tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40352692012-01-26T08:48:11.947-05:00Katenoreply@blogger.comBlogger16061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-35798274153790394362012-01-12T17:37:00.010-05:002012-01-26T08:48:11.955-05:00

Everything I saw, read and enjoyed listening to this year.BOOKSHerman Melville, Moby-Dick Dick Cavett, Talk Show Michael Cunningham, By Nightfall FILMRed Tails Haywire Pariah My Week with Marilyn LIVE'"Behind the Longreads" with New York panel, Housing Works Bookstore Jeff Mangum, BAM Jonathan Kane's February with Tony Conrad, ISSUE Project Room Literary Brooklyn talk with Evan Hughes and Edgar

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-20104543552164246292011-08-02T07:00:00.047-04:002011-12-31T17:00:57.009-05:00

Everything I saw, read and enjoyed listening to this year.BOOKSJohn Cleland, Fanny Hill Tove Jansson, Fair Play Elizabeth Hardwick, The New York Stories of Elizabeth Hardwick Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot James Salter, A Sport and a Pastime Ann Beattie, Mrs. Nixon Susan Orlean, Rin Tin Tin Philip Roth, Indignation Colson Whitehead, Zone One John Jeremiah Sullivan, Pulphead Chad Harbach

Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-18797478624369246192010-12-29T07:00:00.001-05:002010-12-31T17:43:56.179-05:00

A cultural catalog, of sorts. Frequently updated. FILM Inside Job Tron: Legacy All Good Things Black Swan How Do You Know The Social Network Client 9 Public Speaking Easy A Howl You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger Never Let Me Go Takers Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould Change of Plans Step Up 3D Peepli [Live] Jean-Michel

Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-914370058776787052010-03-27T08:24:00.003-04:002010-03-27T08:29:14.487-04:00

I was at Kaufman's Army & Navy stocking up on nautical stripes, and I asked Mr. Kaufman, who was stuffing two larges into a bag, "These will shrink in the wash, right?""Do you wash your clothes?" He asked. "Most of our customers don't."

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-12567172786764466852010-03-25T20:36:00.002-04:002010-03-25T20:39:47.948-04:00

Usually I link out tracks, but this month’s list is so begging to be played N.O.W., I had to put it up. Now go outside.DOWNLOAD (105 MB)1. Ceremony, “Someday” (Killer Pimp) 2. Lilys, “Dreams Never End” (Slumberland)3. Crystal Stilts, “Thru the Floor (KCSB Radio Session)” (Slumberland) 4. Echo & the Bunnymen, “Proxy” (Ocean Rain)5. Wolf Gang, “Back to Back” (self-released) 6. Jamaica, “I Think I

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-49771381602242557022010-03-21T09:29:00.001-04:002010-03-21T09:30:52.228-04:00

I have been spending a lot of time here.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-1642478642675360052010-03-10T13:22:00.000-05:002010-03-10T13:23:34.612-05:00

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-87984546594772354192010-03-09T15:49:00.000-05:002010-03-09T15:50:02.473-05:00

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-34626819731924029862010-03-06T07:17:00.002-05:002010-03-06T07:20:52.213-05:00

Take Ivy reissue in August! (Earlier)

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-45952294554802245902010-03-05T11:33:00.012-05:002010-03-05T12:28:17.086-05:00

My big Law & Order debut was, of course, a blink and a miss. But that's what screen shots are for! Zapruder-like accuracy. Here we are at the Les Be Strong rally looking very concerned as Babs Duffy (Kathy Griffin, the ball of hair on the right), notable gay rights activist, tells us she is bisexual, and the man who left her apartment was not the rapist at large who's been terrorizing the lesbian

Katenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-71696416021452266252010-03-04T09:32:00.001-05:002010-03-04T09:34:40.710-05:00

For those who think I just wear black. And I still do wear a lot of black and gray ... from the waist down it's like Dorothy waking up in Kansas.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-49418263280967598682010-02-28T07:35:00.003-05:002010-02-28T08:30:05.906-05:00

