C.A.T.: Electric Warrior

T. Rex – Electric Warrior (1971)

Sorry I didn’t do the CAT last week, I intended on doing it but work and that fact that I couldn’t access any of the Lemme’s computers prevented me from doing it. Anyways, this week I thought I’d review Marc Bolan and T. Rex’s seminal 1971 breakthrough, Electric Warrior. It’s an album I continuously find myself coming back to, and it’s probably my favorite album to come out of the glam rock movement of the early seventies.

Electric Warrior showed T. Rex exploring a more electric rock sound than the earlier acoustic, folky sound Bolan and percussionist Mickey Finn had explored as a duo. This album shows T. Rex with a more band oriented format with the addition of bassist Steve Currie and drummer Bill Legend, as well as the backup vocals of Flo and Eddie of the Turtles. However, theres still a number of acoustic numbers such “Cosmic Dancer” and “Girl”, both of with feature some unique orchestral arrangements.

Of course, the album is probably best known for having T. Rex’s most famous song “Bang a Gong (Get It On)”. The song was their only hit in the U.S., despite having a long run of top 10 singles in the U.K. during the early seventies. “Bang A Gong” as well as many of the other songs on the album like “Planet Queen” and “Life’s a Gas” have a great laid back, glam rock sound that also features Marc Bolan’s spacey lyrics. There’s also a few songs with a more aggressive hard rock sound that T. Rex would persue on the fantastic follow up to this album, The Slider.

Along with the rise of the glam rock movement, Bolan and T. Rex became one of the leading figures of rock in Britain in the early Seventies. However, Bolan’s uncontrollable appetite for excessive drugs and alcohol would result in a decline in popularity and the eventual breakup of T. Rex just prior to Bolan’s sudden death in 1977.

Favorite Tracks: “Mambo Sun”, “Jeepster”, “Life’s a Gas”

Squatch Went Down to Georgia

Recently in the world of weird, two Georgian’s have revealed in a California press conference to have finally discovered the corpse of a “Bigfoot” in their native Georgia. Rick Dwyer (a car salesman) and Matt Whitton (police officer) claim to have found the 7-ft creature’s corpse while hiking and on August 15th and announced to the press that they’ve hand selected scientists to do DNA testing on this creature.

Thus far scientists have yet to come to a definite conclusion as one DNA test came back inconclusive, one containing traces of human DNA and another of opossum. The creature which was placed into a large freezer is currently being investigated and now being prepared for an autopsy,

If you ask me this is all pretty cool, the fact that this is being so heavily looked into gets me to thinking that this will be a good story as it unravels in the future. Another addition to the lore of Bigfoot that’s generated a lot of renewed interest in the mysterious creature, though like many similar discoveries I’m sure this will come up as just another prank or scam. lots of details have been sketchy including; where they found creature, what they were doing and so on and so forth. Not to mention the fact that they insisted on having their own scientists examine the creature. I’m surprised this has gotten the media attention it has online so until there’s some conclusive evidence released, this sounds like a big fat hairy hoax.

The story still developing so if your curious I suggest you check out the articles, it’s some crazy stuff.

T3: Teen Movies

John suggested I do it, so here’s a list of what I would say are the best movies that capture the lives of teenagers better than any other. I definitely had a hard time choosing the order of the films to on this list seeing as though a lot of these films hold a special place in my heart, I pretty much would’ve been ok with any of the top five being number one but whatever here it goes…..

10. Juno (2007)

One of my favorite films of last year, Juno somehow makes the controversial subject of teen pregnancy into a very warmhearted but also very sharply funny film. It’s more of a film about a teenager being thrown into a very adult situation than about high school, but it still gives a very enjoyable and honest look at growing up in a small town in this day and age.

9. Say Anything (1989)

Cameron Crowe shows us once again his natural gift for capturing the way young people talk and act with his directorial debut. I found the father-daughter relationship to be fairly unique, as well as the love story between straight-A student Diane (Ione Skye) and underachiever Lloyd (John Cusack). Plus you gotta love the fact that it takes place in Seattle.

8. The Last Picture Show (1971)

A low-key, but notheless compelling drama from Peter Bogdonavich that gives a very authentic feeling look at what it was like to grow up in 1950’s Texas. Like many of the films on this list, The Last Picture show features some very strong performances from several future stars as well as a number of veteran actors, two of which (Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman) won oscars for their supporting performances.

