I won't classify this officially as a Video Of The Week because it's not English-language (it's yiddish), but you might notice a tall bald man watching Orkestar Kriminal play (and, ultimately, dancing to the beat) in this video:
All of those musicians are in other bands (many of them very fine acts I have actually enjoyed seeing and listening to), but you might remember lead singer Giselle Webber from such terrific Montréal rock bands as Hot Springs and Red Mass.
This video was directed by Bruno Goulard.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Dildo Drone
At this point in my life, the burger's the only thing of interest to me in this lady's "top three", but whatever rocks your boat or finds your lost remote, I say...
Thursday, April 14, 2016
NHL Predictions 2015-16: Round One
I didn't get around to posting my predictions for the 2015-16 NHL Regular Season because by the time I'd gotten around to it, we were over 10 days in and I felt some might consider it cheating.
Instead, I'll contrast them herein with what ended up happening and go with my Round 1 Predictions for the 2016 Playoffs.
First, what I thought would happen:
Metropolitan Division:
1. Washington Capitals
2. New York Rangers
3. New York Islanders
Atlantic Division:
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Montréal Canadiens
3. Florida Panthers
Wild Cards:
1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Ottawa Senators
Outside Looking In, in order of worst:
16. Toronto Maple Leafs
15. New Jersey Devils
14. Carolina Hurricanes
13. Buffalo Sabres
12. Philadelphia Flyers
11. Pittsburgh Penguins
10. Boston Bruins
9. Columbus Blue Jackets, probably through a tie-breaker
Central Division:
1. Nashville Predators
2. St. Louis Blues
3. Chicago Blackhawks
Pacific Division:
1. Los Angeles Kings
2. Anaheim Ducks
3. Calgary Flames
Western Wild Cards:
1. Colorado Avalanche
2. Dallas Stars
Outside Looking In, in order of worst:
14. Arizona Coyotes
13. Vancouver Canucks
12. Winnipeg Jets
11. Minnesota Wild
10. Edmonton Oilers
9. San Jose Sharks
There were three Stanley Cups Finals I was rooting for:
(in bold the team I was rooting for)
Caps vs Preds (former coaches, former players, etc.)
Isles vs Hawks (my two favourite goalies, Hawks with a chance to repeat)
Bolts vs Kings (the two best American goalies, two terrific teams)
So, uh, yeah. So much for that.
Here's what the playoff picture actually looks like:
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers:
I thought the Fyers, like the Oilers, were a year away from making the playoffs, but Shayne Gostisbehere has decided otherwise. However, the Caps have the best goalie in the league this year in Braden Holtby, the best goal-scorer of his generation in Alex Ovechkin, the deepest core of forwards in the East and a coach who actually seems to make it all work for once. Philly only wins two out of sheer emotion and grit.
Caps in 6
New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins:
Look, it's not just that the Pens have been choking constantly since 2009; both of their amazing goalies are injured to start the first round, and Henrik Lundqvist, the best in the game, is in the other net. I don't believe a Rangers team led by Eric Staal and Rick Nash will advance past the second round, but they can beat Pittsburgh, though.
Blueshirts in 6
Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders:
The Isles have no chance against the Cats without Jaroslav Halak. Florida has injuries too, but way too much depth on offense, with six All-Star caliber forwards, Aaron Ekblad on the back end, and possible Vezina nominee Roberto Luongo in nets.
Panthers in 5
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings:
My heart is pulling for Detroit for the romanticism of seeing Pavel Datsyuk finish his North American career on a high note, but logic dictates that the Bolts will win this one. Tampa's had an up-and-down season, but it will boil down to Ben Bishop against Jimmy Howard, and Bishop wins.
Tampa in 6
Western Conference:
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild:
I stand by my early-season stance that the Wild do not belong in these playoffs, and certainly not against the Stars, who have the most dangerous offense in the West. Sure, they lack goaltending and will win these games 5-4, but they will win them all. They might not make it past the second round, however.
Stars in 4
St. Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks:
What's great about the Western Conference is that we know from the start all teams wearing blue will choke and fail at some point, and the Blues are no exception. It'd be nice if the Hawks could repeat, too. This could be the one "upset", where the Champs could very well lose, either in 6 or 4 straight overtime games. Still, I'll go with my heart on this one.
