SkyTram Express Blog

Film Sneak Preview: South of The Border

2010-07-14T09:40:00.006-05:00

Oliver Stone’s compelling new documentary, South of the Border, provides a series of candid conversations with several current presidents in South America about the new transformations in public policy in their respective regions. This film is an enlightening feature on how the U.S. news media may have slanted coverage about South America by overlooking some of the positive economic and political transformations taking place in this region of the world. Stone may have tried to make the coverage more balanced in his new film, but his method of storytelling often skews the boundaries between propaganda and responsible journalism.

The director traveled to Venezuela to chat with Hugo Chavez about how he has been reportedly ill portrayed by the U.S. news media. His conversation also reveals some of Chavez’ animosity about the former Bush administration and how limiting U.S. foreign policy (including the IMF) helped spur the revolution called neoliberalism – a focus on “bottom-up government,” that is based on social and economic reform on the poor and unemployed. Chavez’s candor with Stone indicates that he harbors much resentment for reported U.S. involvement on various coups that threatened to topple his government. “The best way to convey it further was to take the film on the road and talk to Chavez allies in the region,” the director says. “Every single one of them was positive about Chavez,” Stone said.

South of The Border provides similar interviews with other presidents who have come under fire, such as Evo Morales (Bolivia) and Cristina Kirchner (Argentina). The film provides some enlightening stories of those countries overcoming economic misfortunes to help spur economic and social growth.

There are several challenges that face Stone’s new film and its quest for widescreen release. The coverage is very biased and takes a strong stance against the U.S. news media. Most of the sound bites and clippings come from the Fox News Channel, which doesn’t give a well-rounded critique of the U.S. news media stories coverage on South American leadership. Stone should have used a broader selection of footage to add more validity to his claims.

The film also links most of Bush’s democratic foreign policy efforts as a cover to protect oil interests in countries like Bolivia and Venezuela. Stone’s picture should have made a concerted attempt to try and set up interviews with former members of the Bush administration who could offer counter opinions and perspectives.

South of the Border succeeds in incorporating numerous interviews and economic data in this 80-minute feature. But Stone’s feature doesn’t ask tough poignant questions to these South American leaders to help balance-out his anti-Bush crusade. Many critics could dismiss this documentary as a Michael Moore rip-off. You be the judge.

Going Mad Waiting for Season Four Mad Men Premiere

2010-07-05T12:35:00.006-05:00

One word to describe today’s television viewer: fickle. Many shows are canceled after one or two episodes. Perhaps this is the reason why the quality of new shows is so poor big name stars are not the draw they used to be and the top-three networks are experiencing declining numbers every year. Lucky for us, cable networks are producing excellent, entertaining, and endearing shows. My latest addiction … AMC’s Mad Men.

The setting is a highly successful ad agency, Sterling Coopers, located on New York’s Madison Avenue. The twist? It’s 1960s and boy is it a different world. Drinking on the job, flirting with coworkers, harassment, sexism is not only allowed, it’s par for the course. The show focuses on the mysterious Don Draper (John Hamm) a picture-perfect debonair Creative Director who seems to have everything. But appearances can be deceiving.

Hamm’s blessed with an amazing cast of supporting actors, who transform the show into a realistic office politics drama. You will feel for each character and become engrossed in their struggles and successes. The first season introduced the characters, set the scene and familiarized audiences with everyday life at Sterling Coopers. Season two showed us that although men may dominate the workplace in the 60s, but behind every great man there’s an even greater woman. Season three showed us that there is no true security and everything you know can change in an instant.

In the first episode of Mad Men, we knew who the power players were. The stage was set early on. Each episode was a battlefield: the bit players fought for success and recognition. The stage was set early. The question was who would succeed and who would be left behind. By the final episode we learned who would join the ranks of the elite and who would fall short. Season four promises to be an entirely new playing field.
I’m going to relish season four’s fight to maintain the spoils of war. The campaigns are going to be bigger than ever and I for one support Team Draper.

Larsson's Trilogy Leaves A Mark

2010-05-24T12:53:00.002-05:00

The film The Girl With the Dragon Tatttoo, based on Stieg Larsson’s book, should receive an Oscar nod this year for best foreign film. If you have not seen this film yet, go now. If you’re interested in reading about what happened to the film’s two leads, Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, then The Girl Who Played with Fire should be the next book you read. It picks up a few months after Tattoo ended and is an irresistible page-turner that you won’t be able to put down.

Salander, a young tattooed computer hacker, becomes intrigued by a sex-trade story that her old friend Blomkvist is researching. Although she has no interest in seeing him again, she becomes the key suspect in a murder case involving two of his coworkers and friends.

Suddenly, the solitary genius has her passport photo on every newspaper in Sweden and her anonymity exposed … as well as many details from her troubled past. As Blomkvist and a group of her friends try to clear her name, Salander looks for the mysterious “Zala.” The race is on and absolutely no one is safe.

Larsson weaves a fantastic story with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engrossed from page one to the cliffhanger ending. Salander’s character knows right from wrong, but has no qualms making criminals pay. She has turned from victim to avenger and will stop at nothing to find vigilante justice. The combination of character development and gritty suspense, have ensured that this trilogy will remain on the best-seller list for a long time.

Confessions of a TVholic

2010-05-09T15:59:00.005-05:00

I am scared. I am frightened. I am a TV holic and the finales are upon us. What will I do when my weekly fixes of Glee, Smallville, Greys, Private Practice, Community, The Office and so many more are gone. They are leaving me for at least three months, maybe more. Now, I can deal with a summer hiatus, but I will be totally inconsolable after the series finale of Lost airs.

Yes, you heard me correctly, inconsolable. Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley, and the rest of the crew kept my mind stimulated and active. The show also created a miracle… My father who hasn’t watched serial television show since Hill Street Blues became an advocate and fan of Lost. He even got my family hooked after season one took a hiatus and ran on repeats.

One of the most incredible, creative, game-changing shows is leaving us for good. It’s impact on future television shows will be felt for years to come. Let’s have a moment of silence and respect for an incredible and amazing series. Thank you for your shared experience in grieving the show.

I have another confession. I am a fickle reality-show fan. This season’s American Idol contestants have been a unique bunch. I was a Crystal Bowersox fan until a few weeks ago. However, after a few mediocre performances, I’m convinced that Lee Dewyze is da one. The show’s biggest drawback is its predictability. Big Mike will be the next to go, followed by Casey James. My only hope for the show is better choices for the performers. How can the judges be upset that the performers are not making things modern when they give them dated songs to perform. I would like to see modern artists not only help the contestants but feature their songs as well.

Another show that may struggle with its finale is Private Practice. After a season when Violet, the shrink, is in need of major therapy and Addison is in love with a character that has zero chemistry with her (sorry Taye), it’s hard to know who to root for or what you want the end result to be. Private Practice has managed to surprass Grey’s Anatomy for content and storylines. Hopefully, the finale will stick to the same quality that the season has maintained and not jump the shark.

You may find this column ridiculous, even preposterous. Perhaps, you think I should read more, attend events and get my butt out there in the real world. Fear not, I am out there interacting with others, doing things during the day and not. I will end this column with a note and a confession. Consider it my attempt at taking the first step toward healing. My name is Liz Tramer and I, I am a … TV holic.

On The Cutting Room Floor: Xtra Takes

2010-04-18T14:57:00.003-05:00

Brotherhood Cast dances for joy on the Dallas International Film Festival Red Carpet.

Director Will Canon compares actors' personalities to characters in the film.

Deep Ellum Festival

2010-04-04T19:25:00.002-05:00

On a glorious sunny Saturday, I was able to attend the Deep Ellum Arts Festival for the second year in a row. Since I had eaten before the festival, I was able to resist the giant corn dogs, the lamb and chicken pitas, the funnel cake and the roasted peanuts. To be honest, I did have a giant, sickeningly sweet strawberry lemonade and a fruit smoothie, but I’ll blame my indulgence on the heat.

I was excited to see my favorite artist from last year was a returning vendor. I stopped by his booth and many, more… Maybe too many. The festival offers treats for fans of almost all artistic genres. There were jewelers, sculptors, painters, herbal bath salts and soap makers, etc. I managed to resist my purchasing urges and leave with only a few items…

Okay, I left with a number of vendor cards as well, but follow-up purchases don’t count, right? For those of you who are not interested in the artists or their wares, more than 75 musicians were on hand to entertain the masses. SkyTram founders were excited to find numerous artists that will be gracing our Skanoramic Muse section in the upcoming weeks.

Deep Ellum is always a place to visit fun, hip stores and restaurants and once again showed why it’s the perfect venue for an arts/music festival.

American Idol: Meaningful or Just Plain Mean?

2010-02-11T14:25:00.010-06:00

American Idol has given us a plethora of talent throughout its tenure. Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Rube Studdard and, of course, Carrie Underwood. In the past, fans knew that Simon Cowell will be a jerk, Rand Jackson will say "Yo" and "Dog" way too many times and that good ol’ Paula will be there to encourage the contestants and have something nice to say, now matter how terrible the performance.

When AI announced that Paula would not be returning this season, we didn’t’ know what to expect. When auditions began, guest judges took Paula’s place and previewed what the void that couldn’t be filled. Victoria Beckham was boring, Mary J. Blige was especially mean and Avrile Lavigne in her devil hoodie was just plain scary. Other than Shania Twain and Neil Patrick Harris, the guest judges seemed to bring down the level of respect contestants received and reduce the other judges to juvenile antics.

I know that the talent is often terrible, and that horrific performances spell ratings gold. But this season it was evident that the judges didn’t have rhyme or reason to the people they advanced. Good people were passed over, while people with personality but no talent went to Hollywood.

When we finally reached the Hollywood round, Ellen DeGeneres made her first appearance as the new judge. I’m hoping that it was simply bad editing… but her first night on the show, she was a sour-puss, not very nice to the contestants and her jokes fell flat.

Night two wasn’t much better. The talent was subpar and there are no early front runners. In the past, the show focused on the gifted singers. Those with awful voices were sprinkled throughout the auditions, but this season, they were the main focus. Group night is always stressful, but you can’t blame an individual for a poor group performance. Contestants that judges praised in the individuals competition were callously eliminated after group performances, like Matt Lawrence from the Orlando auditions. I want fan favorites and I want talent. The drama seemed to emanate from the contestants and carry over to the judges. I’m hoping that Ellen cheers up a bit and warms up to the contestants.

Paula was the heart of AI, and without her, the judges seem exceptionally cold.

Top Three Reasons Conan Should Switch Networks

2010-01-13T10:40:00.010-06:00

1. We miss the old Conan! Remember when Conan used to be laugh-out-loud funny. I miss his face morphs and political incorrectness. Moving to an earlier time has curbed his humor and restricted his range of “acceptable” material.

2. Know/Go where you’re appreciated. NBC’s behavior has been deplorable. They have not supported Conan and hindered his changces of success from the get-go. Airing Leno before Conan was a no confidence vote from day one.

3. Mainstream Madness. Conan has never been for the mainstream audience. Conan helped secure his comedic footing as a writer for The Simpsons on Fox. Fox has already stated their love for the experienced late-night host. A move to a different network may be just what he needs to return to his former glory.

Signs of Successful Future! Conan has been fearless in his monologues lately. He’s not afraid to poke fun at NBC and has done it with integrity. He knows that he’s been mistreated and his jabs are poignant and hilarious. As Conan returns to his humorous heyday, he should be on a station that deserves to reap the rewards.

The SkySpin On Sports: Why The Redksins Will Fail in 2010

2010-01-11T16:13:00.010-06:00

A few weeks after The Washington Redskins ended their season with a woeful (4-12), Owner Daniel Synder awarded GM Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan to lucrative contracts. It's the old adadge, if you don't understand your past history, you're going to repeat the same mistakes. It's my opinion that Synder will commit the same errors in 2010.

If you overpay for coaching, you are doomed to fail. Former Denver Head Coach Mike Shannahan may have earned two Super Bowl Rings, but what has he really accomplished since his retirement. His disappointing playoff record is well documented and he has spotty results. What has the man won since John Elway retired?? In terms of his coaching ability, Shanahan achieved only mixed results with Jake Plummer and Jay Cutler at quarterback. Congratulations, you have just a paid 10 million dollars for head coach with marginal talent evaluating experience (e.g. Maurice Clarett).

Daniel Snyder fails to understand that you must build through the draft-not overpay for acrimonious players with egos (you know who you are-Clinton Portis and Albert Haynesworth). If Shanahan and Bruce Allen are going to improve the Redskins, they are going to have to build through the NFL draft. Perhaps, The "Deadskins" will have to cut Portis and say goodbye to the much maligned Jason Campell. There offensive line has been decimated with injuries and are starting to get a bit long in the tooth. If they can draft a quarterback with a Colt McCoy type quarterback with the fourth pick in the nfl draft, sign Anquan Boldin away from Arizona and commit to Quinton Ganthers for one season as their starting tailback...they may have a chance.

It's time for Daniel Synder back away and commit to drafting talent and not trading picks for aging, overpriced players. In March, we will have a better barometer on the Redskins off-season plans. Until then, its time to stop evaluating players on statistics alone and start acquiring talent with heart and a commitment to team goals.

The New Year's Blow-Out Mixtape

2010-01-02T10:55:00.007-06:00

If you have read our top albums, singles and remixes from 2009 on SkyTram, here is an additional list of great electro-pop tuneage that you should have on your 2010 mixtape.

New Year's Blow-out Special: 2010 Mixtape

1. Passion Pit – Little Secrets (Felix Da Housecat Remix)
2. The Infadels – Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics cover)
3. Cheryl Cole – 3 Words (Lohman Brothers Remix)
4. Penguin, Penguins – Animals (Kissy Klub Version)
5. The Streets – Blinded By The Lights (Tristan D & Daz Bailey Remix)
6. La Roux – Quicksand (Alex Metric Remix)
7. Little Boots – Earthquake (Sasha Remix)
8. Fenech Soler – Lies (Alex Metric Remix)
9. Miike Snow – Black & Blue (Jaymo & Andy Remix)
10. Grum – Heart Beats
11. Depeche Mode – Enjoy The Silence (Lee Haslam Remix)
12. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool – Dance The Way I Feel (AVH Remix)
13. La Roux – In For The Kill (Skreams Remix)
14. Jack Penate – Pull My Heart Away (From The Beach Remix)
15. Florence & The Machine – Drumming Song (Jack Beats Remix)

Best of Tube 2009

2009-12-28T21:44:00.003-06:00

1. Glee – Both critics and fans have been singing the praises of Glee. Producer and writer Ryan Murphy shows us he has a deep connection and understanding with teens in the underrated and glorious Popular (1999). Murphy turned to darker fare with Nip/Tuck. His return to the teen genre is a total triumph. This new hit traces the lives of the struggles of the students in the high-school Glee club. It’s a show, set to music. Kudos go to an all-star cast! However, fan favorite Sue Sylvester (a character that you don’t know whether to love or hate) will hopefully reach her champion expectations when portrayer Jane Lynch wins a Golden Globe. Glee is nominated for four Golden Globes.

2. Modern Family – The times they are a changin’. The days of your typical husband, wife 2.5 children families are, for the most part, extinct. Now there are parents, stepparents, siblings, step siblings and same-sex partners, many with children. Although this may sound like a recipe for disaster, Modern Family manages to combine all of the ingredients and make a comedic success. Ed O’Neil plays against his Al Bundy character and is the glue that helps hold his “modern-day” extended family together. Modern family is nominated for the best television or musical comedy Golden Globe.

3. Vampire Diaries – Oh, Kevin Williamson, we’ve missed you! Joey and Dawson ruled the Creek for years and years. Your angsty team drama formula still holds true. Who cares that the hero is a vampire or the heroine’s best friend is a witch. You’ve simply modernized the themes of love, independence and longing for a Twilight/Harry Potter audience. Viewers be warned; good and evil is subjective and who you root for can change from episode to episode. Grab the popcorn, put on a turtleneck and enjoy the show!

4. Community – Very few shows would take the risk of having the lead character be ashamed of returning to college to complete a college degree. However, when your antihero is played by Joel McHale and he is supported by a band of misfits, including Chevy Chase and Danny Pudi, you know the show is going to at least make you giggle. Make way for hysterical laughter. Our lead is an attorney whose lie on his resume ensures that he is primed to get “schooled.”

5. Bored to Death – Jonathan Ames, you have created a monster … a massive intellectual comedy. The lead character, also named Jonathan Ames, (Jason Schwartzman Rushmore) is a writer who is struggling to complete his second novel. He freelances for a wealthy magazine owner (Ted Danson) and finds support and solace from his best friend Zach Galifianikis (The Hangover). Ames has always been a detective novel fiend, so he decides to post an ad on Craig’s List for an unlicensed private detective. The wry comedy in each episode is an adventure for the viewer. If you have lost faith in comedies, Ames can help you find your funny bone again.

2009 Worst of Tube and Screen

2009-12-26T17:26:00.011-06:00

Although 2009 offered many hits on the big and small screen, it also had a number of misses. As my gift to you this holiday season, I've dedicated my top three column to things you should avoid!

FILM
Bad Lieutenant – Mr. Cage, I didn’t think the day would come when I saw anything worse than your terrible hairpiece, plugs and extensions. Then I saw this movie. I guess you should be congratulated for that small feat. For an actor who once had Indie clout and gave unforgettable performances in Valley Girl, Raising Arizona and Leaving Las Vegas, I have no choice but to shake my head and sigh. One poor movie choice could be forgiven, but a decade of unwatchable films is unforgivable. In this upcoming years, please, please, please make better acting choices, or your fanbase will completely disappear.

Bruno – Sacha Baron Cohen is a chameleon. A gifted comedian and satirist who isn’t afraid to say what he thinks or take on an unlikable character. Viewers had high hopes after Borat. I suppose, those hopes made this movie feel like an even greater disappointment. I have no problem with political incorrectness … to be honest, I sort of relish it. But I don’t have the patience for vulgarity for vulgarity’s sake. Bruno had glimmers and moments of genius, but they were far outweighed by a ridiculous premise and plot.

The Soloist – One Oscar Winner plus a two-time Academy award nominee plus a fabulous feel-good true story should equal success. Instead, all the players in the soloist only added up to disaster! Jamie Foxx has shown that he has acting cops and dramatic range. However, his performance seemed memorized and forced. Yes, he quoted all the lines, but there was no emotion. Simply recitation and over the top dramatics. The movie took a preachy tone. I have many criticisms of this film, but my strongest objection is to the five-minute laser light show instrumentation that served no purpose other than to give audiences an intermission from a terrible show!

TUBE
The Beautiful Life (TBL) – This show should have been given the acronym TBLA; loosely translated to to be laughed at. They may blame Mischa Barton’s hospitalization to the low ratings. Come on, we all know that everyone loves watching tain wrecks. If anything, her hardships should have increased ratings. I’m a little embarrassed to say this, but she was the only watchable member of the entire cast. Perhaps Ashton Kutcher should leave his creative ideas for “reality shows.” Maybe if he’d added Jerry Springer and turned it into a Models Meet Mayhem, it would have survived.The ratings were thinner than the models on the show.

Brothers – Another show that should have been renamed. This one to Oh, brother. Who knew it could be so hard to play yourself. Football star Michael Strathan returns home to help his fictitious family. I don’t mean to sound oversensitive, but I think it’s quite appalling that the running gag of the show is Strathan’s mother stabbing her handicapped sun in the leg with a fork because she’s convinced he’s faking an accident. Note to writers, this attempt at humor falls flat. Do yourself a favor, go the distance and avoid this show at all costs.

The Middle – Patricia Heaton solidified her status as a television mom with Everybody Loves Raymond. Yes, we know you can play the role Patricia. The question is if you’ve done it once and done it successfully, why oh why must you keep trying to reinvent the character. Your single mom character in Back to You was awful. You’ve now graduated to abysmal with The Middle. Producer note: Stop casting characters that are identical to previous successful shows. This show will leave viewers feeling like they, like the show are in the middle of nowhere.

Men of A Certain Age Faces An Uncertain Fate

2009-12-08T11:11:00.001-06:00

Can three well-established male television stars save a show that is pushing mediocrity at best? Watching Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) and Andre Braugher (Homicide) in Men of A Certain Age was a painful experience. Braugher was the only actor to give a standout performance as Owen, an overweight diabetic who isn’t meeting his father’s high expectations.

Owen isn’t the only troubled character. It seems that the only thing these three college buddies now have in common is a general unhappiness and state of discontent with their current lives. Terry (Bakula) is a between work actor who is teaching yoga and living life in the moment and Joe (Romano) is a divorced dad and storeowner who is struggling with a gambling problem. The show is based around their lives and relationships with each other.

Romano may be a good comedian, but his funny bone was missing when he wrote the pilot episode. He was able to set up good jokes, but the punchlines fell flat. Men might have been more tolerable as a half-hour series. The premiere did let viewers get a sense of each of the leads and what their lives entail. The show fis a bit heavy on theatrics. So, if you are looking for comedic entertainment, you would be better off channel surfing for reruns.

Braugher’s performance and a nostalgia for Quantum Leap may lead viewers back for an encore performance. Hopefully, episode two will be a more enjoyable experience. Only time will tell if Men of A Certain Age will survive a full season.

Grade:

Take Three: Things That Make You Go Hmmmmmm

2009-12-07T15:28:00.001-06:00

Take Three usually contains my commentary on entertainment stories and headlines. However, the media has been consumed by predator-style coverage of Tiger Woods and his adulterous behavior. Woods never questioned being photographed wearing his Nike hats or carrying any of his endorsed products. However, he’s asking the media to give him privacy during this difficult period in his life. Media attention and being in the media attention can be glaring … and, oftentimes, the media magnifies minute problems, but is magnification occurring now?

My opinion is that adultery is usually a result of a greater problem … a symptom, not a cause. Tiger’s celebrity status does not shield him from making mistakes or being human. It does not provide a “cover” for errors in judgment. People don’t question whether or not Woods is human. They should accept that he is going to make mistakes – both large and small. Stars should receive the same rights to privacy that non-celebrities receive.

Woods’ apology, posted on his Web site, makes clear that he believes his personal difficulties should be kept private. The public does not have a right to interfere. They may be judgmental and have their own opinions, but their thoughts won’t influence or impact Woods. For we are bystander, watching from a distance. My hope is that Woods and his family are able to work through their issues, but the media spotlight and coverage will make the healing process more difficult.

Celebrity status – and all of the benefits that come with it – is not something that can be turned on and off. For most, no matter how great the ride, there are always cracks that appear in their image of perfection. I, for one, do not believe the media should pry and expose the foibles of celebrities, but I also believe that you reap what you sow.

SkyVideo of The Week: Delphic

2009-12-07T09:05:00.003-06:00

In early 2009, I was very displeased to learn that Manchester's great band, New Order, announced its official break-up. Perhaps these future UK pop stars, Delphic, can provide the closest alternative to the reincarnation of my beloved band. Here is a live performance of one of my favorite singles from this band. Please let me know what you think!