I do believe this Flatiron penthouse is the dream apartment to end all dream apartments.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-29885171693714078162010-02-27T10:58:00.005-05:002010-03-01T08:36:04.554-05:00

1. Friendly Fires, "On Board (Pigbag Version)" (XL)2. Villah Nah, "Rainmaker" (Keys of Life)3. Ali Love, "Love Harder (Mighty Mouse Remix)" (Backyard)4. Class Actress, "Let Me Take You Out" (Terrible)5. Massive Attack (feat. Hope Sandoval), "Paradise Circus (Gui Boratto Remix)" (Virgin)6. Wiley (feat. Emeli Sande), "Never Be Your Woman (Hervé Rework)" (Relentless)7. Polargeist, "Home from the Can

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-44362011316069942752010-02-26T16:56:00.003-05:002010-02-26T17:01:25.777-05:00

I contributed copy to Driftlab Interactive Agency's re-launched Web site, which looks fab. I'm obsessed with the animated leaves.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-18960626899768492242010-02-26T07:51:00.003-05:002010-02-26T08:22:51.046-05:00

Wonderful spread on Ivy Style. By the way, where can I track down a copy of Take Ivy? (several photos are within that link, so it's a start!) And a faded Harvard Crew T-shirt? And maybe preppy Gary from Thirtysomething?

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-34434051094388898872010-02-23T16:15:00.003-05:002010-02-23T16:23:07.677-05:00

I'm dying for one of these prints, by Erik of the delightful Restless Bee b/w Falling and Laughing.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-9897185187774011702010-02-22T16:54:00.010-05:002010-02-25T10:15:21.287-05:00

It's hard to top: a dance choreographed to Sonic Youth's "Kool Thing"a young Bart Bassa cute guy who's mostly good in Hal Hartley moviesMartin Donovan, who also cuts a rug, er, fence, in Surviving Desirea nu-New Wave Anna Karinathe most sweetly seductive film I've seen in years.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-40147674990043002642010-02-22T10:02:00.007-05:002010-02-22T10:22:15.539-05:00

Feeling self-conscious about the appearance of my copy clips -- hazy screen shots instead of crisp scans, like a blemish that won't go away -- I had the idea to make a slideshow. I also wanted them to be easily downloadable. Lesson learned: Scan samples before giving them away in interviews. I could kick myself ... but the best work is yet to come, right? Anyway, I think this looks slightly

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-82639281019636541212010-02-14T22:35:00.005-05:002010-02-15T12:40:41.977-05:00

I still think "Olivier Zahm" (center) is a Saturday Night Live creation. In any case, I love his propensity for one-handed shots.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-2979201966941282962010-02-11T15:49:00.006-05:002010-02-11T15:58:35.009-05:00

Inspired by a photographer's shelves (a popular photo that's been floating around) and a Brooklyn studio that Wes Anderson would feel right at home in, I decided to color block my books. (And for the book shelf fetishist, what else? A Tumblr.) It helps that the rest of my room follows a similar color palette: lots of orange and yellow.// Click to enlarge

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-13004563442948653992010-02-10T13:51:00.001-05:002010-02-10T13:54:08.846-05:00

My favorite songs right now:

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-38612180784598505882010-02-09T15:19:00.003-05:002010-02-09T15:26:34.320-05:00

Illustration by Jean-Philippe DelhommeWhile some may look to Lolcats for that daily immune-boost of good humor, I have Terry Richardson. His photo diary is an endless source of amusement for me -- cheeky, provocative, cute. And when the above illustration popped up in my reader I knew I had to share it here.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-22009829221231247192010-02-07T08:20:00.003-05:002010-02-07T08:24:42.416-05:00

Okay, I feel the same way about Beth Ditto as I do about Antony. I've heard "Cruel Intentions" several times and I had no idea it was her vocal (love this remix, in particular).

