Farrell’s away, and we evidently forgot to line up a substitute, which means it’s time for the kids to go wild, run up and down the TGW hallways, throw paper from your lockers all over the floor.
Or we could use the comments section as an open thread for recommendations: books, movies, TV, music, art shows, shopping, restaurants, recipes, links … all across this great land of ours.
Lurkers especially welcome.
New content tomorrow.
i’ll bite. the new joanna newsom album is pretty amazing. sprawling songs, much more sophisticated than the last one (which was my favorite album the year it came out). van dyke parks and steve albini have their hands all over it, too. more american folk epic than british fairy folk, less freak folk than the last one. still lots of animals, especially monkeys, it seems. i want to write something more intelligent about it later, but for now i’ll just say it’s a fine piece of work and if you liked the last one, get your hands on it. i think it comes out sometime in november.
For those of you interested in a good pick-up-put-down, pick-up-put-down (may work especially well for parents of small children) kind of book. Stephen Kinzer’s, Overthrow, tells the stories of US involvement in regime change beginning with Hawaii and ending with Iraq. Each story is tied neatly at the ends (thus the pick-up-put-down aspect), and though we know what the ending of each is going to be, Kinzer successfully injects plenty of suspense.
Especially interesting (and darkly amusing) is the story of Nicaragua (did you know we almost wound up with a Nicaragua instead of a Panama Canal?), whose problems, Kinzer explains, are compounded by the British design of a postage stamp depicting a volcano. Ah the twists and turns of history.
My predictable contribution: If Yo La Tengo is coming to a venue near you on this tour, sell some plasma and scalp some tickets and get your ass to that show. They were in rare form last Friday in Jersey, a rock-n-roll high-wire act.
Here’s an online reading recommendation: I found this post and comments thread from Unfogged the other day to be pretty riveting.
The person whose dilemma is being debated also blogs in a highly literate way. Maybe I’m predisposed to like her stuff, since she apparently studies 18c literature, but she’s just a fantastic writer all around. Her piece on race relations on a Brooklyn subway line was amazing.
Someone just sent me a link to the Iggy and the Stooges concert rider on Smokinggun. I’d put this on my must-read list.
Music: love that new M. Ward record, plus he puts on a helluva show. Saw him last week, and he opened with a super sultry version of “Let’s Dance.” So sexy. Then, he proceeded to bump it up a notch with every song, so that by the end of the show the whole place was jumpin’ and jivin’. Kinda reminded me of seeing the late, great Feelies.
Books: Mary Gaitskill’s “Veronica” is some really amazing writing. I haven’t read anything else by her (yes, yes, I know) or seen “Secretary” (yes, yes, I know), so I can’t compare it to her other stuff. All the same, I marvel at her capacity to keep 3 or 4 narrative threads open and moving at the same time.
Cold prevention: Airborne. Get some and take it at the very first hint of a cold, when that tiny little twitch in your throat tells you you might be getting a cold, but you usually ignore it because you say to yourself, “I’m not getting sick! I can’t get sick!”, so you don’t normally do anything. I managed to stave off a cold for over a week, just using Airborne. I’m a convert. Of course, now I actually *do* have a cold because I ran out of Airborne and didn’t get more for a day and a half. Oh well, back to bed.
I swear by that Airborne stuff, even downed some at Fresh Salt the other night (before the YLT show) (the bartender was really freaked out by the residue on the glass). But I think it’s total snake oil — a fantastic placebo. Happily, although intellectually I don’t believe in it, my body thinks it totally works, so it does.
i’ve heard the new m ward is a little slick. true? he plays an NYU-ony show tonight but we’ll be at Built to Spill.
the “let’s dance” comes from his album The Transfiguration of Vincent. if you don’t have that one, by all means get it. his cover of that song *is* incredible. who’s badmouthing 80s bowie? that’s one lovely song buried in there.
Hey Bryan,
I’ve got “Transfiguration” and still like it better than the new one, but the new one is much better than the last one, “Transistor Radio.” The new one is perhaps a squeak slicker than “Transfiguration,” but not too slick for me. And I like things ragged, usually.
Okay, to bed now for reals.
