Seeds In The Ground...

I don't think i've ever disliked a Rainer Maria record. there's been some i've been into more than others but never have i disliked an album. the first record of theirs that i heard was "a better version of me" and is still my favorite. They're first record was released in '97 and they have since put out 11 records in total, 4 of those being full lengths. last night (11-17-06) the legacy of Rainer Maria came to an end at they're final show in Brooklyn, Ny at Northsix. It was an altogether incredible night. Opening the show was The Jealous Girlfriends followed by Balthrop, Alabama (both of which are great and well worth the time checking them out). Rainer Maria played from about 12:30 to 1:30 and that included two encores. They played everything i wanted hear and plenty i forgot i wanted to hear. they sounded incredible which made it even sadder that they're done. check out the links below for video and pictures of the last show and more info on Ranier Maria. R.I.P.

Photos From the Last show here.

Video: First song of last set (artificial light) and the last song ever (rise).

learn more about Rainer Maria Rilke here.













Rise by Rainer Maria

sometimes
offer more than talking
say "I like you very much"
say, what when cut grows over
pink and white?
carnations
skinny daisies

devise
a way of saving your words
say nothing
if it's forced

for each inch cut
the roots grow ten
where we can't see them

I'm laying in the soil
is it time for me to rise?
I've pulled up my stakes again
is there someone who can take me in?

Odd

I just found out about a painter by the name of Odd Nerdrum. The style of his work is very classical, but the subject matter is often very dreamscape or surreal. It's got real creepy vibe, eeiry vibe to it. From Wikipedia: "

Nerdrum was born in Oslo and studied traditional classical painting in the Art Academy of Oslo and, with Joseph Beuys, in New York. He began to teach himself how to paint in a classical manner, putting himself in direct opposition to the art of his native Norway. Nerdrum became a controversial artist, claiming among other things that his art should be understood as kitsch rather than art as such. His pictures recall works by the Old Masters, particularly those of Rembrandt and Caravaggio."

check out Odd Nerdrum's website for more info and alot more paintings to look at. As well as many articles on kitsch.

optimist / pessimist

see more on flickr...

20 years of nuclear memories

I was just reading the BBC news and saw this article Anatoly Rasskazov. He was the first to photograph the wreckage of Chernobyl in 1986, 20 years ago. From there the article linked to retrospective of sorts on Chernobyl or the past 20 years. it's some pretty outrageous accounts told by people who were there at the time.

Check out the article to see his photos and read Anatoly's story.

Also check here, to learn more about Chernobyl ( look at the "in pictures" section for amazing photos of Chernobyl today, like the one below).

The Owl

Generally i dislike most animated videos. i much prefer watching the band rock. but sometimes , like in the case of "The Owl", animation just works. This video from I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness (from austin, TX) is moody and captivating and works really well with the music. I found this video at 'Boards, which is a great site for 'Boards magazine. They deal Primarily with commercial video and film and have some great stuff posted. make sure to check out the screening room to see more music videos.



Hear more I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness:
Your Worst Is The Best.mp3 (from "their debut e.p.)
(note: ep was produced by Britt Daniel of Spoon)

Randy Newman

I've been on a big Randy Newman kick lately. I've been listening to his first 5 studio albums, well before he joined forces with pixar to do all the Toy Story music. If that's all you know him from then his early work would come as a bit of a surprise. The sound and style isn't to far off but his lyrics are what really set it apart. often utilizing the literary device of an unreliable narrator, his lyrics are humorous but with a point. funny with out being comedy. That's not to say he doesn't have any traditional more straight forward takes. A goodtime if you interested in some unique piano filled pop songs often with a good sarcastic sense of humor.

Listen to Randy Newman live at Studio 4A, at NPR.



political science by randy newman

" No one likes us
I don't know why.
We may not be perfect
But heaven knows we try.
But all around even our old friends put us down.
Let's drop the big one and see what happens.

We give them money
But are they grateful?
No they're spiteful
And they're hateful.
They don't respect us so let's surprise them;
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them.

Now Asia's crowded
And Europe's too old.
Africa's far too hot,
And Canada's too cold.
And South America stole our name.
Let's drop the big one; there'll be no one left to blame us.

We'll save Australia;
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo.
We'll build an all-American amusement park there;
They've got surfing, too.

Well, boom goes London,
And boom Paris.
More room for you
And more room for me.
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town.
Oh, how peaceful it'll be;
We'll set everybody free;
You'll have Japanese kimonos, baby,
There'll be Italian shoes for me.
They all hate us anyhow,
So let's drop the big one now.
Let's drop the big one now."