Take Three: Grateful Edition

2009-11-29T13:35:00.002-06:00

Independent Films
As a huge film and entertainment buff, I am grateful for the independent film industry. This year, I have seen an enormous number of films. Many of these movies were extraordinary. Precious, An Education, World’s Greatest Dad, The Hurt Locker, Moon … my list can go on and on. These phenomenal films may not be financial successes, but are certainly thought-provoking and emotionally moving gems. I am grateful that these movies were able to find the funding to get made, and I encourage you to give them a chance.

Television
I have been exceptionally entertained by the new shows this season. I wonder who at the studios gave the green light to The Beautiful Life, produced by Ashton Kutcher. I try to be unbiased and give new shows a chance. I am pretty sure that the peals of laughter that could be heard from my apartment during premiere week, should not have happened … especially since some of the shows that emitted the biggest smirks and smiles were supposed to be dramas. Although there were a large number of stinkers this season … I do relish watching Modern Family, Glee and Community.

Arts
When I was young, my parents and grandparents “dragged” me to museum after museum after museum. Although I initially resisted, I learned to love and appreciate artwork of all types. As I got older, I looked forward to attending exhibits and eventually went on my own. When I attended college, I loved every art history course I took (one a year) and now search the paper for shows that travel to my community. I am terrified at the number of galleries and studios that are closing in my area and around the nation. I am grateful for the artists that dare to bring their visions to canvases.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for people who work in the film, arts and entertainment industry!

The SkySpin on Sports: NFL

2009-11-29T13:21:00.003-06:00

The Swing Season: Who Will Slide in December: The Cowboys or Giants?
When the 6-5 NY Giants host the 8-3 Dallas Cowboys, both teams’ fortunes could change. Earlier this season, New York sported one of the leagues prolific offenses, featuring the battering-ram style running attack of Brandon Jacobs and up-and-coming athletic wide receivers (such as Mario Mannningham, Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks). Their aggressive, blitz-happy 4-3 defense punished quarterbacks who attempted to drop back to pass. With a lethal combination of great defense and balanced offense, the “G-Men” were a dominant football team that rolled to a perfect 5-0 record.

But the “times are a-changin.” After careful inspection, it is conspicuously clear that their flawless start was nothing more than a mirage. In fact, the combined record of the teams that lost to the Giants are an unimpressive 23-39 (a meager winning percentage of nearly 59%). To compound New York’s problems, they are just 1-5 against those teams sporting a winning record. If you need clarification, the team’s only impressive win came against the Dallas Cowboys in week two of the season.

There are several reasons why the NY Giants are in significant jeopardy of not making the playoffs this year. You can cite New York’s multitude of injuries: including Eli Manning’s rough bout with plantar fasciitis and injuries to the secondary and the running back position. But the G-Men’s real woes can be attributed to a lack of big plays from their trio of receivers that include Manningham, Smith and Nicks during their recent losing skid. This year, in addition to their offensive miscues, the defense has sputtered without the coaching prowess of former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (now head coach of the St. Louis Rams).

The Cowboys have a chance to control their own destiny during the final month of the regular season and potentially knock the Giants out of the playoffs. With a now virtually healthy offensive backfield, an intact secondary and the emergence of Miles Austin, the Cowboy should now have the fortitude, momentum and talent to win on the road in a hostile environment against a very mediocre New York Giants team. It’s time for the Cowboys to continue their fortuitous season with a successful December, including challenging games against New York (6-5), San Diego (7-3) and New Orleans (10-0).

Will Tony Romo be the long-term answer as Quarterback?

Do the Cowboys have a legitimate number-one receiver?

Will the Cowboys evade the December Swoon?

After this rigorous three-game test, we will know a lot more about the Cowboys….and the Giants.

Take Three (Nov. 20)

2009-11-19T15:05:00.006-06:00

Moon Madness!
Is it normal that I –like thousands, maybe even millions of women out there– am hiding a secret. A big secret … even though I’m exceptionally happy in my personal life and relationships, I’ve been searching the Web for scoop and oggling a shirtless teen. I’ll admit it I’m hooked on the Twilight saga and can’t wait to see the new movie, in which underdog Jacob mans up on the big screen. In case you have been hiding under a rock for the past few years, Jacob is the jilted werewolf who Bella begins to develop feelings for after Edward, a vampire, leaves her alone in the forest. I know I may sound like a rambling woman, but I do not like Edward. Not one teeny bit! I’m 100% team Jacob and I don’t care what you vampire-loving fans have to say … For the fans out there, let’s hope New Moon will satiate our big-screen Twilight saga cravings until the next chapter is released.

TV Trauma
I became hooked on Private Practice last season. I’ll admit that it’s not normal for a drugged-up shrink to give instructions to a former crazy-bird patient on how to safely extract a baby from inside of her. Oh wait, that’s from last season. We’re only a few episodes into this season and the writer’s have written another implausible episode. Sadly, it didn’t make for gripping television. Last week Drs. Addison (Kate Walsh) and Beckett (Taye Diggs) were hiking, when the heard distress cries. What a coincidence that two doctors, one who specializes in pregnant women, should stumble upon (drum roll, please) an injured man and his pregnant wife, who is stranded in the car. Which genius writer decided that the best way to confront the potential chemistry between two cast members should take place in an isolated forest, witnessed by a mangled husband and his soon to be in- labor wife. It’s a shame the episode didn’t spend more time on the subplot occurring in the office practice. I needed a doctor to create chemistry between two leads in the closing kiss scene. Note to Writers: Zero chemistry equals zero ratings…..

Put Up Your Dukes
I’d like to start by thanking the Academy. Thank-you for leaving Capitalism off the list of documentary nominees. The only love story that occurs in this “film” is the one between Michael Moore and his ego. Now that we’ve had our pleasantries, Academy, shame on you. How could you leave Tyson out of this list? The movie is creative, thought provoking and revealing. You don’t have to like the man to like the movie. This knock-out movie may not have been in the theaters long, but it sure packed an emotional punch! See our review on SkyTramExpress.com (SkyCam @ the movies).

Mixtape Extravaganza (Nov. 19)

2009-11-19T11:39:00.005-06:00

Top Club Tunes Aaron is Spinning From His Record Room in Dallas

1. Passion Pit – Little Secrets (Felix Da HouseCat Remix)
2. Pet Shop Boys – Viva La Vida (Coldplay Cover)
3. Calvin Harris – Flashback (Goldie Remix)
4. U2 – Crazy (Christopher Lawrence Bootleg Remix) [Unreleased]
5. The Streets – Blinded By The Lights (Tristan D & Daz Bailey Remix) [Unreleased]
6. La Roux Quicksand (Boy – 8 Bit Remix)

***SkyLight On Alex Metric***
7. It Starts (Evil Nine Remix)
8. Kenneth Bager – I Can’t Wait (Alex Metric’s Back To 99 Mix)
9. Fenech Soler – Lies (Alex Metric Remix)

***End of Session***
10. Muse – Undisclosed Desires (Thin White Duke Mix)
11. Kings of Leon – Crawl (Miike Snow Remix)
12. Penguin Prison – Animal Animal (Kissy Klub Version)
13. The Very Best – Julie (B-Complex Remix)
14. Ash – True Love 1980 (Timothy Allen Remix)

15. Franz Ferdinand – Live Alone (Delorean Remix)

One More SkyBlast!

La Roux-Quicksand (Alex Metric Remix)

SkySpin on Sports

2009-11-19T11:04:00.011-06:00

NFL
Injury-prone Dallas RB Felix Jones is one of the biggest disappointments of the Cowboys’ season. Without a healthy Jones, the Boys are without a homerun threat on offense, which is essential because the team has yet to indicate the capacity to employ a power running game … It has been well-documented that Tony Romo’s football idol is perennial all-pro Quarterback Brett Farve. Most of his “gun-slinging” mentality can be traced back to his intrinsic desire to mirror his game after the Minnesota Vikings Quarterback. While Romo lacks Farve’s spectacular arm strength, he also lack’s Farve’s awareness in the pocket when teams blitz and the offensive line’s protection schemes breakdown. A key fourth-quarter turnover by Romo practically sealed the Boys doom against Green Bay at Lambeau Field last weekend. Recognizing the blitz, the Cowboy QB should have quickly checked down, thrown the ball away or utilized his mobility to evade or slow down Green Bay’s relentless rush employed by Packers Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers.

NBA
The key ingredient to a banner-like season for the Dallas Mavericks will be quality depth on their Bench. After the first month and a half of the regular season, the Mavs have every reason to be optimistic that their bench will be more potent than it has been in recent memory. Guard Rodrigue Beaubois had flashed some of his athleticism from preseason by having turned a 14 points and three assists night in a tough defensive-oriented game against the Detroit Pistons last weekend. If Beaubois can overcome his rookie jitters and become more consistent, the Mavericks will be tougher to contend with this coming spring.

SkyRant of the Week
When I first read that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden signed a multi-year extension as an NFL commentator, I was a bit perplexed. While Gruden’s a very articulate and engaging personality on the network, I thought he was a bit too predictable and uninspiring as a head coach. Most of his offensive players never trusted him and he played constant “musical chairs” with his roster of quarterbacks. Perhaps, Gruden is finally cognizant of his limitations as a head coach and basks in the glory of a large contract from the “World Wide Leader In Sports.” Hmmm, it wouldn’t be surprising if “Gruden The Genius” has a clause in his contract that lets him exit if he were to attain an NFL coaching vacancy next year.

SkyVideo of the Week (11/19)

2009-11-19T10:58:00.004-06:00

This hot new track by Producer Miike Snow has become a household name across the Indie charts and in the various deejay sets across the globe. This official video is both hilarious and psychedelic, and has thematic elements pertaining to one’s inner struggle with their own identity. Enjoy!

WMDs Closer Than You Think

2009-10-29T21:33:00.000-05:00

We all hear the term WMD and panic. We think of the “enemies” abroad – those that can “get us” at any moment. What would you do if I told you that your anxiety over the WMDs abroad is not what should worry you. The WMDs that should concern you are those in your own backyard. The WMD may even be sitting across the table from you.

Okay, take a deep yogic breath and count to 10. I am not talking about the weapons of mass destruction. I am talking about another, possible relationship-ending WMD. I am talking about the woman/man disconnect that could cause a series of small wars in your home. Women, at this point you may chuckle; men you are probably scratching your heads … this is my case and point!

Women and men are intrinsically different and communicate in ways that fit their gender. Oftentimes, they are saying the same things, – but what is “said” and what is “heard” can vary dramatically. Men have a need to fix the situation and offer solutions, while women just want to vent or share.

Many times I have tried to explain to my husband my desired response from him … I have actually been told when I share a story that I give my husband tired head. (This is ironic because my girlfriends have no problem understanding the identical story, and often validate my actions in the story.)

I have learned to recognize the glazed-over expression he gives me (which actually is his brain trying to calculate, what he wants to say versus what he thinks I want to hear plus what the outcome of my reaction will bring plus will his response minus my reaction plus the end result equal stability in the house). Confused yet? See, we all have tired head just thinking about it.

I will be fair and say that this article is written from the woman’s perspective. I can try to explain what my husband perceives as my communication issues, but only 50% of the readers would understand. It’s not your fault, or mine, that communication is so difficult. The difficulty in communication actually is not in the words, but the translation of those words. Fortunately, men and women are often “saying” identical things … the disconnect is in the interpretation!

Do not panic. This does not mean we will have WWIII in our relationships. Men and women both have the recognition ability! One person is bound to recognize that each party is saying the same thing.

Learn to love the expression WMD and don’t be afraid to say it aloud. Use it as a concise explanation when there is a man/woman disconnect. When you are having a conversation with someone of the opposite sex, and the person listens to you and says they disagree. Listen to their reasoning and explanation. You may often find they are saying the exact same thing, but using different words. Do not throw up your hands in frustration. Simply say WMD. Teach your male friends and intimates this term as well. It will save you many an argument and allow you both to feel satisfaction. There is no concession needed when both parties are right and on the same page.

Travis Frontmen Delight Fans With Unplugged Performance

2009-10-16T02:24:00.000-05:00

By Aaron Malofsky

No musician could have scripted this chill-out concert more appropriately. Just like a would-be episode of MTV’s Unplugged, Scotland’s Fran Healy & Andy Dunlop (of Travis fame) played an all acoustic set of their most celebrated songs and rare gems Wednesday night before an intimate crowd at the Granada Theater in Dallas. For most of the evening, their tunes were played in chronological order, complemented by very funny and sometimes charming anecdotes with an entertaining slide show.

Healy entered the stage solo to start the night, sporting a generic solid t-shirt and denim jeans, and offered some self-deprecating humor about his childhood. He must have felt the warm welcome as he played tunes in front of a hanging sign that read "Glasgow Times Presents." The Scot then played a dreamy ballad, Twenty that was dedicated to his teenage roots and miscellaneous childhood follies. It's hard not to be amused by this very humorous stanza, “it’s hard to accept the role you're given … when sitting there staring at the ceiling … when you're thirteen.”

The Scottish Duo later played a resonating acoustic version of their popular single, All I Want To Do Is Rock. Healy enamored the crowd with a pitch-perfect wailing vocal, while Dunlop provided just enough flare with his masterful guitar rhythms. Another impressionable moment was when they paid homage to both Kafka’s love letters and Noel Gallagher’s Top-40 hit Wonderwall before playing his similarly chorded hit Writing To Reach You from their The Man Who LP.

The somber but cleverly written ballad, Why Does It Always Rain On Me, was inspired by a vacation trip in Israel, which was inundated with rain showers. The band sported a hybrid slide of an Israeli/Spanish flag because the track was produced and recorded between both countries.

Healy and Dunlop’s most captivating point of the night was during their fantastic rendition of their 1999 hit Driftwood. Healy recalls watching an episode of Cheers where Norm overheard his boss talking about firing all of the “driftwood” (unwanted personnel). The backstory behind this popular track may cause fans to view it in the same more morbid style as most of Morrissey’s discography.

The pair closed the night’s festivities with two crowd-pleasing favorites during their short encore performance. Concertgoers were screaming with pleasure while the Scots played their brilliant Britney Spear’s cover, Hit Me Baby One More Time. Fans laughed feverishly to a slide shot of a bald Britney. The Scots final performance surprised fans when it began with a few verses from Coldplay’s Viva La Vida before crooning to their newer 2007 hit Battleships.

The band offered fans an opportunity to have signed autographs of their 2009 Concert Tour Bootleg CD and chat with attendees after the show.

Grade: A-

SkyNotes

California native Greg Laswell has generated acclaim in the Indie-music scene for conjuring up dark captivating ballads that touch your inner core. The artist played for nearly 45 minutes as he shared stories that provided more insight into his discography.

Many of Laswelll’s tracks have appeared in several night-time serial dramas including Grey's Anatomy and Damages. What A Day is an uplifting Bruce Hornsby-like piano ballad that could serve as a wake-up call to be more productive and give up "smoking." Many fans were cheering during his dark and haunting cover of Cindy Lauper’s Girls Just Want To Have Fun. Laswell playfully recalled a prolific e-mailer who scorned him for releasing this cover to the public. The message said the artist would “rue the day” he recorded the version.

He currently is plugging a new Covers EP, which includes brilliant versions of songs from Echo and The Bunnymen and Kate Bush.
Grade: B+

Posted 10/15/09

Sky Notes

2009-10-15T15:15:00.002-05:00

The Baader Meinhof Complex
The Baader Meinhof Complex is the story of the rise and fall of Red Army Faction (RAF) members in post-Nazi Germany. The gripping, retelling is hypnotic and terrifying. The RAF’s ability to rally the youth and stir the emotions of the general public in their favor is still frightening today. Baader Meinhof covers an extensive period of time and can be a bit confusing, but this historical docudrama will send chills down your spine! Grade: B+

Capitalism: A Love Story
The movie’s title should be changed to Capitalism: Moore’s patronizing beliefs spewed to an audience of 10-year-olds. Viewers are cognizant that Moore will give a one-sided, slanted view, but the first third of this movie was Moore’s voice-over backed by old movie and television footage. Give me a break … with all of the technological advances and real-life footage available, Moore could have found a better way to tell this story. However, the last third of the film, offered some redeeming value as it managed to splice in some tragic real-life stories of blue-collar Americans workers and their economic misfortunes. Grade: C

Rewind of the Week: Rules of Attraction
The “Beek” definitely wanted off the Creek in this one! For those of you who were not Dawson's Creek fans … this means, Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek went against casting, and played an angry, womanizing drug dealer. Jessica Biel also rebelled against her squeaky clean image (at the time) and played a popular college co-ed who sleeps with anyone and everyone. Two “good” actors playing “bad” is the formula for fun. This sexually charged romp from 2002, is wickedly entertaining, dark and boasts a killer New-Wave soundtrack. Grade: B

Posted 10/20/09

U2 Offers Fans An Epic Intensive Set in Arlington

2009-10-13T01:51:00.022-05:00

by Aaron Malofsky

The Irish foursome delivered an awe-inspiring performance in front of a packed house at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Monday night, featuring a powerhouse set list of new, old and classic rock covers. U2 dazzled their fans with an array of vibrant multicolored (LED) and spinning LCD lights during several of their top tunes, including ones from Achtung Baby, Joshua Tree and the new No Line On The Horizon (NLOTH).

The Dubliners began their spectacular set list with the soulful rock ballad, Breath (from NLOTH), featuring the quintessential crooning from Bono. As with many of the band’s new tunes, this track is more emotionally impactful while delivered live as opposed to their studio album version.

The dance pop track Get On Your Boots was transformed into dynamite rock n’ roll track filled with battering-ram style percussion from Larry Mullen Jr., fierce guitar grooves from The Edge and thunderous drums by Adam Clayton.

U2 later delved deeper into their precious discography to unearth a scintillating dance version of Mysterious Ways from Achtung Baby, which had everyone dancing from their seats. The band then morphed into a low-key version of The Beatle’s Blackbird. The 40-inch HD Screen provided 360-degree panoramic views of the entire band on stage.

The band reached perfection during their tearful blues-laden acoustic version of Stuck In A Moment. Bono and The Edge showcased their masterful vocal range during this unplugged rendition from their Grammy Award-Winning Album All That You Can’t Leave Behind.

One of their signature features of the night was their fantastic reworking of NLOTH’s Crazy. The band employed a mash-up of UK mix maestro Redanka’s Electro-House version with the Dirty South Remix. This new concert tour staple helped galvanize the fan’s spirits and became a very participative moment during the night's festivities.

Before the start of U2’s masterful encore performances, Bono payed homage to those leaders and organizations that supported the underprivileged in Africa with medication supplies and educational resources. Bono then provided a rare solo-cover of Amazing Grace which then built into a flawlessly executed Where The Streets Have No Name. The Edge’s menacing guitar rhythms were on full display as the band crooned in unison during the heart-pounding chorus.

The band’s finest hour came when they paid tribute to their 90s dance-driven album Zooropa with a computer-generated screen, featuring a psychedelic spaceship with space aliens before launching into their epic masterpiece Ultra Violet Rays. Bono’s heart-wrenching vocal croons about finding love during times of emotional crisis. His divine lyrics reach magical proportions with “Your love is like a lightbulb swinging over my bed.”

U2’s incredible set list was capped off with their chill-out, Caribbean influenced tune, Moment of Surrender from their new album. Bono closed the night by saying, “Don’t forget about us.” With a fan’s limited remix album on the way and new EP next year, the Irish super group sensation left fan’s clamoring for more before heading home for the night.

Grade: A

SKYNOTES

Opening for arguably the world’s premier “Super Group” is a difficult task. These talented UK lads provided a colossal spark before the main attraction took center stage to promote many of their songs from their new LP, The Resistance. The band kicked off their short set with the rock opera-esque Uprising. The song featured impressive savage guitar riffs and the vocally unique stylings of Matthew Bellamy. Who can not be motivated by a chorus featuring the phrase, “We will be victorious?” Map of Problematique perhaps unofficially pays homage to recent New Order material and vintage Led Zeppelin. The band closed their mesmerizing set with their radio friendly hit Starlight.

Published 10/13/09

Future Visions

2009-10-09T11:30:00.017-05:00

by Liz Tramer

Calef Brown and Jason Limon’s current exhibit “Future Visions” at the 4th Wall Gallery in Dallas will not only pique your artistic interests, their works may also disturb and delight you. Limon’s haunting pieces emote imagery from another time and place. His detail and design are reminiscent of M.C. Escher, with the graceful fluidity of Erte’s figures. No matter how close you look at his canvases, you may never know what is behind each mask.

More Than Meets the Eye
Upon entering the Gallery, an artist is seen standing by his work. The two seem in synch somehow. Hidden, subdued, yet powerful. Perhaps that is why it is not surprising to hear San Antonio native Limon says that his work is like him in many ways. After spending more than 10 years in the graphic-design industry, he took his knowledge and returned to his true passion – drawing.

Limon describes his art as a progression and says that his current pieces are very organic in feel. Much of the items on display contain imagery of creatures found in nature. It is the eyes of each animal that strikes you. They seem to follow you and piercingly gaze at the viewer. With beaked noses and feathers predominantly featured in numerous paintings, it is a logical assumption that one is looking at birds or animals. But upon closer examination, it is revealed that the animal exterior is really a mask, and we are unable to see what or who is underneath the mask.

There is an enormous sense of irony in Falling. To simply tell you the title, one may envision a painting with motion in it. In actuality, it appears as though an ornate Erte-esqe figure is up against a tribal shield. The figure has fish, reptilian and bird characteristics, yet the body is drawn in a fluid and beautiful manner. The most disturbing aspect of the piece is not the imagery, which works. It is the deep piecing eyes behind the mask that draw you in. This is true for almost all of Limon’s work.

Limon indicates that the beings under each mask are intentionally hidden and do not necessarily want to come out, leaving the viewer to wonder about who or what is being hidden. It is very apparent that his talent, like his art, is fluid and translates across different mediums. Limon’s haunting pieces will have you wondering about their meanings long after you’ve left the exhibit.

Opening Up Your Imagination
Award-winning and beloved writer and illustrator Calef Brown sits quietly in the next room, signing a large stack of his childrens books. He is surrounded by photos of his colorful, entertaining and curious paintings. Brown finds his inspiration in the world around him. Three of his books were written during trips to India.

As a man who loved mythical creatures and Greek and Roman monsters as a child, many of his pieces are manamals … a combination of both man and animal. Brown is not interested in creating illustrations and books that nod and wink at parents and go over a child’s head. He wants to target his work to children and draw them in with positive, smart artistic images.

Brown delighted fans with his illustrations for The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. The Gallery is displaying numerous images from this book. In Hound’s Revenge, Brown has used numerous colors and patterns that will stimulate your imagination. Even though the hound is a still image, the viewer can sense that the he is about to take his next step. The dog appears to be caught midstride. Brown has also used size and color distortions, revealing that everything in the story is not as it seems. It is easy to see how Brown’s work is reminiscent of previous authors like Shel Silverstein and Maurice Sendak. He is an artist who is not afraid to show that it’s okay to not be status quo.