Movies: “Sherrybaby,” Maggie Gyllenhaal’s most recent Sundance entry patiently asks, in every scene, “Can we change who we are?” It’s frustrating and glum at times, but she is as always radiant (and just had her baby on Tuesday. A girl!). I’m a sucker for those films about starting over.
I was also at the M. Ward show and for me “Let’s Dance” was the highpoint. The cover’s available on iTunes but much better live. I’ve been listening to Feist’s “Open Season,” a remix album, particularly the first two tracks: a solo piano version of “One Evening,” and her own slowed-down cover of “Inside + Out.” Her cover of her cover is sublime.
Reading: Chuck Klosterman’s 2003 book of essays “Sex, Drugs, and Coco Puffs.” “It was written in those fleeting evening moments just before I fall asleep,” he writes. “In and of itself, nothing really matters. What matters is that nothing is ever ‘in and of itself.’” His essay “Appetite for Replication” is a fun ride about going on tour with a Guns ‘N Roses cover band called “Paradise City.”
ooh. great recs, wendy. you’re making my mouth water. i wish i had a little more leisure time. i do love that piano version of “one evening.” (and love that they call it a mix, when it’s really an arrangement.) i haven’t seen a movie in months. must get my ass out and see something. i wanted to see half nelson and now i’m afraid it’s out of theaters.
now i’m sad about not seeing matt ward. the first time i saw him i’d never heard of him. he was opening for lambchop at maxwell’s. he shut the room right up. i felt like i was watching a baby tom waits. he was playing material from _the end of amnesia_. water, so much water under the bridge …
I don’t know much about Matt Ward, but he did just finish doing the score for a movie my friend made, a movie called “The Go Getter,” that will be out in January (Sundance, with all luck). He said the collaboration was great, and that Matt had (surprise) a knack for using music as a narrative/narrator.
Wendy, you’re friends with Martin? I’ve met him a few times through a mutual friend. He’s a great guy, and I’m hoping the movie does well. Small world and all that.
Just woke up for some toast and must to bed again.
TIm , what is it with our six degreesness — Larchmont, M Ward, now Hynes — are you good pals with Kev Bacon?
peter pan’s home page is always good for a laugh.
equally entertaining is peter pan’s christian ministry site. must read “drugs… my acid era” in his bio. he describes how wonderful the moody blues sound after taking LSD — he also found god while tripping on LSD, joined a JW scripture group, and has been spreading the good word ever since… in a cute green outfit.
he also has a cd for sale. and yes, i think he’s serious.
I too thought the Iggy rider was great stuff-can we get him for the convention?!?
Will admit to not liking the latest Gaitskill novel, preferring the short story collection Bad Behavior, and liking the film better than either one.
Jeremy got me into this one-Peep Show. Push it to the top of your queue. And don’t skip “Mark’s video CV” on the extras.
And I hear that Nicaragua is in the planning stages of building their own super canal which will be able to accommodate ships that Panama cannot.
yeah, Peep Show was a highlight of my summer. What a brilliant series.
and where the hell are the lurkers? yesterday they were starting to peek out of the shadows — adriean (who’s shacked up with ruben and the triplets, right), keith’s gal (?). i was hoping to hear from more of the silent majority …
Saw Yo La Tengo live last week, never having listened to their music. Wow. What a show. Only drawback: I now have to stop mocking Dave for his adolescent devotion to the band. So, yeah, sell the plasma, whatever. Get thee to a show.
Books: Just started “A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian”: so far, so good. Full report to come, whenever TGW staff is summoned again on short notice.
And has anyone ever seen the movie “Mrs. Henderson Presents“? Stella and I ducked into a movie theatre during a sudden rainstorm in Key West last February, and to my everlasting delight, this was the film that was playing. SO great. Of course, I would love J. Dench if she did nothing onscreen but sneeze and wipe her nose. But still, what a great flick. Anyone ever seen it?
hey wendy — riding my bike home just now from my office (between #18 and #20) i realized that the funny part about #14 is that you actually do know Kevin Bacon.