7. Rushmore (1998)

A charming little story about Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman), a private school student with endless ambitions. This unorthadox representation of teenage life might be Wes Anderson’s crowning achievement, and I believe is the first movie to make it on to more than one T3.

6. Superbad (2007)

I don’t know why I said it would barely make the list, it’s easily the funniest movie on this list, and probably the best high school movie of the decade so far. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are a team made in comedy heaven, and their hilarious dialogue rings very true to the way teenage boys talk and gives us plenty hilarious lines worth quoting over and over again.

5. Dazed and Confused (1993)

An early triumph for director Richard Linklater, has a very groovy laid back feel to it with a rockin’ soundtrack and some likeable performances from a number of future stars. More than any other high school movie, Dazed and Confused focuses on the sheer boredom of being a teenager rather than the pressures of it.

4. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Probably the first motion picture made about the youth for the youth to strike such a chord with American audiences. James Dean’s portrayal of delinquent Jim Stark is simply iconic on every level, and his death only further cemented him as the face of the rebellious side of 1950’s teenage America.

3. The Breakfast Club (1985)

Easily the most memorable and compelling of John Hughes’ long run as the king of high school comedies in the 1980’s. By having teenagers serve detention on a Saturday, it very simply but effectively shows the way people from different cliques can clash, and also learn to get along forced to be together. Although none of the movie takes place during a day of high school, and pretty much completely takes place in a school library, it captures the darker side of teenage life like no other film had done before or has done since.

2. American Graffiti (1973)

Before George Lucas decided to basically dedicate his life to one franchise, he turned out this fantastic ode to diners, rock n’ roll, and cruisin’ all night long. American Graffiti jump started the careers of a number of young actors as well as launched the fifties nostalgia boom of the 1970’s that would inspire a number of hit TV shows and films. American Graffiti perfectly captures the moment in one’s life between teenage life and adulthood just at the time when the nation was about to go through some major changes itself.

1. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

I don’t know if I’d necessarily say this is the absolute best or even my favorite movie on the list, but I don’t think any other film captures so effortlessly every aspect of being a teenager. Fast Times tackles everything from underage sex, clueless teachers, and school sports to abortion and dead end jobs. Fast Times is filled with a number of memorable scenes and characters including the most beloved of all teen movie stoners, Jeff Spicoli. Yet it also has the distinct feeling of being an authentic account of growing up in 1980’s Southern California.

Honorable Mentions: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, American Pie, Election, Napoleon Dynamite

Thunderstruck

Tropic Thunder

The Frat Pack is back this summer presenting us with a big budget, no holds bar, war comedy blockbuster that is Tropic Thunder. Featuring a star studded cast, impressive effects and some comical doses of pop culture, Tropic Thunder is pure popcorn munching zaniness that most can enjoy, I have a few complaints but I can’t deny the brainless fun that ensues while watching this film.

Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. these are names that I think are reason enough to check out this splendor of gore, retard jokes and humor of the bodily variety. If I have to give props to anyone, it’s got to be the over-the-top jive of Robert Downey Jr. who pretty much has all the best lines in the movie. I got the impression that Jack Black was just told to act like Jack Black for 100 something minutes, and as for Ben Stiller, who’s been pretty hit or miss his whole career, here he can be annoying but he certainly has his moments. Though let’s not forget the talents of some of the actors filling in the smaller roles. I’ve recently found myself becoming a fan of the up and coming Danny McBride and here he was probably one of my favorite characters. Nick Nolte is always suitable for playing an intimidating old guy and as for Jay Baruchel, Brandon T. Jackson and Steve Coogan, well their all fine. Tom Cruise is certainly creating a lot of buzz for this film, but in the long run I think they should of kept is role to a one scene cameo as I had trouble finding him funny as the film advanced. Just something about a fat film executive dancing doesn’t seem funny to me at all, more of embarrassed for having witnessed it.

References to pop culture are huge part of this film and though I didn’t always find them humorous I appreciated the effort. Parodying action movie stars, comedians like Eddie Murphy, overly dramatic character actors, or rapper turned movie stars is a cute idea, but not always that clever. The film of course opens with some fake trailers which are mildly funny but far from quality writing. Most of the best humor actually comes from the performances of this energetic cast, and I think they could of benefited from showing us a little less of this fictional Hollywood and a little more of these characters struggle. I know that may sound kind of snooty but I truly believe that if this film had tighter direction, and less ideas floating around it could of been something for the ages.