Brown's use of color and balance stimulate your thinking and many pieces will make you smile and perhaps remind you of some of your favorite childhood characters. Brown’s diverse scope of work is not limited to childrens books. His illustrations have been used in a wide range of mediums, ranging from CDs, magazines and promotional products. Brown does not plan his characters or know what he’s going to draw until he’s completed his work. He describes it as a Ouijai board process, where he never knows what’s in his head until it’s on the paper. Although Brown may not necessarily know what’s coming next, I see him continuing to provide hours of joy and adventures for kids in his future.

Brown spoke with SkyTram about one of his favorite pieces, Red Griffin.

Published 10/9/09

90 Minutes of Mind-Boggling Static

2009-10-08T00:43:00.008-05:00

By Aaron Malofsky

Faced with several technical gaffes, Kings of Leon Struggles Through Their Setlist in Dallas

In front of a near capacity crowd of rowdy, proud and loud fandom, Kings of Leon (KOL) stormed through their discography Wednesday night, but their efforts were thwarted by an imperfect sound quality at the American Airlines Center. Despite national recognition for the Center’s impeccable acoustics, some of the artist’s most celebrated tunes were marred by poor technical direction by Center officials. The band’s few remarkable performances of the night came from their latest album, 2009’s Only By Night.

The Nashville foursome began their eclectic set with their slow-space jam, Closer, featuring computer-generated, sci-fi electronically driven beats and seductive crooning vocals by Guitarist/Lead Caleb Followill. But most of their instrumental effects were hampered by dismal acoustics arrangement and a poor speaker system at the Center. Much of Followill’s scintillating ballad was muffled with static and feedback distortion.

Be Somebody ignited a fierce spark in the crowd assisted by its motivational lyrics,which could be a proclamation for self-purpose and independence. The tune featured a masterful array of tribal drums and jagged guitar grooves by Matthew Followill. This was one of the stellar moments of the night as the band chanted in unison to the highly emotive chorus and helped galvanize the crowds to sing along with the band.

Another priceless moment was Sex on Fire, their New-Wave intensive jammer that features a combination of flawlessly executed guitar work and battering ram-style percussion. The AA Center became a huge dancing mosh pit in a matter of moment as fans raised their fists in the air to one of this year’s best new anthems.

Much to this dismay of concertgoers, attendees appeared to be lethargic and largely apathetic to the on-stage neon-colored light fest during highly touted anthems such as On Call. This southern blues post-punk track should have sparked animation from the crowd from every corner of the stadium. The crowd instead suppressed their resentment for a garbled delivery from the band.

KOL's encore from the night’s festivities included the international hit single Use Somebody. The track is an eyes-closed rocker that is an ode to those singles looking for romance in a congested metropolis. But much of the band’s quintessential chorus and signature “whoah-ohs” were drowned out once again by a poor acoustics and microphone system.

The 2009 music calendar has brought added fame, fortune and prestige for these foxy foursome from Nashville. But their road trip to Dallas will serve as an unfortunate reminder that choosing the wrong venue will hamper any musician’s performance. Grade: C+

SkyNotes

While many of the AA Center’s crowd lined up outside for KOL merchandise, high-priced beverages or eateries, London’s new modern gothic rockers, The White Lies provided a monumental performance to spark the music festivities. Most of their short set was dedicated to their collection of songs from this year’s To Lose My Life LP.

Farewell To Fairground could be paying unofficial homage to Echo and Bunnymen and The Killers. The track featured savage guitar riffs and an exquisitely haunting vocal from Harry McVeigh that’s reminiscent of Brandon Flowers. Their most popular track, the Joy-Division-inspired song Death, resonated most with the audience as many were seen dancing close to their seats. Band members also offered the ticket holders the opportunity to receive autographed copies at the conclusion of the Kings of Leon performance.
Grade: B+

Posted 10/8/09

Buli is SENSE-ational

2009-09-30T22:13:00.009-05:00

Special Feature by Liz Tramer and Aaron Malofsky

A colorful patio with a giant palm tree painting and tables can be seen from Cedar Springs Road. When you walk in, 70s-style couches are on your left and tantalizing desserts are on your right. Captivating artwork is always on the wall and lunchboxes and eccentric cups abound. It is immediately apparent that Buli is not your average coffee shop. Co-owner Scott Whittall doesn’t even consider Starbucks competition. He said, “Quality is our big thing. We offer the feel of a lived-in and enjoyed space.” From the eclectic crowd and homey feel, Buli is one Dallas hot spot that is in a league of its own. Buli offers much more than food and a great cup of Joe … patrons should be prepared to have all of their senses appeased upon arrival.

If You Brew It, They Will Come
The vibe is one of casual comfort. Coffee is brewed in-house and brought in from Houston and Oklahoma. Sandwiches are served in kitschy lunchboxes that remind you of simpler times. Customers run the gamut … from college students with textbooks and papers scattered around the table to older patrons reading the business section. Many customers have been coming to Buli since its doors opened five years ago. In addition to return customers, the other consistent demographic in the store is diversity.

Visitors will notice immediately that Buli takes the term of being an artsy spot literally. Owners Whittall and Allen Goode offer exhibition space for local artists. One week the walls may be covered with abstract geometric designs, the next there may be works paying homage to musicians and actors. It’s not unusual for risqué, eyebrow-raising pieces to adorn the walls of Buli, living up to its reputation of pushing the boundaries of social norms. Many artists whose work has premiered at Buli have gone on to receive success and acclaim.

People are People
If you’re a passionate follower of the New Wave pop scene, you may be instantaneously hit with a blast of nostalgia and the illusion of being time-warped back to 1985. Thanks to the installation of XM Radio, visitors can expect to hear rare cuts from the Pet Shop Boys, vintage Clash tunes or new-wave cult favorites like Echo and The Bunnymen.

While sipping their lattes or specialty-blended chai-teas, music aficionados may be in awe as they listen to some of their favorites from historical periods dating back to Gorbachev’s reign in Russia and the Reagan Era. “To me, the 80s was the greatest genre of music ever … what has the nineties (or beyond) ever brought us,” Whittall candidly admits. But there is a coup brewing among staffers as young Generation Y-ers try to sneak more modern Indie tunes into the café’s music collection. Somehow, playing these remarkable retro-80s anthems blends in with Buli’s colorful mystique, providing café goers a refreshing trip down memory lane.

The Signs They Are A-Changin’
Cedar Springs, like many areas, has experienced construction and the closing of businesses. Due to the economic recession, what was once a hopping scene now sees only a trickle of previous traffic. One of Buli’s great assets is its ability to change and adjust with the times. In addition to the food, music and artistic settings, Buli offers free Internet access to customers. Although the café feel may be reminiscent of days gone by, Whittall believes the natural progression is toward evening offerings. There is the potential for renovation and the possibility of adding alcohol with sophisticated meal pairings. After stopping by, it is apparent how the acronym of Buli originated … because you love it!

Buli has a reception for the featured artist from 6:30 to 9 p.m. On the first Wednesday of each month.

Posted 9/30

Tram Nation Traxx Stars (Interview Jon Curtis)

2009-09-29T15:05:00.002-05:00

SkyTram Mixes It Up With Hot New Music Acts and Producers in the Biz

In The Mix: Producer Jon Curtis

A budding star from South London is on the verge of transforming the way clubbers regard the electronic dance music scene around the globe. Twenty-five year old Jon Curtis is currently promoting his new big beat electro-house filled tune, Driven, which features mind-blowing baselines and reggae influences that are reminiscent of renowned producers Diplo, Sub Focus and Nero. Curtis boarded his flight on SkyTram to chat about his impressive new single, his current dance favorites and his preferred club spot in the UK.

Why do you have a passion for producing club music?
I just wanted to see others going as crazy for a track as I do for some songs.

How did you get involved with Digi DJ? What has been your experiences so far?
I heard it about via Twitter and DJ Smutlee who submits his blends to them. I e-mailed Jenn (From Digi DJ) who very quickly added me to the database. There are so many different types of tracks on there, I'd recommend it to any DJ.

When did you get your first big break in the music business?
I've been into dance music a long time but I used to complain about the music I heard being played out. So my girlfriend, who was sick of me saying it, said either DJ and make my own or keep quiet – so I did.

The track, Driven, strikes me as a massive electro-house instrumental tune that is filled with acid baselines and reggae influences. What are your future plans for this new single? Are you looking to add vocals to the future single like Deadmau5 did with Ghosts N’ Stuff (e.g., Pendulum’s Rob Swift)?
I'm glad you spotted the reggae influences. I went to see Major Lazer over a year ago and caught the bug back then. I'd love to add a vocalist to my track, but finding a good one is very hard. I really want to make a track with an epic breakdown with some chilling vocals.

Your sound is very distinctive yet somewhat reminiscent of Deadmau5 and the UK’s Jack Beats. What are some of your major influences from the electronic dance scene?
I'm a big fan of Jack Beats and I'm lucky enough to get their tracks a bit before everyone else. They can do the crazy wobble bass but also they make more mature sounds on remixes for Patrick Wolf and Florence + The Machine.

Are there any future releases, compilations and remix projects you are working on now?
I'm due to go into the studio soon, but finding time away from my day job is very hard. I don't get much holiday and the holiday I do have is going to be used on DJ sets further away from home.

If you were to classify your genre of club music, how you would describe your tunes to the public?
Boisterous, bass heavy tropical music. When I DJ, I play whatever I feel that people will dance to. The other night I went from Rico Tubbs - Cutty to The Outfield - Your Love to Double 99 – Ripgroove.

Best remix and/or dance track that you have heard this year?
Well the best original track this year is Jack Beats - K Hole and the best remix is Skream's one of La Roux … even if it's been played out by everyone.

What are your top three albums that music lovers should be listening to right now?
Florence + The Machine - Lungs

Jay Z - Blueprint 3

Toddla T - Skanky Skanky

Favorite Club (locally)?
Digital in Brighton is my favorite club. I go and check out a night club called Blah Blah Blah a lot. They get big names in.

Favorite tracks to play on your setlists?
How long have you got?
I'll give you a top 5 that went down well last weekend.

Martelo + Herve - Wasted

Afrojack - Polkadots

DJ Zinc - Super Sharp Shooter (Cuthbert Colosuss Remix)

Dub Pistols - I'm In Love (Foamo Remix)

The Proxy - Dancing In The Dark (Kissy Sell-Out's DnB edit)

If you were trapped in an elevator with a famous celebrity of any kind, who would it be and why?
If I were single it would be Penelope Cruz, but I'm not. So I'd have a long chat with Jay Z.

In The Spotlight: Jon Curtis-Driven (mp3)

Soderbergh's Film Asks: Are the Facts Fiction?

2009-09-20T12:28:00.001-05:00

Sir Isaac Newton once said, "To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction.” Mark Whitacre’s life is in a state of chaos after working with the FBI to bring down his company for involvement in an international price-fixing scheme. Director Steven Soderbergh’s (Ocean’s 11) intelligent dark comedy, The Informant, profiles how one man’s web of lies, stories and accusations led to his firm’s undoing while simultaneously revealing that his own sense of reality is not exactly accurate.

Matt Damon’s performance as an IDM Vice President who works with FBI agents Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula, Quantum Leap) and Scott Herndon(Joel McHale, Community) to bring down high-ranking officials in his company is Oscar worthy. The film documents Whitacre’s key role as an informant and instigator in the explosive global investigation during the mid to late 90s. Soderbergh’s film is a brilliant portrait of one man’s undoing by his propensity to fabricate events and stories just to stay a hero on the front-page headlines.

The film’s most impressive element is its ingenious screenplay that has Damon’s character narrate his own storyline, revealing Whitacre’s disturbing neuroses as he justifies and validates his excuses for any wrong doing. The Informant has moments of lag time as the picture overemphasizes his downward spiral in wake of his exposure. This is an unorthodox and sometimes hilarious flick that will tickle your funny bone and make you rethink the premise behind telling just one harmless lie or making an omission of the truth.

Grade: B+

In select theaters. Rated R.

Posted 9/27

2009 TV: Skivo Skan, Skip or Just Plain Skary

2009-09-15T15:30:00.002-05:00

Week of 9/27

The Cleveland Show – Remember, ratings are not entirely indicative of quality … This Family Guy spin off has a few entertaining moments, but misses the funny mark. The writers have replaced a smart dog (Family Guy) with Cleveland’s new neighbors – a family of talking bears, sporting Scottish accents. The show is not my cup of tea, but if you are a fan of the Family Guy and American Dad, it may be worth a one-time viewing. Grade:D Skip

Trauma – The over-the-top first 10 minutes of the show set the premise for the season. Viewers are bludgeoned over the head with the message that being part of a trauma team is both dangerous and (wait for it) “traumatic.” Each character’s backstory is way too elaborate and inundated with melodramatic overtones. The introductory episode should pique the viewer’s interest … not bog them down with the entire emotional baggage of each character. For the sake of my health, I’m going to skip this one. Grade:C- Skip

Hank – Kelsey Grammer, we’ve missed you. Frasier was a brilliant show and we missed your presence on national TV. Then, you returned teamed with Patricia Heaton for the terrible Back to You. We had two great actors in one bad show. We were willing to forgive the misstep and open our televisions to you again. The opening episode of Hank showed that you are still entertaining, but the choices you continue to make to show your talent are not! Grade:C- Skip

The Middle –. Patricia Heaton has the role of a harried, overworked mother down to an art. Her role is not the only part of the show that should feel familiar. Casting a child who looks identical to one of the children in Malcolm in the Middle does not mean your show is on the same quality level. The only thing I liked about this show was that it didn’t include a laugh track. Maybe the producers knew before the air date that it wasn’t funny. Grade:D Skip

Three Rivers – This drama has a slight edge over the other new medical dramas released this season – it is tolerable. Not particularly good, not remotely plausible, but watchable. Stars Alex O Loughlin (Moonlight) and Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives) are likable enough. The hospital is full of high-tech gadgetry that is remarkably similar to NCIS Los Angeles. Since it is the same network, I’m left wondering if they are cutting costs by using the same sets. If you are looking to fill the gap left by ER and you want a show that doesn’t require much brain power … you’ve found it. Grade:C- Skip

Posted 10/5/09

La Roux’s New Record Provides a Grand Appetite for Seduction

2009-09-12T22:35:00.000-05:00

UK import La Roux (vocalist Eleanor Jackson and producer/keyboardist Ben Langmaid) is generating monumental buzz across the globe with their new self-entitled album, which is a beautiful concoction of killer hooks, New Wave-inspired synthesizers and Erasure-like drum loops. This new Electro-pop band is very much a duo as both Jackson and Langmaid channeled their talents to create a winning formula of electronic wizardry and love-themed ballads.

During In For The Kill, the group raises the question of whether relationships are built on love or lust. Jackson’s spectacular falsettos take center stage during the intro portion of the song, “We can fight our desires, but when we start making fires…” The production on this track is highly reminiscent of songs from retro-Manchester bands like New Order and Electronic.

The band’s second single, Bullet Proof, could be deemed a modern mash-up of Blondie meets The Pet Shop Boys. The keyboard electronic, blip drum machines and vocorder effects provide an inner sanctum opportunity to travel back to the 90s British pop scene.

I’m Not Your Toy is arguably the band’s most riveting track on the album. While the song’s production mix could be considered too dated for modern dance aficionados, Jackson’s vocal provides a spellbinding moment during her emotive chorus. This could become a deejay’s “field of dreams” as there are ample opportunities to remix this track into an electronic paradise. Check out Jack Beat’s vivacious dubstep version tune, which features massive wobbly baselines.

LaRoux should garner more publicity abroad when their album gets a U.S. release in the fall. This new album should leave fans clamoring for concert dates with Eleanor Jackson’s voice becoming a pseudo gateway into a date for seduction.

Grade: A-
Download Right Now: I'm Not Your Toy

Stroke of Genius

2009-09-10T23:35:00.011-05:00

“If Willem DeKooning met Homer Simpson on acid while watching CNN, you’d get a basic description of my work.” This is a fascinating and apt self description of up-and-coming Houston artist Howard Sherman's work. Don’t be confused by the artist’s description ... see it for yourself Saturday at the PanAmerican ArtProjects exhibition Bloodthirsty Animal on Two Legs.

Sherman’s mother said he drew before he spoke. More than 30 years later, his evocative pieces speak for themselves. His latest exhibition displays his bold work – full of dark brushstrokes and bright colors. Some of his work is reminiscent of Gustav Klimt; others have cubism influences. His works are vivid and reactionary. Each piece seems to pop off the canvas. Many have messages or words written on them. With names ranging from Perverts posing as deviants to Instructions for a genuine meritocracy, this exhibit is anything but ordinary.

At first glance, some of his works may look like they were created in one sitting. But this is not the case. Each piece takes from one to three months to be completed. If you look closely, you can see the layers on each piece – evidence of his ideas forming and transforming to completion. Sherman said that his work is like putting his diary on the wall.

Due to the sexual imagery in some of his work, looking at Sherman’s canvases can sometimes feel a bit voyeuristic. Although the artist might feel exposed with his work on display, this show is definitely worth taking a peep.

Where: PanAmerican ArtsProject, 1615 Dragon St.
When: Opening September 12 5 p.m.

Watch for an exclusive interview with Sherman at www.skytramexpress.com.

Posted 9/11/09

Big Fan Hype Meets Giant Expectations

2009-09-09T19:12:00.002-05:00

Have you ever coveted attention from a celebrity figure or sports franchise? What drastic measures would you take if you became a focal point of how your sports team performed on the field. Paul Aufiero (Actor Patton Oswalt) is a die-hard Giants fan and his plot to garner attention from his beloved football team’s quarterback sends his life into a complete tailspin. Director/Screenwriter Robert Siegel’s (The Wrestler) Big Fan is a gritty psychological thriller about a man’s dark and disturbing obsession with the NFL Franchise.

Siegel creates a misanthropic character who’s numb to almost everything around him except for the New York Giants and their quest for a Super Bowl ring. This chilling drama’s lead character is filled with a psychological pathos similar to Arthur Miller’s Willy Loman or Taxi Driver’s Travis Bickle. Aufiero works a dead-end job and lives with his badgering mother in Staten Island, NY. Several of his humoristic calls to a local sports talk radio station enable the audience to eavesdrop into the man’s perverse obsession with the sports franchise and his feverish retorts to a the call-in heckler who denounce his hometown team.

During the film, Aufiero’s life hangs in the balance after a near fatal run-in with one of his celebrity idols. The protagonist’s series of choices made after his life-threatening debacle reveal how chemically imbalanced and convoluted his beliefs are as his life continues to revolve around the Giants.

Big Fan could benefit from tighter editing – several scenes are superfluous to the film’s plot. The movie’s detective subplot could have been shortened or cut altogether. Siegel’s picture is very a solid Indie that will leave you in stunned silenced all the way through the show’s shocking climactic ending.

Grade: B

In select theaters. Rated R.

Posted 9/16/09

Greatest Dad Flirts With Comedic Genius

2009-09-08T15:50:00.001-05:00

Sometimes the simplest white lie can be detrimental to someone’s sanity. Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) is psychologically headed on a downward spiral when he becomes entangled in a web of lies, causing him to lose sense of what’s important….his own peace of mind. Director Bobcat Goldthwait’s (producer of several episodes of The Man Show) shocking and perverse dark comedy The World’s Greatest Dad traces how one person’s life comes full circle after a personal tragedy changes people’s perception of him.

Williams deserves best actor consideration for his performance of Clayton, a lonely unpublished author and unpopular high school teacher. His antisocial and spoiled son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara), wreaks havoc on both his professional life and his secret romantic relationship with another colleague (Actress Alexie Gilmore). But his life takes a 180-degree turn after a family tragedy. Clayton turns into a celebrity among the school’s faculty; he wins the girl of his dreams and becomes a national icon. Clayton goes from being persona non grata to achieving the crème de la crème of the literary world.

But William’s character also becomes deeply disturbed when a lie he shares with a close few causes him to become embroiled in a firestorm of public significance. While the film is filled with a myriad of outrageously funny moments, this film is a social commentary on how deception can spin out of control and threaten one’s well-being. Goldthwait’s picture is inundated with lewd subject matter and over-the-top sexual overtones, but this is probably one of the most cunning adult comedies of the year and should not be missed in the box office.
Grade: A

In Selected Theaters Now Rated: R

Posted 9/6/09

Skyz The Limit Too

2009-09-07T10:28:00.003-05:00

Your Guide To The Best Club Tunes From The Weekend

Moby – Mistake (Funkagenda Edit)
Comment: New York’s premiere DJ, musician and producer extraordinaire might be paying homage to Philip Glass in this epic lyrically heart-wrenching induced ballad. Minimalist techno mastermind, Funkagenda from London, splices in symphonic strings and then builds with chilled out synth beats and trippy electronica, while Moby showcases a marvelous vocal reminiscent of David Bowie. This is a very special remix and a must-have for your car stereo to listen to on full blast!!
Grade: A

Telsa Boy – Spirit of The Night(Best Track Remix)
Comment: If British new wave acts A-ha and The Pet Shop Boys were to collaborate on a new track, this 80s dance-inspired group from Moscow provides a sneak peak of what they would sound like today. This is perhaps one of the most melodious and lyrically addictive tracks of 2009. Hopefully these Russian techno goers get noticed stateside sometime soon. The title of track seems appropriate to pop up on a nighttime serial show.
Grade:B+

Little Boots – Every Little Earthquake (Yes Giantess Remix)
Comment: Little Boots deserves kudos for being this years world’s preeminent female alternative act. This fantastic remix blends in psychedelic electronic with an assortment of dubstep influences. If you are new to this UK diva’s discography, then this would be a great track to begin your club sets education. (Sky Selection of The Week)
Grade: A+

Crystal Method – Drown In The Now (Ft. Matisyahu) (Tommie Sunshine Remix)
Comment: This hard-to-find bootleg remix provides an electro hard trance version of this awesome new tune by this Californian big beat dance electronic outfit, consisting of Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland.
Grade: A

Florence and The Machine (Jack Beats Remix)
Comment: This trip-hop remix does not feature the big acid baselines that we have come to expect from this in vogue electronic outfit. But this laid back mix adds just enough electronic beats to earn this a top floor filler for one’s deejay set.
Grade: A-

One More SkyBlast

Three Rock n Roll Icons Fine Tune Their Riffs During Intimate Documentary

2009-09-06T09:56:00.000-05:00

What would you do if you could have an intimate music session with three of the most prolific guitarists in rock n’ roll history? Director David Guggeheim’s fascinating documentary, It Might Get Loud, could be the next best thing to a front row seat to see Jack White (the Raconteurs, The White Stripes), The Edge (U2) and Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds).