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-53638461760627525112010-02-02T07:05:00.000-05:002010-02-02T07:06:22.588-05:00

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-65101703631167868212010-02-01T19:22:00.002-05:002010-02-01T19:25:04.179-05:00

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-75020933902284673382010-01-30T08:32:00.010-05:002010-01-30T17:40:21.798-05:00

Finding pages of Salinger stories (The New Yorker, Esquire) I'm reminded of a summer day in 1998, having just graduated from high school (where I read Catcher for the first time senior year), when I drove to the public library with a scrawled list of Salinger's magazine stories. I'd found them on a chaotic fan site, which I'm sure is long gone. Sometime earlier in the school year I read Ron

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-7931634779975118702010-01-28T11:25:00.002-05:002010-01-28T11:31:33.202-05:00

I'll admit slight disappointment that the "Pigbag Version" of Friendly Fires' "On Board" is not actually a remix by the cult-classic funk-punk group (their "Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag," above). As homages go, this one is damn good. Friendly Fires are eminently remixable and alone they're kind of uninspired. Is there such thing as a "remix band"? LISTEN Friendly Fires, "On Board (Pigbag Version

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-91693885352671764472010-01-26T08:40:00.007-05:002010-01-26T17:51:09.642-05:00

This could be Tensnake's year. (Don't look so surprised, buddy.) Between the Hamburg-based DJ's excellent Resident Advisor mix at the tail-end of '09, and remixes of Polargeist's "Home from the Can" and the Swiss's "Manthem" (included in Aeroplane's January Chart Mix) ... well, three is a trend, right? Knock yourself out.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-11474684007137703822010-01-25T07:32:00.002-05:002010-01-25T07:36:20.201-05:00

Bikini Kill covers Ben Lee's song about Evan Dando. I gotta go, my new Sassy just arrived.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-14767395523365381272010-01-24T10:07:00.003-05:002010-01-24T10:34:23.120-05:00

1. Pet Shop Boys, “My Girl (Our House Mix)” (Parlophone)2. Delphic, “Doubt” (Polydor)3. V Sparks, “On My Arm”(self-released)4. Groove Armada, “Shameless (feat. Bryan Ferry)” (Cooking Vinyl)5. Charlotte Gainsbourg, “Trick Pony” (Because)6. Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris, “Hallelujah” (iTunes)7. Triola, “Shildergasse” (Kompakt)8. Frankie Rose, “Hollow Life” (Slumberland)9. Seabear, "Lion Face

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-81448789018959883992010-01-22T08:30:00.002-05:002010-01-22T08:35:10.039-05:00

I can't decide which take on Phoenix's "Fences" I like better: Delphic's trance-y remix or Soft Pack's rumbling garage-band cover, which has been stuck in my head for days.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-75361606615734908592010-01-19T16:03:00.001-05:002010-01-19T16:06:00.424-05:00

Great poster, Brian

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-37452530787062142872010-01-17T20:51:00.002-05:002010-01-17T20:53:33.814-05:00

Gay Talese goes to the laundromat (sorta). Should I be spending more time at my Clean Rite? Maybe. It is spacious, and I can catch up on telenovelas....

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-72572305052399985322010-01-13T16:58:00.001-05:002010-01-13T17:01:10.293-05:00

The highlight of a terrific show -- and one of my favorite singles of '09.

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-80058041457206620612010-01-13T16:11:00.001-05:002010-01-13T16:13:28.828-05:00

The show up at Metro Pictures made me so happy.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-36370586264215092772010-01-04T13:59:00.003-05:002010-01-04T17:01:08.744-05:00

French children's book illustrations from the thirties and forties and French people from the sixties (vous et vous, respectively).

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-26468693742211871832010-01-02T15:13:00.003-05:002010-01-02T15:18:37.737-05:00

First of all, I'm a sucker for a mansard roof, and second, don't you love that terrace? Plus it's across the street from Neue Galerie.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-90002750637802868222009-12-30T07:10:00.003-05:002009-12-30T07:51:57.542-05:00

Inspired by the A.V. Club and based my own sorta pop culture master list, I resolve to read more books in 2010 (I only finished ten!). Goodreads is a great motivator, I've picked up great suggestions. I would also like to see more theater, and start going to readings and panels again -- my attendance kind of dropped off.I have yet to choose a notebook, so already I'm behind.

