I know I am getting old in the world of comic fans. I'm passing through some veil that makes me the old guy wandering the aisles of the comic shop that the younger readers look at with an odd mix of pity and curiosity.
There's a certain... dustiness to me as a comic reader. I'm not as jazzed by particular artists or movements in comics as those 10 years my junior. I'm as much or more interested in the nostalgia factor of the whole enterprise as I am with the latest, greatest storyline from the Big 2. Heck, I've enough insight to trade-wait on DC's current big push with Brightest Day, knowing its okay if I miss out on the "real time" experience of keeping up. Oh, I still pick up new issues of Superman series. But... I mean, come on... its SUPERMAN.
Even my nostalgia is getting old.
There's been an interesting shift as the 20-somethings have done what they're supposed to do and replace the last batch of 20-somethings who woke up and found themselves 30 and 40-somethings. These fans don't know a world without Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They were kids when they saw The Matrix or The Phantom Menace. They have nostalgia for things like MegaMan (which I guess was a popular video game) and ask questions like "when did Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers start to suck?" without a hint of irony, and which I can only stare at, goggle-eyed. And they love Street Fighter. Like... they love the characters from that kind of idiot-simple video game, as if they did anything but punch and kick, and which... Street Fighter?*
In comics, they actually really have an affection for the 1990's. They like the Spider-Man story of The Clone Saga, and really don't get why Vertigo might have been the big deal it was when DC created the imprint (for which I was 18 and not so sure about comics anymore, and then... thank you, Karen Berger).
Its a generation that can't visualize comics fandom as less than some sort of co-optive ownership. And whether its reading manga or American comics, many read their comics for free online from illegal scans, which is considered a perfectly legitimate way of enjoying your favorite creators.** Somedays the comics internet seems like an endless game of looking at images of superheroes redrawn as anything from dinosaurs to basic iconic components or colors.
Reviews and criticism are increasingly less a part of the landscape, and the self-deprecating admission of their internet forebears that they were just suckers for certain characters, etc... by insisting certain characters, etc... were always "awesome" has come to take the place of anything resembling online discussion. Writer Brian Michael Bendis wasn't actually wrong when he said that there isn't much out there for longform comics discussion. The geeks got upset because, apparently, putting up tumblr posts declaring ironically cool hero of the week awesome isn't longform criticism, and they didn't quite get that. And The Comics Journal guys got wound up because it means (a) no, really, nobody is reading us anymore so much that bendis forgot about us, and (b) if every article you publish for fifteen years is about how comics that actually sell suck and all this hip indie stuff or stuff that's impossibly hard to get due to age or limited availability or price is awesome... sooner or later you've niched yourself into irrelevancy, then...
yeah. You know, I thought we had a shot at that back when I wrote at Comic Fodder, but I'll be honest. (a) Its not so much fun tow rite term papers on superhero comics every week as you'd think, and (b) nobody cares, so you might as well have fun by scanning in images of the Avengers as dinosaurs.
The kids pick up old battles as new ones, because that's what you do. And they assume nobody ever noticed the outrages of society, and that if you're not furious, too, you didn't notice... because that's what you do. I'm glad they're doing it, and I'm glad nothing is ever settled in comics, just as its never really settled in the world. A fresh batch of female readers outraged at the depiction of women in comics is a good thing. Readers demanding prices stabilize to whatever price they were when they started reading is also good (and voting with your wallet is even better, but be prepared for the return to quality of presentation on paper what it was when I started reading comics. Don't worry, you'll barely notice it.).
The thing is, I don't really care so much. I click on a lot fewer things online these days, just as I pick up a lot fewer comics. I'm 35, soon to be 36. I think I've figured out what works for me and what doesn't. I'm imminently more aware of my complete lack of relevance as a guy with a keyboard and an opinion on comics than I was 5 years ago.
And in some ways I'm having more fun with comics than I have in a while. In some ways, less. The rush of "oh, gosh, Wednesday!" isn't a part of my life, the occasional and often invigorating bouts of internet-based debate have dried up, but I think that was something that almost distracted me from enjoying comics the way I did when I was a kid.