All three modern rock icons helped redefine what it means to play the electric guitar. “I didn’t always want to play the guitar, now I look at it as the means to connecting everything together,” The Edge said in the film. This is a poignant statement since he is now widely considered mastermind behind the world’s most heralded “Super Band.”

Guggenheim succeeds in creatively splicing in footage of each musician’s successful singles, hidden gems, favorite rock icons and archived video from their upbringing. The film also provides rock aficionados an up-close look at the making of several U2 songs, including the recent single Get On Your Boots (from No Line On The Horizon).

During the later stages of the film, it becomes conspicuous that both Page and The Edge share a close rapport, while White is viewed as an avant-garde neophyte trying to enter an exclusive mens club. Some cutaways and archived footage should have been left on the cutting room floor, including Page’s lengthy tour through a now empty house where Zeppelin recorded the epic album When The Levee Breaks.

But this an exclusive look at the past (Page), the present (The Edge) and the future (White) of three music legends that have reshaped the guitarist’s role in a modern band. If fan’s stay for the closing credits, they will be rewarded when the trio performs an acoustic cover of The Band’s Weight.

Grade: A-

In Selected Theaters Now. Rated: PG
Posted 9/5/09

Skyz The Limit Too

2009-09-05T10:44:00.009-05:00

Your Guide To The Best Club Tunes of The Weekend

Paul Harris vs The Eurythmics – I Want You
Comment: UK electro-house specialist has channeled retro electronica with shuddering big massive grooves. Several minutes in, he samples Annie Lennox’s voice for the tune’s glorious climax. According to BBC Radio, The Eurythmics enjoyed this mash-up and said this mix could be released at some point in the distant future.
Grade: B+

The Editors – Papillon (Tiesto Remix)
Comment: The Editors have provided a sneak preview of their new single, which indicates the band’s shift toward the electronic dance scene. While their single is expected to be released in late September, DJ Tiesto has remixed this hot new track into a gargantuan beat-driven club thriller that is reminiscent of Dead or Alive’s You Spin Me Right Round.
Grade: A+

Franz Ferdinand What She Came For (Lee Mortimer Remix)
Comment: The Scottish band's third singleout on import has been remixed by three notable deejays. This remix by Lee Mortimer has transformed this stadium rocker into an electro beat-laden classic.(Sky Selection of the Week)
Grade: A

Get Down – The Mirage (Kissy Klub Version)
Comment: Kissy Sell Out reinterprets this brilliant 80s tune with massive house beats. This one shouldn’t be missed!
Grade: A-

Joy Division – She’s Lost Control (D. Ramirez Remix)
Comment: UK Techno guru Ramirez provides a minimalist techno tribute to Ian Curtis by channeling in Kraftworkian-like synths and drum loops, while retaining the song’s essential vocals. This future house classic makes dancing like a robot on the dance floor fun again.
Grade: B+

One More Skyblast!

Passion Pit’s Manners Features A Classic Blend of Old Versus New

2009-09-03T14:24:00.000-05:00

Passion Pit’s Manners LP Features A Classic Blend of Old & New

Passion Pit can best be described as a sweet hybrid concoction of Death Cab Cutie, MGMT and Polyphonic Spree. But this band’s feisty foursome is packing a mightier electronic-driven punch with Manners by infusing a heavy dose of new wave electronica into the core of their modern Indie melodies.

The new album’s first track Make The Light, features a flurry of guitarist Ian Hultquist’s soaring riffs followed by Michael Angelakos’ formidable falsetto. Then, 90s retro synth grooves kick into full gear. This new tune serves as a reminder that a bands established longevity is not confined by simple keyboard-driven melodies (e.g., Keane- I hope you are listening).

Backed behind a resonating campfire-chorus, this 80s beat-intensive tune features retro dance samples reminiscent of vintage Pet Shop Boys. This track has become a staple for many deejay sets across the globe, who are providing their own creative concoction for this mega Indie single.

The Erasure-esque Sleepyhead is an Orient-flavored sonorous melody that could be considered an unofficial tribute to the British synth group’s 1990s chart-topping single Always. Passion Pit employs multi-vocal sound effects, strings and minimalist techno soundscapes, recalling flavors of the Far East. The lyrics leave the impression that the band is crooning about having an out-of-body experience while having a lucid nightmare."With all their lions and all their might and all their thirst, they crowd your bedroom like some thoughts wearing thin."

These Cambridge Mass. lads have produced an electrifying new album built on retro dance beats and classic Indie pop. But they must continue to push the envelope by experimenting with more modern electronica to avoid the possibility of a potential sophomore slump.

Grade: A-

As Gothic As They Want To Be

2009-08-30T15:30:00.002-05:00

London's synth group blaze through their most celebrated anthems.

Depeche Mode returned to Dallas at the Superpages.com Center to rock n’ rave through new material and provide a few new takes on some vintage classics. Earlier this summer, DM received a major setback when band leader Dave Gahan canceled several European shows to have a malignant tumor removed. Fortunately, Gahan and Co.’s performance provides solid evidence that Depeche Mode has returned to form without missing a beat.

The foursome entered the stage to play the trip-hop new track, In Chains (from the new album Sounds of the Universe), featuring a controversial graphics screen of a wise old man and what appeared to be a black refugee child. By the end of the song, the two had morphed into one another. Despite fans’ unfamiliarity with the new tune, many concertgoers were lively and actively dancing from their seats.

Precious (from the Playing The Angel LP) was reworked with tribal drum beats and Gore took center stage to unleash a flurry of menacing guitar riffs that brought every attendee to their feet. This is one of the band’s signature highlights, which was a throwback to many of their successful hits during the 80s and 90s.

The band reached into its vault of older anthems as it stormed through the club-worthy rocker It’s No Good from their Ultra album. The song was arguably one of the best tracks of the night as it showcased DM’s pulsating drum loops and buzz saw guitar rhythms. The crowd’s exuberance for this setlist choice was emanating from every corner of the arena.

A DM concert extravaganza would not be complete without paying tribute to their epic 1990 blockbuster LP Violator. The band played their mega-single Enjoy The Silence while dropping multi-colored balloons onto the stage. Enjoy The Silence resurfaced with a slew of rapid-fire funkadelic breakbeats. The track also featured a graphics screen of the trio (Gore, Gahan and Andrew Fletcher) in space suits. The hypnotically sexy and soulfully delicious I Feel You also received a standing ovation from far reaches of the stadium.

The band’s most intimate moment with the concertgoers came during the waning stages of the first encore when they played an acoustic version of their bittersweet love ballad, Somebody. Gore’s vocal resonated throughout the stadium and women crooned as he sang “ I want somebody to put their arms around and kiss me tenderly…” The setlist was not without its share of significant shortcomings.

The synth-flavored Fly On The Windscreen needed some retooling as it felt too dated. It was as if the audience was time-warped into 1985 for far too long. Jezebel was a romantic guitar-driven track that left fans sagging in their seats. Fans grew impatient at times, questioning if the band had been jamming inside the far reaches of the universe.

Dallas fans were rewarded with a double encore where DM blazed through a big-beat rendition of Stripped. But DM lovers were very underwhelmed when the band closed the night with an off-key take on the Air-like, minimalist techno-driven Waiting for the Night. At the close of their performance, DM fan’s were reminded that the gothic band has aged gracefully and their music offers the same ear-candy as it did twenty years ago.
Grade: B+

In The Spotlight: Enjoy The Silence (Live From Dallas)

Posted 8/30/09

Fossil Rim: History in the Making

2009-08-30T14:57:00.009-05:00

A Visitor’s Perspective

If you are looking for a weekend getaway ... something out of the ordinary, a way to commune with nature … then Fossil Rim is right for you. Ever wonder what a safari trip is like? Curious to see a giraffe or zebra up close? What if I said you could tell your friend what it’s like to look an ostrich in the eye (slightly scary)? Be forewarned though ... Glen Rose, Texas, is a small town –with limited dining and shopping options – and the directions to Fossil Rim are confusing, but once you hit your destination, Fossil Rim will offer you an awesome adventure!

In the morning, during the included breakfast, I saw numerous deer, Addax, Oryx and cranes up-close at the watering hole. I learned from Brandi (who has been a staffer at Fossil Rim for more than 10 years) that the giraffes are “thieves” and needed to be kept apart from the visitors. Her impersonation of giraffes and her stories about the animals at the rim were priceless.

However, the highlight of the trip lies in the tour. We went on the guided tour and our trip included a staff-only route and zero damage or danger to either our cars or ourselves. In retrospect, the noises we heard the evening before were from the maned wolfs, living nearby. We received certain warnings before the trip that animals could be overly friendly. Our four-hour tour enabled us to feed the animals and pet the giraffes. Animals in the wild included rhinos, wolves, zebras, ostriches and wildebeests.

While watching a child on my tour feed a zebra, I was surprised when a European Red Deer with antlers, nuzzled my arm, looking for food.
It was a delight to hear Kelly, the guide, tell safari tourists that ostrich's eyes were much larger than their brains. Our bus had to drive on before these pesky creatures became too aggressive for food!

It is a rare treat to be able to see and interact with such a diverse group of animals.
Know before you go that you are going to see the animals and view them in the wild. My group chose to stay in platform air-conditioned tents located by a watering hole. The amenities are minimal in the tents, but the break from the buzz of televisions, telephones and technologies is priceless. Plan on bringing books or board games if you go in a group for evening entertainment.

In-Town Treat – You must try the pie at Pie Peddlers. They are 100% homemade!

Note: The dinosaur prints at Dinosaur Valley are a bit of a let down and just another tourist trap. But this is a viable option you are looking for a place to hike and walk on trails.

Posted 8/30/09

Petty Theft Steals the Show

2009-08-29T00:15:00.001-05:00

When was the last time you saw Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers? Perhaps too long. What if I told you they made an unscheduled appearance in Dallas? While Petty never booked a flight to North Texas on Sunday night, Dallas-based cover band Petty Theft jammed through many of the icon’s most scintillating anthems before a packed house at The Idle Rich Pub in Uptown.

The duo of Mike Rhyner (of Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket fame) and Bill Porter helped kick off the festivities with a soaring Hendrix-like guitar instrumental cover version of Amazing Grace. They followed with an emotionally triumphant version of Listen To Her Heart. The band’s stellar version was delivered without any flaws as Rhyner’s vocal left the audience speechless and grooving from their nearest bar stool.

Petty Theft pleased classic-rock lovers with up-tempo renditions of Petty’s huge hits Refugee and Yer So Bad, featuring a dynamic combination of battering ram style percussion and fierce guitar rhythms. The crowd awakened from their brew-induced stupor to cheer on the band inches from the stage.

There were a few choice cuts that reminded the crowd that the band members are here to entertain and not impersonate the Grammy Award-winning idols. Learning To Fly was played at such a rapid-fire pace that it caused both vocalists (Rhyner, and Harrison Calhoun) to sing off-pitch and make a few gaffes on the lyrics. Don’t Do Me Like That was sonically executed perfectly, but the vocalists failed to deliver the same galvanized punch that Petty and his Heartbreaker’s have delivered for decades.

But fans couldn’t have been more delighted to catch up with close friends and relax during the long Labor Day weekend with a bunch of stellar anthems from one of America’s most famed classic rock band.

Posted 9/7/09

This Judge Should Be Thrown Out

2009-08-28T17:00:00.001-05:00

Mike Judge brought you Office Space and King of the Hill. Imagine Judge writing a movie, but Extract the humor from this product. Try extracting the creativity. How about excavating the novelty? If you are open to sealing off your expectations and throwing your money away, then Extract is the perfect movie for you!

Extract stars Jason Bateman (Juno, Arrested Development) as Joel, the owner of a successful extract plant that may be bought out by a large corporation. When an accident occurs, the buyout is threatened by a conniving Cindy (Mila Kunis, That '70s Show) and other unforeseen events. Ben Affleck’s performance is flat as the bartender who offers Bateman ridiculous escape mechanisms to calm his nerves, ranging from horse tranquilizers to marijuana.

Many of the characters in Extract are bad knockoffs of characters from Office Space. The plotlines were a bit preposterous and most of the jokes fell flat. Although the movie boasts a cast with gifted actors, the translation to the big screen didn’t work. There were minimal laugh out loud moments and audience members became antsy during the droughts in humor. Dustin Milligan (90210) and J.K. Simmons, whom have supporting roles, (Closer) make a mediocre movie somewhat watchable.

This movie is barely rent-worthy.

Grade: C-

Available In Selected Theaters. Rated: R

Posted 9/5/09

Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week (September 4th)

2009-08-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool – Dance The Way I feel
Comment: A major cross-continent dual is now brewing between two colossal new bands. This time it’s an electronic beat-bopping duet from the UK versus MGMT. This new record could be their definitive answer to MGMT’s Kids. If you haven’t heard this massive new single yet, you’ll never know what pulverized your car stereo system. Grade: A

Dizzee Rascal – Holiday (Laidback Luke Mix).
Comment: No one generates more audio buzz in Great Britain than the hip-hop sensation Mr. Dizzee Rascal. The Netherlands Electro phenom Laidback Luke reworks his sweet Chromeo collaboration into a dynamic club-floor filler by building the chorus around an explosion of acid baselines and wicked breaks. This tune could have appeal to both alternative and electronic dance fans. Grade: A

Florence and The Machine – Howling.
Comment: This sexy UK diva croons about a woman who has unequivocally unleashed the inner “beast within her,” while under the spell of another man. The subtle yet elegant orchestration of keyboard electronica takes a backseat to Florence Welch’s quintessentially dynamic vocal. This has been year a year for female pop-chart toppers. This new single should lead the pack of shewolves! Grade: A-

Frankmusik – Every Breath You Take (Police Cover).
Comment: When this Irish electro mixer is not reworking the likes of Mika and The Pet Shop Boys, he is recording covers of today’s hits and 80s classics. This time he is showcasing his vocal talent gift and a knack for minimalist techno beats in this avant-garde rework of one of pop’s classic romantic anthems.
Grade: B

Miike Snow – A Horse Is Not A Home
Comment: This Stockholm-based band is led by the emerging Indie recording star singer/songwriter Andrew Wyatt. This fascinating single could best be described as a unique combination of David Bowie meets Arcade Fire. This is one Euro-import that Indie/rock enthusiasts should be clamoring over this Fall.
Grade:A+

"Basterds" Carve Up a Must-See, Delightfully Entertaining Action Thriller

2009-08-26T21:25:00.000-05:00

Inglorious Basterds Rated: R

Quentin Tarantino has built an illustrious career as a filmmaker by brilliantly incorporating exhilarating choreographed action sequences, avant-garde music scores and sardonic humor into his successful hits Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown. Tarantino’s latest movie could be his finest cinematic achievement to date with the historical fiction WII drama, Inglorious Basterds.

Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) plays a military lieutenant who leads a brigade of Jewish soldiers, “The Basterds,” trained to brutally assassinate any Nazi soldier wearing a Swastika emblem on their military uniform. Raine’s plan to end the war by destroying the Nazi party receives an unexpected boost when he gets covert intelligence that Hitler and his brain trust are expected to attend the screening of a Nazi-inspired film.

Actress Mélanie Laurent dazzles onscreen as the beautiful, cunning Shosanna, a French Jew who escapes captivity in Nazi-occupied France to run her aunt’s movie theater. Her role becomes pivotal to the film’s explosive finale to eradicate the central core of the Nazi regime.

Christoph Waltz’s performance as Col. Hans Landa, the dim-witted yet ruthless intelligence officer, ranks among the film’s top highlights. But Tarantino’s remarkable screenplay is the unsung hero of the film by adding a splash of British-like comedic farce into the military drama.

The filmmakers depict these savage soldiers as superheroes who viciously torture the Nazi soldiers by carving a signature slogan for their brutality toward the Jewish people. While Inglorius Basterds has moments of extreme graphic violence, Tarantino and Co. provide the right touches of humor to make this worthwhile movie a spectacular experience for most moviegoers.

Grade: A-

Posted 8/26/09

In The Spotlight: Interview With Cast Members At Cannes Film Festival

Tram Nation Traxx Stars (Interview: DJ Adsorb)

2009-08-26T20:45:00.002-05:00

SkyTram Mixes It Up With The Hottest Music Acts and Producers In The Biz

In The Mix: DJ Adsorb

Located on the British South Coast, Brighton sports one of the UK's preeminent destinations for exotic nightlife as it has nearly 400 pubs and myriad of dance clubs. DJ Adsorb (aka Adam Dowling) has grabbed Great Britain by storm with his massive break beat remixes of top indie sensations The Killers, MGMT and the Futureheads. Recently, he remixed Splitloop's trip-hop Party People into a funky breaks mix. DJ Adsorb booked his travels with SkyTram to share the latest on his upcoming releases, his experience at the Glade Festival 2009 and a strange encounter with a celebrity super star.

Could you describe the intensive creative process that went into your electro-house re-edits of MGMT and Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers?
Well without giving too much away ... it's all about seeing the potential in a tune and putting my own ideas and slant on it – creating different drum patterns layering synths and emphasizing what is already there to create something fresh and exciting!

MGMT Kids (Adsorb Re-Edit)

Your new Bonkers remix is getting rave reviews on blogs and on BBC Radio 1. How long did it take to come up with the added beats and extra production to make your Re-edit stand out?
I worked on it for a few days then left it as the flow wasn't right to start with. But came back to it just before the Glade Festival, as I wanted to play it there and finished it off in an afternoon.

What was your motivation behind the Bonkers mix?
My motivation was to create a solid breakbeat version as the original was 4x4 and there had been a big dubstep version that everyone was playing already.

Glade Festival 2009 Promo Music & Highlights

You played a large variety of trance, house and electro dance tunes at the Glade Festival in July. Describe for those overseas what the festival is about, what was your experience there and what made it an awesome scene for technogoers?
The Glade Festival is one of the best electronic music festivals in Europe. It covers all music styles and has something for everyone. They always have top-notch production and they get the most cutting edge DJ's and producers to play each year. This was my first time DJing at the Glade Festival with the guys from Nuskoolbreaks.co.uk in the Breakdown Tent. I only came down for the night as I had to get back to London. And my first impression was a cross between Mad Max, Dust Till Dawn and Flesh Eating Zombies.....stick that around 10 massive sound systems, lots of mud, serious partygoers and your getting close...

Do you have any big remix projects or new singles that you could describe or tease for us?
I have a new remix coming out soon on Against The Grain, a Deekline & Wizard tune called Fire. There is also a new remix for Kid Kenobi's new label 'Too Fresh' entitled Too Fresh that's coming out soon too.

Best Remix you have heard this year?
Ghetto Blaster by Krafty Kuts is a top tune.

Best New Band In The UK?
I heard Freeland play live at Glastonbury Festival with his new band and was pretty blown away.

Favorite Album this year?
General Midi's new album is very cool. Kings of Leon's album is great on more of a band tip.

Favorite Classic Rock Icon and why?
Probably Jimi Hendrix as he was just way ahead of his time.

Have you had any favorable or awkward run-ins with a famous celebrity?
I got asked to DJ at the wrap party for Pride and Prejudice, which was being filmed at Chatsworth House near Sheffield. I had to DJ in a Marquee after Micheal Flatleys River Dance band....Kiera Knightley and the whole cast were there dancing...very bizzare!

If I were planning a trip to Brighton, where should I go for the following:

Favorite Lodging: Lodging in Brighton would be Hotel Pelirocco, very cool themed hotel.

Favorite Club: Club – Audio (Supercharged on a Wed night)

Favorite Pub: Sidewinder in Kemptown on a hot summer's day.

Favorite Record Shop: Rounder Records

Favorite Restaurant: Sawadee (Lovely Thai place on St James St.

Posted 8/17/09

For the latest details on DJ Adsorb's upcoming gigs and for free downloads, join his Facebook Group. You can also find him on Myspace for exclusive information on his upcoming releases.

Soulful Surrender

2009-08-26T13:31:00.002-05:00

Cold Souls Rated: R

Baby, it’s cold outside. It’s even colder inside when you don’t have your soul. Imagine if you could separate yourself from the “weight” of your soul. Take away the core part of you that may be holding you back from making a decision or moving forward. This is the premise behind Sophie Barthes dark, thought-provoking film Cold Souls.

In this film, Paul Giamatti, playing himself, struggles with getting into character. He feels burdened by his soul. So he does what any logical person would do if the opportunity arose … he undergoes a surgical procedure to temporarily remove his soul. When he doesn’t like the way it feels, he experiments with having a Russian poet’s soul instead. Chaos ensues when he decides to have the procedure reversed and finds that his soul has been stolen and sold on the Russian black market.

Cold Souls is an insightful and creative film. Writer/Director Sophie Barthes has created a stunning and imaginative story and Giamatti’s performance equals that of Malkovich in Being John Malkovich. David Strathairn's (Good Night and Good Luck) portrayal of Dr. Flinstein as a blundering genius is Oscar worthy. His comedic satire is spot-on and he steals every scene he in the movie.

The film’s comedic beginning soon ventures into darker, chilling territory. Viewers will be surprised and challenged by the film’s direction. Barthes’ dark humor and satire will not sit well with everyone and viewer’s may be surprised by the film’s content. This soulful story packed with philosophical questions and great performances will fill your quota for an intellectual evening out.

Grade A-

Posted 8/27/09

Skyz The Limit Too: My Top Five Weekend Club Tunes

2009-08-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Flatcap - DJ Makka, 2Ton & Vocalist
Comment: This ultra- groovy reggae dub track samples in the complete instrumental from the 80s Madness classic Our House. If you add in a wicked baseline and slick Caribbean hip-hop verses, this is a killer recipe for a future club-floor filler sensation (White Label).

Michael Jackson- Billy Jean (Richard Durand Bootleg)
Comment: The death of the King of Pop has spurred a plethora of remixes that destroy the very essence of one of the best track’s in Rock N’ Roll History. DJ Durand retains the essential elements of the tune while splicing in heavy electro house beats to transform this hit single into a signature tune for one’s modern club playlist (White Label).

Filthy Dukes- Tupac Robot Club Rock (Kill Em All, Let Wiley Sort It Out Remix)
Comment: The London synth pop group is back with a blockbuster new track that will make waves across the electronic music dance scene. When they are not remixing pop singles, they are collaborating with up-and-coming new acts such as Philadelphia’s own rapper Plastic Little. The rap vocal is highly reminiscent of Dizzee Rascal’s finest works. The group brilliantly blends in a smattering of propulsive break beats and 90s trance-style synthesizers into the mix to make a top headliner at your next big party-get together.

Sweet Disposition (Doorly Remix) - Temper Trap
Comment: Australia’s new chart-topping single gets brilliantly remixed by these UK dubsteppers who add in an acid baseline and experimental electronica to provide technogoers with a delightful hypnotic effect on the dance floor. Careful, the after effects could make you a little lightheaded and wobbly on your feet (White Label).

The Noisettes- Wild Young Hearts (Kissy Sell Out Mix)
Comment: Kissy is back with another great mix from one of the UK’s most adored female-pop sensations. The British remixer adds in rapid -fire arcade-like synthesizers, a thumping baseline and rave-style breaks into the fold. This could turn out to be the techno artist’s best remix achievement to date.