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-77893773448545073862009-12-26T19:43:00.008-05:002010-01-05T09:39:51.232-05:00

Someone mentioned this incident the other day and I wanted to post it since now there's a YouTube embed. Still makes me laugh, especially when the nanny steps away. Because that's the thing about public disputes―you can't look away! Everything is theater.

Katenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-17518603660465110472009-12-25T11:20:00.009-05:002009-12-26T10:28:28.133-05:00

A gimme, but diskJokke remixed Charlotte Gainsbourg's "IRM" and it's great.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-55521164088472528732009-12-24T15:34:00.003-05:002009-12-24T15:38:46.034-05:00

"Like everybody else, I didn’t know what I was doing. I just knew what I wanted to do. Someday. I think we’re all still kind of like that." MORE

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-6389939633778688792009-12-24T09:25:00.002-05:002009-12-24T09:33:20.626-05:00

Despite a name that sounds like there's a rock in your mouth, I've been enjoying the British DJ and producer Grum. Above, he gives the French house treatment to Tommy Sparks' "Miracle."

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-47857382813455823702009-12-23T07:55:00.005-05:002009-12-23T08:02:56.651-05:00

It still bowls me over that the most popular post on this blog -- the most Googled item -- is an interview I did with Dorothy Moskowitz, of the psych group United States of America, reprinted from ROCKRGRL. It gives me an excuse to post my favorite track from USA's 1968 classic.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-67548603659628218922009-12-22T10:22:00.007-05:002009-12-22T12:41:21.945-05:00

When I first heard the Sticks, sight unseen, I prayed to G--, er, Gerry Roslie, that they were a contemporary band and not just some hard-to-Google obscurity. I mean, look at the youthquaker pic above and you see what I mean, right? They're from Brighton, and released their self-titled debut LP in November. LISTEN.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-8785454314943319542009-12-21T11:21:00.010-05:002009-12-23T09:45:02.158-05:00

Oh, right, the decade is ending. I was reluctant to make an aughts album list, but it dawned on my that this is a significant opportunity. After all, this list represents the whole of my twenties -- the years in which music means the world to a person. So, instead of ranking I present Ten Records that Meant the Most to Me in the 2000s (catchy title). And while they are listed in chronological

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-10722777921920538422009-12-21T07:26:00.003-05:002009-12-21T07:32:29.297-05:00

"One of the most assaultively intense and harrowing movie experiences of my life." James Wolcott, Vanityfair.com

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-46451950779362410442009-12-20T17:33:00.003-05:002009-12-20T18:46:55.427-05:00

For anyone missing the little bursts of inspiration from Daily Routines (what happened to it anyway? I'm still striving for the Simone de Beauvoir day), I recommend, ahem, Writers Recommend.And happy birthday to this blog, which turned seven (!) over the weekend. Thanks for making it a part of your daily routine.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-66713719995666868972009-12-19T20:10:00.010-05:002009-12-20T07:27:57.268-05:00

I've been enjoying Tim Lawrence's Hold On to Your Dreams: Arthur Russell and the Downtown Music Scene, 1973-1992, but the book was a little lonely without a soundtrack so I whipped one up. (Several tracks are pulled from New York Noise and Downtown 81.) Plus we're nearing whiteout conditions in New York and I am thankful for a warm, dry activity. Now back to the book.DOWNLOAD1. Gray (feat. Debbie

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-30802624098020106392009-12-19T12:39:00.006-05:002009-12-19T14:32:39.576-05:00

Transport Tom and Meg to Bushwick, where they meet on Nerve.com, and you have my favorite cover song in a long time.LISTEN Railcars, "Dreams"

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-48001401891409391252009-12-19T10:27:00.001-05:002009-12-19T10:28:48.361-05:00

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-28051771338675694882009-12-18T08:37:00.001-05:002009-12-18T08:40:18.041-05:00

I cannot believe this is missing from "Everybody Everybody." Must remedy that right away.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-9863014045748657462009-12-15T14:40:00.005-05:002009-12-15T15:00:30.028-05:00

