24 Postcards in Full Colour
by Max Richter
In addition to Independence Day and National Hot Dog Month, July marked Cell Phone Courtesy Month. Let me challenge you to celebrate year round!
If ring tones were more sonically pleasing, perhaps it wouldn’t matter if we forgot our manners and failed to silence our cell phones in public places. Enter composer Max Richter. Richter’s 2008 album 24 Postcards in Full Colour is a collection of dreamy and atmospheric musical moments, composed with the intention they be used as ring tones. The longest track is a mere 2 and a ½ minutes.
Richter was born in Germany, but his family moved to the UK when he was a young lad. Growing up he listened to a whole lot of Philip Glass, Pink Floyd, The Clash, and artists in the electronic music scene such as Kraftwerk. After completing studies in composition and piano, Richter spent time in an ensemble that played works by composers such as the aforementioned Philip Glass, Brian Eno, and Steve Reich. Richter eventually began to focus on his own compositions releasing solo albums in the 2000’s, which brings us back to 24 Postcards. Some music snobs will say these very brief compositions are a creative cop-out, I say don’t forget it’s a concept album!
The album name, 24 Postcards in Full Colour, not only refers to the 24 tracks, but to the 24 accompanying photos in the liner notes. These snapshots, some of which were taken by Richter, add more facets of insight and enjoyment to the listening experience. He has also scored films, including last year’s Waltz with Bashir.
So always remember to practice cell phone courtesy. And the next time you decide to assign a new ring tone, think of Max Richter. Or consider John Cage’s most famous composition…
We’re in the midst of summer now, and for me that means sitting in the shade while reading a great novel, enjoying the amazing taste of homegrown tomatoes, and listening to summer-worthy pop music. For your listening pleasure I present my top five songs to inspire your travels, cool down your hot summer nights, and create timeless summer memories…
Ramble On is the best tune to start off any road trip, even though the lyrics speak of Autumn. Buckle your seat belt, and obey all speed limits. “The time is come to be gone.”
My high school BFF Amy and I used to ride in my old Oldsmobile, windows down since it had no AC, and sing along to my cassette tape of Depeche Mode’s Never Let Me Down Again. “I’m taking a ride with my best friend…”
Heroes may be Bowie’s best song ever. Guaranteed to generate inspiration and motivation even during the hottest day in August. “We can be heroes just for one day.” (A version of Heroes from Bowie’s Reality Tour can be downloaded at freegal!)
Any Bob Marley song is worthy of a summer mix, but my favorite is Redemption Song. “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our mind.” What a lovely reminder to let go of your burdens.
For those that want to stir up a little summer romance, Jeff Buckley’s Lover You Should Have Come Over is sure to melt anyone’s heart, and ice-cream! “So I’ll wait for you…and I’ll burn. Will I ever see your sweet return?” (A live version of Lover You Should Have Come Over, included on the compilation Grace Around the World, can be downloaded at freegal!)
So be safe and have fun the rest of your summer. If you’re looking for more ideas for entertainment, my colleagues and I have put together a display of movie alternatives to the summer blockbusters. Stop by the Main Library and check out our suggestions!
-crystal
Ladyhawke
by Ladyhawke
I’m a lady that’s gaga over an artist who goes by the name Ladyhawke. Wait a minute, isn’t Ladyhawke that movie from the 80’s with Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfiefer, and a pre-Ferris Bueller Matthew Broderick? Yes, you’re correct! But if your musical influences and pop culture obsessions hail from that decade, what better movie to name yourself after…
Ladyhawke (aka Pip Brown) grew up in New Zealand, and joined her first band named after a movie: Two Lane Blacktop. Pip later relocated to Australia, participating in various musical projects, before branching out on her own. She then moved to London and co-wrote and recorded her debut album with the help of various producers. If you love 80’s pop music, listening to this album will evoke those songs you adore, while maintaining originality and enthusiasm for the genre. Standout tracks include the album opener “Magic,” and power pop anthem “My Delirium,” but all the songs are instantly accessible to the pop-friendly ear. So put on your “Frankie Say Relax” t-shirt and give Ladyhawke a spin. -Crystal
I am freaking out at the impending end to my beloved TV show Lost. What could possibly take its place??? Books?? (Just kidding, a little library humor thrown in for free.) If you’re in the “so sad to see Lost end” camp like me, here are my suggestions to work through your grief and move on.
- Battlestar Galactica – if you haven’t watched BSG (the new series), you’re in for a wild journey. Like Lost with great characters, intriguing mythology, mystery and suspense, but in Space!
- Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials Trilogy – if you especially enjoy the philosophical side of Lost, Pullman’s novels will definitely fill the void.
- Rose and Bernard, although minor characters of the cast, have a huge following among Losties! For more retired persons/senior citizens on adventures, read The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian, or watch the Oscar-winning animated movie Up.
- The Prisoner – this amazing British TV series from the late 1960’s starring and co-created by Patrick McGoohan will satisfy your need for deep intrigue and mystery.
- The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher – if you especially like Sawyer’s biting wit (and those nicknames!), you’ll dig this fantasy series featuring Chicago’s only wizard in the Yellow Pages, Harry Dresden.
- One of my favorite scenes on Lost occurred when Hurley declares a desire to write the script for The Empire Strikes Back and send it to George Lucas. For more hilariously geeky conversations and lovable characters, don’t miss The Big Bang Theory.