ONE MORE SKYBLAST!

Kings of Leon Use Somebody (Tong & Rogers Remix)

Posted 8/28/09

Tudorific Series

2009-08-22T09:20:00.001-05:00

Many of us dread the long summer months of abysmal television. We don’t want to watch Big Brother 10,000 or some other reality show. Thus, we take advantage of these months to catch up on shows we’ve missed or pick up new ones. As summer is drawing to a close, I insist you take advantage of these last few days by catching up on the three seasons of the Showtime series The Tudors.

With Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point, August Rush) as King Henry VIII, history is anything but boring. Then again, with six wives – two were divorced, one died and one beheaded – the writers did have a lot to work with. Viewers are able to watch the King rise from his happy youth to a troubled adulthood. The writers also have loaded the show with enough erotica to keep both men and women interested.

It is intriguing to watch relationships and alliances build and crumble. Allies one week become nemesis the next, and then bounce back to friend again. The three seasons span more than 10 years and it’s fascinating to watch characters grow and mature. The time span also allows for the introduction of new characters who keep the show fresh.

Reason to watch each season
Season 1: Meyers is compelling as a king gaining his footing and power. Viewers become acclimated to the jockeying for position and status and learn how quickly the king’s favor can change. You will wonder who is truly in control of the kingdom. Maria Doyle Kennedy is fantastic as Queen Catherine of Aragon. Her performance as a devoted wife and a woman of faith is worthy of an emmy! Watch for a few memorable appearances by Gabrielle Anwar (Scent of A Woman).

Season 2: The king has gained his footing and is ready to rule with an iron fist and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Religious wars and wars for independence rage, while the quest for a male heir takes center stage. The second season of The Tudors basks in character development. Secondary characters in the first season take center stage. Although the cast is large, viewers get a real sense of growth in certain characters and an increased sense of greed in others. Guest appearances by Peter O'Toole (Caligola) as Pope Paul III will only increase your viewing pleasure.

Season 3: Find out who is truly in control, who keeps their wits and who loses their faith… This is the weakest season of the three, but viewers will be interested in following Henry’s potentially troubling flight.

Friend or foe, all characters should watch their heads. Creative liberties have been taken, but a quick google search shows that much of the information is both accurate and enthralling. Use these last days of summer to catch up on some "extracurricular" history before the school year begins ….

Published 8/26/09

Grade: Season 1: A+ Season 2: A Season 3: B

In The Spotlight: The Tudor's Cast Interviews

Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week (August 27, 2009)

2009-08-21T14:48:00.001-05:00

Voxtrot – Berlin Without Return
Comment: This Austin-based group may have earned a reputation as a one-trick pony by adopting a sound that conjures memories of the Manchester music scene that includes the likes of The Smiths. This brand-new single features a beautiful, resonating vocal accompanied by 90s style drumbeats and keyboard synths. Perhaps getting lost in nostalgia can be a worthwhile treat now and again. Grade: B+

Thom Yorke ¬– All For The Best
Comment: Yorke’s solo material can be described as more experimental and synth-oriented than his Radiohead discography. This track is probably more mainstream stream than his other material as it begins with computerized bleeps before giving way to Neil Young folk-style vocal and distorted guitar riffs. Let’s hope this bodes well for the next Radiohead album.
Grade: A

The Chipmunk – Oopsy Daisy
Commment:This new UK hip-hop sensation is back with a gorgeous tune complemented by the breathtaking vocal styling’s of female lead singer Tanya Lacey. The lyrics are catchy yet heart-wrenching as they chronicle the singer’s troubled love relationships. It won’t be long before the U.S. hip-hop fandom separates these Chipmunks from the overexposed cartoon characters.
Grade: A-

Julian Plenti-Game For Days
Comment:Frontman Paul Banks of Interpol fame releases this new pop ditty that conjures up memories of Ian Curtis from Joy Division. Unfortunately, there is a key ingredient missing – one that made his gothic rock material special while performing with his bandmates. This new tune will have to suffice as we eagerly anticipate new material from his New York-based indie band.
Grade: B

Jack Penate – Pull My Heart Away
Comment: This awesome new single by the singer/songwriter has dazzled fans in the UK with the artist’s heartfelt lyrics about withdrawing from a relationship. By incorporating retro-style synths and a killer catchy tune, this could be the millennium's new Embrace UK. The sound seems too ordinary without the monumental menacing guitar riffs from either Daniel Kessler or Sam Fogarino’s jarring percussion. This song, overall, is purely sublime. Indie fans stateside will be hearing more from this band in months to come.
Grade: A+

Posted 8/27/09

Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week (August 20)

2009-08-19T17:13:00.013-05:00

La Roux – I’m Not Your Toy (Jack Beats Remix)

Comment: Britain’s ultra-talented electro-pop band returns with another mega single to add to their impressive discography of recent hits. This time UK’s techno group mixes in various spellbinding synths and mind-crushing baselines to accompany Elly Jackson’s haunting vocal. This will become a fall dance classic when this single drops stateside.
Grade: A+

The Weepies – Can’t Go Back Now
Comment: This folk pop band from Cambridge, Mass., recorded this bittersweet short tune for the Adam Soundtrack. This track’s heartbreaking vocal coupled with its resonating message provides a harmony reminiscent of classic Simon & Garfunkel.
Grade: B+

Deadmau5 – Ghost N’ Stuff (Nero Remix)
Comment: Joel Zimmerman (AKA Deadmau5) is one of Canada’s hottest music producers who has achieved global recognition for unleashing monster electro and progressive house dance tunes. This time he has enlisted Robert Swire to provide seductive vocals to rework his trippy psychedelic electronic-driven instrumental. Nero, UK’s revered drum & bass maestros (remixed Beyonce & The Streets), provided big beat grooves into the mix to transform this track into an instant dance-floor filler smash hit.
Grade: A

Kings of Leon – Be Somebody (Will Atkinson Remix)
Comment: These long-haired alternative indie rockers from Nashville have been one of America’s top headliners this year. DJ Atkinson rolls out this massive beat-driven mix by incorporating tribal drums and explosive electro-house driven flavors underneath the band’s highly emotive chorus. This new bootleg proves this lad from Sheffield, England, could become a globally recognized name in years to come.
Grade: A-

Radiohead – These Are My Twisted Words
Comment: The British band has reportedly recorded several tracks and started to leak out this new record for fans to salivate over. Two years since he gave his In Rainbows LP away for free, Thom Yorke and his bandmates have leaked this new track on fan sites. The song is filled with their signature distorted guitar riffs, computer-driven beats and synthesizers. While this song does not have the same radio-friendly appeal as Reckoner, this tune showcases the band’s gift for employing various odd-end instruments into their records. Fans will have to remain patient to see if the band’s next LP will rank closer to OK Computer or the underwhelming Hail to The Thief.
Grade: B

Honorable Mention:

U2-Crazy (Alex Metric Remix)
Comment: DJ Metric revamps the Irish super group’s new single into a heavy electro-beat driven dance floor stomper filled with vocoder sound effects and breakbeats, while retaining the band’s quintessential sound. Unfortunately, Alex and his managerial team have informed SkyTram that it is now highly unlikely that this remix will ever garner an official release. While U2’s record label (Island) liked the dance mix, the band itself decided to pass on it. Let us hope this sensational remix gets leaked to a Web site near you!
Grade: A+

In The Spotlight: U2-Crazy (Alex Metric Remix)

Posted8/19/09

Exclusive: Humbug LP Offers Pleasant Surprises For Even The Most Devout Arctic Monkey Fans

2009-08-04T15:31:00.001-05:00

After only a two years hiatus, the Arctic Monkeys return with an emotionally charged album, featuring an impressive mix of guitar-driven grooves and retro-style psychedelic pop. The band has generated favorable publicity after spending over a year testing out new material during live performances throughout the UK. Perhaps, their tune-up was well spent!

The album’s most immediate track is the 60s British Invasion-flavored Cornerstone featuring Beatles centric hooks. Front man Alex Turner’s emotionally charged vocal conjures up memories of classic George Harrison in a love ballad about holding on to fading memories of a past romance.

Secret Door could be the album’s most successful single as it offers a splendid combination of hypnotic distorted vocal effects, luscious strings and thunderous drum rolls. Turner could be crooning about escaping an empty life through a magical but fabled story in a childrens book. “Not looking like she was soon to leave, I had to squint in order to believe. And then like a pull and a push in on a bookshelf, I'm unveiling the unexpected.”

The band chants in unison during the introduction to Dangerous Games, which recalls vintage melodies from The Byrds. The song then blends in rapid-fire guitar clangs and battering-like percussion to make it a potential fan favorite for future live performances. The lyrics are almost incomprehensible but eerily catchy, “A N I M A L makes my head pirouette. More than I would be willing to confess D A N G E R O U S.”

Alex Turner may have learned a few tricks while on his sabbatical with his side project, The Last Shadow Puppets. By employing various retro-style harmonies and instrumentation, this LP could be the band’s most artistically creative endeavor yet. While they haven’t quite unveiled their softer side, the good old chaps have begun a journey to a more mature themed album, with a repertoire of sonically diverse tunage.
Grade: B+

Published 8/14/09

In The Spotlight: Arctic Monkeys-Cornerstone (Live)

Posted 8/14/09

Savor Seeing Seuss

2009-08-03T16:00:00.001-05:00

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, Green Eggs And Ham, Fox In Socks, – the list of Dr. Seuss stories is endless. Mathew Abramowitz, owner of the 4th Wall Gallery in Dallas, was able to bring a collection of Seuss’s famous and not so famous pieces to his gallery. Viewers, ranging from 50 to 150 a day, were able to see classic pieces from The Cat In the Hat, Sam I Am and Horton Hears A Who.

Although the exhibit was small, it exposed attendees to some of Seuss’s obscure pieces. Viewers may be surprised by the sexual undertone (Myopic Woman) in certain pieces and the dark overtone in others (The Stag at Eve) from the Secret Art collection. This exhibit exposed visitors to other parts of Seuss’s life as well.
It contained a number of his early political cartoons and spoke of his academy award-winning films on WWII.

Reading certain Seuss stories, such as Sylvester McMonkey McBean, as an adult, one marvels at his ingenuity. If you were to poll a group of adults, almost all of them could quote you a line from their favorite Seuss story. Hearing Seuss as a child made us laugh, taught us tongue twisters and, all in all, made us feel content and like children.

While attending the exhibit, you will hear joyous comments from both adults and children. Seuss managed to tie life lessons into color comical illustrations with catchy poetry that hold true no matter what your age. Abramowitz said, “The world is so chaotic right now, Seuss made people feel safe.”

Seuss was an artist, visual revolutionary and educator to all. Perhaps one of his greatest gifts is that people can identify with and find solace and comfort in his work. He is able to work timeless magic through his pieces. This traveling exhibit is a pleasure to behold.

Posted 8/8/09

Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week (August 14)

2009-07-31T10:27:00.000-05:00

The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition
Comment: This trio of Aussies have produced a centerpiece heartbreaking anthem for the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack, which features haunting, Bowie-esque vocals from lead guitarist and vocalist Dougy Mandagi. This track will become an addictive pleasure for all Indie-rock enthusiasts. It’s dark, powerful and gut wrenching. This is the closest any band has come to Coldplay’s Fix You in years. Grade: A+

Gossip – Heavy Cross
Comment: This Washington State threesome are led by the controversial but soulful vocal stylings of Beth Ditto. This future hit single features a groovy mix of modern disco electronica and brooding guitar riffs reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand. With several dance remix promos leaked on the Web, expect this to become a club sensation for 2009. Grade: A

Ian-Brown – Stellify
Comment: The former Stone Roses frontman appears to be crooning about finding rejuvenation after finding the love of his life. Brown does appear unusually upbeat in this optimistic mid-tempo love ballad that features his quintessential seductive vocal delivery. But this single won’t satiate fan’s protest for the widely-speculated Stone Roses Reunion Tour. The wait continues! Grade: B

Florence & The Machines – Drummer Song (Boy 8bit Remix)
Comment: Londoner Florence Welch return continues to receive critical acclaim for her breathtaking rhythm and blues-like vocals in a new single about being crazy in love. Techno group Boy8bit splices in mesmerizing Kraftwerkian synths and tribal drums to make this an instant classic at area nightclubs. Grade: A-

Muse – Uprising

Comment: Featuring Sci-Fi sound effects, moody electro-beats and buzz-saw-like guitar clangs, Matt Bellamy’s sinister-like falsettos shine through in this punk ballad. The chorus is killer and the message to “fight back despite the odds” resonates through in this new uplifting single. Grade: B

In The Spotlight: Drummer Song-Florence and The Machine (Live)

Posted 8/14/09

Laughter is the best medicine

2009-07-30T16:25:00.002-05:00

There is an old adage – If we didn’t laugh, we’d cry. Funny People, starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen will make you laugh so hard, you’ll cry.

Sandler is cast as George Simmons, a world-famous comedian and movie star, who is diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. He hires Ira Wright (Rogen) an up-and-coming comedian to be his assistant/writer. As Simmons coaches Wright on ways to improve his stand-up material, you can almost envision the changing of the guard from one comedic genius to another.

Sandler’s reign as the king of comedies is slowly coming to an end. His movies are no longer guaranteed hits and writer/director Judd Apatow has given him the opportunity to have a juicy dramatic role. The fact that Sandler plays a character so similar to himself only makes the movie more enjoyable. Apataow has also managed to pack the movie with his cohorts from previous films.

Jonah Hill (Superbad) and Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore) as Ira’s roomies and rivals are perfect foibles to Rogen. Schwartzman’s character has gained fame as a character on a terrible teen sitcom while Rogen and Hill are still struggling to find their footing. Leslie Mann (Knocked Up), plays Laura, Simmons' one true love, who got away.

In addition to casting great supporting actors, Apatow has also filled the movie with surprising and delightful comedians who have all at one point or other been comedians at the top of their field.

The first half of the movie is sheer genius! It’s fast paced and fluid. The second half of the movie loses its focus and footing. The storyline drags and meanders unnecessarily.

Even with its faults, the chemistry between the actors is flawless and Funny People will satisfy your laughter craving.

Grade: B

Club Mayhem Weekend Re-Chord Thrillers (8/14)

2009-07-30T16:18:00.000-05:00

Club Tunes Aaron Is Spinning From His Record Room Live From Dallas

Skooled In New Musik
Muse vs Daft Punk (Deadmau5 Mash-up Live From Ibiza)
Numb (Heatbeat Remix)- Linkin Park
Wonderwall (DnB Remix)- Oasis
Mistake (Funkagenda Remix)- Moby

Skyz The Limit
Use Somebody (Groove Control Remix) - Kings of Leon
Bulletproof (Morgan Page Remix) - La Roux
Party People (Absorb Remix) - Split Proof
In The Middle (Nero Remix) - The Streets

The Tram Nation MiniMix
Crazy (Redanka Remix) - U2
Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix) - The Streets
I Want To Wake Up-Example
I’m Not Alone (Featurecast Remix) - Calvin Harris
Animalistic P***yhole (Mash-Up) - Miike Snow Vs Dizzee Rascal

SkySelection of The Week
Ritual Purification (Ali Wilson Remix) - Marco V

The Final SkyBlast

Monday (Tong & Rogers Remix)-Carlo Dall’anese & Fabio Castro

In The Spotlight: Ritual Purification (Ali Wilson Remix)-Marco V

Published 8/14/09

Tram Nation Traxx Stars (Interview)

2009-07-29T10:32:00.000-05:00

SkyTram Mixes It Up With The Hottest Music Acts and Producers In The Biz

In The Mix: Phil Crawf

Phil Crawf is a highly touted deejay and producer from Northern Ireland who has the gift for conjuring up an explosive array of new trance, house and electro-influenced records and bootleg dance remixes. Crawf has received global recognition for his electro-house remix of the Kings of Leon’s hit single Sex on Fire. He also achieved international fame on BBC Radio 1 for his unofficial remixes of U2, MGMT and The Enemy. This year, under his own record label, Crawf produced and recorded his own massive club tune in I Heart You. Phil Crawf dropped by our domain to share his thoughts on his upcoming new singles, favorite records and life in Belfast.

Could you share with us how you got your first big break in the music biz? It was a demo tape I had to give to a club owner! ‘Tapes’ how retro am I?

The new single, Splash is wicked and one of my favorite new club tunes this year. What was your inspiration behind it? It has to be the main old-skool style riff in the break! It makes the hairs stand up!

Your remixes of La Roux, The Enemy, MGMT and Kings of Leon are amazing. Could you briefly describe the challenges of getting these remixes approved for official release? Well, when you do your own remixes of the best tracks around, it’s hard to get these released because you own no rights to the tracks. Therefore, you would have to get them re-sung by someone good enough to do them justice and buy the publishing of the label who owns the rights of the songs! After all that, it would not be worth doing it because they would make all the money. That’s why it’s important to make your own tracks and not just remixes!

Are there any new remix projects on the way that you could share or tease for us? Under my house alter ego ‘Mr Groove’ comes a great track called Subliminal & I’ve done my harder ‘Phil Crawf’ remix of course, also another ‘Mr Groove' track called Sound Allergy.

What other projects do you have in the fire? I’m working on some other Phil Crawf tracks as well as a possible album!

Favorite new band in Europe: La Roux

Favorite band from Ireland:(other than U2)?< Snow Patrol!!!

Favorite American Band: The Kings of Leon just Rock J

Best song, album and remix you have heard this year?
Best Song: Rank 1 - L.E.D. There Be Light
Album: Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
Remix: Morgan page - Longest Road Feat. Lissie (Lex Da Funk Remix)

If you could travel back in time to any point in history, what would it be? What tunes would be on your setlist?
The 90s, warehouse raves & with my current tracks, the tunes were good back then, but I think the productions are far better now! It would just wreck the place! Or at the very least you would be known as the new guy with the weird tunes!

If I were going to recommend a travel itinerary to Belfast and Northern Ireland, what would be some of your local favorites:
Favorite Club: Love Fridays @ the beach club

Favorite Pub: Anyone that’s round the town centre there all good! They sell drink don’t they!
Favorite Record Shop: Bass Division
Favorite Restaurant: Tony Roma’s! World famous Ribs!

By Aaron Malofsky
Posted 8/6/09

Coldplay Returns to Big D With A Few Setlist Surprises For Fans

2009-07-27T18:10:00.001-05:00

Coldplay delivered awe-inspiring performance Thursday night in front of a crowd of nearly 20,000 raucous fans at the Superpages Center in Dallas. While most of the setlist featured many of their hit singles from their Viva La Vida album, Chris Martin had a few tricks and treats for their loyal fan base. The British “Super band” surprised many concertgoers with a massive array of special effects, unique setlist additions and a tribute to a recently deceased legend of rock n’ roll.

Chris Martin and Co. had fans surging from their seats during an electro-beat remix of Clocks, which featured a barrage multicolor laser-light schemes, encompassing the stage. Many fans flaunted their iPhones to capture the special choreographed scenes of the performance.

One of the more mosh-pit worthy moments of the evening came when the band mashed-up Talk (Thin White Duke Remix) with a heavy metal version of God Put A Smile On Face.

Fans were clamoring for Coldplay to surprise its loyal following with some of their older hits. The band silenced the house with a mournful unplugged version of Trouble, featuring just Martin on piano. Martin continued to showcase his exceptional high octaves and his prowess as a could-be classical pianist on the big beat epic hit Politik.

One of the top highlights of the night came when the band disappeared from the main stage and re-emerged from their satellite stage in the center of the lawn section. They proceeded to play a dreamy unplugged version of Green Eyes followed by an uproarious audience sing-along to the semi-acoustic cover of Michael Jackson’s mega-hit single, Billie Jean.

Coldplay stunned the crowd near the conclusion of the setlist by dropping a shower of multicolored papier-mache butterflies on the audience while they crooned to their new romantic anthem, Lovers In Japan.

The only hit worth mentioning that the band didn’t play was their techno pop-infused single Speed of Sound. This decision sheds light on the band’s new shocking musical evolution to more dramatic rock selections. Fans will have to wait two years before their next album surfaces. What direction might the band venture into next? Acid Jazz? Rave-infused drum n’ bass? The possibilities are endless – but then again, so is the wait!

Grade: A

In The Spotlight: Lovers In Japan (Live From Dallas)

Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week (August 1)

2009-07-26T14:38:00.000-05:00

Passion Pit – To Kingdom Come (Grum Remix)
Comment: The British techno outfit drops this colossal techno remix of the Bostonian’s new pop single that features a slew of mind blowing synths, retro-style drum loops and gorgeous vocorder sound effects. A must-have tune for any deejay’s setlist! Grade: A+

Discovery – I Want You Back.
Comment: The new electronic band from the Big Apple mixes reggae dub and electro-house grooves in this slick cover of the Jackson 5’s hit single. The Vampire Weekend side-project unveils a future summer smash hit in this novel rework of an R&B classic. Grade: A

Coldplay – Bloodless Revolution (B-Side).
Comment: In this heartbreaking piano ballad, Chris Martin vocalizes his concerns for senseless violence and government-led invasions to spread global democracy. This leaked Viva La Vida outtake showcases Martin’s brilliant work as a pianist and has fans yearning for a full-scale, studio mixed version of the song. Could this track earn a 2010 release? Let the rumors begin! Grade: B+

Undertow – The Stars.
Comment: This Montreal-based band releases an emotional ballad, featuring a seductive yet haunting vocal, luscious strings and a groovy trip-hop backbeat that will have listeners clamoring to hear more from this Canadian import. Grade: A

Stick & Stones – Jamie T.
Comment: This new mega-Brit rock smashing tune is a bold mix of vintage Pete Doherty and The Street’s Mike Skinner. This new single should be a definitive wake-up call for those critics who denounce bands who mix rock n’ roll with old -school style sequences. It’s time to give a serious listen to this new “Rock n’ Rolla.” Grade: A+

In the Spotlight: Stick & Stones – Jamie T.

A Fresh Take On Summer Heartache

2009-07-25T13:27:00.002-05:00

500 Days of Summer takes the trite, overdone romantic comedy and delightfully turns it on its head. Even thought the characters seem happy go lucky – the story contains love, laughter, heartbreak and deception. Right and wrong are irrelevant … when it comes to matters of the heart, our hero and heroine can only be true to themselves.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Brick, Stop-Loss) plays Tom, a would-be architect who has somehow ended up writing greeting cards. He falls head-over-heels for new employee and polar opposite, Summer (Zooey Deschanel, Gigantic, Elf). She’s a quirky free spirit. He’s a straight-laced romantic … opposites attract!

The movie begins with Tom relaying his devastation at their breakup and proceeds with a beautiful narration of the 500 days of their relationship – the good, the bad and the ugly. The writers have used an ingenious flashback and flash forward sequence to tell their story. Viewers jump with Tom and Summer from their first encounter to the ensuing relationship. We are able to get a glimpse of the two leads both as individuals and as a couple.