Bøy Meets Girl: Real Life Is No CoolI got pretty excited about Lindstrøm & Christabelle earlier this year when I heard Aeroplane's remix of "Baby Can't Stop." They released a couple singles as a duo, mid-decade (she went by her last name, Solale), that thankfully are available on their debut. If you're into spacey diva disco without the diva, you need this record.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-90257752800197695992009-12-13T14:23:00.006-05:002009-12-13T14:35:44.693-05:00

Remember when covers of Wavves' "So Bored" were all the rage? The song has great bones. And, remainder to the remainders, I forgot to include it below. The two cuts found at Slowcoustic are worth a listen, especially His Clancyness's "UK Surf" version.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-51406901489101713042009-12-12T08:36:00.003-05:002009-12-12T08:41:34.634-05:00

I love Wolf Gang, even his videos are straight from the Duran Duran archive. But I still prefer the Kenny-Loggins-meets-Wire woop of "Night Flying."

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-57205494288974328872009-12-11T13:06:00.003-05:002009-12-11T13:14:04.993-05:00

A few favorites that didn't make my 2009 Mix.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-70097615388042517842009-12-10T08:43:00.008-05:002009-12-10T09:57:50.816-05:00

It's been a long time since I've written anything heartfelt here, and that's because I've been thinking, dreaming, and, most of all, working. And since it's that time of year when we traditionally reflect and make lists, I just wanted to say (briefly!) how grateful I am for the life I have, because, as you know if you're familiar with this space, it hasn't been easy. It's taken time to arrive at

Katenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-52423656011171527902009-12-07T12:54:00.005-05:002009-12-07T13:05:14.983-05:00

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-74316257875629127102009-12-05T09:03:00.016-05:002009-12-05T12:45:14.802-05:00

A few years ago I fell in love with Italo Disco, a style of European dance music from the late 70s and early 80s which is loosely defined by spacey synth and vocoder. To me, it sounds like something the DJ might slip on at three or four in the morning, with its seductive vocals and light, airy beat mimicking your feet past their prime. Since Italo-inspired tracks dominated my listening in 2009, I

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-48020513119668526032009-11-25T12:30:00.004-05:002009-12-05T11:19:46.729-05:00

I love this photo my mother took of me in the Metropolitan Museum's Sackler Wing, which showcases Egyptian artifacts -- one of my favorite places in New York. You might recognize it from this scene in When Harry Met Sally.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-83987676132115989972009-11-21T16:00:00.001-05:002009-11-21T16:04:10.441-05:00

"Shapiro says [My Guilty Pleasure] 'will hopefully make you fall in love with the person sitting next to you on the bus.' "

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-17876717743825893592009-11-20T13:21:00.001-05:002009-11-20T13:24:27.608-05:00

Dick [on telephone] I'll be at 362-9296 for a while; then I'll be at 648-0024 for about fifteen minutes; then I'll be at 752-0420; and then I'll be home, at 621-4598. Yeah, right George, bye-bye.Linda There's a phone booth on the corner. You want me to run downstairs and get the number? You'll be passing it. -Play it Again, Sam

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-46136032407975573152009-11-16T17:06:00.002-05:002009-11-16T17:09:52.536-05:00

One of the highlights of their live show.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-77555893173462475752009-11-11T11:26:00.009-05:002009-11-11T11:43:42.524-05:00

Pretty awesome: Orchard Lounge has been added to the roster of resident DJs at Chicago's Smart Bar in 2010.Downtempo, space disco, house, tech, b-boy era electro, hip hop, soul, and funk: ­ if you can move, Orchard Lounge will back you up. Formed in Chicago in 2000, OL is the collective of Ben Silver, Spencer Lokken and Bethany Lokken. This versatile trio has enlightened dance floors nationwide

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-50101695518753920592009-11-06T17:41:00.000-05:002009-11-06T17:42:19.649-05:00

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-14725279371992774252009-11-06T17:15:00.001-05:002009-11-06T17:42:49.196-05:00

"It's a little soulless," said Stacey Killings, 32, of Bedford-Stuyvesant. "I don't care if it looks like Trump Plaza; I'm not going to Arby's."

