ciao.

Faster Than Furious

If you know me then you know Im like a teenage boy at heart who loves fighter jets, UFC, and ice hockey, and thinks theres nothing funnier than men named "Dick". If you enjoy any of those things, or if you also catch yourself acting like a teenage boy, or if you just really like fast things then I suggest you watch the video below.