I don’t think this was my favorite summer comedy, that would probably go to the stoner comedy Pineapple Express but it delivers on what’s most important for any movie and that’s full on entertainment. I have no idea if this film could either grow on me or seem even stupider in the future, but until than it’s alright in my book and certainly worth seeing, check it out if you like to laugh.

C.A.T: Crosby, Stills, & Nash

Crosby, Stills & Nash – Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)

Seeing as no one seems to be interested in reviewing a classic album this week, I thought I’d whip up an analysis of one of my favorite summer albums the self-titled debut from Crosby, Stills, & Nash.

Formed from the remnants of bands; Buffalo Springfield, The Hollies and The Byrds music lovers were given the pleasure of recieving one of the most influential and long lasting groups of the era and here’s where it all started. With the disintegration of Stephen Still’s band in 68′ and David Crosby’s dissmissal from The Byrds in 67′ these two veteran musicians began looking for a new project and soon enough, would join together jamming and working on songs together. In 1968, Crosby and Stills would be joined by Graham Nash for an impromptu performance of “You Don’t Have To Cry” only to discover their ability to create a unique vocal chemistry would be perfect for a new musical venture. Nash would leave The Hollies in a heartbeat and the trio signed to Atlantic records to cut one of the most beautiful and unique sounding albums of the late 60s.

Starting production of the album in June 1968, each member brought something different to the table to create this diverse record. Stephen Stills brought a bluesy, folk oriented sound to the group, accompanied by a southern drawl and some accomplished musicianship, Graham Nash, a member of the British Invasion crowd, would bring not only upbeat pop sensibilities but quite an impressive vocal range, while David Crosby added a powerful, soft spoken maturity to the tone and lyrics of the group.

Keeping most of instrumentation sparse, the most important aspect to take note here is the vocal abilities of these three diverse musicians. With Nash taking the high end, Crosby filling out the middle range and Stills’ Texan voice singing in his own bluesy manner, Crosby, Stills & Nash can’t be beat when it comes to harmonies and here we get plenty of folk, blues, pop and rock music to capitalize off of their unique voices.

I find it difficult to specifically note any key tracks, as I can’t find a weak spot on the entire record. It’s a very laid back and pleasant experience when it comes to the upbeat southern style of songs like “You Don’t Have to Cry”, “Helplessly Hoping” or the classic “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” while the bittersweet folk of songs like “Guinnevere ” or the intimate “Lady of the Island” leave for a significantly more serene experience, and if by chance you’re not too big on the stripped down, unplugged sound of these songs, then you can find solace in the electric swagger of Crosby’s “Long Time Gone” and especially the casual rockin’ of “Wooden Ships”.

Crosby, Stills & Nash is without a doubt, required listening for fans of 60s rock and roll and definitely worth checking out for any fans of accomplished song-writing or singing. I always consider it to be perfectly suited for the warmer season and always find myself coming back to it on those muggy summer days.

Favorite Tracks: “Helplessly Hoping”, “Guinnevere”, “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”

Post Movie Bullet Points: 2001: A Space Odyssey

I just finished 2001, and I thought I’d share my experience through a series of bullet points. These thoughts may or may not be in chronological order and may or may not have to do with the movie.

These monkeys rock.
Whats with that black thing?
These monkeys are bad ass.
I wanna see space chimps.
Wait, no I don’t.
Where the hell is Buster?
How come these two douches aren’t sleeping?
HAL is a little bitch.
This score rocks
The Superman theme rocks.
Not really about the last half hour of this.
That first ship kinda looks like an escape pod.
This looks sweet.

All in all pretty sweet movie. See you next time.

Mundaneday

Bored? Than why not take a peak at this video fellow Cat Fancy blogger Colin Wessman, Adrian Swan, Paul Otten and myself made in August 2007, but wasn’t posted on YouTube until a few days ago. Hopefully this means there will be more filmed sketches and what not from the Cat Fancy crew these days so keep watching.

For the most part I just need to up my view count, so even if you’ve seen it I think you’d better view it a few more times to get the full impact.