I am finding this unbelievably hard to do a google search on, so this trusty forum is my last resort. Im looking for clubs/events/nights that spin Nu Disco, Italo Disco and/or possibly retro House (Detroit + Chicage era). Points are deducted for anything New Wave and any analog, pre-Giorgio Disco (although I won't hate as long as the aforementioned remains the dominant music).
For anyone familiar with the Disco Bloodbath nights in London, I am basically looking for the NY counterpart.
Currently repairing ties with satan in number of ways:
1) Found guitar in cosmic void called "the corner of my room". With strings re-strung and fingers re-caloused, initiated contact with satanic muses/forces. Practicing C to G7 to G chord transitions in preparation for apocolypse (rockolypse?).
2) Interviews in jobs for corporate world going well. Suit fits well. Improving techniques on deceiving corporate honchos for company occupation. Corporate world seems resilient. Doubts loom as to Satan's power again such force.
3) Reading John Byrans Fantastic Four take and Walter Siminsons take on Thor. Nostalgia for 1980's era of comics. Prefers Thor as alien or amphibian.
4) After listening to Giorio Moroder and Kraftwerk records for quite sometime, decided to take the next step. Interests lie in Techno currently. Very curious in godfathers of techno, Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson. Question, does Satan have a Moog and if so, is Moog responsible for fallout from the heavens? Listening to introductory album about Detroit Techno scene of 80's. Very good. Highly recommend.
Techno! The New Dance Sound of Detroit!
5) Qualified to wear most powerful weapon in universe (see below). Duties include battling the forces of evil, having creative mind and using said mind as a weapon, must not be discouraged by creative projections appearing in hues of green, if possible must avoid color yellow. Question: Should this be included in resume? Perhaps log under extracurricular activities, hobbies or strengths.
Your results: You are Green Lantern
Green Lantern
95%
The Flash
85%
Spider-Man
85%
Robin
70%
Supergirl
65%
Hulk
65%
Superman
65%
Iron Man
55%
Catwoman
50%
Batman
35%
Wonder Woman
25%
Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination.
Perhaps one of my favorite metal bands, Enslaved delivered a sweet new album recently. Titled "Ruun", its been a pretty difficult album to get my head around. Actually nothing Enslaved does is actually easy listening (however Ive been told that their first album was just plain Black Metal served straight). "Below the Lights" and "Isa" were also challenging in their own way (however the latter I found extremely enjoyable once I overcame that challange) but Enslaved's unorthodox display of Black Metal--actually Viking Metal the band members insist and I myself agree--is exactly what made me fall in love with them. Sure Black Metal can sometimes be an aweful challange to the ear. It took me a few listens to pin down Bathory and have since only liked "Blood Fire Death". Mayhem's warp speed tempo and sub-par production (actually that could be applied to almost any Black Metal band, its so goddamn hard to make out the guitars sometimes) faired horribly in my first impressions of them. Hell, even Immortal, the band that actually got me into metal tested my patience.
Actually the only real reason why I got into Black Metal at all in the beginning was how humorous I found the music. The shrill, baby-with-a-strep-throat vocal screams (cookie-monster screams apply more to Death), minimalist (for lack of a better word) guitars usually lacking complex solos and scale/chord structures such as those commonly found in Death Metal and more popular forms, lightning fast tempos which out-did its death counterparts. These hyperactive beats actually reminded me of a former lover in high school, hardcore punk* (which actually most forms of metal today owe their lives to the said scene). In fact, dare I say it, Black Metal outsped Punk when it came to inertia. Of course I fell head over heels with the lyrics. Who could not get an erection from songs about Satan, (lets say "wet" in Jens case, lest we forget the women as we always do; of course jens indie-nose is stuck too high in the air with visions of James Murphy and Modest Mouse to actually give a damn about satan!), the occult, battles in the north and some guy named Blashyrkh. The more I listened to Blackened Metal however the more I appretiated it as a complex, fun and artistic music.
