Monday, January 30, 2012

Scary vagina

Another funny comic from Three Word Phrase by Ryan Pequin

Divorce by Louis CK

I really loved this bit from Louis CK's "Hilarious" about divorce.
"I’m divorced, so I’m single again after ten years of marriage. And—no... Cut the shit! Don’t even start with that noise like a puppy died! Let me tell you something. Let me tell you something. And this is important because some day one of your friends is gonna get divorced. It’s gonna happen. And they’re gonna tell you, don’t go “awww sorry.” That’s a stupid thing to say! It really is. First of all, you’re making them feel bad for being really happy, which isn’t fair. And second, let me explain something to you. Divorce is always good news. I know that sounds weird, but it’s true because no good marriage has ever ended in divorce. It’s really that simple. That’s never hap— that would be sad. If two people were married and they were really happy and they just had a great thing, and then they got divorced, that would be really sad. But that has happened zero times. Literally zero. Ray Charles has killed more jews than happy marriages have ended in divorce. So if your friend got divorced, it means things were bad and now they’re—I mean, they’re better. They’re not good, life is shit wall to wall. But they’re better, so you should be happy."


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

New Sleigh Bells

Everyone is posting the new Sleigh Bells video for "Comeback Kid," the second single off their new album Reign of Terror, but I'm going to post it too since I've been listening to it over the past few days.  It's growing on me.



Pretty poppy, right?  Alexis Krauss's voice sounds pretty and she looks great in the video and it could totally be a hit (on alt radio).  Doesn't blow my socks off though, but maybe my expectations are so high since I loved their first album so much.  Let's just say I'm definitely hoping the rest of the album sounds a lot harder.

The FIRST single released in December is more riff heavy.  Listen to "Born to Lose," below:



The System comic

Found a comic called The System by Rosscott, Inc.  He posts a lot about bikes but other stuff too.




Sunday, January 22, 2012

Mark Ronson, Spank Rock and bikes

Saw this music video yesterday at the Bicycle Film Fest which toured through Santa Barbara this weekend:

"The Bike Song" by Mark Ronson feat. Kyle Falconer and Spank Rock



Kinda wish there was more Spank Rock in this, I haven't kept up with him but really liked some of his songs from 2006's Yoyoyoyoyo.   I don't really know the other two guys, although I've heard of Mark Ronson (he's some kind of DJ/producer right?) and am just realizing that he's kinda hot.

Here are some more songs I dug up by these guys:

Mark Ronson feat. Q-Tip and MNDR in "Bang Bang Bang" (officially released as Mark Ronson and the Business Intl)


Spank Rock "Put that Pussy On Me" (Diplo Remix):


Spank Rock feat Amanda Blank "Bump" from Yoyoyoyoyo

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

What are your thoughts on Lana del Rey?

Gorilla Vs. Bear listed Lana Del Rey's song "Videogames" #3 in their top songs of 2011



I gotta admit, I like this song.  I like her voice and the whole Brigitte Bardot thing she has going on.

Am I supposed to dislike her?  I'm out of the loop. Is she just overbuzzed because she's pretty, and therefore people dislike her for being overrated?  I heard she 'tanked' on SNL but I listened to it and thought she sounded fine.  She looked awkward, but then, don't most musicians look awkward on SNL?  I remember cringing through a Radiohead performance a few years ago.  I mean, I LOVE Radiohead and think they always sound great (nor am I saying Lana is anywhere near the same level of Radiohead) ...but even Thom Yorke is awkward.  Thom Yorke is the definition of awkward.  Am I crazy?

---added 1/26/12---

Here's Stereogum's review of her first full album.  I love that they compare her to early Fiona Apple! Remember what a nutter everyone made Fiona out to be, but then it turned out she was really great?  Their review of Lana's album is bad, aside from her first few singles, but not utterly hopeless.  I'm interested to see and hear what comes of her in the next few years.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Pinterest

I've been sucked into Pinterest.  It's kind of like this:


Mostly I've been using it to collect home decorating ideas, but now my feed is turning into a more feminine version of Reddit.  Not that there's anything wrong with that. 


 I don't imagine Pinterest will hold my interest for too long.  It kind of reminds me of when I got into Polyvore, which didn't last too long either.  (see: Outfits based on album covers)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Portland & Carrie Brownstein

I enjoyed reading Margaret Talbot's article in The New Yorker about Carrie Browstein and Fred Armisen, creators and stars of "Portlandia."

photo by Gabriele Stabile for The New Yorker

I like how they're just two buds who are into the same things and managed to make a successful tv show. I like "Portlandia" a lot, maybe because I've been to Portland several times and I totally love Portland. Portlandia's second season just started on IFC, but I will be catching up on the first season on Netflix Instant (recently added).

Brownstein must be a busy gal. She's currently in Europe on tour with Wild Flag. Their debut album on Merge Records was on a lot of 'Top Albums of 2011' lists. So good.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Best of 2011

I suck.  For the past few years I've compiled a "best of the year" mixed tape.  For 2011, I got nothin.  Without a radio show I just haven't had the opportunity or motivation to listen to any new releases.  That sounds like such a lame excuse.  What happened to me?

Luckily, Information is Beautiful compiled this nice graphic based on a collection of Top 10 lists.



I haven't heard any of these albums.  I didn't even know St. Vincent and PJ Harvey had new albums out this year.  I guess the good news is I got a bunch of iTunes giftcards for X-mas and now I have a better idea of what to spend them on.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Don’t ask, “What do you think of my bloomers?”

This list was mildly amusing, from Brain Pickings:
A List of Don’ts for Women on Bicycles Circa 1895.

Some of my favorites include: Don’t cultivate a “bicycle face.” and Don’t discuss bloomers with every man you know.
(c) Kate Beaton from Hark, a vagrant comics 
While you're at it, read the rest of this comic about a female velocipede (aka bicycle) rider from Hark, a vagrant.