Recently in c101 Category

Sorry to break up the political loveliness, but I can only take so much of that crap.

Now, I need to got back to C$'s favorite past time - music. It's time y'all learn about the 33 1/3 book series. Simply put, this series is an audiophile's dream. It highlights the best albums to grace our collective Hi-Fi's.

I just completed the book on Neutral Milk Hotel's (NMH) "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea."  This book brought a new-found appreciation of the album the VS never succeeded in doing. And Flying Spaghetti Monster knows, he sure tried hard. Sorry, VS, sometimes it takes one to find greatness on their own, regardless of your best efforts. I am the newest fan of NMH largely because of the 104 page book. That, and NMH created an incredible work of musical art. In short, the story details the ups and downs of making a historic record, with a truly irreverent and musically (not economically) driven group of people. Combine that with the mystique of a front man that called it quits shortly after completing the record and, well, you have the perfect storm.

Seeing that I just ordered A Tribe Called Quest's (ATCQ) first effort, "People's Instinctive of Travels of Funk and Rhythm" and Radiohead's seminal "OK Computer", I am now hopelessly addicted to the 33/13 series. I encourage y'all to seek out a book that moves you. So, seeing that we are talking ATCQ and Radiohead, it's only fitting we listen as well. Here is "Can I Kick It" and "Airbag". Enjoy.

Can I Kick It.mp3
Airbag.mp3

So, who here likes schizophrenic hip-hop with samples from easy-listening hits to creamy 70's jams? It is safe to assume that nobody comes close  to Girl Talk in this arena. Sure, Dr. Dre was sampling some smooth hits of the 70's and De La Soul's - 3 Feet High & Rising - is a veritable cornucopia of break beats. But nobody and I mean nobody comes close to GT. And that, my fine-feathered friends is what makes him great. Don't believe me? Sample some tracks from his latest and greatest called Feed the Animals and please leave a comment.

Hugs and kisses, C$. Oh, if you want the entire album for free, please, by all means, click here.

Set It Off.mp3
What's It All About.mp3

That's right, MGT III is officially big time. He was always big time to me - ever since he would sprint outside Read Hall for no apparent reason, I knew the kid was special. For those of you that have no clue about the B.O.T.T., aka The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggart, here's the website. The book reviews are very impressive, but you don't have to take their word for it, so why don't you buy a copy here.

Now, all we have to do is wait for the major motion picture.

In the meantime, let's rock Chuck Mangione "Feels So Good" because it feels so good does to see my pal MGT hit the big time on his first try and Gil Scot Heron "The Bottle" - MGT introduced me to this wonderful track way back in '96 and I just re-discovered it a few weeks ago. I think y'all will enjoy it too.

Feel So Good.mp3

The Bottle.mp3

 

I know it's been forever and a day since I composed sumpin'. First, RFO decided to flip the script and get a new provider AND RFO and I made a collective decision to dump the dead weight and go back to the original dynamic duo.
 
So, I am going to do my darnedest to get back to the post a week. It is your job faithful readers to return to the fold and leave your comments. So, here goes.

I want to talk about Aquavit and my iPhone, in no particular order of importance. First, Aquavit. This stuff is all killer, no filler. It is a Scandinavian booze that tastes like spring and will knock your socks off. Particular to the Norwegian tradition is the occurrence of Linie Akvavits. This is where it gets cool, gimmick or no. The Aquavit is carried in oak casks on board ships crossing the equator ("Linie") twice before it is sold. While many experts claim that this tradition is little more than a gimmick, some argue that the moving seas and frequent temperature changes cause the spirit to extract more flavour from the casks. Nice. I think I felt the moving seas after about 4 shots. Maybe I was wasted - hard to say. Just buy some already, you won't be disappointed.

Second, is the most glorious new technology in my life - the iPhone. While I think the phone is cool and all, it's the fact that I have the Internets in my pocket that really makes me swoon. And it's a camera, a calculator, a notebook, an mp3 player and a clock. I can tell you that the temperature in Shanghai right now is 59. How you like them apples?
 
So, let's play some music, why don't we? Here is two tracks that will move your ass like Aquavit - here's M.I.A. doing 'Mango Pickle Down River' and 'Bitch' by Spank Rock.
 

Bitch.mp3
Mango Pickle Down River.mp3

So, VS and I dropped a mix of doom AKA the Purple Teeth (PT) Mix on the masses last week and I feel the need to highlight our contribution to the second installment of the Athens Mix exchange. I think PT was one of those magical collaborations that immediately following its creation became much bigger than the creators. The content, you ask, C$? A pinch of electronic, but not with a dollop of rockers - let's just say PT is the real deal. Check it out here....

Also, I need to share the dance moves of the 'Man with Golden Boots' to those that haven't had a chance to see his genius - watch here. I don't have words for this.

And another You Tube gem is a movie I actually purchased on DVD (I don't purchase many movies or music) - it is that good. C'était un rendez-vous (It was an Appointment) is a 8 minute thrill ride through the streets of Paris. My main man Claude Lelouch, took a gyro-mounted stabilized camera on his Mercedes-Benz bumper and hauled ass. I really don't need to write anything else. Check it out here.

Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention my two latest purchases - a record player that has brought vinyl back into my life and an ant farm. The ant farm is truly incredible - with about 20 Carpenter ants amazing me daily with their 24/7 tunneling. Take a look at the picture from Day Four. As for the record player purchase, well, this was long overdue. I had forgotten the greatness of vinyl, let alone listening to it. There is a warmth there that the digital world simply cannot offer.

