We're Not Shut Down

It just seems like there isn't anything to post about these days. The Blog-o-sphere is has become quite filled, and everyone who's anyone (or no one for that matter) seems to have a blog.

Original Material is hard to come by...I hate going to 8 blogs and finding the same material on all of them...so I def don't want this blog to become number 9.

Match that with the turmoils of life, and the fact that if you run a blog with anything entertainment related you have to update everyday...and quite frankly, I haven't the time for that. I have a personal blog that I update as I see fit with my opinions, you're more than welcome to view that.

[http://themelancholyofaquarterlifecrisis.blogspot.com/]

Other than that...yeap...

So, for lack of a better term I guess you can say we're on hiatus.

We'll return as we see fit.

TLSW5000

The Limits of Control - Review

Went to check this out last night...sigh...where do I begin...

This film had a lot of potential to be really cool. Espionage, a jive-walking silent bad-ass who performs a daily Kata to center himself, European backdrop...but...it failed me. It felt like a Peyote induced high for about 2 hours that I couldn't slip out of if I tried. Abysmal, in a (nice) word, defines this movie. Starting off really dope with interesting quips and coded terminology, the film seems to never find a plot nor decode the terminology for any of the viewers to understand. What you're left with, however, is about 120 minutes of mind numbing walking, aural motifs, a nude muse, and countless matchboxes that are so esoteric that you begin to care less and less about what the hell they could possibly mean. Oh and lest we forget...two espressos - in separate cups. It plays out like a bad student film from beginning to end, with a story that only makes sense to the Director and Writer. The one shining glimmer in this surrealist ego trip is the Cinematography which, if nothing else, seems as if it was thought out while sober. If you feel like wasting a few hours of your day, by all means, go see this film. However, if you're looking for something fun to watch, go see Star Trek.

Rating: A Single Bouier eyebrow-raise out of 5

We really don't update as much as we should...working on that...

~Bouier (aka TLSW5000)

THE MOST AMAZING DOCUMENTARY EVER pt. 2

For some unknown reason, Blogger won't let me type stuff in with the video below this. However, this is what I had to say originally.

Rip: A Remix Manifesto.

Now, as you may or may not know, I don't blog on the weekends. But this is something that had to be shared. The Documentary deals with Intellectual Property, Copyrights, and Downloading. By far, one of the best films I've seen in ages.

Want a taste? See previous post for part 3 of the film.


To view the rest of the documentary, click here and check out www.opensourcecinema.org for more information about the film

Werd.

TLSW5000

New Ad Space: Mickey Factz x Honda

Hipster rapper Mickey Factz gets tapped to do a spot for the Honda Accord:

It's...not bad. In fact, whoever they have in the Marketing department who even knows who Factz is gets my respect. My only complaint is that I get the feeling Honda's getting more out of this than Mickey. If it was A-list artist, such as Common, Snoop, etc., then they would be able to benefit more from the deal, being established artists. But I doubt that Honda is going to take the steps necessary to get Factz that exposure. In fact, anyone who doesn't know who he is will probably assume that he's just a character created by Honda's think tank. Did they even drop a link for his website, at the very least? [Peep the official, by the way.] Nope; they did, however, manage to offer a link for their own campaign. They tried, but...is that enough?

McMahon.

I try to ignore sh!†, but...it keeps finding me.

I've tried to ignore this issue, but...it isn't going away anytime soon.  Interpret this however you like, before I add my twopence:

Yes, sew...Joaquin Phoenix [that'd be the bearded gent on the left] has retired from acting to start rapping.  In fact, he made his debut a month ago in Vegas:

Sounds pretty bad, right?  Well...in Phoenix's defense, he was drunk.  How drunk?  Drunk enough to fall off stage:

Yeah.

Phoenix has been asked repeatedly if this is a publicity stunt. His response:

"Might I be ridiculous? Might my career in music be laughable? Yeah, that's possible, but that's certainly not my intention."

Right.