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-18326272984016245242009-11-06T16:34:00.003-05:002009-11-06T17:32:15.180-05:00

(Untitled) is pretty spot-on in its skewering of the contemporary art and music worlds, but I gotta quibble: galleries do not serve wine in glasses at openings. Still, Adam Goldberg, any time.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-69279949381383408062009-10-10T15:18:00.002-04:002009-10-10T15:29:14.972-04:00

I have little sympathy for the two recent graduates, twin sisters, on a fruitless job-hunt in New York. Everyone should have their dream job, or at least a stable job, but you've gotta work for it. And a $2,900 Upper West Side apartment certainly isn't a necessity. Since this weekend's Style feature -- about all the comedians living in Astoria, Queens -- is actually pretty sweet and enjoyable,

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-24098148220571030592009-10-08T18:28:00.006-04:002009-10-08T18:36:37.091-04:00

"It is hard (if not impossible) to deal with the internal ethical, intellectual and professional contradictions you feel when you step onto a beach in French Polynesia contemplating how you're there on a studio's dime to conduct interviews with the stars of a movie you know, deep in your heart, that you're going to give a mixed review." [MORE]

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-28883051935439008632009-10-08T13:42:00.000-04:002009-10-08T13:43:15.954-04:00

Adele nails it.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-51323171161960335962009-10-06T17:17:00.005-04:002009-10-06T18:00:33.610-04:00

The workroom is no longer safe, since my coworker discovered AT&T's Text-to-Speech demo, which converts your profound thoughts (or favorite raunchy rap lyrics) into brief WAVs of autobabble. My favorite voices are Charles, who's straight out of Masterpiece Theatre, and Mike, from accounting.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-91502188951369179142009-10-05T14:34:00.002-04:002009-10-05T14:37:11.775-04:00

One of my favorite musical moments this year, especially at the 2:00 mark, when Phoenix lays down some Yes-worthy power chords. Shaky video, so I suggest you listen and not watch.

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-48900573186979177472009-09-28T13:49:00.003-04:002009-09-28T18:25:56.353-04:00

The first comment in this Singles Jukebox post nearly made me spit out my tea. Plus, a slideshow of big green tractors, if you're in the mood.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-59311393046636498112009-09-17T12:03:00.002-04:002009-09-17T12:08:59.803-04:00

This week's Glee did the New Jack Swing, with takes on "This Is How We Do It," "Poison" and "I Wanna Sex You Up." Even the Josh Groban cameo was funny (and he's shown some comedic chop).

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-17590348416667663992009-09-09T07:43:00.004-04:002009-09-09T08:46:44.186-04:00

Informative article on overdraft fees and their business for banks. Infuriating too, when you consider this little nugget: Some banks further increase their revenue by manipulating the order of a customer’s transactions in a way that causes more of them to incur overdraft fees. I closely monitor my account with online banking and e-mail alerts (such as a low-balance warning), and I still can't

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-22667905742018776352009-09-07T10:47:00.006-04:002009-09-07T11:23:04.935-04:00

I feel like I've talked this up too much, but failed to spiel here. I've been geeking out all weekend on Later... with Jools Holland, probably the best music (ahem) programme on television. Ovation has been running a marathon of the BBC programme to kick-off a weeknight slot. Having watched Jools clips on YouTube, well, I couldn't be happier. The premise is pretty tantalizing: Five or six bands (

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-53884755110198906222009-09-06T08:07:00.004-04:002009-09-06T08:19:45.487-04:00

Publishing's golden, low-tech age.SEE Meghan Daum, "Publishing and Other Near-Death Experiences"

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-32529376746144833772009-09-04T11:49:00.001-04:002009-09-04T11:50:59.598-04:00

One of my favorite moments in the Pet Shop Boys show. Dancing buildings! And Chris gets in on the act.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-45158539973939658232009-09-01T08:20:00.014-04:002009-09-01T10:46:06.493-04:00