At the opening party of the 2006 California Biennial this weekend, we saw Sonic Youth play–at an art museum. I mean I have seen them 100 times and all, but this was totally different not only because of the venue, but simply because Kim was not playing bass most of the time and instead was a whirling dancing handwaving audience-interacting dervish like I have never ever seen her be. Great art, good drinks, and what an amazing show. I know Tim will object but I really like the new album. Also saw this great art there by someone named Leslie Shows. Remember the name.
p.s. Ruben–re. the canal in your comment above–will the Panama Canal have to be renamed the Panama Cannot?
how come no one has recommended “you think we look pretty good together/you think my shoes are made of leather”? been in my mind all day from the title of this post.
thank you dave for your recent post “shame and worry“. It is so important to declare/decry it when such horrible political events occur. you bring an important political sobriety to this wonderful group blog. also, thank you for turning me on to balkinization. I explored the site and stumbled acrross a debate between law professors/celebrities Sanford Levinson and Jack M. Balkin called “Should liberals stop defending Roe?” it is from nov. 2005, but it is one of the most intellectually stimulating things i have read for a while. I thought it was worth including in today’s list of things to experience.
Well, I *was* born with a plastic spoon in my mouth, plus I’ve shot boar with Kevin Bacon in the Black Forest.
Now I’m sad I missed Sonic Youth, but I’m thrilled that the first canal wasn’t in Nicaragua. Then we wouldn’t have one of the best palindromes there is: “A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!”
Here’s one of my all-time favorite musicians, a grandpappy to the freak-folksters of today: Michael Hurley. He’s been around for 40 years and has a bunch of great records. He’s a really amazing songwriter, a dyed-in-the-wool backwoods surrealist, and an American treasure, imho. I finally got to see him a few months ago, after 10 years of waiting, and he’s coming back to town to play McCabe’s and Arthur Nights in a couple weeks.
does anyone know miranda july?
i loved reading her short story in the 9/18 new yorker.
titled “something that needs nothing”.she has a book coming out this spring with more short stories and i will be first in line. and of course “you and me and
everyone we know” was one of my favorite films last year.
we just bought tickets to joanna newsom’s show in philly, which will be
in the sanctuary of a church with an 8 piece string section. her new record
is great, i agree bryan. the show is where we saw polyphonic spree and will oldham
2+ years ago– wanna come down?
and by know i mean let’s invite her to our party.
your blog rocks kids. i have been kookoo the last few days for a song by the mary onettes. “lost” the perfect homage to flock of seaguls, new order, and coldplay. the last one minute is sublime. “when all you do is wrong. when all you feel is wrong. if i could dream away. if i could dream away.” the perfect lyrics for the perfect galloping composition.
shit, the link didn’t work. try this link. scroll down. http://www.3hive.com/ enjoy.
I know one GW writer who would love to Know Miranda July. hint: her photo is in my office and not on my side.
thanks for all the nice comments. ii love your blog. if you haven’t had the chance to see my shows live, i highly recommed the video for my song chinese translation. enjoy.
well at least then jeremy will keep miranda in conversation at our party, if noone else wants to.
i saw Miranda July at my favorite mexican restaurant in silverlake not too long ago. she and her beau gave up their table so that tim and nikki and i could sit down… i’d totally chat her up at the party… haven’t seen that short story, trixie–i’ll have to check that out.
my recommendation: grey’s anatomy, season 2… oops, maybe i am gay.
as long as ruben has felt free to critique one of my picks, i just have to say that i hated “you me and everyone we know” with the heat of a thousand white-hot suns. so precious. so ‘kooky’. i’ve managed to stay friends with jeremy, though, so i won’t pre-judge you, trixie.
jeremy was so funny when we saw mj in that restaurant. nikki totally busted him for going to the bathroom to make sure his hair looked okay.
p.s. backlog in the comments waiting moderation section. can’t clear it up myself.
for you miranda july lovers, she’s also got an “assignment” website called where all y’all can interact.also, for bryan, Half Nelson was a really provocative, sad, good film — and it contained musical works from Broken Social Scene. Most of the songs are on a “b-side” album called bee hives.
i also highly recommend eating sushi with steph and jeremy.
woah, sorry guys. john is showing me how to link. just click all over that comment to find the stuff.
let me try again.
i also recommend my guy’s beautiful and beyond music: ing
yay! i did it!
one more time, because i’m a perfectionist.
for bryan, half nelson was the film i’m talkin’ ’bout above.
thanks for your patience.
i completely agree too precious is the perfect way to put it and dare i say a tad boring. though i do like miranda july and have met her a few times back in the day (1999-2000) so actually i know her better than any of you.
