SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #56

The morning after edition.

The Magnetic Fields - Asleep and Dreaming

“I’ve seen you when your ship came in, and when your train was leaving.  The sweetest thing I ever saw was you asleep and dreaming.”

Short and sweet.  From Volume 2 of the three tiered masterpiece “69 Love Songs”, this song seems to suit my mood this morning.  I am sleepwalking through the foggy remnants of the dream last ventured before awakening, still feeling the dream.

Last night I had the opportunity to take in another three tiered masterpiece in Christopher Nolan’s Inception.  In my opinion, this movie hits the mark on basically every level, from cinematography and choreography, to acting and wardrobe, to story, concept and score.  (Hans Zimmer nails it once again.)  Granted, I may have been a bit biased going in… Most of my favorite people are in the film.  Marion Cotillard, Leo, Michael Caine, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, and even Tom Berenger makes a comeback splash (“Major League”, anyone?)…  Christopher Nolan is also one of my favorite directors, consistent and captivating.  He is one of the few filmmakers right now not only writing AND directing smart, depth laden original screenplays, but every time he makes a film it feels like he reinvents the wheel or breaks ground in one way or another.  Inception is no exception.  This is one movie I will need to see again.  And again.  The best movie of the year.

My dreams lately have been quite vivid.  One in particular stood out last week that shook me something fierce, and has stayed with me since.  I woke up and took a voice memo of what I could remember, which I plan to transcribe and share with you here sometime soon.  

Have you had a dream like that?

DISCUSS.

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #55

Talking Heads - Road to Nowhere

I spent most of the day behind the wheel of a silver mid-sized sedan, tracing the latitude line more commonly known as I-55 up from southern Illinois, fresh from a respected elder’s birthday party.  

Most of the ride was spent playing a memory-based film trivia game.  You may be familiar with this one, but bear with me…  The following rules are in no way official, until they are ‘published’ on an internet encyclopedia source, of course.

SET UP:

The game is played with two or more people.  There is no party too plentiful, and there is no twosome too few.

TO START:

One Player takes a turn at a time.  An apposing player names two actors, male or female, that are seemingly unconnected.  For example: Seth Green and Anthony Hopkins.

OBJECT:

Connect the two actors to each other by linking them through other actors in as few films as possible.  For example:  Seth Green was in “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” with Mike Myers.  Mike Myers was in “Inglorious Basterds” with Brad Pitt.  Brad Pitt was in “Meet Joe Black” with Anthony Hopkins.

And that, my friends, is the ball game.  Time well passed on monotonous drives long and short across the globe?  Indeed.  For movie geeks like me and my closest, anyway.  Mr. Sisky Business is the crown prince of this game, by the way.  I’ll be the jester.

Anyways, Talking Heads.  Incredible.  I’ve been selective about inspiration lately, and I’ve selected Talking Heads.

——————————————

Here’s one to get you started…

Elijah Wood and Ewan McGregor.

DISCUSS.

P.S. No IMDB.com or any other search engines except YOUR BRAIN are allowed.

——————————————

Ok, so the warm up round has culminated.

Pauly Shore and Robert DeNiro.

No IMDB!

Are you gonna go the Brendan Frasier route?

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #54

The Gaslight Anthem - The Queen of Lower Chelsea

From their recently released 3rd album American Slang, The Gaslight Anthem delivers once again.  This song, to me, is a great example of hook-conscious melody and lyrically focused song writing, wonderfully coupled with a minimalist approach to production.  To be frankly plain and simple, and simply frank and plain, I’m a fan.

Debate time… Where is your favorite place to play with your friends?  New York, Miami, Chicago, Cleveland, or Los Angeles? DISCUSS.

P.S. This is in no way referring to any professional sports free-agency situations.  All charitable donations, accepted only in COMMENT form, will be willfully donated to The Boys and Girls Club of America.

—————————————————————————-

By the way… I’d like to see Spain win the World Cup tomorrow, but I have a feeling the Netherlands will come away boldly victorious.  However, this could be the wine talking.

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #53

Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A

I’ve been in a southern California desert for a week now working on songs with the handsome Mike Carden, and thankfully I was able to track down an errant Starbucks to mooch some Wi-Fi.  Crazily exciting.. But more on that later.

Tomorrow is not only a big day for America, but its an auspiciously big day for my good friend Andy Mrotek.  This song is dedicated to birthday boy Butcher!  Wish him a happy birthday on his twitter (@animalupstairs).

Here’s an appropriately patriotic song from good ‘ol Brucey that is sure to put you in a celebratory mood for your weekend.  Listen loud and sing along with your mom and dad. (or by yourself, and creep out your dog and cat).

I’m flying back home on a red eye flight back to Chicago tonight to properly celebrate the 4th with the whole family.  Enjoy yours with yours!

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #52

Miike Snow - Animal

I first heard Miike Snow about a month ago over at Mike Carden’s house.  This song jumped out at me from the first note and has become my personal summer anthem.  From the melody to the lyric, this song oozes good vibes on a warm night out with your friends.  For example, tonight is our friend @jamiereed’s birthday, and this will be his theme song for the rest of the night.

Nevertheless, have a wonderful saturday where ever you are tonight (or this morning in AUS…), and feel free to let me know what you think about the song and leave some recommendations in the comments.

DISCUSS!