In the first video above, Joaquin's decision is met with laughter, by Letterman and the audience alike.  Why?  Is the idea of a rap career now a punchline?  It wasn't a joke when Phoenix recorded the soundtrack for the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line.  And if it is a stunt, why does hip-hop have to be the gimmick?  Hasn't urban music suffered enough?

Don't know if it's a publicity stunt or not.  Don't care, frankly.  Put the mic down, homie [a colloquialism I apply loosely].  I'll leave the film puns to Bouier.

Socialite...

 

Pause for Hiatus

Are we back? Possibly. Stay tuned.

Excuses for Hiatus:
Bouier - Filming, Writing, Grad Apps, Reading, Internship Apps, Bills, Life.
Murph - Couldn't tell you. But I'm sure he has them, and I'm sure they are good ones.

What we've experienced as of late:
Large quantities of apathy, disinterest, and anger. We've been having our discussions of the various entertainment industries/sub-sects. One or two, we may post.

When we return from the commercial break however, there will in fact be more madness, more freshness, more Sneakers more Suits.

TLSW5000

Bouier on Sabatical

I shall return soon. Not only do I have a ton of work to do for class, but I am reapplying for Graduate School. So, yea...sorry...It won't be too long of a hiatus, but if I do post it will be sparingly (Very little words but just a image drop, at which time you will know what to do)

Much like this,



and this,



That last one is produced by Just Blaze by the way....

Enjoy.

Will return when time permits,

TLSW5000

How bout dem Apples?

Apple, believe it or not, is back at it...

[Note: See the pics in the yellow and orange iPods? Yeah...I'll be blogging about them at a later date...]

Behold, the fourth generation iPod nano. As you can see, it's now in 9 [count 'em] nine colors: Roy G. Bip [violet is subbed with pink], plus silver and black. If you were to ask me which is my favorite at the moment, I'd say the silver, simply because the black wheel makes it look bad-ass. But I digress...

The 4G iPod nano's design borrows slightly from the previous models, combining the slender design of the 2G with the widescreen from the 3G, only it's actually skinnier than the 2G, and rotates the 2 in. widescreen [think portrait instead of landscape]. The outside is composed entirely of aluminum and glass, and is fashioned into an ovoid shape. See below:

Of course, those of you with throwback nano's would be compelled to hate. After all, there's no discernible difference between the old and the new, right?

*ahem*

Did I mention that this is first iPod nano to include an accelerometer?
Simply by rotating the iPod, as you would with an iPhone or iPod Touch, the screen re-orients itself, allowing you to more appropriately indulge in movies, photos and games:

Also, the accelerometer will introduce a new level of play in the games, allowing you to control elements by rotating the iPod. And shaking your iPod while listening to music automatically randomizes your playlist.

Apple has discontinued the 80- and 160GB iPod Classic 6G in favor of a 120GB version. Same design, though.



New iPod Touch. As you can see, a chrome finish has been added, making look more like the iPhone. Apple has also added external volume buttons and an external speaker, after complaints from techies worldwide.


Finally, iTunes 8. Not many changes, but changes nonetheless...

One of changes is a revamp of the visualizations. Still the same purpose, visual scapes that pulsate in sync with the music, but the graphics are sexier, faster, more captivating. For those who find the new visualizations unfavorable [or CPU intensive], the classic visualizer is still included.

The Browser View option has been replaced by Grid View, allowing you to view your albums, movies, games, ringtones, etc, in...well, a grid. Basically, it's a widescape version of the Cover Flow View.

Last but far from least, the Genius playlist feature. By selecting a song, and clicking the Genius Button, iTunes searches your collection and comes up with 25, 50, 75, or 100 songs that reflect similar sounds and tastes. It also give you the option to save the playlist, and shows matching songs from the iTunes Store in a sidebar [above right]. I tried this feature with three different genres: electronica, R&B, and rock, and found it to work quite well, at times suggesting songs that I didn't even know I owned, and had never heard before, but still found to my liking. [The plight of having a 138 GB collection.] The Genius feature is also included on the iPod nano 4G and iPod Touch 2G.