I watched Mrs. Henderson Presents last week, and enjoyed it rather much. I also liked (way more than I expected to, even) Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The 40-Year Old Virgin I thought would be mean, but it was really quite sweet. Tonight’s fare was Paradise Now, which I would also recommend.
What else? Oh yeah, this video of my kid practicing self-feeding:
last night i left a comment about how great it was to see built to spill live again, lo these 5 years on. but i was worried it would come off as one of those “dave i’m home” comments so i removed it. it was 3 am.
frankly, put built to spill and yo la tengo on a stage and have them duel, the kids from hoboken would be mush in about two minutes. i enjoyed the show dave wrote about, but i also felt that the enormous lowes movie theater it was in almost overshadowed the band: it was like watching a movie of YLT. i don’t know if it’s just that i’ve seen them too many times or that the space was overwhelming, but i wasn’t as blown away as dave. i also never noticed how much prince ira tries to channel in his solos. i thought james was the one with the prince fetish.
i liked “you me and everyone,” for the record. didn’t a friend of y’alls do the score, lisa t?
i also love that matt ward *and* bernard sumner posted last night. bernard, i know someone you slept with back in the day who was a vulnerable 18-year-old american visiting london, you dog. are you really related to sting? your name is so much cooler.
as for 3 hive links, i hope you realize some of us go back a long ways wih the kids at 3 hive. we used to publish a magazine together. if you are actually one of the three hivers, peace out, yo. you guys do good work.
i have to bike my kid to school. see you people later.
oh — i also recommend not linking to the non-existent link in 39.
hey m ward: thanks for the link to the video. it’s a lovely little piece. not sure how it’s supposed to substitute for a live performance, but what a fun video.
Bryan - don’t you know the degree of lurking, as you call it, is directly correlated with the number of three year olds one has? Besides, if you push me too hard I’ll be tempted to give my low-brow recommendations for tv viewing (clearly inappropriate for TGW).
okay — but we did get a few folks in addition to you. how about lilly and wayway? i don’t know who they are but i’m happy they’re reading. wayway has an interesting looking blog but i don’t know what it says since the text all looks to be in korean?
actually, i can’t believe ruben has been posting periodically for a couple months and has never written about being the parent of three three-year-olds. That’s got to be some hardcore parenting you guys do. I thought two of them two years apart was tough …
Indeed it is. If we’re talking about the same Way Way, and I think we are, let me start off on my first low-brow recommendation: “Stick It”. Put it on your queue after “Peep Show” and you’ll be charmed by way way immediately.
Hey Lisa T! Thanks for posting the link to Jon’s music. Great stuff! I didn’t know John had played with Henry Grimes. Wow! Sad for LA that once Grimes was “re-discovered” he almost immediately moved to NYC. You lucky New Yorkers should go see him. He plays all the time.
Also, just noticed that Henry Grimes will be playing an all-star benefit for music programs in NYC schools next weekend at St. Marks Church. Dave Douglas and John Zorn will be playing, among many others. Check it. This connects, of course, with Bryan’s post on being a musician. Grimes plays bass, too, Bryan. Read his amazing life story on his website.
Sorry about bad link above. Try it now. (Or maybe Bryan or Dave can kindly edit the above comment.)
thanks for making me feel welcome bryan…i did know someone in the whatsit but would rather be kept anonymous for no other reason than i like secrets and the freedom to speak without a face…i sifted through my unread new yorkers (too much project runway and laguna beach…see now you see why my identity is in the closet) and went to bed last night early to read miranda july’s piece. i loved it. i envied it. it inspired me. without tuning here it could have gone missed so thanks trixie.
