Shit Going On In The World

Fuck “Old New York,” Unless You’re Edith Wharton, And Be Happy That There’s Only One Homeless Person Left In Times Square

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 4:05 pm

As a New York City college student, I often find myself involved in a really infuriating conversation that I’m sure many others are familiar with. My biggest pet peeve in the world is when 21-year-olds bemoan the loss of some mythical “old New York,” which usually involves the usage of the terms “gentrification,” “crust punk,” “sanitized,” and “Washington Square Park.” The best part is the people who spew these ill-informed diatribes are never, ever native New Yorkers - although they’ll be quick to tell you that their fathers worked here when they were growing up, or that they were born in a hospital in the Bronx, or that they’re from Long Island, which totally counts (it doesn’t, as if it mattered). They’re just elitist dicks who’ve watched Kids one too many times and think that by glorifying the perceived grittiness of rape, disease, violence, and class struggles, they’re somehow attuned to something more authentic than the safer city that they live in today. MORE »

Corey Haim’s Artwork

Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 3:30 pm

Although many are familiar with Corey Haim’s acting work, few have been introduced to his art. Haim, who died at his home a few weeks ago, enjoyed painting in his spare time, creating artfully designed abstractions with bright, thickly layered acrylic paint. Seven of his creations hang in museums in Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany, and one recently sold in Belgium for $7,400. Haim’s official website recently created a gallery of his artwork, which you can check out here.

Haim passed away from an enlarged heart and fluid filled lungs on March 10th, though the official cause of death will not be determined until the toxicology report is complete. Investigators subpoenaed nearly twenty doctors who may have provided Haim with unnecessary prescription drugs.

Record Review: Dum Dum Girls’ I Will Be

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 3:00 pm

I Will Be, now out on Sub Pop, finds Dum Dum Girls usurping the head position of the countless ’60s-inspired girl bands who are currently singing about surfing and heartbreak. So many bands’ interpretations of the burgeoning genre can be similar to the point of blandness, but this isn’t the case on this new album. Dum Dum Girls manage interesting ways of differentiating their music from the basic tidal-wave fuzz drone that characterizes low-fi mediocrity. MORE »

Ricky Martin Livin’ La Vida Loca With Alleged Boyfriend

Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 2:50 pm

In the wake of one of the least surprising outings ever, Ricky Martin seems to be doing well, tweeting his appreciation for all the support. “Whats going on gang?I’m doing great!Stronger than ever!I’m here relaxing @ home enjoying ur messages!I feel the love!Thanx for all!peace” Rumors have it that Martin made the announcement after paparazzi threatened to out him, though he credits his two sons as the inspiration. “This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys,” he wrote in a message on his website. “To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with.” Martin also began writing his memoir, a process which he also credits as helping come out. MORE »

Ferris Bueller’s Ferrari Up for Auction

Matt Kiebus :: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 1:45 pm

If I could put a finger on it, the two movies that I modeled my life after were Back to the Future and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Beyond the perfect scripts and the virtuosic acting of Michael J. Fox and Matthew Broderick, both films involved truly iconic cars. Just my luck, the replica Ferrari 250GT Spyder California that Bueller cruised around Chicago in, is expected to go only $67,000 at auction next month. A real Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California currently goes for around 10 million dollars. If I had the means I’d most certainly think about picking one up. Frankly, I don’t have the “means” to pick up a used Razor Scooter. MORE »

The Morning Benders Give The Most Beautiful Yours Truly Performance Ever

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 1:25 pm

I can’t stress enough that this elaborate, symphonic version of “Excuses,” the first track off of the recent Morning Benders album Big Echo, is essential listening. It’s one of the most impressively coordinated performances I’ve ever seen. Instead of minimizing your browser, make sure you actually watch the musicians at work in order to see what I mean. Also, a stray observation: Is it just me, or does the lead singer look like the bizarre love-child of Thom Yorke and a Spanish society woman? I’m strangely into his frog prince aesthetic.

Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders “Excuses” from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Hollywood, Are You Trying to Kill Goldie Hawn?

Danielle Johnsen :: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 1:18 pm

Seriously, Hollywood why are you trying to remake all of Goldie Hawn’s classic movies? Last week, it was announced that J.Lo will ~~stink up~~ star in an updated version of the 1980′s classic Overboard. And now it seems that wasn’t enough, as today it was announced that NewLine/Warner Bros. are set to remake of Private Benjamin, with Anna Faris to star. Yes, the assault on my lovely childhood continues, but at least this time the casting is perfect. While normally I would threaten an all out attack on Hollywood for the audacity to even attempt to remake such a classic, my love of all things Faris is calming my anger and peaking my interest in a remake. MORE »

Children’s Production of Scarface Is Fudging Hilarious

Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 1:00 pm

A pint sized version of Scarface has been worming its way around the internet and people are none-too-happy. The video, a re-remake of Scarface, has tots reenacting scenes from the 1983 version, substituting “fudge” for the other f-word and a pile of popcorn for cocaine. MORE »

The Hills Returns for Final Season

Shannon Hassett :: Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 5:00 pm

I’m so overcome with emotion after watching the trailer for The Hills’ seventh and final season that I can’t even figure out what I’m most looking forward to. The confrontation between Heidi and her mother when she returns home after all those surgeries (including a “butt job,” according to Lo)? Audrina’s new relationship with everyone’s reality show flame of choice, Ryan Cabrera? Brody and Kristin’s incessant backstabbing, now complete with rumors of a drug problem and a well executed beard? Intervention attempts on behalf of Spencer and an apparent Pratt family excommunication? So many tears! So many shots of Heidi’s face (just try and look away)! It all begins April 27th on MTV, and the end of the series may very well signal the slow death march of the network as well; stay tuned!