Late Saturday night, I heard the neighbors singing what I call “Ukrainian sea shanties.” It went on a little too long, as it often does, but it lulled me to sleep. These unhinged melodies have their charms, and along with car alarms, rattling pushcarts on the sidewalk and the Mister Softee jingle, they sound like home. This group of four or five is something of an institution; their night-owl

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-45201028405852745052009-08-30T07:43:00.003-04:002009-08-30T10:08:11.410-04:00

As the story goes, Ms. Greenwich, who taught high school for less than a month after attending Queens College and Hofstra, made the rounds in the Brill Building, selling a few songs for $25. One day, a friend of a friend got her an appointment to see a big-name songwriter, who turned out to be busy elsewhere. Told to sit in a room in the ninth floor offices of Leiber and Stoller that was equipped

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-91350909633313909792009-08-29T19:42:00.005-04:002009-08-30T08:13:34.733-04:00

I'm sure you know how good it feels to be reunited with a favorite record after years apart. If Odessey & Oracle had a bonus disc it would sound like Lilys' The 3 Way (1999), now out of print. So I was thrilled to find it on the excellent record-sampling blog Ongakubaka. "Socs Hip" is the best ever seven-minute pop song.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-72927601105975259382009-08-29T16:10:00.008-04:002009-08-29T17:36:05.468-04:00

August ... bit of a palette cleanser, non? Waiting on the new Whitney, Jay-Z, Ghostface and Richard Hawley, to name a few. In the meantime, I highly recommend Drums' adorable "Let's Go Surfing"; 45:33 Remixed; Amerie's beauty of an old-school beat; and the full-length Johan Agebjörn mix, which features Italo-disco diva (and Agebjörn collaborator) Sally Shapiro and Aeroplane. Bad Lieutenant sounds

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-87578005795250526342009-08-28T18:54:00.007-04:002009-08-30T11:20:27.541-04:00

My brother knows me well. He pitched downtempo artist Abakus as "Dave Davies' son." A little chill for my taste but I'm digging the record That Much Closer to the Sun.LISTEN Abakus, The Jaguar Session*I've mangled the lyrics to "How Soon Is Now" for so long, I'm just going with my version.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-89666188084628128282009-08-27T10:37:00.002-04:002009-08-27T10:43:23.807-04:00

One of many little surprises, for me, in Ellie Greenwich's obit was that she co-wrote "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," another of my favorites. Not that I need an excuse to post a Manfred Mann clip (greatest band ever named for Manfred Lubowitz). And how cute is Paul Jones?

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-48770601654441240132009-08-27T06:57:00.003-04:002009-08-27T07:04:58.681-04:00

The most comprehensive coffee-brewing guide you'll ever read (really? $150 for a grinder?). Now I'm a coffee lover, certainly a coffee appreciator, and this scared me into using the French press this morning.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-63837200423946339852009-08-26T07:52:00.002-04:002009-08-26T07:53:18.743-04:00

I wish I could watch this, it's written by Jonathan Ames and set in Brooklyn.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-27214774804133008782009-08-25T15:44:00.004-04:002009-08-26T07:30:48.924-04:00

Joy Division + "Need You Tonight"x "Addams Groove" - Eyes Wide Shut

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-60403025056368482552009-08-21T18:55:00.002-04:002009-08-21T19:07:07.063-04:00

Recommended. BTW, Front of Book is my snack blog, just for kicks. Feel free to recommend snacks.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-14415457828266041432009-08-20T12:47:00.007-04:002009-08-20T13:20:38.852-04:00

Nice article in the Times about Pop/R&B artists who've entered the club. It piqued my interest in producer/DJ David Guetta, whose new record features Kelly Rowland and Ne-Yo. The guests are really the hook for me, as I find a lot of Eurohouse kinda cheesy -- Greetings from Ibiza! However I am digging the Rowland track and video.Note Ricky's is a drugstore and novelty chain in New York that plays

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-15588566959536114682009-08-18T13:22:00.006-04:002009-08-18T17:52:08.770-04:00