Anyway, back to Enslaved. The reason why I fell in love with such a band was their unique approach to the feild. Their oddly tuned guitars or bizarre chords (I could really never tell which really), shifts in tempos (which actually isnt a new thing at all in Metal but Enslaved sure does it well) but most of all chorus' and song structures which a fun and enjoyable one minute to pretentious, difficult sections immediately after. Whats especially exciting about Enslaved is that the ride that the listener takes when going through each of their albums. You cant catch a sense of this band by listening to one album. On "Below the Lights", it appears as if Enslaved just scratched the surface of something new. "Below the Lights" is an album displaying a Black/Viking Metal band just starting to explore the Black Metal skating rink but still has the tips of their hands on the rail. The album afterwards, "Isa" takes that exploration even further with some awesome plain rock out songs that anchor the album well. The song of the same name is probably one the most enjoyable tracks on the album showcasing a band that can make somewhat staight-foward, solid and accessible songs too.
"Runn" seems a bit of an odd-ball, though. I cant tell whether I really enjoy this album or am a bit dissapointed on where they took their sound with this attempt. You know its kinda like when you're having sex and you cum but dont orgasm. You came so you must have enjoyed it but you should have made a funny face and felt an intense pressure quickly rise and then dissipate below the waist, right? "Ruun" reminds me of thsoe times (which actually rarely happens, honestly). Maybe thats why Im so dissapointed or impressed with is that "Ruun" sounds a lot more realized than their two previous attempts. Its as if they actually hit what they were looking for. Each song sounds unique from one another, however one cant help but feel that the general tone or mood of the album stays the same throughout. Its not like "Isa" where maybe the album shifted on each track offering a dish of something wild and new. "Ruun" seems more controlled...unique and vastly enjoyable but more subdued.
On second thought I actually love this album. This is why I fell in love with Enslaved, not because they just sound good and (satanically speaking) their rocking-out's make other metal bands look like chronic masturbators, rather they constantly defy expectations or at least mine anyway. I expected something more like "Isa" in regards to "Ruun". I was looking foward to fast, clean, almost melodic songs such as "Isa" or "Lunar Force" but got stuck with an album amazingly complex, more-so than the previous two and one where it seems as if the band took much more time and consideration than previous efforts into crafting this beautiful gem.
Perhaps Im just full of shit. Enslaved might not actually have some formula or are looking for one. Perhaps their just doing their thing. Playing their version of metal the way they think it should be played. To me "Ruun" sounds like a direct follow up to "Isa" and a crowning acheivement to what they started in "Below the Lights" (On retrospect "Reogenesis" on "Isa" sounds like a foreshadowing of what will take place on "Ruun" actually). Furthermore I could listen to Kraftwerks musical journey from start to finish or Mission of Burmas but something just makes Enslaved fucking exciting (with a capital, italicized "F"). Its that old phrase that seems to apply to these guys the most and make me impatient for future albums: "What will they think of next?"
*similar to black metal actually: sub-par production, light-fast tempos, piece-of-shit vocals, minimalist guitar, virgin rage, nerds trying to look scary.
Hey ppl just wanted to let you know Im alright. Israels fucking awesome and Im have quite possibly the best time of my life. Anyway shits going like butter. Im working in a Kitchen and picking up some Hebrew along the way. Through it all Im surviving.
Jeez, I wish I had time to write all about how I feel here. I want to tell you guys about the ups and downs in Israel; the highs and lows and such. I wish I had more time on the comp to tell you how one could feel so at home somewhere yet feel utterly alien at the same time. Just being here brings back so many memories from when i visited this place as a youngin. I cant believe that I recall some parts of Tel Aviv and how to menuever my way through Deizengoff St all the way to Ben Yehuda and Gordon Beach.