Hawks in 7
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings:
Speaking of choking in the West, the Sharks were fine with the Kings' former backup Martin Jones in nets, then decided to screw with that by bringing James Reimer in. But not much can stop the Big Black Machine of Jonathan Quick, Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty in the playoffs, and certainly not a team with Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton in their top-six up front.
Kings in 5
Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators:
Many (if not most) pundits predicted the Ducks would make it to the Stanley Cup Final this year; I was not in full agreement, though they have top-end talent on offense and two very good goalies. Their coach has just never been able to win despite stacked line-ups, and history should repeat itself when he starts juggling his goalies in and out of the crease. The Preds lack the depth to make any kind of noise - particularly in an off year for Pekka Rinne - but they might be able to make this interesting.
Ducks in 6
Instead, I'll contrast them herein with what ended up happening and go with my Round 1 Predictions for the 2016 Playoffs.
First, what I thought would happen:
Metropolitan Division:
1. Washington Capitals
2. New York Rangers
3. New York Islanders
Atlantic Division:
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Montréal Canadiens
3. Florida Panthers
Wild Cards:
1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Ottawa Senators
Outside Looking In, in order of worst:
16. Toronto Maple Leafs
15. New Jersey Devils
14. Carolina Hurricanes
13. Buffalo Sabres
12. Philadelphia Flyers
11. Pittsburgh Penguins
10. Boston Bruins
9. Columbus Blue Jackets, probably through a tie-breaker
Central Division:
1. Nashville Predators
2. St. Louis Blues
3. Chicago Blackhawks
Pacific Division:
1. Los Angeles Kings
2. Anaheim Ducks
3. Calgary Flames
Western Wild Cards:
1. Colorado Avalanche
2. Dallas Stars
Outside Looking In, in order of worst:
14. Arizona Coyotes
13. Vancouver Canucks
12. Winnipeg Jets
11. Minnesota Wild
10. Edmonton Oilers
9. San Jose Sharks
There were three Stanley Cups Finals I was rooting for:
(in bold the team I was rooting for)
Caps vs Preds (former coaches, former players, etc.)
Isles vs Hawks (my two favourite goalies, Hawks with a chance to repeat)
Bolts vs Kings (the two best American goalies, two terrific teams)
So, uh, yeah. So much for that.
Here's what the playoff picture actually looks like:
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers:
I thought the Fyers, like the Oilers, were a year away from making the playoffs, but Shayne Gostisbehere has decided otherwise. However, the Caps have the best goalie in the league this year in Braden Holtby, the best goal-scorer of his generation in Alex Ovechkin, the deepest core of forwards in the East and a coach who actually seems to make it all work for once. Philly only wins two out of sheer emotion and grit.
Caps in 6
New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins:
Look, it's not just that the Pens have been choking constantly since 2009; both of their amazing goalies are injured to start the first round, and Henrik Lundqvist, the best in the game, is in the other net. I don't believe a Rangers team led by Eric Staal and Rick Nash will advance past the second round, but they can beat Pittsburgh, though.
Blueshirts in 6
Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders:
The Isles have no chance against the Cats without Jaroslav Halak. Florida has injuries too, but way too much depth on offense, with six All-Star caliber forwards, Aaron Ekblad on the back end, and possible Vezina nominee Roberto Luongo in nets.
Panthers in 5
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings:
My heart is pulling for Detroit for the romanticism of seeing Pavel Datsyuk finish his North American career on a high note, but logic dictates that the Bolts will win this one. Tampa's had an up-and-down season, but it will boil down to Ben Bishop against Jimmy Howard, and Bishop wins.
Tampa in 6
Western Conference:
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild:
I stand by my early-season stance that the Wild do not belong in these playoffs, and certainly not against the Stars, who have the most dangerous offense in the West. Sure, they lack goaltending and will win these games 5-4, but they will win them all. They might not make it past the second round, however.
Stars in 4
St. Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks:
What's great about the Western Conference is that we know from the start all teams wearing blue will choke and fail at some point, and the Blues are no exception. It'd be nice if the Hawks could repeat, too. This could be the one "upset", where the Champs could very well lose, either in 6 or 4 straight overtime games. Still, I'll go with my heart on this one.
Hawks in 7
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings:
Speaking of choking in the West, the Sharks were fine with the Kings' former backup Martin Jones in nets, then decided to screw with that by bringing James Reimer in. But not much can stop the Big Black Machine of Jonathan Quick, Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty in the playoffs, and certainly not a team with Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton in their top-six up front.
