get into: heloise and the savoir faire

I’ve been listening to their new album, Trash, Rats and Microphones since last night. You should be, too.

paint it gold

Trish took this photo somewhere in Wicker Park today and I thought it was just one genius sticker. But then I was reading Perez Hilton (which I’m guilty of doing now and then–like anyone else), and saw this post, which shows the Gym Class Heroes singer wearing the shirt. I then resorted to Googling (of course) to discover it’s not just a random sticker, but the name of Atmosphere’s new album. Clearly, the naming of this CD was able to spawn some highly effective advertising (the album debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Top 200).

You wanna rumble in my jungle, I’ll take you on

I went to review Robyn last night at Park West, instead of going to Milwaukee to see Tegan and Sara for the 10th time, and was actually really happy with my decision. It was nice to check out someone whose CD I’ve been into lately (great for the gym or before going out). However, I wasn’t sure the live performance would very good–but I was wrong. She really does deserve all the hype she’s been getting lately.

abcdef…

I’m not a Kenny G fan. At all. (Is anyone?) But one of my favorite pieces at this year’s Artropolis involved him. Though it wasn’t the most artistic piece there, it was clever enough for me to still remember.

Witness:

Who uses sticks of butter anyway?

There’s been a lot of controversy over these bariatric surgery ads lately but I would have to totally agree with the message: obesity is suicide.

However, I completely disagree with the solution being bariatric surgery. I’m sure in many cases it’s completely necessary in order to save someone’s life, but for the rest of the world that is obese simply from being lazy and unhealthy, these ads are just sending the message, “It’s ok you got fat, just have surgery.” We’re a culture obsessed with quick-fixes and even quicker results.

While an ad for a gym membership that says something realistic like, “Get active, work out at least a few days a week, eat healthy and lose weight over a period of time that you can actually keep off,” doesn’t get much attention, it’s what works. I’m no expert, but over the last couple of years (especially the last one), I’ve learned to love the gym and even though fries are my weakness, I’ve learned I feel like crap after eating them. Like they say, it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle change. Why isn’t anyone advertising that? Oh, I know, because it’s not shocking and apparently shocking/scaring people is all that works in the country.

faster, stronger, more well-traveled?

It’s one thing when actors and musicians launch clothing lines and perfumes, but Kanye West has taken it to the next (aka most random) level by launching a travel site: Kanye Travel Ventures.

I checked it out last night, as I’m actually planning a NYC/upstate NY trip for next month, and it was no different than any other travel site–in fact, maybe even more primitive (aside from the semi-fancy Kanye banner). The prices were no better, either. I still prefer Kayak.

what music used to be

I’ve been completely obsessed with The Kills‘ new album, Midnight Boom and it’s a problem because I really don’t want to get sick of it before they come here in May. Although, listening to an album two or three times a day might not be so bad.

But I’m not gonna lie: I haven’t always been a Kills fan. In fact, I didn’t really like them at all (and thought their 2005 album No Wow was appropriately-named). I was just discussing my sick love affair with Midnight Boom with Trish and she had to remind me that we had actually seen them before. Apparently, they opened for Bloc Party a couple years ago at the Congress Theater and were really bad–so bad that I still barely remember, but Trish assured me that we were completely unmoved while Alison Mosshart rolled around stage.

Watching this video, I can’t even believe that was the same band–though this first single is not even among my top three favorite tracks on the album. I recommend “Tape Song”, “Alphabet Pony” and “Black Balloon” first. Then all the others, because there’s really not a bad song in the bunch (not even the country-twanged “Hook and Line”).

misogyny bites

Last night, Trish, Megan and I went to the opening of Teeth at the Music Box Theatre. It was one of those films I vaguely remember hearing about winning something at Sundance, but I had completely forgotten about it until Trish mentioned it was coming here and honestly, I wasn’t expecting a film about vagina dentata to be so funny or enlightening.

While the film’s definitely considered a black comedy, it’s different from most others in the genre (ie, Todd Solondz films) in that it had a more positive message. Instead of focusing on something completely morbid or uncomfortable, Teeth turned the misogynistic, ancient myth of VD into an empowering, cautionary tale. Also, it was probably the first movie I’ve been to at which the entire audience reacts in shock/disgust in unison. Just imagine.

Walking out of the theater, we overheard plenty of male viewers say things like, “Dude, I’m never having sex again.” Obviously, they missed the point.