My feelings toward Israel have changed so much since I arrived here. See, us American Jews usually have a very naive view of Israel. Lifes quite different here than in America. I was a little prepared for this but generally Israel always finds ways to surprise. One of the things thats so hard to fathom while living here is that Israels enemys are only miles away. Life (generally speaking) seems so peaceful here (but Im sure that since I havent read a newspaper since August adds to that feeling). While Lebenon will haunt Olmert and the Kadima party for quite some time, most Israelis seem to have forgotten or perhaps chose to forget or perherps to accept such a fiasco as Israeli life.
Anyway Ive got to head to bed soon. One of the best experiences of Israel so far is its humor which is equally funny as it is dry. Most of the humor comes in reaction to the hardships most Israels face due to international conflicts and personal life (in Israel the two are usually directly related though). Im not exactly sure however how many of these problems are real or just Israeli's whining about their dilemmas (perhaps a mixture of both). A popular saying in Israel is, "Life in the Garbage" which one could say sums up an Israelis outlook on life. Im not too sure how to explain it but In a way to deal with the hardships, there is a rough and dry humor that developed out of Israel.
Anyway thats it for now. Reply and such, Ill try to respond when I can. Bye.
Man every single post on my lj has been some sorta self-realized great return. Good to be back. At least for today.
Anyways Im in Hong Kong. Having a good time but shit does get depressing when you know noone in this awesome city. Im coming back to NY on Weds and have a few reservations about my whole physical return to the city:
- Ill still be depressed. (Nah depressions not the word Im looking for. Its boredom, angst, hormones, and chronic neck pain.)
- Hanging out with a majority of friends is proving to be extremely difficult this summer
- Parents
- I wanted to travel around to neighboring countries, specifically Japan. I might never get the chance at least for a while.
I do wanna head back cuz traveling without ppl is sorta dull. Also I wanna visit Mike and Katherine in Philly and Boston (respectively) before I head out to Israel.
Israel, man...stupid fucking hezbollah. Im still gonna head there, i think. The Katyusha rockets can only hit as a far as Haifa (at least for now) so I should be fine. Im sorta pissed though, Ive been looking foward to this trip since January. Im so psyched to work in a Kibbutz for 5 months. And now this happens.
If I cant go...for the first time, you'll probably see a man, humbled to his knees, crying pathetically...for some that know me best its monthly. Yep.
Seriously though, Ill spare you the Zionist rant this time but current events have produced a reaction in me..."concerned" is the word Im looking for. Im sure things'll turn out good and the Hezzies will be disarmed but its always annoying to watch the news and see them generally point the finger at Israel. Perhaps the news is generally critical of Israel (BBC definately is and CNN seem to point the finger at Israel most of the time) or maybe it really is objective and it pisses me off when they criticize Israel or report the body count of Lebonese or show scenes in Beirut. Either way I think most of the media and critics of Israels current operation are generally wrong. This isnt about Israels thirst for revenge for 2 of its kidnapped soldiers. On the contrary, Israel has even claimed that it wont negotiate with Hezbollah for the return of its soldiers. Rather people seem to forget that Hez initially sent rockets into Israel.
I dont understand how Israel could look like the aggressors in this conflict when theyve been doing what they have always been doing for almost 60 years already, protecting themselves.
Anyway I really havent felt like updation lately cuz it takes too long. Using the internet for masturbation and music seems like a far better use with my time. I wanna get more serious on this really. Like blog serious. Like have lots of people comment and tell me how great I am.
I was in LA for a week and a half. I had lots of fun. I learned that while there are a few notables, Mexican food on the West Coast does not totally out-pace our Mexicans on the Atlantic. I learned to love roller coasters. I bested this sweetie: http://www.sixflags.com/parks/magi…
LA cars are better tho.
Im hitting up Hong Kong in about a week. Im glad. Its been 3 days and Im already bored-dead bored-at home. NY1 (24 hour NYC news channel) rated it the 4th expensive city in the world. NYC is tied with Oslo for 10th. http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/ind…
After Israel I might move in with my BFF, Tone. Sweet digs in Brooklyn. Regarding my parents the keyword here is: Distance...although Queens aint far away, Ill take what I get. Get this, really close to Caucasian Colony, Williamsburg and dirt cheap too. Yahtzee.