Feeling a little burnt out in recent weeks, Echo & the Bunnymen's "The Killing Moon" brought me a lot of comfort this morning. I just discovered Greg Laswell's folky, banjo-led cover, taken from a KCRW performance (it's also included on an upcoming covers EP). Of course I couldn't leave out Pavement's take:And here's Echo, playing their "latest single" on British television:

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-75067521001493333272009-08-17T11:50:00.004-04:002009-08-17T14:32:35.697-04:00

visualsOMD, you guys! Totally swooning over Mirrors' dark-pop ballad "Look at Me." (See what I did there?) While we're on the subject, watch the great Depeche Mode doc 101 in its entirety on Google Video. Oh, and I just met the 7" version of New Order's "Temptation."

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-34311881548255292932009-08-16T20:41:00.003-04:002009-08-17T06:31:32.403-04:00

You can kill a lot of time at the "thatlookslike" YouTube channel, which ID's popular actors early in their careers. I particularly enjoy Jack Black in this clip from Bob Roberts (1992) ... I didn't know that was Bob Balaban in Midnight Cowboy. He looks like Rick Moranis.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-50155173317482213702009-08-12T15:01:00.005-04:002009-08-12T15:23:08.513-04:00

I know, I know, more Fred Falke. he's this year's Aeroplane (who followed the excellent "Kilometer" remix with a few middling monthly mixes and cancelled U.S. tour. Thanks, guys!) Anyhow, this Example mix is total bliss and boasts a little rap breakdown that's Party Girl heaven.

Katenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-46967627354602422462009-08-10T12:57:00.000-04:002009-08-10T12:58:51.383-04:00

I love snacks; this one is great cold.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-2763613117642953202009-08-10T09:19:00.003-04:002009-08-10T09:27:16.027-04:00

The official video is not embeddable, but don't let that discourage you (streaming version above). I think Lil' Wayne is on this track so it'll get U.S. radio play ... other than that I'm totally puzzled, it's sub-par Europop. Londoner Jay Sean is not an ex-boy-bander, to my knowledge, but he's definitely got the moves. And, of course, check out the back-up dancers.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-71094879589822337572009-08-07T10:53:00.002-04:002009-08-07T10:56:04.612-04:00

Dunno if I ever mentioned that this is my favorite back-up dancing ever.Of course I have! No matter, watch it again.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-41614498015390983702009-08-06T14:02:00.003-04:002009-08-06T14:05:52.526-04:00

Both making their Network television debuts on Letterman.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-16514159492134545792009-08-05T19:10:00.001-04:002009-08-05T19:12:48.944-04:00

1. Silver Disco, "Send Me Out for Love" 2. Miami Horror, "Make You Mine (Fred Falke Remix)" 3. Cubic Zirconia, "Fuck Work (Dances With White Girls Remix)" 4. Metronomy, "Heartbreaker (diskJokke Remix)"5. V.V. Brown, "Shark in the Water (Crazy P Mix)" 6. Cam'ron, "Woo Hoo (feat. Byrd Lady And 40 Cal)"7. Water Jones, "Living Without Your Love" 8. Holy Ghost!, "I Will Come Back" 9. jj, "Things

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-31525877955371961832009-08-05T18:25:00.001-04:002009-08-05T18:57:12.726-04:00

I married the roller coaster.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-65045097426521031482009-08-05T07:56:00.005-04:002009-08-05T11:55:09.812-04:00

Like Bianca Jagger on a white horse I'm fashionably late to the party, but from the piano-ballad opening to the hi-hat and strings, this extended mix by Mr. Knuckles is a beaut.

Katenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035269.post-17470830634670004582009-08-03T09:14:00.005-04:002009-08-03T11:25:52.049-04:00

Madonna, "Celebration"Not being much of a futurepop fan, I'm glad Madonna has returned to her club-kid roots, or at least to some mid-nineties hot spot that's now a Pottery Barn. "Celebration" is pretty run-of-the-Palladium house, which means it's manna for remixes and mostly indistinguishable from anything else of its ilk. But I've missed this side of her -- she left the building with "Hung Up."

Katenoreply@blogger.com0