To be able to completely reinvent the portable music industry on a yearly basis can't be an easy feat, but Apple certainly makes it appear so. And with ideas like these, one can only wonder what they'll drop next year.

Oh, photos and info c/o Apple.

That's all, bipeds.

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The complexion for the protection...

Friend of mine put me up on this...

Pretty good editorial piece on racial double standards in the Freep, referring to Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, and the illegitimate child she shares with Levi Johnston.  I'd paraphrase but...better you read yourself.  And is it just me, or does Levi look like Willem Dafoe?  Scary.

Peep the article.

That's all, bipeds.

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Since everyone is a critic...

Here's my take on the VMAs; which I wouldn't have watched if hadn't found out that Ye was gonna perform a new track...more on that later...



Here is my take on the show and its elements, in order of appearance.

Minus points for the VMAs taking place in a warehouse, Viacom has a bigger budget than that. More minus points for Brit Brit speed reading through her opening, which was terrible may I add. EVEN MORE minus points for Little Wayne getting a lip ring, it makes me not wanna get mines repierced because it is quickly about to be come the it thing to do...damn.

Plus points for Ri Ri blending Detroit and Cass Tech's own White Stripes into her performance. Russell Brand also adds points in an attempt to revive a dying show, his hilarity was greatly appreciated. Bonus points once again for the DJ AM/Travis Barker duet throughout the show. You should probably get that mixtape now...yea...

On the cusp on Jamie King's slightly [and assumable] drunken and loud "performance." Plus points for him being funny, minus points for him missing his cue live on the air...and even more minus points for MTV's poor production quality of this event. Furthermore, more minus points for all the categories being full of songs that I am tired of hearing.

Extreme plus points for Demi Moore...she is indeed a GILF.

Minus points for The Jonas Brothers performing on what looked like Sesame Street. But they earned their points back by actually having a song that ended up rocking in the end.

FASHION BREAK

Plus points for the Jonas Brothers, their ensembles were awesome...Pete Wentz...not so much...

Extreme minus points on Michael Phelps and his Weezy Reference. And even more points loss for his inability to read cue cards. Hail to the victors valiant!

Ready for more minus points, because here they come. Minus points for Weezy's rendition of "He Got A Donk." Saggin' Pants aren't cool. More minus points, but plus hilarity points, for the T-Wayne Duck, Duck, Goose game...best 5 minutes of humor, EVER!

UPDATE:

Plus points for Leona Lewis's rendition of Nina Simone's, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. Plus points again for Lil' Lindsey getting off of the drugs...she looks much better now. And even more points for Fanny Pack winning the Honorable Mention award, everyone remembers second place...moving on....More plus points for the Diddy Shameless plug from Da-Diddy Kane. How he isn't even at the awards show and still visible/pertinent bewilders me.

Plus points on the Twilight Book series; only because they make it easier for bullies such as myself to find the dorky kids on the playground. Shouts out to J.K. Rowland, I see you Harry Potter!

Plus points for the Paramore performance. Nice punk rock/emo revival piece there.

Additional points for Pink. Not only is she a MILF, but the song was decent, AND you got a nip slip as added incentive. Best performance of the night!

Add em up for McLovin! Furthermore he was up there with Slipknot. Who, deny if you dare, are possibly the best MUSICIANS in rock. Go grab the last two CDs if you don't believe me. About time they are getting the recognition they deserve. Next deserving band is Mars Volta...but maybe I'm asking for too much...digressing.

Plus points for no Lil' Wayne unnecessary arrogance. I can respect a man who humbly accepts an award. But he then loses some of those points for his entourage bringing a "strange beverage" in a styrofoam cup on stage.

Boo-Radley to T.I.'s singing...and that unnecessary and terrible Numa Numa sample. But plus points to Rhianna looking scrumptious as cake on stage in that outfit. Damn girl, don't hurt 'em!

Minus points like a MAUHFUGGA for the lead singer of Tokio Hotel giggling as he and his band got off of stage from accepting that award. Minus more points for Paris Hilton not reading good and stuff either, she and Michael Phelps must have had the same classes.