I don't know how many comic readers were kids like me, I've genuinely no idea. I read and traded comics with friends for maybe two years, and that ended by high school. Since then, its been a fairly solitary thing. At 35, I still read a lot of stuff I don't talk about here, both comics and stuff about comics. Its never been a terribly social experience no matter how much I've tried to make it so from this and other sites. Certainly the friends I see in person here in town really don't care about comics at all (although they're keenly aware of both my love of comics and especially Superman, and occasionally get more of an answer than they bargained for when they ask a question). And that's sort of a standard operating procedure with which I'm very comfortable because, heck, its always been that way.
I simply do not expect anybody else to give a flip about musty, old Jimmy Olsen comics.
Sure, I'd like more longform comics discussion online. Sure, I'd like to not feel ancient when I see somebody waxing rhapsodic about the MegaMan cartoon or video game rather than pondering health PSA's on the Super Friends, which is something I could understand.
But mostly I'm just sort of trying to understand my position in this odd little hobby. I guess in many ways, since I underwent a sea change in my comics buying and spending habits over the summer, the return of this blog, and, sincerely, my utter shock at seeing 20-somethings sort of shrug off The Dark Knight Returns this summer, I've been trying to sort things out.
Thank you for bearing with me on this post. Its been a long time brewing, in many ways.
*and not the Jackie Chan movie of the same name
**I hear nightmare stories about Manga "scanlations" and how the audience doesn't understand that they're killing the American manga market while simultaneously being a vocal fanbase who likes to give publishers lots of grief
Film. Comics. Sci-Fi. Superheroes. Pulp. Noir. History. Superman. 20th Century Archaeology.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Liu Xiaobo
Editor's note: This post is a repost from Steve Harms' website, published with permission by the author.
We talk about comics, TV and movies a lot here, and in those media, the term "hero" is thrown around as if it means something. Xiaobo is a reminder of what true heroism can look like, an image that bears all too little relation to dreams of revenge and glory that we usually use as our common image of "hero".
Like most Americans, prior to last week's Nobel Prize ceremony, I was unaware of Liu Xiaobo. Like most Americans, as China has blazed a path into a position as a power player in the 21st Century, I often forget about the endemic human rights violations and extreme censorship that the Chinese government employs on a routine basis.
Below is Steven's post and Xiaobo's acceptance statement.
Liu Xiaobo, Chinese dissident and anti-party activist received the Nobel Peace Prize on the 10th of this month.
In his acceptance address, Liu espouses the usual high-minded views that one would associate with a Nobel-winning dissident: free expression is a right of all men, democratic reform is coming to China, social diversity is better than a master-planned autocracy, etc.
What was most surprising to me was the poetic description of his love for his wife:
ed. You can read the full transcript here.
We talk about comics, TV and movies a lot here, and in those media, the term "hero" is thrown around as if it means something. Xiaobo is a reminder of what true heroism can look like, an image that bears all too little relation to dreams of revenge and glory that we usually use as our common image of "hero".
Like most Americans, prior to last week's Nobel Prize ceremony, I was unaware of Liu Xiaobo. Like most Americans, as China has blazed a path into a position as a power player in the 21st Century, I often forget about the endemic human rights violations and extreme censorship that the Chinese government employs on a routine basis.
Below is Steven's post and Xiaobo's acceptance statement.
Liu Xiaobo, Chinese dissident and anti-party activist received the Nobel Peace Prize on the 10th of this month.
In his acceptance address, Liu espouses the usual high-minded views that one would associate with a Nobel-winning dissident: free expression is a right of all men, democratic reform is coming to China, social diversity is better than a master-planned autocracy, etc.
What was most surprising to me was the poetic description of his love for his wife:
I am serving my sentence in a tangible prison, while you wait in the intangible prison of the heart. Your love is the sunlight that leaps over high walls and penetrates the iron bars of my prison window, stroking every inch of my skin, warming every cell of my body, allowing me to always keep peace, openness, and brightness in my heart, and filling every minute of my time in prison with meaning. My love for you, on the other hand, is so full of remorse and regret that it at times makes me stagger under its weight. I am an insensate stone in the wilderness, whipped by fierce wind and torrential rain, so cold that no one dares touch me. But my love is solid and sharp, capable of piercing through any obstacle. Even if I were crushed into powder, I would still use my ashes to embrace you.
ed. You can read the full transcript here.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Middle School Orchestra, Laff with The Dug, Lois Lane, Austin Superman!
Went to a show
So I have a new activity for you people, and I cannot recommend it enough:
Sixth grade beginning orchestra Christmas concerts.
