Check the links for full reviews.
Live Shows:
1. Seinfeld
From the moment he sprinted dramatically on stage one couldn’t help but smile. Hearing his voice live was surreal. Hours of sitting in front of your television watching Seinfeld suddenly came rushing through the forefront of your consciousness causing a single tear to descend. Once everybody got over the fact that he does exist in three dimensions, the laughter was continuous.
2. Weezer
Rivers went bonkers throughout the entire show. He’s departed from his usual overtly awkward stage moves to what seems to be a satire of today’s rock hero. His t-shirt was sans sleeves, oddly places tattoos blotched his gym-visited arms and every few songs he felt the need to grab a New Era Fifty-Nine Fifty fitted hat from a fan in the crowd to wear on his visibly balding crown.
3. Jay-Z
Hov elevated out from under the stage; blacked out Jordans, black pants, black T, black leather jacket, black sunglasses, two Jesus-pieces, and a Jason Halloween mask. He tossed off the mask to show a more confident face. Run This Town blasted around him. One couldn’t help but be enveloped by his expression. It read: “I am the best thing that I could have imagined being. I came up from cocaine-dealing in Brooklyn to selling out shows around the world. Thousands of people get together to see me recite my verses on stage. I am great.” It was convincing.
4. The Killers
Flowers is a beautiful man. He came out and one could not help but aspire to be more like him. You stand there in awe wishing your pants were as tight as his, wishing your outfit was as well chosen, wishing you could write lyrics so desperate, for this night you even wished you were a few inches shorter just to be more like Brandon.
Two songs in, Adam made dreams come true as he put his mic-stand aside and flew through a repertoire of microphone slinging tricks. He threw his mic up into the air only to catch it the moment it was time for him to deliver a verse. He swung his mic outwards and it coasted in circles, wrapping around his neck only to make its way to his mouth so he could drop the chorus. He threw his mic away and whipped it back in an instant; around his elbow, into his palm. Perfection.
Albums:
1. Kid Cudi – Man on The Moon (The End of Day)
Man On The Moon stands as one of the best albums of this year without a doubt. Cudi’s debut has made it on to all the biggest lists of the year including the Grammy Nominations List and rightfully so. The album is close to perfect. It stretches the confines of hip hop with new collaborations and direction, but without the loose sound of experimentation. The concept is great and followed through and there’s nothing better than sincere lyrics that gradually envelope you over months of listening.
2. David Ace Dean – Imaginary Girls
David Ace’s newest album, Imaginary Girls is a available as a book/CD combination. The book is handmade and available through Montreal-based WithWords Press. The limited production piece features lyrics and poetry from David Ace combined with illustrations from Stu Getz. Beyond that very cool concept, the album is phenomenal over time. Subtle production and accessible lyrics will leave you relaxed and contemplative of girls that never had the chance to get away.
Raditude has taken some slack for being a gimmicky record after listening to Rivers’ thirst for Patron and a Lil Wayne guest spot. This is false. It was apparent that Rivers isn’t trying to convince anybody he’s cool. Raditude is a compilation of great live tracks and a slight variation on the packaging that contains the Weezer message: We’re not really cool dudes; we’re just doing our thing.
Movies:
1. Inglorious Basterds
Tarantino’s newest movie is as masterpiece. Anti-Anti-Semitic violence never looked so good. The graphic movie stays true to Quintin with great talking heads scenes, great cinematography and action. That’s all that’s going to be said. Go see it.
2. (500) Days of Summer
This was a surprisingly good movie and should not be mistaken with a typical love story. Accessible characters, artistic shots and the best soundtrack of the year make this worth seeing for sure.
3. Precious
This movie is very powerful and absolutely devastating throughout. It’s put together very well combined with exceptional acting it’s a great film contemplating the power of human intentions – for better or worse.
