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Archive: June, 2010
Neighborhood Watch photographs some of Philly's most fashionable.
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| Spiegel & Grau, 624 pp., $26, May 25 |
Girl can occasionally be self-indulgent and, while an engrossing read, overly lengthy. The novel is primarily centered on Eveline's involvement with three very different men: her nihilistic high school sweetheart, the elusive Rourke and a persistent, wealthy suitor. In this roundabout way, Girl examines a woman's identity within the world, which is, after all, very often defined in opposition to a man's. Even so, readers may feel somewhat betrayed by Eveline's later actions after she is originally portrayed as a strong, thoughtful woman. This depth of character examination, even if seemingly contradictory, generates the novel's powerful, sympathetic backbone and propels a complex coming-of-age tale for a new generation.To win a copy of Anthropology, answer the following trivia question:
Hamann's novel was originally self-published in what year?
E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "Anthropology of an American Girl" in the subject line. [UPDATE, 4:10 p.m.]: Congratulations to CritMass reader Gary, who was the first to shout that the self-published version of Hamann's debut came out in 2003.
Filed Under: Music Philly Bands
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| Gamble | Freeway |
Since the '60s there's been no stoppin' Kenny Gamble. Host Laiya St. Clair sits down with the producer, songwriter and housing developer to unearth the soulful sound of Philadelphia that contributed to his recent Lifetime Achievement Grammy. 6:30 p.m., free (reservations at itsthelifeshow@gmail.com), Warmdaddys, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-462-2000, warmdaddys.com. —DDBut apparently Kenny's too sick too hang with you. From a press release:
Due to unforseen health circumstances Mr. Kenny Gamble will have to reschedule this edition of Inside the Studio. Mr. Gamble, despite his best effort, is still under the weather. Of course, with such a legendary guest booked for this session, we were very much looking forward to his appearance. But the simple things in life - such as health and family - are definely our primary concern. Please stay tuned for details regarding a reschedule date for Mr. GambleRapper Freeway will take over for the ailing Mr. Gamble, which is hilarious in its own way considering how polar opposite they are, styles-wise. Laiya St. Clair will still host (with DJ Afrodjiak on the decks) but if you're interested in hearing about "the real reason he will NEVER cut that beard," you have to RSVP to itsthelifeshow@gmail.com with 'Free' as the subject. Get well soon, K. Gams!
Sat., June 27, 7-11 p.m., free, Warmdaddys, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-462-2000, warmdaddys.com.
I am trying to reach Kenny Gamble. I am an independent music producer and I would like to speak Mr Gamble. I do not how to contact him. Can you provide me with any contact info? Thanks
Congratulations: You've made it to the final day of Book Quarterly Trivia Week! We won't stop till our shelves are bare, or till it's Thursday, whichever comes first.
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| Dutton, 222 pp., $25.95, July 15 |
As in his first book, Sheffield is a charming, bumbling nerd who exists solely for music and pop culture. In this latest effort he's more polished and better able to zero in on a genre, an emotion, a decade. Much like the '80s, this book is chock-full of pure, guilty-pleasure cheese (see: chapter on Prince). There are gender-bending existential trials (David Bowie, of course). But it's the section on Madonna, girls and Irish Catholics where Sheffield's writing is deeply introspective and thoughtful, not just entertaining. Music is, after all, the author's religion, and why shouldn't it be? It's a beautiful relationship, and he wants to share it. So he wrote us this book of psalms.To win a copy of Talking to Girls, answer the following trivia question:
Duran Duran bass guitarist John Taylor can be seen playing rock-paper-scissors in what music video?
E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "Duran Duran" in the subject line. Check back later today for a chance to win a copy of Anthropology of an American Girl. [UPDATE, 12:15 p.m.]: CritMass reader Courtney was the first to the buzzer here: She guessed right that Taylor makes a cameo in the Bloodhound Gang's video "Your Only Friends Are Make-Believe." Thanks for playing! One contest left!Congratulations: You've made it to the final day of Book Quarterly Trivia Week! We won't stop till our shelves are bare, or till it's Thursday, whichever comes first.