So, this evening I went to my cousin's daughter's orchestra concert, and she's in the mid-tier orchestra (7th and 8th graders). And, you know, bully for them. They played a few songs as well as you'd expect a Middle School mid-tier orchestra to play. They played a song called "Stonehenge" that is reportedly not part of the Conan movie soundtrack, but so help me... I was waiting for the kids to crush their enemies, to drive them before you and to hear the lamentations of the women.
The sixth graders... ah.... now there's a small bit of tragi-comedy right there. There's truly something magical that happens when 80 kids who've never picked up an instrument play "Ode to Joy".
Support The Dug, spend less than a buck, hear jokes. Also, I had a joke in there, too
So, as you may know, Corpsman Dug, Jamie's brother, is part of Team Swizzlebeef, a Riff-Trax internet sensation!
Basically, some of the guys from Mystery Science Theater 3000 have an online gig, and in addition to them adding commentary tracks to movies (new movies! and the only way to watch a Twilight movie), shorts, etc... they support a community effort where their fans can send in videos. So, The Dug and Co. formed Team Swizzlebeef.
If you have it in for Dug, and right now are thinking "but The League, what does this have to do with YOU?" Rightly asked, I say.
Well, friends, I wrote a gag or two that appears on the video. I won't tell you which ones, because, frankly, I only remembered one of them. Booze and time have washed away the rest. Twitter-Pal JenniferSF also contributed some gags. Which makes me want to tell Dug: Drop Fennelly. He's dead weight. Hire ME.
You can preview the video and download from this link.
There's a Twitter Campaign for a Lois Lane comic series
If DC cares, I would very much give a Lois Lane book a shot. I think there's so much potential for a book about a hardcore Journalist in the DCU, in Metropolis and around the world... Give Lois something to do that can let her live up to her status as household name.
Of course, the book can only be as good as the writer, but DC has a pretty good stable, and I imagine some of those folks would love to write a book that's not strictly about weirdos in capes fighting in space.
Chris Roberson, local Austin-guy, is taking over Superman comics in the near future
Apparently local Austin comic and sci-fi scribe Chris Roberson is taking over writing duties from JMS on Superman. My comic reading is much less than it was, so I can't say I'm terribly familiar with Roberson's work, but he's got several novels out, and he's responsible for a few comics already at DC. Big boots to fill, but the internet seems to think the guy has the chops. I am very excited to hear that an Austinite is getting a shot at Big Blue!
So I have a new activity for you people, and I cannot recommend it enough:
Sixth grade beginning orchestra Christmas concerts.
So, this evening I went to my cousin's daughter's orchestra concert, and she's in the mid-tier orchestra (7th and 8th graders). And, you know, bully for them. They played a few songs as well as you'd expect a Middle School mid-tier orchestra to play. They played a song called "Stonehenge" that is reportedly not part of the Conan movie soundtrack, but so help me... I was waiting for the kids to crush their enemies, to drive them before you and to hear the lamentations of the women.
The sixth graders... ah.... now there's a small bit of tragi-comedy right there. There's truly something magical that happens when 80 kids who've never picked up an instrument play "Ode to Joy".
Support The Dug, spend less than a buck, hear jokes. Also, I had a joke in there, too
So, as you may know, Corpsman Dug, Jamie's brother, is part of Team Swizzlebeef, a Riff-Trax internet sensation!
Basically, some of the guys from Mystery Science Theater 3000 have an online gig, and in addition to them adding commentary tracks to movies (new movies! and the only way to watch a Twilight movie), shorts, etc... they support a community effort where their fans can send in videos. So, The Dug and Co. formed Team Swizzlebeef.
If you have it in for Dug, and right now are thinking "but The League, what does this have to do with YOU?" Rightly asked, I say.
Well, friends, I wrote a gag or two that appears on the video. I won't tell you which ones, because, frankly, I only remembered one of them. Booze and time have washed away the rest. Twitter-Pal JenniferSF also contributed some gags. Which makes me want to tell Dug: Drop Fennelly. He's dead weight. Hire ME.
You can preview the video and download from this link.
There's a Twitter Campaign for a Lois Lane comic series
If DC cares, I would very much give a Lois Lane book a shot. I think there's so much potential for a book about a hardcore Journalist in the DCU, in Metropolis and around the world... Give Lois something to do that can let her live up to her status as household name.