Kings in 5
Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators:
Many (if not most) pundits predicted the Ducks would make it to the Stanley Cup Final this year; I was not in full agreement, though they have top-end talent on offense and two very good goalies. Their coach has just never been able to win despite stacked line-ups, and history should repeat itself when he starts juggling his goalies in and out of the crease. The Preds lack the depth to make any kind of noise - particularly in an off year for Pekka Rinne - but they might be able to make this interesting.
Ducks in 6
Monday, April 4, 2016
Harvard's Human-Bound Books
I know a lady who's obsessed with Harvard University; she dreams of attending it, she used to go there to read on her breaks from Boston U and attend their parties; I guess it's the Good Will Hunting thing.
But when it isn't about their fraternities and secret societies (Skull And Bones is my favourite one to read about, though they're Yale-based), or how athletes get a pass in most classes because they're on scholarships, it's the fact that since it was founded in 1636, it's got quite a few fucked up things happen there over the years.
Today's fun tidbit: its library has at least three books bound by human flesh and skin. Yay!
But when it isn't about their fraternities and secret societies (Skull And Bones is my favourite one to read about, though they're Yale-based), or how athletes get a pass in most classes because they're on scholarships, it's the fact that since it was founded in 1636, it's got quite a few fucked up things happen there over the years.
Today's fun tidbit: its library has at least three books bound by human flesh and skin. Yay!
10 Hours Of Puddi Puddi
Whether you have a toddler that you need to park in front of a screen before you turn crazy of you just want to go insane yourself, here's a good option:
At heart, contrary to what your brain may be telling you, Giga Pudding/Puddi Puddi is not a Japanese brand of pudding; it is, in fact, custard.
It is also the street name for a new drug that is making the rounds in American elementary schools, mixing pudding mix with such known downers as Nyquil, Advil and Vicodin, as well as anti-freeze and Drano. Cool enough to give you a soft buzz with a sweet taste, but in the wrong dosage, very deadly and/or able to cause permanent damage.
S it's no surprise places like 4Chan went nuts with in this winter and it became a meme.
At heart, contrary to what your brain may be telling you, Giga Pudding/Puddi Puddi is not a Japanese brand of pudding; it is, in fact, custard.
It is also the street name for a new drug that is making the rounds in American elementary schools, mixing pudding mix with such known downers as Nyquil, Advil and Vicodin, as well as anti-freeze and Drano. Cool enough to give you a soft buzz with a sweet taste, but in the wrong dosage, very deadly and/or able to cause permanent damage.
S it's no surprise places like 4Chan went nuts with in this winter and it became a meme.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Video Of The Week: Cowboy Junkies
As I've mentioned previously when featuring Joseph Arthur a year and a half ago, covering Lou Reed in a straightforward, stripped-down manner can prove to be a great idea.
The first ones to be extremely successful with the idea were the Cowboy Junkies - technically from Toronto, though all four band members were born in Montréal - when they covered the Velvet Underground classic Sweet Jane:
I won't go as far as saying it's better than Lou's or the Velvets' versions, but it is certainly on par with it, which is still saying quite a lot.
The song is from 1988's The Trinity Sessions and is based on the Velvets' moody 1969 live version. Margo Timmins' vocals are on full display, as is the subdued-yet-consistent playing of her brother Michael; third sibling Peter Timmins plays drums, while childhood friend Alan Anton handles bass duties.
The first ones to be extremely successful with the idea were the Cowboy Junkies - technically from Toronto, though all four band members were born in Montréal - when they covered the Velvet Underground classic Sweet Jane:
I won't go as far as saying it's better than Lou's or the Velvets' versions, but it is certainly on par with it, which is still saying quite a lot.
The song is from 1988's The Trinity Sessions and is based on the Velvets' moody 1969 live version. Margo Timmins' vocals are on full display, as is the subdued-yet-consistent playing of her brother Michael; third sibling Peter Timmins plays drums, while childhood friend Alan Anton handles bass duties.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Video Of The Week: Shane MacGowan & The Popes
Say what you want about Shane MacGowan, his character, his lack of professionalism, his alcoholism, or the way he leads his life - but there's no denying his songwriting chops.
Even his so-called "sub-par" work, like this video for Lonesome Highway, is a fine Celtic-inspired ballad tha would have been at home on any rocker's album between 1987 and 1997; it's actually from the 1997 record The Crock Of Gold, by Shane MacGowan & The Popes, the band he started when he was kicked out of The Pogues. Because of his character, his lack of professionalism, his alcoholism, and the way he leads his life.