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| Portfolio, 256 pp., $25.95, May 27 |
Made By Hand is neither a navel-gazer nor a how-to guide. It's a tinker story in which the author relates not just the practical whys and wherefores of projects like raising chickens, hacking an espresso machine and home fermenting, he imparts the pure joy of discovery and deep sense of satisfaction that comes from figuring it out your own damned self. He introduces his friends from the Post Carbon Institute and their philosophy of Ramshackle Solid, as well as the Japanese concept of wabi sabi — that an object's beauty lies in its imperfections. One and a half years into his experiment, Frauenfelder makes no claims to be an "alpha maker" — he proudly owns his missteps, which, he's abundantly clear, are primarily responsible for changing not just his life for the better, but his philosophy, as well.To win a copy of Made By Hand, answer the following trivia question:
On The Colbert Report, Mark Frauenfelder showed Stephen something called "The Most Useless Machine." What was its purpose?
E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "Made By Hand" in the subject line. [UPDATE, 12:18 p.m.]: Congratulations to CritMass reader Manda, who correctly guessed that Frauenfelder's useless machine simply turns itself off.When it was announced that Michel Gondry would helm the new Green Hornet movie, written by BFFs Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and starring Rogen, I had a small fit. I saw this potential combo of Iron Man-like wit backed by a director with strong visual credentials, led by an affable persona who never came off as better than thou (RDJ's Tony Stark), perpetually pre-pubescent (Tobey Maguire's Spiderman) or in serious need of a good therapist — not to mention a Ricola (Christian Bale's Batman). In short, it would be something different. But looking at the first trailer for the would-be epic collabo only leaves me downtrodden. Where is the Gondry touch? The puffs of green smoke that emits from the gas gun has Gondry cartoonality, but otherwise, this is just another big budget movie with needless arthouse credentials (call it the Finding Forrester of the comic book genre). But what if this is just Sony's way of reassuring the American public that they didn't just dump millions of dollars into something that deviates from the norm? The Green Hornet was supposed to come out during the Christmas dollars rush, but was pushed to the January wasteland, which doesn't bode well for anyone involved (including us) but I've held onto the notion that studio execs are more interested in ducats then creative expression. And I'm going to continue to hold on to the notion that this travel is a clever rouse to distract us from what's really going on: a truly awesome movie.
Photos | Brian Howard
Yes, I may have hinted back when I reviewed The New Pornographers' new album Together that maybe this brilliant Brill Building-esque formula Carl "A.C." Newman, Neko Case, Dan Bejar, Blaine Thurier, Kathryn Calder et al have cooked up for crafting swelling, soaring pop songs was becoming kinda formulaic. And, I stand behind that. But consider: There's no shame in producing consistently solid work. I think they used to call it craftsmanship. In olden times, people were rewarded for it. The band's skill was on display Monday night at The Trocadero (a venue that might now be a tad too small for the indie supergroup's huge crowds) as the 10-member band — haltingly at first, more fluidly later — charged through a 19-song set capped by a three-song encore that showed off just how deep the group's book of truly hooky singalongs has become. Deftly mixing six songs (the first six, actually) from Together into a set that included such favorites as set-opener "Sing Me Spanish Techno," "Myriad Harbor," "The Laws Have Changed," "Mass Romantic" and the main set finale "The Bleeding Heart Show," Newman and co. demonstrated that the new numbers don't necessarily stand out from the band's catalog, and that that is actally a strength. Case vehicle "Crash Years," Bejar weirdo "Silver Jenny Dollar," Newman crooner "Moves" and the company fronts "Your Hands (Together)" and "Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk" are all top-notch additions to the band's aforementioned four main song categories. And that Newman's able to distract Case and Bejar (who this night proudly clutched a Yuengling Lager whenever he wasn't holding a guitar) from their solo careers to tour every few years is a definite treat (though Bejar retreats back stage during songs he's not playing/singing, ostensibly to record new Destroyer tracks). After "Twin Cinema," someone in the crowd called a song request. "Did you just request a song we already played by an incorrect name?" Newman chided. "Do 'They're playing it on both screens.'" After laughter from crowd and stage, Newman added, "You seem incapable of doing anything right at the