Director Marc Webb uses numerous cinematic tools – ranging from dance numbers, cartoon characters and visual drawings – that make the movie visually charming. The film also manages to appeal to both men and women. Anyone who has been in love and survived a breakup will appreciate the humor, and wisdom, in this story.

Even though the ending seems a bit too optimistic, riding this romantic roller coaster is a treat.

Grade: B+

Emotional Trauma Takes A Toll In The Hurt Locker

2009-07-15T10:08:00.001-05:00

Sometimes the greatest risks posed to the soldiers abroad are those that are not easily decipherable to the human eye. What if an imminent threat exists within your own command unit? Hurt Locker is a compelling and frenetic-paced military drama about a maverick commander who risks both his life and his team members while trying to deactivate bombs and other explosives in war-torn Baghdad in 2004. This is an emotional and insightful character-study film that traces the lives of three soldiers struggling to work together for the last 40 days on tour in Iraq.

Jeremy Renner is superb as reckless-by-nature Staff Sergeant William James, who places personal objectives above his teammates. Sgt. William’s methods come under sharp scrutiny from bomb squad colleagues Sgt. JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty). William’s presence on the squad is off to an inauspicious start because he refuses to use radio-controlled equipment to relay information as he deactivates various plastic explosives.

This film is a cinematic achievement for Kathryn Bigelow who also drew global acclaim for her action drama Point Break. Bigelow’s impressive use of the shaky cam and close-up shots serve as a great tool in luring the viewer to become further engaged in the chaotic and dangerous backdrop of this region of the Middle East. There are a few distracting elements here. The film’s use of sound mixing includes too many dramatic instrumentals that drown out the dialogue and sometimes thwarts film’s authenticity. The film would have been better served using more natural sound to assist in plot development.
This film is not for the faint of heart as it includes graphic language and gory violence, including a bomb buried in a dead corpse. But Hurt Locker is a thoughtful and realistic story about the violence inside the trenches and its emotional impact on the men and women that serve in the armed forces.

Grade: B+

Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week ( July 13th)

2009-07-14T14:31:00.001-05:00

Athlete – Summer Sun
Comment: These highly touted Brit rockers have released a free gem off their Web site. Joel Potts’s sweet vocal recalls vintage Phil Collins and Pete Gabriel. While this slow guitar rock ballad may sound top 40ish, it will definitely cool you down during the summer’s sweltering heat. Grade: B+

The Cribs – We Were Aborted
Comment: This West Yorkshire-native band returns with its menacing guitar grooves, violent drums and an incredibly catchy chorus, which will have you dancing across your living room floor. Grade: A-

Michael Jackson – Bill Jean (Dirty Funker Remix)
Comment: The British techno outfit brilliantly distorts Jackson’s vocal, splices in samples of his last press conference and his timeless Thriller video. If you add in break beats, you have an awesome remix that pays its final respects to the Legendary Pop Icon. Grade: A+

Arctic Monkeys – Crying Lighting
Comment: This future mega-single has leaked across the net this week. The British band returns with a familiar formula that galvanized the British punk scene across the world. Alex Turner’s soothing vocal over guitar distortion and thunderous drum beats will have fans awaiting their next LP, due out at the end of 2009. Grade: A

Discovery – Can You Discover
Comment: Vampire Weekend’s lead keyboardist and guitarist Rostam Batmanglij delivers a great new single that features New Wave 80s electro-style synths and reggae style beats that will have you excited for more material from this potentially hot new act new 2009. Batmanglij’s new side project is perfect mood music for a fun day at the beach. Grade: A-

In The Spotlight: Billy Jean (Dirty Funker Remix)- Michael Jackson

Comment: The British techno outfit brilliantly distorts Jackson’s vocal, splices in samples of his last press conference and timeless Thriller video. If you add in break beats, you have an awesome remix that pays its final respects to the Legendary Pop Icon. Grade: A+

Brüno is anything but Boring

2009-07-12T12:36:00.001-05:00

Sacha Baron Cohen is one of this generation’s most genius comedians. His work comes across as comedy, but is actually thinly veiled social commentary. Borat was a brilliant film that exposed people’s phobias and levels of intolerance. Cohen has, once again, made a comedic spectacle. But, this time, it not only fails to challenge perceptions, it also may perpetuate or create homophobic stereotypes. Brüno is no Borat!

Although there are a few laugh-out-loud moments, most of the movie is filled with close-ups of crotch shots and over-the-top homosexual sex scenes. Cohen plays Brüno, an Austrian model, who is trying to make it big in America. He orchestrates numerous bits to garner attention, including adopting an African American baby and going on talk shows. Pushing boundaries is part of Cohen’s shtick and a few schemes worked to comedic perfection. The most brilliant scene in the movie occurs when parents are trying to get their children cast in Brüno’s video. The parents are willing to subject their children to just about anything. The movie should have contained more revealing and insightful scenes like this. Sadly, Cohen depended too much on cheap humor instead of making a film of substance.

Cohen must be commended for his ability to take on the personas he creates. He is almost unrecognizable as Brüno and plays the part with gusto. The movie did not have the cohesiveness that allowed Borat to score at the box office. Many of the scenes were thrown together and had little transition between scenes.

Audience members will flock to the movie, and the closing scene will make the film worth its $10 price. But your time is better served saving Brüno for a matinee or rental!

Grade: C-

A Modern Take on A Timeless Story

2009-07-09T16:17:00.001-05:00

Hatred, love, desire death and a plague on both your houses. Of course, these themes refer to the timeless love story, Romeo and Juliet. The Dallas Hub Theater was able to successfully modernize a classic Shakespearean love story and make it feel hip. The young cast and minimal set give the production had a timeless feel.

Rachel Bower and Travis McClung are excellent as the two leads. They have fantastic chemistry and were able to easily slip into the Shakespearean dialogue. Other cast members seemed to stumble on their words at times or to be stating lines instead of becoming their characters. Although this version is in present day, Texas twangs are never acceptable during a Shakespeare performance! David Jeremiah (Mercutio) and Manson Thoma (Benvolio) manage to make up for pitfalls of other players

The direction, choreography and staging were all excellent and Shakespeare fans will enjoy the retelling. The Hub Theater’s casual, low-key environment and small performance space enhanced the evening and made for an intimate experience.

Grade: B-

Posted 8/8/09

A Giant Step Forward for Filmkind

2009-07-06T16:00:00.002-05:00

The exploration of time, space and identity are put under the microscope in Moon, a cinematic cross between a sci-fi and Hitchcockian thriller. Writer/Director Duncan Jones will have you questioning what is real and what is imagined up until the shocking ending.

Sam Rockwell gives an award-winning performance as Sam Bell, an astronaut finishing his three-year assignment on the moon. His only companion: a robot named Gerty (voiced by Kevin Spacey) who shows emotion through disturbing facial expressions on a yellow smiley face. While on an exploratory mission, Sam has an accident and wakes up in the infirmary to realize that something has inexplicably changed.

Once Sam awakens, the movie enters a Twilight Zone-like state. Sam is no longer alone on the moon and he doesn’t know if he can trust either himself or his newfound companion. He begins to question if he will ever return home and if things will ever be the same.

Director Jones makes full use of incredible background shots of the moon and the earth to enhance Sam’s sense of isolation. The images enable the viewer to toggle between the beautiful space station exterior and the chilling events that are occurring within the station. Rockwell’s tour-de-force performance is a must-see. With minimal casting, and maximum images, rush to your nearest theater for this limited release!

Grade: A-

In The Spotlight: Moon

My Sister’s Keeper Excels Despite Film's New Twist

2009-07-06T14:30:00.002-05:00

What price would you pay to save the life of someone you love? What extraordinary lengths would you go to to protect a loved one’s right to die peacefully? The answers to these fundamental questions are explored in Director Nick Cassavetes’ gripping film adaptation of the novel My Sister’s Keeper. This is an eloquent and sobering portrait of a family ripped apart over the impending death of their cancer-stricken daughter.

Cameron Diaz is outstanding in her gritty performance of Sara Fitzgerald, a mother who is faced with two major battles – a fight to save her eldest daughter Anna’s (played by Sofia Vassilieva) life and a legal dispute with her youngest child Kate (Abigail Breslin) who refuses to donate her own kidney to help the family’s cause. From the onset, Kate is tormented by both a sibling’s secret and the notion that she is being used as a guinea pig to prolong her sister’s suffering. Cassavetes takes artistic liberty by altering the ending of film. (No Spoilers here!) But My Sister’s Keeper retains the poignant message of the film that it is the choices people make – not tragedy – that binds or severs kindred relationships.

Breslin is nothing short of sensational in her resonating performance as Kate who is at the epicenter of the family tragedy. Alec Baldwin, in his supporting role as Kate’s lawyer, is a charming yet tragic figure. He’s plagued by medical issues, which reveal his altruistic intentions for taking Kate’s case. But Diaz delivers her first Oscar-worthy performance as a determined mother unwilling to come to grips with Anna’s terminal prognosis.

In the movie, Breslin identifies giving birth as an act of chance and not “planned.” Moviegoers will empathize with both sisters’ plights. Each daughter makes fundamental choices that will alter their lives. Anna tries to “seize the day” before her battle with leukemia comes to a close. Meanwhile, Kate must accept the fact that her well-being has been largely dismissed by her parents and her actions have irrevocably changed their relationship forever. For the viewer, it's time to make the right choice: make My Sister’s Keeper your next priority!

Grade: A

In The Spotlight: A Preview of My Sister's Keeper

Kasabian Returns with An Invigorating, Fast-Paced New Album

2009-07-02T09:40:00.018-05:00

Some of the most gifted and talented artists face rocky times before they hit the jackpot. The Leicester-born British band has weathered turbulent waters since their first self-titled LP in 2004. Despite the departures of integral band members (e.g., their lead guitarist and bassist), the UK lads have licked their wounds and could deliver a potential blockbuster hit with The West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. Kasabian have come close to reaching perfection as the band continues to dazzle their fans with their vibrant mix of techno and guitar rock that borrows from a myriad of influences from The Stone Roses to the electronic outfit The Chemical Brothers.

Fast-Fuse is a psychedelic rocker, sporting feverish guitar clangs and lead vocalist Tom Meighan provides his best impersonation of Liam Gallagher (of Oasis fame). The Blokes new “single-in-the making” describes what may be a bunch of hooligans living the lime life before they are caught red-handed.

Vlad The Impaler is born to be a stadium rock anthem that incorporates propulsive electro-chimed drumbeats and menacing guitar riffs from Sergio Pizzorono. The Brits may be offering a commentary on their own celebrity status or writing what should be the opening song for the HBO hit Entourage. The track is filled with infectious grooves and ultra-catchy lyrics. All my friends are as sharp as razors, cut you down if you touch the faders. High-class girls hung in elevators. Now we have got the floor.

Swarfiga could be paying tribute to the techno remixer DJ & Producer Welsh-native Lincoln Barrett (aka High Contrast) with this drum-n-bass infused instrumental that belongs on your mixtape as you're cruising down the highway to your next weekend party. It’s only missing one key ingredient – lyrics!
Kasabian serves up their best impression of George Harrison and the Beatles with the acoustic and luscious string ballad, West Rider Silver Bullet. The band members croon about leaving behind a loved one while on a soul-searching mission. This track would sound sublime in a live concert venue.

West Ryder Pauper is currently receiving rave reviews in Great Britain as it has reached number one in the UK Top 40 charts in mid June. The band offers up their most complete album to date, mixing classic rock with modern techno electronica. Spend your hot summer nights with Kasabian’s new LP, which should cause a symphonic firestorm around your home stereo system.
Grade: A-

Download Right Now: Fast Fuse, West Rider Silver Bullet

In The Spotlight: Kasabian-Underdog (From The West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum)

Away We Go

2009-06-22T10:59:00.006-05:00

For college sweethearts, turned life partners, Burt (played by John Krasinski from the Office) and Verona (played by SNL’s Maya Rudolph), the journey to find the perfect place to raise their child is a heartwarming adventure. Along the way, they visit friends and family on a cross-country tour that brings them closer and helps them reach the ideal destination. This is a trip you definitely want a ticket for!

Although the leads are known for their comedic chops, both bring a level of drama and realism to their roles. Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes is able to bring out endearing aspects of each character. This could have been a cheesy B movie. Instead, Mendez uses veteran actors to illustrate the different paths the leads could take in having and raising a child. Many of the parenting styles are taken to the extreme, but with Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney and Catherine O’Hara taking motherhood types to the extreme, the audience takes joy in going along for the ride.

Burt and Verona show the audience that there is no perfect model for parenting and that it’s okay to be in unfamiliar territory in your life. Sometimes the most unexpected journeys lead you to home.

Grade: A

In the Spotlight:

Club Mayhem:Weekend Re-chord Thrillers-July 4th

2009-06-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Club Tunes Aaron is Spinning From His Record Room In Dallas

Skooled In New Musik
Heads Will Roll (Tiesto Remix)-Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Miracle (Grum Remix)-Tommy Sparks
Come Back (Jonsi Remix)-Depeche Mode
Jetstream (Sasha Remix)-The Doves
Viva La Vida (Karl G Remix)-Coldplay

Tram Nation Treats or Traumas
Remedy (Esser Remix)-Little Boots
Blinding Lights (Nero Remix)-The Streets
Freak (Kissy Klub Version)-Silverchair
Use Somebody (Ali Wilson Remix)-Kings of Leon

Sky Selection of The Week (One Year Ago)
Blue Monday (Gold Ryan & Tapesh Remix)-New Order vs. Kurd Maverick

New Sky Selection of The Week
Death (Chase & Status Remix)-White Lies

Michael Jackson In The Mix (RIP)
Beat It (Moby Mix)
Wanna Be Startin' Something (Streetlife DJs Remix)
Billy Jean (Offer Nissim Remix)

The Final SkyBlast
Katherine Hit Me (Dub Remix)-Franz Ferdinand

In The Spotlight: White Lies-Death (Chase & Status Remix)

Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week (June 25)

2009-06-21T11:40:00.000-05:00

Essex Boy – Kissy Sell Out
Comment: You may know Britain’s own Kissy Sell Out for his popular remixes of Tears For Fears, Mark Ronson and R.E.M. From his bold new electro-house infused album Youth, this track features 80s New Wave intensive vocals and Yaz-esque crazed synths, which will become a centerpiece at your next “Festivus Miracle” shindig. Grade: A-

The F-Word – Babybird
Comment: The British have been the trendsetters in great new music dating back to the Beatles. The BBC has a keen eye for talent too. That’s why Chef Gordon Ramsey and the BBC used the title for their new hit food series, The F-Word (how original!). The track features electronic drum loops, buzz-saw guitar and resonating lyrics that will have you clamoring to hear more from this Sheffield, UK band. Grade: A

Chris Issak vs Trentemoller – Dubbed Out Games
Comment: This bootleg mash-up of Issak’s popular ballad Wicked Games is remixed into a seductive concoction of reggae and dubstep that makes for worthy addition to any dj’s playlist. Just Say: Get Down and Grind It Out On The Dance Floor! Grade: B+

Ready For The Weekend – Calvin Harris
Comment: What would happen if The Jackson Five were remixed by 90s pop sensation The Pet Shop Boys? Answer: This track is a budding summer anthem in the making! The Scottish Electro Singer/Songwriter returns with another hit that makes cruising through town in 100-degree heat fun again! Grade: A+

In The Middle –The Streets
Comment: The Birmingham English native rapper returns with this delicious mix of minimalist techno and drum n’bass soundscapes. This track has been receiving top airplay on BBC 1’s club weekend line-up. Mike Skinner continues to amaze the critics with his ingenious use of R&B samples incorporated to his own breathtaking track. He reminds me of another small musical prodigy –Moby! Grade: A

In the Spotlight:
In the Middle – The Streets

Commentary: Freebies? No, It's Just Plain Thievery!

2009-06-21T11:28:00.002-05:00

Do you ever wish you were compensated for outdated products and merchandise? Or that companies could easily afford to give away the “enhanced” copies for a pocket full of change – or even free? If they are only going to minimally enhance an item I’ve already bought once, why should I have to repurchase it a second time.
During this past year, I have surveyed most of the products I bought over the last five to 10 years. I have a done a huge inventory on what the products were, their present condition and their relative perceived value. Now I am left in a huge conundrum. What the hell I am going to do with all these items in my apartment that have little or no value now?

Let’s start with my decade-old NY Times Best Seller motivational workout book, Body for Life, by Bill Phillips. This used to be the gospel on how I approached my workout routines from start to finish. The book promises astonishing Terrell Owens-like results after 12 weeks of honest hard work. The book did a fine job, but I don’t think I could bench-press Owen’s arm even once in a given hour. Now I have learned astonishing news! Phillips has released two more books that prove my valiant efforts to transform my body have been done in vain.

Apparently, now I have to put down my takeout Hut dinner and buy Eat For My Success. If that is not exasperating, he is also plugging the “holy grail” of workout page-turners – Bill Philips Success Journal.

Should I now expect to lose weight and tone my muscles by more than thirty percent? Perhaps the author is telling me that my original Body for Life book is now obsolete. You have GOT to be kidding me! I am hoping my 10th letter to the president of Mr. Philip’s publishing company, Harper Collins, will finally earn me a conference call to rectify the situation by issuing me two free copies of the newest installments to the series. Right now my copy of the book (circa 1999) has been relegated to official door-stopper duty.

Moving along, I found one of my favorite rock CD’s of all time – The Beatles: White Album – stuffed underneath my bed in a large tubular container. I bought this CD “used,” which is probably more than 20 years-old now. Unfortunately, most of album is now inundated with scratch marks and smudges, making it a shell of its former self. After checking on Amazon, Paul McCartney has managed to plug a new Vinyl limited 30-year edition and a Japanese import version.

It wasn’t earth-shattering to learn that none of these recent editions will have any new material or bonus features that warrant the hike in price. They will, however, cost between two or three times as much as I initially paid for the album. If I am assertive, why can’t I make a road trip to New York and pay a visit to EMI headquarters and demand a mint copy of one of those White Album versions? Maybe, I’ll do just that (P.S. one of those versions MUST be stuffed with rare b-sides and early live recordings, right?).

I understand all companies have a fiduciary responsibility to market their products, reintroduce them to consumers or expand their target audience. But now companies are trying to steal money from underneath your mattress to squeeze an extra nickel from your pocket book – as thanks for your doing business at their brick-and-mortar shop. No one knows this better than Apple Inc.

One of the biggest scams going on right now is the updated versions for both the iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch. The iPod Touch’s updates promise a more stable browser interface (is mine a ticking time bomb?), and a shake and shuffle feature (I just want to play my tunes for heaven’s sake!). I spoke to a business manager who provided me with inside scoop that all of these updates are not hardware but software alterations and that they should be free of charge. If you are an iPod Touch user, the cost to you is $10, while upgrading to an iPhone 3G S is as much as $300 extra. It’s just another way that Apple is endearing themselves to their valued customer base.

Maybe the solutions to all of my product quandaries could be solved by cracking the system. Perhaps I’ll jailbreak my iPod Touch to become a 3G iPhone, an illegal book reader and a music file-sharing device. But then I would need to take an illegal tutorial from a notorious hacker friend in Liverpool, England. Suddenly, a road trip to Cupertino, California, to visit Steve Jobs now sounds like a more plausible solution.

By Aaron Malofsky

An Oldie, But A Goodie

2009-06-20T19:14:00.001-05:00

In the 1930s, families were going through uncharted territory as they paved their way through economic hardships at home and enemies abroad. Woody Guthrie advocated for the people and used their own words in his songs. He observed and reported, refusing to be quiet or be threatened by labels like “communist” or “socialist.” In an ironic twist of fate, the themes of the theatrical musical, Woody Guthrie’s American Song, still ring true today.

The play retells Guthrie’s life through a series of vignettes that emphasize his need to make people feel better … his desire to show that all people are equal. Actors in the show each take on Guthrie’s persona at different times in his life. Songs like “Do Re Mi,” Grand Coulee Dam” and “The Sinking of the Rueben James” are just as powerful today. His brilliant lyrics are historical retellings of tragic events. Yet, somehow you feel the need to sing along and feel better for doing so.

The first half of the show is both lively and entertaining. The second half is a bit slower and couldn’t keep the same pace. Perhaps the show would have benefited from putting more fast-paced songs in the second half. The cast did a great job of rallying attendees to sing along. By the grand finale, the audience members were singing, swaying from side to side and smiling, while taking part in a rousing rendition of “This Land Belongs to You and Me.”

Guthrie inspired future folk singers like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. He also impacted singers like Bruce Springsteen. Woody Guthrie’s American Song is both a tribute to an American icon and a musical history lesson rolled into an entertaining theater performance.

Grade: B

Club Mayhem Weekend Re-Chord Thrillers (June 20)

2009-06-20T19:12:00.001-05:00

Club Tunes Aaron Is Spinning From His Record Room in Dallas

Skooled In New Musik

Ready For The Weekend-Calvin Harris
All Is Vanity (Errors Remix)-Manic Street Preachers
Suckling The Mender (Kissy Klub Version)- Cocteau Twins
Death (Chase & Status Remix)-White Lies

Skyz The Limit

Heart Shaped Box (DnB Remix)-Nirvana
Banquet (Bass Weazal’s Last Tune Remix)-Bloc Party
Kiss (Daft Punk Remix)-Prince
When I Last Spoke To Carol (Tony Selectah Remix)-Morrissey
Crazy (Dirty South Remix)-U2

High Contrast In The Mix

Something Good (High Contrast Remix)-Utah Saints
Time to Pretend (High Contrast Remix)-MGMT
In For The Kill-(Skreams Remix-High Contrast Edit)-La Roux

Sky Selection of The Week

Earthquake (Ali Wilson Remix)-Little Boots

The Final SkyBlast

Peace (Blank & Jones Remix)—Depeche Mode

In The Spotlight: Earthquake (Ali Wilson Remix)-Little Boots

Body of Work

2009-06-18T10:22:00.000-05:00

If I were to ask you to name a great landscape photographer, your response would probably be Ansel Adams. What if the location for the landscape was not a destination, but the human form? Artist Allan I Teger wanted to explore the idea of multiply realities existing simultaneously. He was able to explore that theme through his photography. Teger did not have official training as an artist. He was a teacher when the photographic duality idea came to him in 1975. More than 20 years after the bodyscape idea was created, he is still challenging perception in his exhibits around the country.

What inspires you to include parts of the female anatomy as a backdrop for most of your work?
I didn't originally set out to show the female body - I was looking for a way to show , in art, that there could be two realities at the same time. This thought came from my studying and teaching of psychology of consciousness, mysticism, shamanism etc. I thought of placing a toy skier on a woman's breast so that initially the photo would look like a landscape - and then the viewer would realize that it was a woman. This "flip" in perception is the point of the work. The use of the body was only a device to make that happen.

