Animal Collective -Merriweather Post Pavilion:
The trap was baited and set for the all their rabid fans, and Animal Collective do not disappoint on one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2009. Merriweather Post Pavilion (their 9th release!) is at the bleeding edge of AC's sound, it is a dynamic record drawing from a host of different instruments, sounds, samples, and melodies. The beautifully trippy cover is a perfect representation of the lush recording that lays within. It begins with a looping beat coming through a layer or two of static on "In Flowers" and does not let up steam until the last beat of the album on "Brothersport". The Collective seems to have left behind much of the 'challenging' nature of their previous releases and have embraced a global-pop aesthetic. This seen very clearly on tracks like "Lion in a Coma" where what sounds like a didgeridoo and mouth harp combine to make a warbley backdrop for some hauntingly sweet vocals. The themes of many of the songs are uplifting and strike home to many things that go on in my own head such as materialism, friendship, love, and the like. This is an album for the NOW and proves once again why Animal Collective and their respective members have reached the level of noteriety and craftsmanship they have. Pick this one up immediately.
Synecdoche, New York: Written & Directed by Charlie Kaufman
Charlie Kaufman is a tormented genius much like the characters penned by the man himself, and then portrayed on screen. None more so perhaps than the protagonist of his latest project Synecdoche, New York. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Caden Cotard a Macarthur Grant winning playwright with an overly ambitious plan set in a crumbling world. He is obsessed with his own demise and the frailty of his form to the point that he ruins what time he has on this earth. The film works best when focused on the little details of Caden's life and gets a bit obtuse when trying to tackle the bigger questions regarding life and death. Kaufman's directorial debut made me wish it wasn't. He functions best when there is someone else around to pull in the reigns and add another perspective. Synecdoche was just ar too bleak and bleary for me to truely enjoy. Half way through i found myself waiting for Caden to just die already. Perhaps that's the point. Good cast, but not quite enough to keep this afloat. Wait for video on a rainy night for this bad boy.
Snuff: Chuch Palahniuk
This twisted look at the modern adult movie industry as only Palahniuk can tell it. Full of useful tidbits about human anatomy, celebrities, and pop culture it is more than just smut. The story revolves around a world record setting gangbang by a failing adult film star Cassie Wright. It is told from 3 perspective mostly - 3 very different men with their own reasons for attending. The tone of these voices is effective and drives the plot along at a lighting pace. There has to be over 50 fake ridiculous porn titles sprinkled throughout; as many chuckles as grimaces in disgust. Snuff is a great, quick read and shows that Palahniuk has not lost his edge or his touch. Pick this up softcover asap.
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