Yeah, sorry. I guess TGW doesn’t allow embedded YouTube in comments.
Oh, and I forgot to recommend Veronica Mars.
A mere fourteen years after buying my first YLT record, I’m seeing them live for the first time. Tonight!! And I didn’t even have to sell any plasma!
Is anyone still in touch with Alana K.? She’s friends with Miranda July. (Hey, maybe M.J. will even play the convention. Her spoken-word stuff will float so well over the strains of Cheap Trick.)
Recent recs: the new iPod shuffle (comes out next week and is ridiculously adorable), the 40th anniversary rerelease of Pet Sounds, the new Mark Danielewski novel Only Revolutions, Lifehacker (even though I understand–nevermind use–only a fraction of it), and my new favorite toy, DirecTV with a a 100-hour DVR.
Hey, bryan, yes, Mike Andrews did the score for Me and You and Everyone… and also Donnie Darko, one of the best movies ever.
John and Mike are working on a “tween” movie now called Unaccompanied Minors. Maybe the girls will like it.
hey lilly. cool about keeping the connection mysterious. i also should have noted another apparent lurker de-lurked — or just one of us under yet another pseudonym: ugly betty. love the name.
There appears to have been some sockpuppetry with a few of those comments, I’m afraid.
Wow Dave, that might be my favorite term ever! thank you for the introduction! are you referring to the “celebrity” comments above? is someone gonna log in as miranda july now? and also, speaking of sockpuppetry, I must reiterate that I WAS NOT having a conversation with myself on the strip maul post–I was sockpuppeted!
There you go again taking credit for that post, Stephanie. I don’t see your name anywhere on it. What gives, bitch? Wanna fight?
Strictly speaking, Literacy, taking credit is something you know little about.
You wanna piece of me too, Wagner?
Ooo, I’m so scared. I’ve got better things to do, pal. Plus, you should check your hemline; your sl-IP is showing.
That was not me. I swear.
Hey! me here. it’s so flattering to finally be mentioned on your extraordinary blog. i’m glad a few of you liked my new yorker story (and that shitty little movie i made). And speaking of shitty little things, I just love literacy h. dogfight. best posts on this site. wish that one about the cow-cookie hadn’t gotten pulled. i’ll see what i can do about that philly fete on newyears, i’d love to meet all of you. maybe you could be in my next movie. you’re so cool.
ps. stop calling me a sockpuppet, dave. fine, so i posted under a pseudonym last night to throw my fans off the scent. but i really do love sanford levinson.
hey bryan,
which one of those 18 year olds that i boned back in the day do you know? i love reminiscing. especially now that congressman foley has made underage sex cool again. let’s IM!
Fear not, Pigpie, I could tell that your hoofprints were not in evidence. Clear as aspic are the signs as to whose work this is.
What, no restaurant or art recs? No recipes?
Since I know many people were wondering.
Angelina married Jonny Lee Miller in 1996 after they met on the set of Hackers. Miller may be best known his performance as Sick Boy in Trainspotting. His grandfather, Bernard, played M in the early James Bond films. And literary fans take note, Miller starred in two versions of Mansfield Park-as Charles Price for television and Edmund Bertram in the film.
Now we can all rest easy.
Restaurants? You would have to get out of the house occasionally in order to recommend one, right? I suppose that means that I should have recipies but I’ll have to check with that lurker I’m shacked up with. Art?-anyone seen the Tillmans show, what did you think?
Regarding way way-who knew a slipped bra strap could be so rebellious?
Brian, here’s my very special recipe for Lovsagna:
This is a layered dish, like lazagna, but instead of layers of pasta, I use layers of flour tortilla, and on top the “love,” cornbread — preferably Trader Joe’s brand with a can of corn added to the mix.
For Lovsagna, as with most of my dishes, one can use a number of ingredients. For example, I’ve used a jar of salsa or a can of chopped tomatoes for a layer. You get it?
Starting from the bottom:
-cut the tortillas in quarters, that way they can cover the bottom of the dish (I use an 18 incher for Steph and me. The leftovers are really good).
-so I do a layer of tortilla
-a layer of refried beans with salsa mixed in
-maybe avocado slices on top of that, and don’t forget the cheese…lots of cheese.