Do you have a gender preference for your work?
I would use the male body more – but it is difficult to make it look like a landscape – as the hair on the body gives away that it is a body. I have some shots of men and I hope to do more.

What artistic steps do you take to find the right form for a particular piece?
I never know, when using a new model, which parts of her body will be good for my work. So – I have a number of figurines ready for various shots – and then I use whatever works. I want the resulting image to stand alone as an image – even without the awareness of its being a body. It should look aesthetically pleasing. The object should blend with the body to make a coherent landscape. It is similar to zen miniature landscaping – bonsai trees etc. – where the miniature world resembles the larger world.

What other types of series do you work with?
My newest work involves the use of two models at the same time. Originally, I had thought that this would simply give me more depth in the landscape. I discovered, however, that it gives me something that I didn't have before – the opportunity to design the landscape – to create hills and valleys in different combinations. I have seven of these new images and hope to do a lot more in the future.

What types of response are you trying to evoke from the viewer?
The main response I want from the viewer is for them to be aware of the fact that their mind shifted from one perception to another. This shift is the point of the work – to remind people that it is possible to see things differently – that we have a choice in our perceptions. Some people laugh, others admire, but everyone seems to enjoy the work.

What other artists have influenced your work?

I am more influenced by psychology than by other artists. ( I have a Ph.D. in psychology) My major influences are gestalt perceptual psychology, mysticism and such things as the holographic model of the universe ... but I am also influenced by the artistic style of Jjapanese art. My news work includes a number of oriental images.

The most fun in showing the work is when the viewer initially sees it as landscape and suddenly discovers the body in the photo. I have been happy to see that there has been a change in the way people respond. Years ago, when I began, parents would pull small children away, to prevent them from seeing the nude body. Now parents tend to pull children into the booth and help them discover the body in the photo! Times have changed!

For more information on Teger, visit www.bodyscapes.com

Symphonic Rock Opera Challenges Our Belief System

2009-06-17T19:50:00.001-05:00

During these times of economic uncertainty, everyone is looking to rediscover their own identity or redefine themselves in the new millennium. It seems fitting that in 2009 Green Day has undergone a noticeable face-lift with the release of an ambitious new album for the ages, 21st Century Breakdown. There is a smorgasbord of UK punk, classic rock n’ roll and Beatles influences that culminate into a timeless rock opera LP that succeeds in eluding the confines of your typical alternative-rock punk band.

The album begins on a booming note with Mass Hysteria, a modern punk song about anarchy against the status quo. This track has newsworthy significance, considering the current state of our economy. Billy Joe Armstrong’s vocal has never felt this impassioned and forceful. The track offers incessant hard-rock drum loops and machine-gun-like guitar rhythms and electric distortion, which helps reaffirm the band’s new creative motivation and sense of urgency.

Before Lobotomy starts as a melodious guitar pop tune about a broken civilization where dreams have been tarnished by the harsh realities of very difficult times. Then in the fourth stanza, the band takes an ominous tone by unleashing menacing guitar riffs and rapid-fire drums. Billy Joe croons, Well, it's enough to make you sick. To cast a stone and throw a brick when the sky is falling down. It burned your dreams into the ground.

The band switches gears with Horseshoes & Handgrenades. This is a sublime tribute to British punk of the 70s and early 80s. The track offers a perfect montage of savage guitar riffs from Mike Dimdt and a frenetic-paced backbeat over the distorted and wildly seductive pitch from Billy Joe. Green Day could be making a fight song about putting an end to totalitarianism in the U.S. government. The band seems to be making a pledge to end complete dictatorship and encourage more autonomy in our lives.

Last Night on Earth features a dreamy romantic vocal that recalls some of John Lennon’s vintage singles. Every rock opera should have a centerpiece love song to supplement the overall theme of the album. The band showcases their romantic side as they tell the story of man isolated by his shattered surroundings – but he remains upbeat by the love he shares with someone far away. While Beatles-mania influences are imprinted on this track, one can’t avoid reminiscing about U2’s nostalgic lovely guitar and string bass ballad, Staring At The Sun (see U2's Pop).

Every supergroup has a song that becomes the signature anthem that will help galvanize their career to the next plateau. Restless Heart Syndrome begins as a mid-tempo pop tune with luscious strings and dreamy piano soundscapes that features arguably the best vocals from Billy Joe on the album. Three minutes later it begins its metamorphosis into spellbinding, heavy and maniacal guitar rhythms, recalling some of the Edge’s finest moments.

The track also features some of their most heartfelt and compelling lyrics from their own discography. The song touches on the lives of those who are resorting to desperate measures to find a remedy to their own self-loathing during times of despair. Somebody take the pain away. It's like an ulcer bleeding in my brain. Send me to the pharmacy. So I can lose my memory. I'm elated. Medicated.

Green Day has managed to create a gripping LP that touches on the feelings of hopelessness and despair we all share when we are confronted by forces beyond our control. The band creates a unique symphonic mix of rock and punk to challenge us to rise up against our fears with sheer fortitude and self-purpose.

Download Right Now: Restless Heart Syndrome &
Last Night On Earth
Grade: A

In The Spotlight: Restless Heart Syndrome

Gloves Off: Tyson’s Toughest Bout Yet Lies Beyond Boxing

2009-06-17T18:25:00.001-05:00

When a prized fighter steps into the ring, the stakes are always high – and a heavyweight championship title could be on the line. But “Iron Mike” is paying dearly for a contest lost outside of the ring – his rage and his own sanity. In Director James Toback’s highly touted documentary, Tyson, moviegoers are given an intimate tour inside the tormented mind of the former heavyweight champion. The film will leave audiences awestruck by the insidious nature of Mike Tyson’s persona and how his untimely decisions led to his downward spiral.

Instead of utilizing an officious voiceover, Toback employs Mike Tyson himself to narrate his own pathos-filled story about a former gifted boxer who lost everything because of anger, paranoia and his treatment of women. The film introduces viewers to the softer side of the boxer as Tyson recollects his long-time trainer, Gus D’Amato who was very much a guardian and father-like figure to him. D’Amato taught Tyson discipline both inside and outside the sport of boxing, which he sorely lacked due to his upbringing in the poorest districts of Brooklyn, New York.

Under the direct tutelage of D’Amato, Tyson channeled his athleticism and anger in the ring, which helped him become the youngest boxer to win the WBF, WBA and IBF world Heavy Weight Titles to date. After D’Amato’s death, Tyson unraveled, feeling isolated and without someone to shield him from the pressures of achieving celebrity status. Toback poignantly incorporates footage from interviews with Tyson as a young adult that revealed immaturity and an inability handle the press.

There are some parts of the film that remain nothing short of gut-wrenching and disturbing as Tyson uses this documentary as a forum to publicly refute all assault-and-battery charges stemming from his marriage to Robin Givens. His seemingly half-hearted rebuttals reinforce a message that Tyson remains very demented as he attributes those professional and private setbacks to temporary insanity and immaturity. From his malicious attack on Holyfield (1997) to his rape conviction (1992), Tyson attempts to paint himself as a tragic figure that has been maligned in the press and cheated by those hoping to profit from his professional career. But it’s Tyson’s skewed perceptions of boxing and his life that leave us thinking he is owed a second chance to redeem himself.

Toback’s documentary is not without its flaws. The director utilizes too many artistic editing techniques (e.g., numerous jump cuts) that distract from the boxer’s sometimes-heartbreaking commentary on his life story. But most of the time, the filmmaker’s visual creativity helps assist in providing a portrait of the “Beast” outside of boxing. The film incorporates a number of split screens of Mike Tyson’s face and audio mixes of his voice to uncover the complex persona of one of the most feared and love-to-hate figures in all of sports. Tyson is a definitive knockout and will have audiences squirming in their seats as they watch the former boxer come to blows with his regrettable past.
Grade: A-

In The Spotlight: Tyson (Documentary 2009)

Under The Microscope: Exploring Art Behind Bars

2009-06-17T18:15:00.000-05:00

Raw, powerful, emotive … women in arts like you’ve never seen before. Not Who You Think I Am features multimedia works created by women incarcerated in Texas prisons. Many of the pieces are moving and spellbinding, and they show a human, sympathetic side of these prisoners that is impossible to ignore.

This must-see exhibit is presented by Resolana – a nonprofit organization that works to both educate and empower incarcerated women. Resolana Director Bette Buschow said, “Art is a tool for processing emotional issues, coping with stress and gaining self-awareness and insight.”

The participants of this program are involved in a series of artistic exercises – each designed to help them explore an aspect of themselves. The opportunity for these women to use art as an emotional outlet seemed to benefit them tremendously. It enabled them to open a door to their innermost feelings through creativity. When viewing their work, one is taken on a remarkable journey with the artist.

In each section, there was a brief explanation of the exercises on display. One wall of the exhibit contained artist’s time lines, done in crayon. Every piece was a poignant bio and many contained heart-breaking information … loss of a loved one, drug addiction, divorce, etc.

Many had hand-drawn images of tombstones, chapels, etc. Most referenced making an effort to get better and turning a corner. The emotional depth revealed in the time lines must have served as a cathartic release for many of the artists.

Another section contained decorated "good girl" and "bad girl" dolls. In this exercise, participants were given two dolls and told to create a good girl and bad girl doll. The dolls ran the gamut from well dressed to stripper. Buschow indicated that most women created the bad girls first and spoke about wanting to be the good girl. By the end of the exercise many realized that they were actually a combination of both the “good” and the “bad” girl.

This program allows women who may be opposed to “typical” therapy an emotive outlet that had positive results. By choosing a nontraditional mode of therapy, some participants were able to come to terms and move past their traumatic life experiences. One woman enjoyed the artistry so much that she brought it back to her cell. She diluted skittles and coffee grinds to use as paint. This thought-provoking exhibit will leave one with both haunting images and hope for the future.

By Liz Tramer

Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week (June 14)

2009-06-17T17:30:00.000-05:00

Gary Go – Open Arms (Michael Gray Remix)
Comment: Probably one of the most uplifting club remixes to hit top clubs across Europe. Singer/Songwriter Gary Go offers his best impression of Sting on vocal, while DJ Gray melds electro-style house beats over the chorus to have you rock and rave your way onto the dance-floor for hours. Grade: A+

Pilot Speed – Please Put the Phone Down
Comment: The Toronto-based foursome conjures up memories of the Flaming Lips with this California beach neopsychedelic tune, featuring electronic distortion and electric piano soundscapes. The track’s ultra-catchy chorus makes it radio-friendly and a must-have for one’s road trip. Grade: B

Kasabian – Underdog
Comment: The Manchester-club scene may have received an awakening with this vibrant return of Brit Rock that features a great mix of Ian Brown-esque vocals, brooding guitar imploding chords and thunderous bass drums. While we wait for the Stone Roses resurrection, perhaps this single is the next big alternative. Grade: B+

The Submarines – You, Me & The Bourgeoisie
Comment: It’s unfair! Now I know why the iPod has brand superiority over other alternatives on the market. Creative advertising is important in luring in new customers. This seductive guitar rock ballad features luscious lead vocals and a Beatles-esque drum and percussion backbeat that’s worthy of top consideration on your new iTunes playlist. The Corporate tycoons at Apple love it too. They have used it repeatedly on iPhone 3G commercials in 2009. Grade: A-

Modest Mouse – Satellite Skin
Comment: The Seattle-based band has been incognito for way too long. No worries. The group returns by unveiling a terrific new alternative country-rock single that features highly charged vocals from Issac Broc and the signature guitar rhythms from Johnny Marr (formally of The Smiths). This latest effort reminds us that patience is indeed a virtue. Grade: A

In The Spotlight: Modest Mouse-Satellite Skin (Live)

See Nurse Jackie: STAT- (TV)

2009-06-13T16:29:00.010-05:00

Many female-led television series struggle to have viewers connect with their lead. It is tricky to make a woman strong, passionate and conflicted, and compelling enough for viewers to rally behind week after week. You need a character that people want to watch. Edie Falco (Carmela, Sopranos) is exemplary in that role in the wry, dark-dramedy Nurse Jackie.

From the opening scene, where Falco is lying on the floor of the hospital, we know that this will be a different kind of show. Jackie, an experienced nurse at a New York hospital, struggles to get through her hospital shifts. Falco draws in the viewers, by being a tough-as-nails nurse, who knows exactly what she’s doing. She has no problem telling the young, new Dr. Cooper (played by Peter Facinelli from Damages) when he makes a mistake.

Falco is adept at playing a dual role. She is a healer, but she is flawed and has the potential to harm herself and others. Jackie suffers from back pains and is addicted to painkillers and finds creative and entertaining ways to get her “fix.”

Showtime has given her entertaining supporting actors. She mentors a new nurse and confides in her two friends, an acerbic male nurse and a fashionista doctor. Jackie works her way in and around the system to make sure all of the patients receive the care they “deserve.”

Jackie’s nuanced performance in the first episode gives the double-whammy surprise ending an even more powerful punch. The second episode does not disappoint either. We find out that her coworkers are also, in many instances, he coconspirators. In both episodes Jackie’s authoritative role in the hospital is a bit implausible, but watching her say exactly what is on her mind to the higher-ups, while advocating for those who can’t speak for themselves, make this show a guilty summer pleasure (Showtime).

Grade: B+

Club Mayhem Weekend Re-Chord Thrillers (June 15)

2009-06-13T14:41:00.003-05:00

Club Tunes Aaron is Spinning From His Record Room In Dallas

Skooled In New Musik
Earthquake (Ali Wilson Remix) – Little Boots
One More Time (2009 Bass Weazal Refix) – Daft Punk
Sex On Fire (Barry Jay vs. Koma Mash-up Remix) – Kings of Leon
Crazy Tonight (Dirty South Remix) – U2

Skyz The Limit
The Wind Blows (Thomas Gold Remix) – All American Rejects
Billy Jean (Offer Nissim Remix) – Michael Jackson
Intergalactic (Prisoners of Technology Remix) – Beastie Boys
Daily Routine (Phaseone Remix) – Animal Collective

DJ Mog & Phil Crawf In The Skymix
I Heart You (Mr. Groove Remix) – Phil Crawf
Searching (Paul Kennedy Remix) – DJ Mog Feat. Mark LeSal
Beautiful Day (DJ Mog & Phil Crawf Remix) – U2
Viva La Vida (DJ Mog Mix) – Coldplay
Open Your Eyes (Space Hustlers Remix)-Snow Patrol

Sky Selection of The Week
Supernova (Calvin Harris Remix)– Mr. Hudson (Feat. Kanye West)

The Final SkyBlast
In The Middle (Nero Remix) – The Streets

In The Spotlight: Mr. Hudson (Feat. Kanye West)-Supernova (Calvin Harris Remix)

525,600 Minutes: A Tale of Love and Survival

2009-05-25T20:20:00.006-05:00

It’s been more than 525,600 minutes since Rent debuted in New York. It’s been more than 10 years since this show touched audience members around the world. Jonathan Larson’s musical is a modern-day remake of Giacomo Puccini's opera La Bohème – the central characters are a group of friends, (musicians, lawyers, filmmakers) struggling to get by in New York. Many of the characters have contracted the AIDS virus, and the show faces this issue head on. Although there have been many changes in the world since its 1996 release, the themes of struggling to find love, friendship and personal fulfillment are just as strong and impactful today.

As audience members filled the Dallas Music Hall at Fair Park, an energy emanated throughout the theater. It turned to excitement and anticipation as the curtains opened. From the moment Mark and Roger – original cast members Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal – sang their first notes, it was obvious that theatergoers were in for a very special treat. As the show continued, attendees began to rock in their seats and mouth the words to each song. When the performers concluded a scene, the audience broke into huge rounds of applause and whistles and cheering could be heard in surround sound.

Many theatergoers are passionate about their favorite Broadway shows. They will speak about Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis, Jersey Boys or other performances. What makes Rent (Broadway’s seventh-longest running shows) so special is the way its characters, plot and music seem to move and touch individuals. In an age filled with political correctness, nothing is too taboo or risqué in Rent. There are cross-dressers, homosexuals, homeless people, poverty and AIDS. Yet, crowds have flocked to the theater for 12 years, many repeat attendees.

This is the little show that could and did! Numerous members of the original cast are household names – Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin, to name a few. This show has achieved phenomenal success by crossing the societal acceptance lines to portray how one simple emotion can fuel desolate and lonely people – the act of love. Be it love of friendship or passion, it is what helps this cast survive “in the age of a new millennium.” Its story of friendship and courage in the face of adversity is inspiring and uplifting to all in attendance.

After ten years, Pascal and Rapp may not be able to hit the same high notes, and new members have joined the traveling troupe, but it is still evident that audiences will keep packing the house and cheer for the underdogs in this phenomenally moving and emotional show.

Grade: A

Dylan Gets Down With Love In "Together Through Life"

2009-05-11T20:13:00.019-05:00

“The Freewheelin" Bob Dylan returns for his latest offering, Together Through Life, with a gripping record that perfectly melds blues and rock n’ roll fusion alongside very chilling and poignant vocals. There is a smattering of psychedelic rock influences evidenced by Dylan’s decision to hire his friend, Greatful Dead’s Robert Hunter, to assist in writing lyrics for the new LP. But classic rock aficionados should heed the following warning: This is not the epic Blood On The Tracks (1975) nor the modern classic Time Out of Mind (1997). This is not a record for Dylan purists; and it might become an acquired taste for even his most steadfast supporters.

The opening track, Beyond Here Lies Nothin’, could provide us with some indication that Dylan has come to grips with his own mortality and love may be the final answer to escape years of pent up mental anguish. It is a definitive fast-paced blues number, which features impressive Eric-Claptonesque guitar rhythms and thunderous drums that might leave you in a transient musical state of hypnotic bliss. But it’s Dylan’s emotive harsh vocals that awaken us to his unnerving, strong sentiments, pervasive throughout the song. You’re the love I’ve ever known … just as long as you stay with me, the whole world lies our throne … down here lies nothin’, nothing we can call our own.

Forgetful Heart is Dylan’s take on alternative country that features a deeply troubled and reflective vocal along with a very effective combination of acoustic guitar, guitar distortion and the quintessential harmonica that leaves listeners with an ominous feeling something troublesome is about to unfold. Dylan pleads, Without you it’s so hard to take. Can’t take much more, why can’t love like we did before.

Dylan’s decision to incorporate stories of tarnished love into the album does not bode well for music lovers yearning for a slew of timeless love classics. But Dylan offers one dose of optimism for avid fans with the sunny folk-rock ballad, I Feel A Change Comin’ On. Well, Life is for love. And they say love is blind. If you want to live easy, baby pack your clothes with mine!

Together Through... will not go down in the music almanacs as one of Dylan’s finest records to-date. But this is perfect “mood” music for those listeners hoping to unwind to a piece reflective melodious artwork while tackling life’s difficult challenges. This album will squash all rumors that “The Freewheelin” Bob has failed to age gracefully and with class. One of the legends of our time has created an astonishing up-tempo, blues-intensive LP, which will help us contemplate life’s roadblocks that sometimes stand in the way of love and true companionship.

Download Right Now: I Feel A Change Comin' On
Grade: B+

HBO Captures Manila’s Harshest Ring Tones

2009-05-10T20:46:00.002-05:00

It's gonna be a chilla, and a killa, and a thriller, when I get the Gorilla in Manila, Muhammad-Ali said in 1974. What was once billed as the sports-marketing campaign for the third and final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier turned out to be the last straw in both boxers’ tumultuous relationship. HBO's has hit a homer with the critically acclaimed sports documentary Thrilla in Manila. The film vividly recaptures the pandemonium behind one of boxing’s fiercest and most heralded rivalries of all-time – Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali.

Manila played host to one of the most gruesome televised sporting contests of all of time. Director John Dower portrays Muhammad Ali as the sole perpetrator behind the feud with Frazier that escalated during the course of three vicious battles between 1971 and 1975. Frazier is depicted as the victim who was maliciously ambushed by his former friend. The film reveals that Smokin’ Joe never forgot Ali’s smear campaign, which tarnished his professional boxing career. At the crux of their dispute, devout Muslim Ali scorned Frazier for hiring a boxing promotion team that he believed was controlled by the “white man.” (This turned out to be a fallacious argument.)

The documentary superbly illustrates how Ali turned on Frazier after regaining his boxing license. Thrilla strategically blends poignant archived television interviews and press conferences to show the depth of Ali’s vicious crusade to character assassinate Frazier. His smear campaign included referencing Joe as a “gorilla,” an “uncle tom” and dim-witted. Dower’s documentary shows how the former Nation of Islam leader Abdul Rahman recruited and taught Ali to believe that all white men were “blue-eyed-devils.”

In an ironic twist of fate, the documentary accurately illustrates that each fighter still anguishes 35 years later from the wounds inflicted both in and out of the ring. To this day, Ali remains a world-renowned public figure who has grossed more than $50 million in endorsement deals. But his life has been greatly diminished due to his progressive case of Parkinson’s disease.

Meanwhile, HBO Films finds Frazier confined to a small backroom in his private gym serving as a youth boxing trainer in the ghetto district of Philadelphia. Thrilla reveals Frazier is still embittered by his ordeal in Manila and basks in glory at the notion that his punishment may have contributed to Ali’s illness. “He’s paying for what he did ... and then some,” Frazier said with devilish smile.

During their three highly anticipated fights, Both Ali and Frazier managed to each convincingly win a match. HBO’s 90-minute documentary provides some evidence that Ali garnered newfound respect for Frazier after both fighters savagely fought through 14 grueling rounds of boxing in their third match. The documentary reveals a quote from Ali’s post-game victory press conference, “he’s (Frazier) tough, I would want him to fight alongside me in a holy war.” This commentary may offer some insight that Ali deeply lamented his behavior toward Frazier.