Girl Crisis Takes On Nirvana

Shannon Hassett :: Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 4:15 pm

Ever wonder what a bunch of really talented female singers performing in a super hipstered out apartment in Brooklyn and captured on super 8 film would look like? Well wonder no more, because Girl Crisis has solved your dilemma. The musical dream team, which features members of Chairlift, Au Revoir Simone, Class Actress and Acrylics, covers songs a capella style while Bek Andersen films. Past covers have included Jefferson Airplane and Chris Isuck, but the girls got grungy this go ’round and opted for Nirvana’s “Come As You Are.” It’s nothing like the original, but it’s pretty, and in this case at least, that’s enough to warrant a listen.

Watch Trailer for Lou Reed’s Upcoming Documentary

Shannon Hassett :: Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 3:20 pm

Lou Reed is cool. Turns out he’s also got some really cool relatives, specifically in the shape of a cousin named Shirley. In Red Shirley, Reed makes his directorial debut, a documentary film about his cousin on the eve of her 100th birthday. Through a conversation the two have together, Shirley shares her eventful life, which includes surviving two world wars, leaving Poland alone at 19 for Montreal, and becoming a dressmaker. The film will premiere at the Visions du Reel Festival in Switzerland and will also feature original music written by Reed and his band, Metal Machine Trio. Check out the trailer here. (via TwentyFourBit)

On The Definition of Political Wisdom

Andrew Belonsky :: Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 3:00 pm

“Common sense.” It’s a term tossed around quite freely by Tea Party activists and their high-profile supporters. Sarah Palin used the contentious term in her tweet urging conservatives to “reload” against health care reformers. But what is common sense? Do these political calls have anything to do with wisdom? That’s open for debate.

MGMT Releases Video for “Flash Delirium”

Shannon Hassett :: Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 2:45 pm

Pitchfork is all up in arms about how “batshit” the new MGMT video ended up being. Really, Pitchfork? It’s certainly Adams Family meets Twin Peaks. It features a ton of old people, a bald veteran in army fatigues and ventriloquist dummies — all elements we’ve come to know as creepy. There’s some seriously phallic renegade medical procedures and Andrew VanWyngarden looks beyond bored for the duration of the video, but “pure absurdity” it is not. It’s possible to piece together a loose and uninspiring plot if so desired, but why? Is it not enough that the pair even took the time to make a video in this age of constantly leaking albums, one in which Gaga’s Tarantino attempting “Telephone” passes as art? A friend sent me this last week raving about how moving she found it. The song is beautiful; the video is literally nauseating and only appealing to someone who just got dumped (sorry, friend). “Flash Delirium” may not musically be the MGMT of yesteryear, but as a video, it contains all the necessary elements for video success. I’d rather watch a group of geezers do the electric slide than ponder the meaning of life a la Nate Vernon (and 2200 shots from a DSLR pieced together ad nauseum) any day. MGMT’s new album, Congratulations, is out on April 13 or is available in its entirety as a free stream here.

Free Stream of Evelyn Evelyn Album

Shannon Hassett :: Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 1:35 pm

Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley met on the streets. As fate would have it, Australia’s Adelaide Fringe Festival was occurring on those streets, and while Webley was stomping and screaming as a street performer, Palmer was a human statue — a kind, loving statue who didn’t forget about Webley when her future band, cabaret punk wunderkinds the Dresden Dolls, started hitting it big. The duo have now combined powers to create a performing pair of their own, conjoined twins held prisoner by the circus industry and serving as the vehicle for Palmer and Webley’s musical output. Evelyn Evelyn, as the twins are known, have finally released their album (on sale for $6.66, of course), or you can stream it for free here. The band has already garnered a ton of musically gifted fans, as evidenced by the guest list for track “My Space,” which includes: Frances Bean Cobain, Andrew W.K., “Weird Al” Yankovic, Tegan and Sara and more.

Miike Snow Plays Webster Hall

Nick Clar :: Monday, March 29th, 2010 6:24 pm

Shrieks, cheers and chants are an accurate indicator for a concert’s excitement — especially if they occur outside while waiting in line an hour and a half before the headline act even steps on stage. Or it could be indicative that this will be one of “those” shows. Thankfully the former won out when Miike Snow performed at a packed Webster Hall Saturday.

With the mysterious and mythical jackalope silhouette serving as the backdrop, the Swedish trio of Andrew Wyatt and production team Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg came out to throngs of fans teeming with excitement. All donned in black with equally mysterious, Phantom of the Opera-white masks, Miike Snow played almost their entire catalog of tracks off their successful self-titled debut — lengthened into extended electronic remixes. A fog machine produced smoke that engulfed the audience throughout the set while blasts of flashing lights danced over the lively crowd that moved simultaneously to the beat.

Miike Snow, living up to the hype generated from their 2009 album, played the middle of three sold out New York dates Saturday, and were opened by Delorean.