November 15, 2004

Recommending

Two quick recommendations for you. Go see The Incredibles. You like animation right? Of course you do. And you know that Pixar has consistently turned out some of the smartest feature-length animated films in years? Of course you do. The Incredibles marks their first genuine attempt at a film about people, not animals or toys, though still not entirely normal people either; it’s about super-heroes. This thing is crammed with great laughs and intelligent writing for interesting characters. Lots to enjoy here for everyone.

For music fans, get The Arcade Fire’s new album, Funeral. It’s catchy as hell and demands to be listened to again and again. I just heard it for the first time last week, and I am sad to say, I have probably listened to it at least once a day (maybe more, I am trying not to look too bad here). The Pitchfork Media review of the album put it perfectly, so I will not try and do it better, but I will show you some free music samples from the album. I am going to see these guys on Sunday and can’t wait.

Update

The show was nothing short of amazing. If you see these guys live and you ain’t moving, you must be dead. They pack the stage with six members (including a spastic Napoleon Dynamite look-alike) and jump from instrument to instrument, creating a thick, full sound. They ran through all of Funeral and even threw in The Talking Heads’ This must be the place for good measure. Beautifully harmonic and highly recommended.

Commentary (15):

1. parnissia says… nov 10, 2004 | 2:45 pm

There’s nothing sad about saying you listen to a particular album at least once a day. I listen to “The Funeral” at LEAST five times a day. PROUD OF IT! :)

2. Dan Mall says… nov 10, 2004 | 2:47 pm

One thing to mention about The Incredibles: although there has been as much hype about it as Finding Nemo, there are subtleties about The Incredibles that make it much better, in my opinion. For instance, the movie seems to be set in the early forties or fifties, and Pixar did an excellent job of washing out the color to reflect the time period. It’s the little things.

3. Todd says… nov 10, 2004 | 3:21 pm

I second the Incredibles recommendation. I saw it last Friday and really, really enjoyed it. One of my new favorite movies.

4. Gabriel Mihalache says… nov 10, 2004 | 3:28 pm

Dan, like the “wicked worn look” for film? 8^)

5. Jon Hicks says… nov 10, 2004 | 4:15 pm

I’m with you on the Arcade Fire. I discovered them via 3hive.com, and was hooked!

Looking forward to seeing the incredibles too.

6. Dan Mall says… nov 10, 2004 | 4:26 pm

The “Wicked Worn Look” for film? I like it, Gabriel! Whaddya say, Stan? Hehe . . .

7. Jason Santa Maria says… nov 10, 2004 | 4:31 pm

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow took that title… at least for this year.

8. Jason Beaird says… nov 10, 2004 | 5:43 pm

I’m really liking the sample tracks of Arcade Fire. I guess I could use something a little more upbeat in my work playlist than Modest Mouse and the new album from Cake.

9. Karl says… nov 10, 2004 | 9:37 pm

Yep, The Incredibles pretty great. But the reason why Pixar’s films have been so good is that they are not really about toys, monsters, fish or superheroes. Rather, they are about office politics, outgrowing relationships, parent-child relationships, mid-life crises, building real (vs. faux) self-esteem, etc. It’s also notable that kids in Pixar movies are (ironically) much more like real kids than the standard Hollywood version of kids.

Plus, animation fans should note the voice cameos by Disney animation legends Ollie Johnson and the late Frank Thomas, who provide an inside joke about “the old school.”

10. this isn’t my website says… nov 10, 2004 | 10:26 pm

.…just discovered that link. Thought you might enjoy it. Very clever. Humorous as well. You linked to MY site back in July. Just wanted to thank you for that. Thanks. You are on your way!

11. Michele says… nov 11, 2004 | 12:12 pm

I can’t wait to see The Incredibles. I think it will be out in a couple of weeks here (Italy)…

12. kadavy says… nov 11, 2004 | 10:16 pm

That’s right. There isn’t anything sad about listening to a certain album every day. I am not afraid to admit that I will sometimes listen to “Hard To Explain” off of The Strokes album, Is This It, on repeat for upwards of 6 hours. It has a hypnotic beat to it that melts together on repeats and is great to work to.

13. Seth Thomas Rasmussen says… nov 12, 2004 | 1:33 pm

Everybody is raving about The Incredibles. I am jealous.

Also… hahaha… Pitchfork… hahaha…

14. Dane says… nov 13, 2004 | 4:58 pm

I just ordered Funeral from my local Indie record shop, who just opened this week.

Heh. You think listening to the same CD five times a day is bad? I dialed in those Arcade Fire streams and listened to the same three songs for an entire day!

Jon, props for the 3hive.com mention. I have those guys as my home page, and it’s always great to see both familiar and unfamiliar names grace their pages.

15. bearskinrug says… dec 1, 2004 | 9:58 pm

I am Stan. And I am here now.