Man Ive had TI's "What You Know" stuck in my head all week. Im dying to buy his newest album, "King" but Ive compiled too many new CDs lately and its time to sit down and listen to them before I blow more money on new ones. Still that damn song is freakin awesome.
Any way this is week 3 at home base. Things got off to a rocky start on week 1. Both my parents were yelling at me to get off my ass and I was too tired to care. Afterwards my dad went to Europe on a business trip so things were pretty peaceful around the house. Things got pretty chaotic tho when he got back two days ago. See my dads a little manic at times, actually hes got a huge case of it that started back in the 90's that cost him his job and had my mom and me reeling for a bit. But things are way better now and all that is history. Some things trigger it tho like when Im in the house, travelling, exhaustion, jetlag, stress, etc. Anyway two days ago he went postal. Now he doesnt get violent (he never hit me or my mom) but he likes to yell a lot and find reasons to yell. Most manics feel on top of the world when they get triggered so theyll find ways to provoke others. My dad usually resorts to name calling and yelling. Its not like Im really angry at him tho and I dont want you to think hes some kinda evil guy. This Manic Depression is usually beyond his control and Ive grown pretty used to it too. Whenever he gets Manic I usually ignore him and leave the house. Anyway he usually apologizes the next day and takes me somewhere nice to eat.
His outburst two days ago was one of the worst Ive seen in a while. Due to the recent events my mom asked me if I wanted to move out. She thinks it would be good for dad since my being home is a trigger of his MD. Personally I thought shed never ask that question! I actually excited being that I didnt want to move back home and live with my parents. It'd be awesome if I get a place in Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan for the summer. Anyway I guess my dads MD is a blessing in diguise.
Other than that Im trying to find a job for the summer (fingers crossed for Virgin Megastore).
Also Im dead bored. All my friends are turds that wanna work for summer and dont wanna travel or anything. Boo.
I saw "Art School Confidential" tonite. Last movie Ill ever see in my Boston college years. Perhaps one of the worst movies Ive seen this whole year. Id rather watch Van Helsing than have to sit through this steaming pile of crap. Basically its a rehashed Teen movie wrapped up in a facade of a satire on art students. After thinking about it for a bit, the basic plot of this movie tries to be up there somewhere with abstract films ala Charlie Kaufman but falls flat. The jokes run dry and the film outlast its charm by the second half. Two things really bothered me. The movie had a very hollywood feel about how it portrayed artist. On one hand I did like how it poked fun at modern art and its tendancy to be viewed too deeply (I thought the best commentary was at political grafitti influenced art and art displaying a play of words or some "bold" phrase). Despite it being a comedy, a genre that likes to poke fun at stereotypes, I thought its views of art and artists were bland and cliched. I cant think of the exact way to say it but basically the film tries to hard at exaggerating stereotyped artists for a laugh. Also I thought its "real art doesnt make money" message (if there was any message at all)was stupid and dull.
The second thing that bothered me was the row of girls in front of me that were laughing non-stop to this pile of shit. There was absolutely nothing funny about this movie but they were laughing there heads off. Theres nothing more annoying than sitting near people who enjoy something you dont. I really did not find much humor in the film. Perhaps there were some subtle art jokes that you could only pick up on if you were an art major.
The film did have one effect on me. I really wished I went to art school instead of history. More so I wish I practiced drawing and painting more often. Ive got this great talent that I barely keep up at. I keep telling myself that every summer Ill be productive and practice guitar and drawing. Turns out tho that video games get the best of me. Oh well, maybe this summer.
I got dinner with my parents today. I set their alarm clock for 5:30 am for a laugh. Im getting breakfast with them tomorrow...Things might get ugly...
Well I havent update in a while. I gots lots to say and shit. But Im still alive here. Instead of a full post that would take hours of writing I made won of those CD collage things everyones doing. Mostly my favorite albums of all time. It isnt anything serious tho. I didnt put much thought or time into it.
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