Is leather in now? Minus points to that, because clearly that shit was in heavy. Everyone had on leather from T-Pain to Lupe.

Plus points to Wayne performing with Kid Rock, that was actually half decent. Detroit saves the night yet again...thank us later.

Plus a lot of points for Kobe being able to read WELL. Even more positivity for Brit Brit making a comeback, much better than last year...



Finally, the moment that we were all waiting on. K.West's performance of the new single, Love LockDown which is due to drop on iTunes tomorrow.

How do I feel about it...on the cusp...visually it was dope, aurally not so much. I don't wanna judge the entire song based off of this performance without first hearing a CDQ version.



In the lyrics of the song, "Baby I'm confused; You Choose..."

Overall, the VMAs were Dookie Charley in my opinion. But hey, if I ruled the world then ATCQ would still be dropping albums...

That is all for now kiddies,

TLSW5000

T-Pain does NOT equal Roger Troutman... [Know Your History, Part 1]

*ahem* Allow me to flash my Passive Editorialist card for a sec...

Behold, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/rapper/producer T-Pain. Entering the mainstream back in '05, Teddy Penderazz[down] has made quite a name for himself, both with his own hit singles and by penning/producing joints for Lil Mama, Chris Brown, Britney Spears, and others. His almost religious use of the Auto-Tune, once hated on by critics aplenty, is now being heavily bitten by rappers and singers alike [e.g. Kanyeezy and Kells, respectively], and contunues to be hated on by critics aplenty. In many [not quite most] circles, he's compared to the late great Roger Troutman.

I'd beg to differ, albeit only from a technological standpoint. While the sounds are indeed similar, and were indeed used ritualistically to make hits, the devices are not the same at all. T-Pain uses Auto-Tune, which is a computer application included with certain music production software. Roger Troutman used a talk box, which is a physical [as in tangible; touch it, feel it, grab it, rabbit] effects device supplemented by an other instrument, e.g. organ or guitar. A talk box is similar to a vocoder, but...not quite.

This would be the part where you'd ask "Well gee, Murph, how am I supposed to know the difference between a talk box and Auto-Tune?" Don't fret, housepets, as I'm here to learn you something good. I will now bring to thee examples of both devices, explaining the differences thereafter. In fact, if you're a true audiophile, you might notice the difference yourself.

OK, so here's an obvious example of Auto-Tune:


The aforementioned T-Pain - "I'm Sprung" [Listen for about a minute.]

OK, now an example of a talk box:

Zapp & Roger - "I Wanna Be Your Man"


Hear the difference? No? Let's try again:


Daft Punk - "One More Time" [Auto-Tune]



Daft Punk - "Harder Better Faster Stronger"
[Talk box; skip to the exact middle of the video]


Still not hearing it? OK, one more chance:


Cher - "Believe"
[First commericial song to use Auto-Tune; and no, I am NOT a fan]


Stevie Wonder - "Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear" [Talk box]

OK, so what's the difference? Well, for starters, with Auto-Tune, you can still actually hear the singer's voice, whereas the talk box effect is thicker, sounding completely digitalized. Also, the talk box has a smoother transition between notes, while Auto-Tuned vocals have very audible "clicks" as the singer alters pitch.

As always, I've prepared Beloved Bone-us Items for all. The first is Snoop's video for "Sensual Seduction" [or "Sexual Eruption" depending on where you hear it]. Take note that Snoop is holding a keytar with attached talk box tube, but his voice is actually under the Auto-Tune effect. Miseducation, FTL.

The next Bone-us is T-Pain's "Studio Luv", feat. Lil Wayne. This one is interesting because he actually uses Auto-Tune AND the talk box [heard at the beginning]:


[damned YouTube slideshows...]


And the last, a pretty cool Geico commercial you may have seen, with guitarist Peter Frampton:



*whew* That was a long one. But I suppose all editorials are. Hope you enjoyed.

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