I'm currently looking back at my own songwriting output, as I'm preparing to release poetry books (including my lyrics) in both French and English, each accompanied by a compilation album. This is a song I would have liked to have written myself.
Even his so-called "sub-par" work, like this video for Lonesome Highway, is a fine Celtic-inspired ballad tha would have been at home on any rocker's album between 1987 and 1997; it's actually from the 1997 record The Crock Of Gold, by Shane MacGowan & The Popes, the band he started when he was kicked out of The Pogues. Because of his character, his lack of professionalism, his alcoholism, and the way he leads his life.
I'm currently looking back at my own songwriting output, as I'm preparing to release poetry books (including my lyrics) in both French and English, each accompanied by a compilation album. This is a song I would have liked to have written myself.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Video Of The Week: Bat For Lashes
Natasha Khan - known to some by her stage name Bat For Lashes - is set to release her next record on July 1st, 2016. It will be a concept album called The Bride, dealing with a relationship that ends in death, as in "Til Death Do Us Part"; it remains to be seen if the protagonist will get to the wedding first or if the couple will die as fiancés*, but I'm curious to find out, to say the least.
It will be her fourth full-length album; she also has three live EPs under her belt.
After releasing the song I Do in February (featuring a cover image that was simply a wedding invitation with the album's release date), here is the first true single and video, co-directed by Khan and John De Menil, for the haunting, mournful song In God's House:
The imagery and cinematography are stunning, and so far I like the song a lot. I find it rich, smart, subtle, subdued, nuanced and multi-layered. Maybe the over-abundance of keys will get on my nerves eventually, but so far I'm really into it. I also really like the nods to her past work everywhere in this, including the Volvo.
*You'd think a song called I Do would mean that, yes, they got to the ceremony, but in In God's House, she sings: "In God's house I do wait / for my love on our wedding day / Dewy eyes and lashes long / for my love, but I'm feeling something's wrong", which kind of steers the story in another direction.
It will be her fourth full-length album; she also has three live EPs under her belt.
After releasing the song I Do in February (featuring a cover image that was simply a wedding invitation with the album's release date), here is the first true single and video, co-directed by Khan and John De Menil, for the haunting, mournful song In God's House:
The imagery and cinematography are stunning, and so far I like the song a lot. I find it rich, smart, subtle, subdued, nuanced and multi-layered. Maybe the over-abundance of keys will get on my nerves eventually, but so far I'm really into it. I also really like the nods to her past work everywhere in this, including the Volvo.
*You'd think a song called I Do would mean that, yes, they got to the ceremony, but in In God's House, she sings: "In God's house I do wait / for my love on our wedding day / Dewy eyes and lashes long / for my love, but I'm feeling something's wrong", which kind of steers the story in another direction.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Video Of The Week: Xania
Xania's artist profile says she's a rapper who fuses hip hop with electro and tap dancing and, while that's a fair assessment, it's missing her quirky charm and the fact that she doesn't seem to take on a project without making it pure and cute.
In her latest video, for the song Dance With The Robot, which she directed with Robert Donachie and Sylvain Brosset like her previous one for I'm Broke - which I've meant to share here since December and likely will in the future - fuses child-like choreography and costumes with nice Montréal sight lines and charismatic visuals and friends who seem to partake in the same kind of amusement.
It's refreshing, particularly in a time where even all the bubblegum pop you hear everywhere is so melodramatic (I'll jump on a grenade for you / You left me and I want to die), methodically-planned (focus groups say kids want to hear...) and pretty much antiseptic and generic (Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift); Xania's the opposite of all that.
So go ahead and dance along with the robot, folks. Have fun. Live a little.
In her latest video, for the song Dance With The Robot, which she directed with Robert Donachie and Sylvain Brosset like her previous one for I'm Broke - which I've meant to share here since December and likely will in the future - fuses child-like choreography and costumes with nice Montréal sight lines and charismatic visuals and friends who seem to partake in the same kind of amusement.
It's refreshing, particularly in a time where even all the bubblegum pop you hear everywhere is so melodramatic (I'll jump on a grenade for you / You left me and I want to die), methodically-planned (focus groups say kids want to hear...) and pretty much antiseptic and generic (Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift); Xania's the opposite of all that.
So go ahead and dance along with the robot, folks. Have fun. Live a little.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)