HBO’s documentary is one of the best sports documentaries in recent history because it reintroduces us to two men, Ali and Frazier, who still have a major score to settle outside of boxing. Dower’s documentary provides evidence to viewers that both former heavyweight prizefighters must resolve their differences outside the ring for them to recapture what may be the essence of a true champion.
Grade: A+
By Aaron Malofsky

In The Spotlight: Thrilla in Manila (HBO Documentary)

Thrilla in Manila
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Skyz The Limit: My Top Five Tunes of The Week (May 19)

2009-05-10T16:51:00.002-05:00

Fun That We Have-Julian Plenti
Comment: Interpol frontman’s solo-effort is reminiscent of vintage Placebo and the voice of late Ian Curtis (Joy Division). The track’s computerized Kraftwerk-esque drum loops underneath Plenti’s dark emotive vocal helps conjure up memories of the classic Manchester Dance scene of the 80s & 90s. Grade: B+

Lee Majors Come Again-Beastie Boys
Comment: The B-Boys unveil a brand new creative wrinkle to their alternative rap arsenal-buzz saw guitar strings with techno drum n’ bass samples. They sprinkle a hint of new wave punk that will have you head bobbing and clamoring for the release of their next LP. Grade: A-

Crazy Tonight (The Dirty South Remix)-U2
Comment: This electro-trance infused dance remix should be a mega-hit at clubs everywhere. Dirty South splatters a thumping baseline over mind-numbing synthesizers that will have your adrenaline rushing for hours. Grade: A

Old Time’s Sake-Eminem (Feat. Dr. Dre)
Comment: Arguably one of Eminem’s best singles to-date. Eminem’s duet with Dr. Dre is molded into perfection by featuring a groovy hip-drum loop with retro-style keyboard synths. A potential summertime classic rap anthem in-the-making! Grade: A+

Sacred Trixter-Sonic Youth
Comment: Sonic Youth releases another novel, guitar-driven post-punk rock ballad that will have you recalling legendary Punk Rockers like the Sex Pistols, The Clash and even Jesus & Mary Chain. This is a propulsive head-banger that you will have on loop on your ipod.Grade: A-

Spotlight On: Crazy Tonight (Dirty South Remix)-U2

Two & Half Scotsmen: Franz Ferdinand Rocks The House With a Sensational Set

2009-05-06T18:36:00.002-05:00

Franz Ferdinand burned through a killer 90-minute setlist in front of a sold-out crowd at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas. For the most part, The Scottish trio of Alex Kapranos, Bob Hardy and Nick McCarthy (struggling on crutches) chose a well-rounded setlist that included tracks from their self-titled debut album, You Could Have it So Much Better and Franz Ferdinand: Tonight. It only took a handful of songs before the most raucous crowd was on their feet; dancing and screaming the lyrics back at lead vocalist Kapranos almost verbatim.

Three songs into their concert, Kapranos said, for those of you who can’t see over the people in front of you, you might as well get up dance with the rest of us. Do You Want To is one of their most recognized anthems that features Hardy’s jagged guitar grooves over a melody that is reminiscent of some of the finest work from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. It must have been ladies' night at the House of Blues, most of the women were screaming the chorus to very catchy and new retro rock favorite No You Girls. It features sexy and seductive lyrics including, no you girl’s will never know how you make the boys feel …

One of band’s finest song selections of the night was the slick yet somber guitar ballad of Walk Away. Kapranos mourns and croons about prematurely breaking off a relationship that could have been special. His vocal was so haunting and his delivery invoked so much pain and grit, it rendered the concertgoers speechless – for nearly four full minutes. Kapranos’ dark yet emotive voice invoked such empowerment with the audience that it didn’t take deep hypnosis to find the audience was singing or humming along.

Fans received another large dose of adrenaline during the encore performance of the Franz classic, This Fire. The North Texas fandom united together to chant in unison the highly addictive chorus, This fire is out of control, I’ve got to burn this city, burn this city ... This song is very reminiscent to many of the emotionally invigorating songs from Joy Division’s back catalogue.

While Franz bulldozed their way through many dance floor stompers, nothing matched the electricity more than the band’s final song of the night, the techno-ladened Lucid Dreams. McCarthy’s injury did not hamper his amazing wizardry on keyboards as he unleashed Depeche Mode-like synthesizers and break-beats that had everyone grooving and grinding from their seats one last time.

One of the few limitations of their performance was that Franz failed to surprise the audience with a few lesser-known gems from their discography. The electro-inspired Live Alone exemplifies the band’s new direction, adding more Eurodance beats to accompany their brooding guitar rhythms. L. Wells could have been a welcomed edition that conjures up memories from the gorgeous sing-along choruses from the classic Beatles’ Abbey Road album. But the Scottish set was sharp, short and sweet, leaving its audience yearning for one more tune and another pint of brew before they called it a night.

Grade: A-

In The Spotlight: Franz Ferdinand No You Girls (Live From Dallas)

Crowley Must Find A New Bag of Tricks After Release of Is Anybody There

2009-05-05T11:49:00.008-05:00

Director John Crowley is up to no good … literally. He is able to conjure up anecdotal scenes that include disappearing card tricks, a moving chair and even a magical guillotine. But there is no illusion, the dark comedy, Is Anybody There, is imprisoned by its banal acting performances and the slow-moving screenplay.

Crowley’s film takes place in a depressive retirement facility where the caretakers are just as deeply troubled as the elderly Brits. Edward (Actor Bill Milner) plays a gawky yet inquisitive ten-year-old English lad from a small town off the coast of Britain who is obsessed with paranormal communication from deceased people. Actor Michael Caine plays Clarence, an embittered retired magician with a tragic personal past who is coming to grips with his declining physical condition and coping with the mistakes of his past that still haunt him. Edward and Clarence strike up an unusual camaraderie through the art of magic and communication from another caring person.

Crowley’s film’s glaring misfire is the lackluster chemistry between the top two male leads. Caine’s performance is too contrived and rehearsed for viewers to truly empathize with his character’s plight. The movie’s lone highlight is the stellar performance of Milner, who is able to admirably demonstrate the character’s metamorphosis from a reclusive boy to a social, potential budding magician in the making. Unfortunately, the film is plagued by the story’s unimpressive subplots. Milner’s parents (played by David Morrissey and Anne-Marie Duff) marital discord is never fully developed enough for the viewer to become cognizant of how those conflicts resulted in the child’s obvious emotional trauma.

The limitations of Crowley and head writer Peter Harness contribute to both a subpar movie and disappointing cinematic viewing experience. It’s time to unveil a new trick from the filmmakers’ repertoire, hit the delete button and start from scratch!
Grade: C-
By Aaron Malofsky

Club Mayhem Weekend Re-Chord Thrillers (June 1)

2009-05-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

Songs That I'll Be Jamming To This Weekend From My Record Room

A-Tram Nation In the Mix
Human (A-Tram Nation Mix)-The Killers
Magnificent (A-Tram Nation Mix)-U2

Skyz the Limit
Somebody To Love (Steve Mureno Meets Toka Remix)-Unknown Mash-up Bootleg
It's Not My Problem (Thin White Duke Mix)-Sneaky Sound System
Hearts On Fire (The Mylo Mash-up) -Cut Copy
Fairwell To The Fairgrounds(The Future Funk Remix)-White Lies
Are You Gonna Go My Way (The Laidback Luke Bootleg)-Lenny Kravitz
Jumping The Pool (The Thin White Duke Mix)-Friendly Fires
Jumpin' Jack Flash (The Steve Mac Rework)-The Rolling Stones
Pjanno(DJ Mog Mix)-Eric Pryda

The Retro Mix
When The World Ends (Oakenfold Remix)-Dave Matthews Band
Borny Slippy Nuxx (Oakenfold Remix)-Underworld
Pageon Poetry (Oakenfold Edit)-Bjork

Final Sky Blast
Sex On Fire (Phil Crawf Remix)-Kings of Leon

In The Spotlight: Sex On Fire (Phil Crawf Remix)-Kings of Leon

The Soloist Falls Flat

2009-04-26T19:18:00.005-05:00

The real-life story behind The Soloist is a touching and motivating story: Los Angeles Times reporter Steve Lopez (played by Robert Downey Jr.) is intrigued by the beautiful music he hears in the park. He follows the melodies and finds the musician, a homeless man, Nathanial Anthony Ayers (portrayed by Jaime Foxx), playing a violin with only two strings. Lopez is intrigued by Ayers and decides to write an article, which later becomes a series of articles, for the paper. During his research, Lopez discovers that Ayers is a talented musician who dropped out of Julliard many years earlier, due to schizophrenia. The true story is fabulous; the movie version spirals downward into the abyss of mediocrity.

The movie is true to the story – Lopez publishes a series of articles about Ayers that touch many of the readers, resulting in fan donations of a cello, housing and cello lessons. During the research and composition phases of the articles, Ayers and Lopez mature emotionally as individuals and develop an unlikely bond. The movie explores the friendship, as well as Ayer’s backstory and homelessness in Los Angeles.

This movie could have served as a rallying cry for action. Although the movie cast two award-winning actors for the lead roles, only one successfully embodied the character he portrayed.

Downey gave a nuanced performance as Lopez. His conflict with being placed in a position of worship from Ayers was evident. He loved the accolades he received from the city and his paper, but did not relish the responsibility he felt for Ayers well being.

Foxx was unable to become the character he played. From the moment we meet Ayers, it is evident that he has mental issues. Foxx’s opening sequence begins with a diatribe filled with names and historical references. Instead of being poignant and believable, he seemed to only be reciting memorized monologues. Oscar-winning Foxx overacted through a majority of the film and his performance seemed stiff.

Foxx is not the only one to be faulted for a disappointing movie. Director Joe Wright employed numerous visual storytelling techniques that made the movie muddled. Many of the minor characters were played as stereotypical caricatures (drug dealer, prostitute, thug, etc.) Wright also used colorful abstract collages during many of the musical scenes that left attendees a bit disoriented. There were numerous snickers heard from the audience during these interludes.

The Soloist is not well orchestrated. Wright attempted to cover too much ground in a limited time and Foxx simply doesn’t deliver as Ayers. This is a story worth telling, but it hit too many sour notes and the movie’s climax seemed contrived.

Grade: C-

Artists, Musicians and Food, Oh My

2009-04-22T20:59:00.003-05:00

The Deep Ellum Arts Festival allowed tourists and natives the opportunity to enjoy various artists, jewelers, musicians and festivities for three days in early April in an eclectic and hip area of Dallas.

Deep Ellum provided a fantastic venue for an outdoor event. The renovated warehouse district is full of restaurants, stores and bars, providing guests a number of additional stopping points during the day. The festival contained works from more than 100 artists, ranging from photographers to painters to clothing designers to jewelers. And, with more than 70 bands playing throughout the event and local food vendors available, there was something for everyone.

Crowd Pleaser/Featured Artist: Bruce Jefferies Reinfeld
SkyTram Express took time out to meet with one of the up-and-coming new artists from Big D.

Bruce Jefferies Reinfeld’s diverse range of photograph’s caught my eye immediately. Whether haunting or humorous, each image is worth a closer examination. Reinfeld has an eye for capturing scenes and digitally altering them to bring a piece to life. Many of his images are famous photographs that have been enhanced with bright color and duplicated within one frame, reminiscent of Andy Warhol. His work emotes feelings ranging from desperation to joy. Even normal idyllic scenes are brought to life with his unique vision and imagery.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Since I still work with film, I do not take a lot of photos. I try to take the one photo that shows what I see in the subject I am shooting. When shooting, I tend to take the road less traveled ... literally... and try to discover something that people see all the time but never really stop to look at. I love things with inner beauty, or things that were once beautiful.
Inspiration comes from the constant desire to do something better and to not be content with what is the now.

Which bands or recording artists influence how you see the world and/or how you shoot your photos?
Most art has its root in heartache ... some people see my photographs as colorful and fun while some see them as desolate and somber ... sometimes color masks the truth ...
Tom Waits, Radiohead, Wilco, Smiths, etc., seem to be more of a soundtrack for my travels and my life.

How much does your ethnic heritage contribute to your collection?
I would like to give a bigger answer but the answer is none ... People think Jewish people are all doctors and lawyers, but most artists, entertainers and creative minds are of the Jewish persuasion ... JEWS KICK ASS!!

For more information on Reinfeld, visit http://www.highfidelitydisco.com/photography-1.aspx

Depeche Mode Feels Better These Days In The Dark

2009-04-21T14:37:00.001-05:00

There is an unusual aura surrounding Depeche Mode and their brand-new new wave intensive album Sounds of the Universe. The legendary Britpop band has finally found happiness while developing an album filled with tormenting themes of isolation, soullessness and self-loathing. Lead keyboardist Andrew Fletcher dusts off DM’s vintage synthesizers and computerized drum machines to help them rediscover their resonating gothic pop sound that helped them soar in the Billboard charts during the 80s and 90s. This is perhaps their best effort since Violator (1990), but there are a number of tracks where the British trio coasts on cruise control with a handful of subpar melodies. But there are at least five songs in this 12-track album that make this a must-have edition to one’s Depeche Mode collection.

Wrong is the album’s first single, which is perhaps the albums heaviest and most club-ready track. Lead Vocalist David Gahan croons about being trapped in a life of misery and destitution. "I was born with the wrong sign. In the wrong house. With the wrong ascendancy, I took the wrong road that led to the wrong tendencies." The track is a classic techno throwback that is reminiscent of Clean (from Violator). In Perfect, Depeche Mode could be paying tribute to their former bandmate Vince Clarke in this Erasure-esque beautiful synth-beat-laden track about trying to come to grips about a failing love affair. Both Gahan and Martin Gore showcase exquisite vocals while they mourn about trying to find inner tranquility in the luscious ballad Peace. Gore unleashes menacing guitar rhythms over a tribal drum backbeat in Hole to Feed.

Sounds of the Universe answers the pervading question of whether English gothic rock has a definitive place in 21st century modern music. The LP is a shock to the system, considering how debonair the band sounds as they continue to romanticize us with their propulsive melodies of despair.

Download Right Now: Wrong, Perfect & Hole To Feed
Grade: B

Club Mayhem Weekend Re-Chord Thrillers (May 25)

2009-04-20T23:00:00.000-05:00

Club Tunes Aaron Is Spinning From The Record Room In Dallas

Shout (A-Tram Nation Mix)-Tears For Fears
Hang Me Out To Dry (Hostage Mix)-Cold War Kids
Europa vs. Everything But The Girl (Prydz Edit)-DJ Pryda Mash-up
Love Lockdown (A-Tram Nation Mix)-Kanye West
Biko (Mogwai Mix)-Bloc Party
This Song Is About You(Cat Burglar Mix)-The Enemy
Walking On A Dream (Phil Crawf Remix)-Empire of The Sun
Speed of Sound (Fear Force Remix)-Coldplay
Situation (Hercules & Love Affair Mix)-Yazoo
Drown In The Now(feat. Matisyahu)-Crystal Method
Map of the Problematique (Does It Offend You? Remix)-Muse
Kiss Me (Dances With White Girls Remix)-Franz Ferdinand
What Else Is There(Thin White Duke Mix)-Royksopp
Don’t Leave Home (Gabriel & Dresden Mix)-Dido

The Retro Mix

Walking On The Moon (Roger Sanchez Mix)-The Police

The Final SkyBlast

Magnificent (Fred Falke Remix)-U2

In The Spotlight: Walking On A Dream (Phil Crawf Remix)-Empire of The Sun

Sugar Is Not So Sweet

2009-04-20T17:18:00.001-05:00

Sugar follows the promising career of Dominican pitcher Miguel “Sugar” Santos (played by Algenis Perez Soto). The movie starts off on a humorous and upbeat note. The opening scene occurs in the Dominican baseball training camp at San Pedro de Macoris where the players are learning English expressions and baseball terms. The training camp provides an entertaining, yet tragic, backdrop where players are trained to have a successful Major League Baseball career in America. They are coached on baseball skills and taught only enough English to enable them to get by in a foreign country.

The audience knows immediately that Sugar has great potential and is shown that he is taking on the responsibility for his family’s financial future. He receives admiration from everyone in his hometown, and “family and friends” come out of the woodwork when he is recruited for training and tryouts for the minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Knights in the United States.

The movie’s inspirational tone continues as Sugar arrives in America. We see that although America may be the land of opportunity, it takes hard work and dedication to succeed. The movie takes a dramatic turn as Sugar struggles to maintain his momentum when he’s surrounded by fierce competition and an injury. Although Sugar advances, the obstacles he faces to reach his end goal increase as he tries to overcome racism, language barriers and the distance from his family and friends. The last third of the movie veers into darker territory, and audience members may be surprised by the turn of events.

Writers/Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck took a risk by not making Sugar a one-note movie. They showed how difficult it is for Sugar at the U.S. training camp where he is struggling to attain a pitcher position. There are 75 players auditioning for less than 50 positions. In a phone call to his family, he states, “All the players here are really good.” I admire Boden and Fleck for their gritty and honest portrayals of the hardships players face. The last section of the film felt a bit long-winded and the directors could have shortened a few of the scenes and still successfully achieve the dramatic climax.

Sugar is a film is worth seeing, but does show the winner-take-all side of sports and competition. If you are expecting a feel-good, crowd pleaser, Sugar’s overall journey may leave a sour taste for in your mouth.

Grade: B

Doherty Strikes A New Chord With Sublime LP "Grace/Wastelands"

2009-04-18T11:53:00.001-05:00

A wise tale says that a leopard can’t change his spots. Perhaps that is the case. But don’t tell that to Pete Doherty who has released one of his most complete albums in recent memory with the new Grace/Wastelands. Doherty strays from the usual punkish ballad roots that defined his previous bands The Libertines and Babyshambles. Good ol’ Pete may have reserved the best for last by pushing the envelope and recruiting legendary guitarist Graham Coxon of Blur fame, Producer Stephen Street (The Smiths) and the beautiful resonating voice of Scottish singer/songwriter Dot Allison.

After numerous unsuccessful stints in rehab to curb his incorrigible drug addition, Doherty managed a six-month period in 2007 where he was reportedly drug free. Perhaps some of his strongest songwriting and melodies were conceived while trying to fight his disease. The Last of the English Roses features pervasive hypnotic drums under a Middle Eastern-influenced sonorous melody. Doherty delves enthusiastically into childhood memories by recalling looking trendy among his blokes while being surrounded by family members who have seemingly lost their inhibitions in the company of a good brew. She almost spilled her lager toasting girls of great beauty … but the closing moved by coming of age, coming alive All the boys together, And all the girls together …

Doherty seems to be writing an autobiography regarding his troubled personal life and his self-indulgences in the Palace of Bone. Perhaps he’s admitting in the song that his celebrity persona in the UK has encouraged his drug addiction and, ultimately, his own self-destruction. Winding on the hills together. Winding on that snaky road ...What’s that they tell you about your future they’re tellin’ you … they’re going to pick your pocket too.

Gram Coxon injects electric-guitar distortion to Doherty’s ballad, New Love Grows On Trees, which may be another ode to cannabis plants. But Doherty ventures into blues and rock and roll to create one of the best post-punk tracks in the past five years. The most beautiful and heartfelt track on Grace/Wastelands is his duet with Allison in the tragic ballad Sheepskin Tearaway. Doherty might be alluding in the song that there are some inner demons he cannot control and that he has succumb to drug addiction. So Give Me your surrender … because there are other ways to kill the pain. Tears will never mend you ... except trying to dry your eyes in the pouring rain.

While Pete may have reached the pinnacle of his artistic game, Grace/Wastelands does falter at times if you take him too seriously. The aimless acoustic ballad Lady Don’t Fall Backward is a prime example of how dope can be a detriment to even the most talented of musicians. The track is reminiscent of a Kafka-esque nursery rhyme as he rambles on about meeting someone in Chinatown for opium and tea.

Doherty may have concocted a future Grammy award-winning hit that is an authentic reflection of his innermost demons while paying tribute to legendary blues artists, but the real question is whether he will survive long enough to accept the accolades he deserves with this effort. In the meantime, Doherty should try lighting up only in studio and unwinding with a spot of tea at night. Wishful thinking!

Download Right Now: Sheepskin Tearaway & New Love Grows On Trees
Grade: B+

Club Mayhem Weekend Re-Chord Thrillers (June 8)

2009-04-17T22:57:00.000-05:00

Club Mayhem Weekend Re-Chord Thrilllers
The Club Tunes Aaron is Spinning From His Record Room In Dallas

Skooled In New Musik
New In Town (Den Haan Remix)-Little Boots
Say I'm Wonderful (Benny Benassi Remix)-Gary Go
Poker Face (Dave Aude Remix)-Lady Gaga
The Wind Blows (Discotech Remix)-The All-American Rejects

Skyz The Limit
Human (Breaks Remix)-The Killers
Fast Cars (Breaks Remix)-Tracy Chapman
My Most Beautiful (Kissy Klub DnB Remix)-Flight of The Concords
Everything is Louding (Bootleg)-Radiohead vs. Heartbeat

Sky Selections: Thin White Duke
Wrong (Thin White Duke Mix)-Depeche Mode
Jump In The Pool (Stuart Price Remix)-Friendly Fire
It's Not My Problem (Thin White Duke Mix)-Sneaky Sound System

A-Tram Nation In The Mix
Dashboard (Mash-up A-Tram Nation Bootleg)-Modest Mouse

The Final SkyBlast
Cleaning Out My Closet (Jack Lee Knife Remix)-Eminem

In The Spotlight: Depeche Mode-Wrong (Thin White Duke Mix)

Don't be late! See Phoebe in Wonderland.

2009-04-17T12:04:00.005-05:00

Nobody drinks shrinking potions or is late for a very important date, but this story is still full of magic and grandeur. The audience watches what happens when a bright little girl and her family are forced to face her inexplicable and troubling behavior.

Elle Fanning portrays nine-year-old Phoebe, who begins to exhibit behavior that is unacceptable in today’s society. Phoebe starts to isolate herself in school, spit at other children and say negative things under her breath. Phoebe’s mother (played by Felicity Huffman), who is writing her dissertation on Alice in Wonderland, initially denies that Phoebe is doing anything other than acting like a little girl. She won’t listen to the conservative school principal, her husband or the psychiatrist. She believes that children are no longer allowed to just be children.

She finds solace from Phoebe’s eccentric drama teacher Ms. Dodger (played by Patricia Clarkson) who finds Phoebe extraordinary. Fanning does an incredible job expressing her internal struggles. She knows that something is not quite right about her behavior, but explains to her parents that she “just can’t help herself.” Ms. Dodger enforces Phoebe’s growth and development in the drama class.

First -time writer/director Daniel Barnz does an exceptional job of incorporating the themes of real life through a child’s dreamlike reveries with the rabbit, the queen of hearts and other characters from the much beloved book.

Barnz could have created a hokey, pull at your heartstrings film. Instead, he shot a moving, creative masterpiece that explores both a child’s illness and how it affects those around her. Phoebe’s courage and honesty allows the people close to her to face a difficult situation and reach a higher level of understanding.

Grade: A

Club Mayhem Weekend Re-Chord Thrillers (May 18)

2009-04-14T21:21:00.007-05:00

Club Tunes Aaron Is Spinning From The Record Room In Dallas

Skyz The Limit

Spaceman (A-Tram Nation Mix)-The Killers
I’m Not Alone (Burns Rewerk)-Calvin Harris
Trojan Horse (John B Remix)-Bloc Party
Street Spirit (Wonky Feels The Rush Mix)-Radiohead
Tracking Treasure Down (Breaks Mix)-Gabriel & Dresden
Go Square Go (Reverend & The Makers Mix)-Glasvegas
Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Remix)-The Rolling Stones vs DJ Steve Mac
Wrong(Renoise Mix)-Depeche Mode
Gazillon Ear(Thom Yorke Remix)-Doom
I’ll Go Crazy, If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight(A-Tram Nation Mash-Up)-U2
The Final SkyBlast
Rockafeller Skank-Koen Groeneveld vs Fatboy Slim

In The Spotlight: I'm Not Alone (Burns Rewerk)-Calvin Harris