moment," before the band botched the start of "My Shepherd." On a hot night in a hotter venue, the band began it's encore with the low-key "Challengers." After breaths had been caught, Newman espoused that the next song was important to him, filled with things he believed deeply in and cared about, then launched into Mass Romantic's "The Slow Descent into Alcoholism." Then Bejar made his way on stage and the band closed with Electric Version's perfect, numbing "Testament To Youth in Verse," the chorus of "The bells ring no no no no, no no no no, no no no" echoing into the hot, stuffy night. Setlist after the jump 1. Sing Me Spanish Techno 2. [missed this song] 3. Myriad Harbor 4. Use It 5. Crash Years 6. Jackie Dressed in Cobras 7. Adventures in Solitude 8. Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk 9. Go Places 10. All the Old Showstoppers 11. Visualize Success Jackie 12. The Laws Have Changed 13. Moves 14. Your Hands (Together) 15. Twin Cinema 16. My Shepherd 17. Silver Jenny Dollar 18. Mass Romantic 19. The Bleeding Heart Show Encore: 20. Challengers 21. The Slow Descent into Alcoholism 22. Testament To Youth In VerseSpeaking of calling things by the wrong name, what you refer to as "Visualize Success" is actually Mass Romantic's "Jackie". Pot, meet kettle. :-)
Good catch Dave. Y'know, that may even have been the song that was erroneously called for. Though I would like clarify that I was not my intent to chide people who shout out wrong song names — that was all A.C. I found it an amusing exchange and I think Newman made it abundantly clear that such gamesmanship is dangerous territory indeed. Let's take my little gaffe as an object lesson the folly of those in glass houses throwing stones (and perhaps of the importance of double checking song names, even on the interwebs).
Do not mess with Neko Case: http://3.ly/nekocase
Though it seemed the band was a little out of focus - they sounded fantastic. I've been a fan for many years - yet this was the first time I have seen all members perform together. So I've a question maybe someone can answer: Does Dan Bejar always leave when he doesn't do vocals?
@Arrggghhh: I don't recall whether Bejar disappeared between his songs way back in the day, but I do distinctly recall him doing that the last time they played the Troc back in 2007.
Speaking as a musician and songwriter, there isn't another band that consistently knocks me out like the NPs. Your defense of the "craft" is spot on, Brian. Newman has heavily influenced me with his multilevel orchestrations and harmonies that never feel over-produced. In spite of the ungodly heat that night, every song was an overwhelming masterpiece. BTW, the second song they did was "Up In The Dark", my favorite song off their new album.
@jawnyb: Thanks for the assist with the second song. Was working my way closer to the stage for taking pics and completely missed it.
Welcome to Book Quarterly Trivia Week! From now till June 23, we'll be inundating you with opportunities to win free copies of books from our Summer BQ. For the first time in BQTW's history, we've got copies of every single book we've reviewed, previewed and shouted out (even in Icepack!). So keep an eye out at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. every day for plenty of chances to win.
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| W.W. Norton, 276 pp., $26.95, June 7 |
Carr's argument is a temperate one, and he gracefully praises the Internet's immense usefulness while avoiding brash criticisms. But his argument is powerful: The history of Western thought henceforth, he argues, has been toward contemplation and deep-thinking, which he also refers to as "linear" thought — that is, a Westerner opened a book, consumed its entire argument and context and, through the process of silent reading, meditated on its contents. The Internet, however, presents the strongest rupture to this historical arc we have yet seen — an arc Carr brilliantly chronicles from oral tradition to printing press to the present, providing a wonderfully concise primer on how the West came to consume information as it does — because of the web's omnipresence and its ability to supplement so many of the linear vehicles of thought we once frequently used, like television, radio and books. Oh, and newspapers.To win a copy of The Shallows, answer the following trivia question:
Who called the Internet "a series of tubes"?
E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "The Shallows" in the subject line. Check back tomorrow for the final day of Book Quarterly Trivia Week! It's gonna be a doozy. [UPDATE, Wed., June 23, 9:50 a.m.]: Congrats to CM reader Sam, who correctly identified the tube-talker as Sen. Ted Stevens.That's Jim James of My Morning Jacket singing the hook. How I Got Over drops today.
Filed Under: Music Concert Review
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| Jon Pitts |
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