-next layer is good for ground beef with taco mix (real or fake meat; it doesn’t matter).
For god’s sake, don’t forget the cheese!!!
-olives are good, as is corn or any type of sautéed veggie…the sky’s the limit.
So you do 3 or 4 layers, what ever you like, but make sure there’s about an inch left on the top because that’s where you pour your cornbread batter. If you feel extra sexy, add a can of pineapple instead of corn to the mix.
I bake for about a half hour at 325-350. If you’re not afraid of raw eggs, I recommend undercooking the cornbread just a touch.
serve with a dollop of sour cream on top, maybe some chives and sliced avocado. Also, make sure you have some good chips for scoopin’ up the goop left in the pan.
Restaurant:
If you’re ever in Nutley, NJ, the best pizza in the world is at Ralph’s on Franklin Ave. Be forewarned, they are closed on Mondays.
From NYC:
Lincoln Tunnel to Rt. 3 West
Exit, Passaic Ave, Clifton
Make a left at the bottom of the ramp
Turn right on Kingsland Ave.
Turn left on Franklin Ave.
Travel about 1 mile
Ralph’s on left-hand side just past a small railroad trestle.
Order two slices (Plain you gavone!)
Tell Gus I said hello.
About Lovsagna: I actually call it Mexican Twinkie Pie (though he made it so he really gets to name it), but by either name–Italian, Mexican, whatever–it will knock you dead with muchos besos.
I hate to air this to the whatsit world, but I feel I have no choice.
Since it’s inception (by me), there has existed a debate en la casina de Steph and Scott: the naming of Lovsagna / Mexican Twinkie Pie. Obviously, as Steph pointed out, I get to name my creation, but she has been on a subversive tear ever since I decreed the name to be what it is, Lovsagna. For whatever reason, however, the name doesn’t rest easily with poor Miss Steph so she drops her suggestion wherever she can and to whoever will listen.
Oh Great Whstsitsers don’t fall for this feeble propagandizing. The name is Lovsagna, period.
Steph is correct on one point: it will knock you dead with muchos besos.
Scott: Much as I love the idea of Mexican Twinkie Pie, I think anything with such a name should involve actual Twinkies. The inventor’s twinkiness doesn’t count. So I’m coming down in favor of Lovesagna. You’ll never hear me call it anything different.
Thanks Dawg.
um. that’s b-dawg. but i prefer “black and white,” which is what my friends are all calling me these days.
Ah yes, “black and white,” one of my finer acomplishments.
Good Lord. I should be going to sleep, but I’m listening to Bjork’s Drawing Restraint 9 soundtrack with headphones on and I’m so taken with the sprawling 10-minute track “Holographic Entrypoint” that I can’t let go. Not having seen the film, I can’t imagine what would be happening during this old Chinese singer’s lament (backed with wooden blocks and someone who sounds like he’s doing karate poses).
Just to follow up on the Yo La Tengo thread here. Jen and I saw them last night. Amazing show, of course! I’ve seen them a good handful of times over the years and this time is way up there. Ira seems to have eased back on the overly long guitar wanks. I like guitar wanks as much as the next YLT fan, but sometimes in the past I would think, “Gee, in the time of this noisey solo they could have played two more songs.” Not last night.
As to Bryan’s BTS vs. YLT claim, I think it’s sort of apples vs. oranges, or more like “highly constructed, almost orchestral rock” vs. “ragged vamping noisepop”. I can’t speak too authoritatively on BTS. I’ve only seen them once and I’m not really a big fan of their records. The show I did see, on the Keep It Like a Secret tour, was an attempt to re-create the recorded songs note for note. I thought this at the time, and then even read an interview with Doug Martsch that said something to the effect that they were going to do the songs as they were recorded, no improvising, no different arrangements, etc. The show was impressive, but I found myself unmoved. The qualities that really attract me to going to live shows - improvisation, different arrangements, surprises - seemed to have been stripped from the music. Maybe BTS’s shows are very different now from this, but those are the qualities that I find very, very attractive about seeing YLT.
clearance flower girl dress…
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