On that note, here is the Intro to PT- be warned this will prolly hurt. Next, how about something for the working man? Here's Tennessee Ernie Ford with "Sixteen Tons." Amen Ernie, amen.
Intro
Sixteen Tons

The Oscars are coming up, so I thought I'd give my two cents. First and foremost, 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' should win best picture. After viewing this film, I walked out of the theater with my mind racing. The film tells the story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, the one-time editor of Elle magazine. Bauby is living the playboy lifestyle (told through a series of flashbacks) until one day he suffers a massive stroke and is left with 'locked in syndrome' essentially leaving him completely normal on the inside, but rendering him completely unable to communicate with the outside world except for the ability to blink his left eye. Without going crazy with the details, let me just say that Bauby manages to write a book. That is his accomplishment, but the journey is the true story.

Second and third respectively, is 'No Country for Old Men' which I already touched upon and Paul Thomas Anderson's 'There Will be Blood.' The scope of this film is incredibly far reaching and the cinematography is breathtaking. And, of course, Daniel Day Lewis hands in one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. Still, the story lacks a certain punch that left me scratching my head a bit - still, if a film still has one thinking days after, it had to of done something right, correct?

Anyway, we shall see how things break down. The writer's strike may make any debate moot, but still, if anything, see these films. On that note, here's a little two cents from Aidan John Moffat "Nothing in Common-Hopelessly Devoted" and The Resisted with "Birds Fled From Me."
Nothing In Common Hopelessly Devoted.mp3
Birds Fled From Me.mp3

Perhaps you have been wondering where the hell I've been. Or for that matter, where has Randy Fresh been? Halo 3 on Xbox 360, my friends, Halo 3. At this point, I have played 511 games of Halo. Actually, if you want to get technical, I've played 307 ranked matches, 145 social slayer and 1 custom game. Pictured left is a prime example of my pwning, yes pwning, the rest of the competition for the coveted MVP spot in the High Ground map or maybe it was The Pit. Anyway, impressive, I know.

Sure, I know what you'll say. Are you 12, C$? Well, no. But, I am hopelessly addicted to improving my experience points (I am currently at 13, recently demoted from 14, Fresh is 22). There is definitely a subculture to this, that is tough for any Halo outsiders to understand. So, I'll give you some of the vocab, should you join the ranks...

pwning= owning a match or person
stuck=meaning somebody plasma or spike grenaded you
killjoy=ruining someones killing streak
killing spree=going on a five or more kill streak without dying

That is just a small taste of Halo 3 - I know all you non-Halo people are riveted, but I had to let you know what RFO and I have been doing the past two months. In Master Chief we Trust. Here's some music to inspire you. Here is Scout Niblett "Let Thine Heart Be Warned" and Letters Letters "Want To".

Let Thine Heart Be Warned.mp3
Want To.mp3

News flash folks - I think America is on the downward turn and we are the first witnesses. Why would you say such things C$? Well, I've got proof. You see, Gisele the supermodel just signed a major contract and she asked to be paid in Euros, not dollars. Read here. No matter, the October sunset sure is nice traveling south on Lake Shore Drive, isn't it?

Anyway, if supermodels are becoming that savvy, we all had better pay attention. Apparently, the American dollar continues to weaken because Americans continue to live beyond their means. Now I'm no economist but I think there might be sumpin' to that argument.

"The dollar fell 0.8 percent last week and touched $1.4528 per euro, the weakest since the euro's debut in 1999. The dollar lost 2.8 percent last week to 93.47 Canadian cents and 1.8 percent to $2.09 per British pound."

I don't like using a bunch of numbers and what not, but I think the writing is on the wall folks. What's my solution? Get my ass to China, but you don't have to take my word for it...

Jim Rogers, a former partner of investor George Soros, said last month he's selling his house and all his possessions in the U.S. currency to buy China's yuan. "The dollar is collapsing," Rogers said last week. "I'm moving to Asia because moving to Asia now is like moving to New York in 1907 or London in 1807. It's the wave of the future."

Based on this, let's rok George Benson's positively breezy tune, "Breezin'" and Clinton - off of Disco and the Halfway to Discontent "Fila Brazilla Disco Frisco Mix' I found it RFO.

Breezin'.mp3
Disco Frisco.mp3

No Country for Old Men (NCOM) - is easily one of my favorite films of 2007. That is fortunate, because at least regarding new releases, I had been in one of my biggest bad movie ruts ever. But lo and behold, here emerges NCOM. I suppose this post will create a divide amongst my loyal c101 readers; I know some of you may not enjoy what the Cohen brothers offer.

Those that do, however, will find this film adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy a powerful work. Let's just say, there is a lot going on. The film strips down the American crime drama and broadens its concerns to encompass themes as ancient as the Bible, and as bloodily contemporary as this morning's headlines from Iraq. You see, a lot going on.

And in between there isn't a bad actor in the entire movie...from the leads to the smallest character. Yes, Javier Bardem turns in a remarkable performance as the seriously skewed killer Anton Chigurh on the trail of Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin). Still, in my mind the extras steal the movie and enhance the tale to the nth degree. All told, NCOM is a must see, so please, for the love of C$, go and watch it and then leave a comment.

Last, let's post some music that I know old men don't like, but I do. Here's Gang Starr with the classic "Manifest" and Ice Cube "It Was a Good Day" ...even saw the lights of the Good Year blimp and it read C$'s a pimp...

Manifest
It Was A Good Day