I saw No Country for Old Men last Friday, and I’ve gotta say that I liked it quite a bit. I’ve heard a lot of mixed opinions on the movie, but I think if you’re a fan of anything that Stanley Kubrick has done (especially A Clockwork Orange) then you’ll like this movie.
I’ve gotta hand it to Billy Corgan for reviving a legendary cult rock band all by himself… literally. One can’t help but notice the inside cover of the new album claiming “Jimmy Chamberlain: Drums / Billy Corgan: All the Rest”. But then again, what else is new?
Upon first listen (I hadn’t previously heard any new material) I am enthusiastic to find that Billy Corgan has FINALLY decided to trash the God forsaken drum loops that caused not only “Adore” but every album after that to crash and burn. There should be a parade in honor of this epiphany that Corgan has somehow come to realize. However, as soon as Corgan’s trademark voice begins to resonate across my speakers I am suddenly worried that the album may not come to grips with the hopes I had for it.
The first track on the album, “Doomsday Clock” must have been mastered in Apple’s GuitarBand because nothing can stop me from noticing every little layer of sound. I’ve listened to it three times now and I am certain it was not an initial reaction, but a fatal flaw. Apprehension grips me, yet I press on.
The second track sounds less like the first (in a positive way), and then I get to track 3, “Bleeding the Orchid” and eventually track 5, “Tarantula” to find that this album is definitely going in the direction I had hoped it would. The thick, grungy guitars are back, along with overly-distorted high pitch solos with plenty of string scraping (another helping, please?). This is where I realize I can probably give the first track another try, yet I still find myself in the same frame of mind. Perhaps I can come to like it eventually.
Overall, the new Pumpkins album is above and beyond what I had hoped for. No crappy drum loops, plenty of tearing guitars and drumwork (thanks Jimmy) and more emotion than a sixteen year old girl on her 2 week anniversary. Props to Corgan and Co. (Jimmy), I’ll be in line for my ticket when you come through Minneapolis.
WHAT?! How is it that I haven’t written about 300 yet?! Must be because I’ve been watching it religiously.. actually, only twice so far. I saw it opening weekend and the week after and have plans to possibly see it again next week. 300 is by far the best movie I have ever seen in theatres, let alone anywhere.
I don’t think I need to go into an extensive review, the movie plainly kicks ass. It’s not a matter of “What scene was the best?” or “Which part was your favorite?”; it’s simply a fact that the movie AS A WHOLE is amazing. I thought Sin City was fantastic, but 300 blows even that movie away. That’s it. Plain and simple, 300 rules.
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