- My personal favorite suggestion to overcome Lost grief, and one I hope to someday achieve: travel to Hawaii and visit locations where Lost was filmed.
Big Train
Series created by Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews
Give me a whoop whoop if you love sketch comedy! Yikes! Now people are staring at you…Oh well, perhaps it’s apropos to start a review of an absurdist, deadpan comedy show with an awkward moment. Without any further ado, allow me to introduce Big Train. Big Train was created by Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, whom you may know from the brilliantly funny Father Ted. You won’t exactly be laughing out loud upon viewing any of the twelve episodes of Big Train; rather, you’ll think of one of the sketches days later and laugh maniacally in an inappropriate place (like the intense study area of your library!) Standout sketch characters include the evil hypnotist, foul-mouthed Florence Nightingale, and Dracula, who has an aversion to the sight of blood. My personal favorite is the boss who diverts his employees’ tough questions with magic tricks and puppies. Keep in mind this is Comedy 401, not 101. I’d recommend a visit with Monty Python before you catch the Big Train.
- crystal
March isn’t just for basketball, it’s also time for the Academy Awards! After many years of five “Best Picture” nominees, ten films have been shortlisted for this year’s award. Although this category has included only five nominees for many years, there have been as many as twelve films nominated. If you want to geek out on the Oscars, visit the Academy Awards Database. Listed here are films that were nominated from 1931 to 1940, when the “Best Picture” category was called “Outstanding Production,” and the number of films nominated topped out at twelve.
- Crystal
Pushing Daisies
Series created by Bryan Fuller
The 2000 – 2010 decade in American Network Television was full of crime scene investigations, court dramas, and way too much reality TV. There were a handful of shows who dared to eschew those tired formulas. Pushing Daisies was one of those shows. Alas, it was canceled after just two short seasons, but you can treasure every episode on DVD.
Created by Bryan Fuller (who first cut his writing teeth on Star Trek Voyager), Pushing Daisies is a charming fantastical mystery series with timeless appeal. Watch this show with your kids or your grandparents and everyone will find entertainment value. The cast is amazing, especially the lovely and talented Kristen Chenoweth, who often steals the show! The writing is clever, and full of biting wit. Perhaps best of all, the show is narrated by Jim Dale, voice of the Harry Potter audio books. The story behind the show is this: owner of the Pie Hole dessert restaurant Ned possesses the unique talent of being able to bring the dead back to life merely by touching them. However, the person or other living thing may remain alive only for one minute, or someone else dies in their place. A second touch will render the person dead again, unable to be revived. Through his connections with private investigator Emerson Cod, Ned revives his childhood sweetheart Charlotte (nicknamed “Chuck”) who was strangled while on a vacation cruise. Now that Chuck is alive again, Ned must never touch her, or she will be gone forever. Emerson, Ned, and Chuck, aided by Pie-Hole waitress Olive Snook, solve a quirky and unique murder mystery during each episode, by briefly bringing back to life the murder victim to ask for clues. As the series progresses, the characters own pasts are slowly revealed, adding more layers to the intrigue and drama. So grab a slice of your favorite pie (Pecan or Derby pie for me!) and enter the world of Pushing Daisies.
The IT Crowd
Series created and directed by Graham Linehan
If you don’t enjoy the British or American version of mockumentary sitcom The Office, read no further. Stop reading! I’m not talking to you! If you are a fan of one or both versions of The Office, you should definitely check out the BBC sitcom The IT Crowd.
Computer nerds and social outcasts Roy and Moss work for Denholm Industries, as the IT department. They work from the basement (why are most IT departments located in the basement?), and their office consists of the stereotypical décor one might expect from computer nerds – collectibles, action figures, books, computer parts, and unhealthy snack foods. Roy’s stock answer when the phone rings is “Hello, IT, have you tried turning it off and on again?” Roy’s and Moss’s comfortable work life is turned upside down when an attractive woman is hired to run the department. Roy and Moss quickly find out new boss Jen knows absolutely nothing about computers!
The actors who make up the IT Crowd have great comedic chemistry, and company president Denholm is disturbingly hilarious. Why are workplace comedies like this so funny? If you’ve ever worked in a corporate setting, or office of any kind, you can identify with the characters and situations they find themselves in. Misery loves company, as the saying goes. Or at the very least misery loves a good satire now and again.
- Crystal
How to Kill a Rock Star
by Tiffanie DeBartolo
This book is chic-lit for the rock n roll girl…
Eliza moves to New York to write for a music mag. She rooms with budding “Rock God” Paul Hudson, the singer and songwriter for Bananafish. Eliza’s brother happens to play bass for Paul’s band, and knows Paul’s history with women. He warns Paul to stay away from his sister. But the roommates are instantly attracted – and a romance ensues.
Filled with sexy, dramatic, edgy situations, Tiffanie Debartolo’s sophomore effort does not disappoint if you’re looking for a quirky romance. Add the realistic look at a young band’s struggle to rise above the evils of the music industry and you feel like you’re inside an episode of VH1’s Behind the Music.
If you like HTKARS, try DeBartolo’s 1st book God-Shaped Hole, which she dedicated to the late, great Jeff Buckley.
-Crystal
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