Of course, the book can only be as good as the writer, but DC has a pretty good stable, and I imagine some of those folks would love to write a book that's not strictly about weirdos in capes fighting in space.
Chris Roberson, local Austin-guy, is taking over Superman comics in the near future
Apparently local Austin comic and sci-fi scribe Chris Roberson is taking over writing duties from JMS on Superman. My comic reading is much less than it was, so I can't say I'm terribly familiar with Roberson's work, but he's got several novels out, and he's responsible for a few comics already at DC. Big boots to fill, but the internet seems to think the guy has the chops. I am very excited to hear that an Austinite is getting a shot at Big Blue!
So a few of my favorite Christmas Tunes - some of which Nathan didn't mention
Ah, the Holidays. I love the lights, the cold weather (when we can get it in Texas), the food and camaraderie. And, as we've discussed, the music.
The older I get, the more I realize its a time of year for dwelling a bit in the past, enjoying the same movies, songs, decorations, etc... over and over. That's a good thing. We need a chance to reflect on who we are, who we were and who we can be next year, and if it takes putting a fake tree in your living room and hanging gaudy baubles from the branches to do that, that's okay.
That doesn't mean every year is that same. Every Christmas is, of course, different. For some its the first year of a new romance. For others, its the first year alone. For some its Christmas with a new baby, while others may just see it as a day when they can get overtime during a shift at the toll booth. But so it seems appropriate that with all the ways we filter Christmas, so, too, should we have a wide variety of songs.
Here are some more favorites:
Miss Judy Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:
Mr. Bing Crosby with White Christmas (which held the record for best-selling record for decades, btw):
I'm not sure Merry Christmas from the Family by Robert Earl Keene is popular outside of the Great State of Texas, but around here, its definitely got some traction. And, yes, people always sing along. Apologies to those of you from outside Texas.
Ms. Darlene Love singing Baby, Please Come Home (this is a top 3 type favorite for me. Do not accept U2 covers):
The Pogues and Ms. Kirsty MacColl (RIP) on Fairytale of New York:
And there's no video of this track, recorded circa 1963 - Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, The Bells of St. Mary's. Its also not, technically, a Christmas song. The movie "The Bells of St. Mary's" was released during the Holiday season (only a small part of it actually takes place during Christmas), but somehow its become a quasi-Christmas classic. And its a really great movie, too. I confess to getting a little weepy at the end.
Anyhow, Bob B. Soxx (I am guessing: not his real name), just kills on this song.
Special Bonus Tracks:
-From Mr. Mojo Nixon, a man who has made a career out of not really caring a whole lot/ not taking it all too seriously, Sleigh Ride. In one take. Without ever bothering to look up the lyrics.
-and this isn't a song. I'm just posting this for Jamie. It's the long-forgotten Stick Figure Theater's take on Its a Wonderful Life.
The older I get, the more I realize its a time of year for dwelling a bit in the past, enjoying the same movies, songs, decorations, etc... over and over. That's a good thing. We need a chance to reflect on who we are, who we were and who we can be next year, and if it takes putting a fake tree in your living room and hanging gaudy baubles from the branches to do that, that's okay.
That doesn't mean every year is that same. Every Christmas is, of course, different. For some its the first year of a new romance. For others, its the first year alone. For some its Christmas with a new baby, while others may just see it as a day when they can get overtime during a shift at the toll booth. But so it seems appropriate that with all the ways we filter Christmas, so, too, should we have a wide variety of songs.
Here are some more favorites:
Miss Judy Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:
Mr. Bing Crosby with White Christmas (which held the record for best-selling record for decades, btw):
I'm not sure Merry Christmas from the Family by Robert Earl Keene is popular outside of the Great State of Texas, but around here, its definitely got some traction. And, yes, people always sing along. Apologies to those of you from outside Texas.
Ms. Darlene Love singing Baby, Please Come Home (this is a top 3 type favorite for me. Do not accept U2 covers):
The Pogues and Ms. Kirsty MacColl (RIP) on Fairytale of New York:
And there's no video of this track, recorded circa 1963 - Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, The Bells of St. Mary's. Its also not, technically, a Christmas song. The movie "The Bells of St. Mary's" was released during the Holiday season (only a small part of it actually takes place during Christmas), but somehow its become a quasi-Christmas classic. And its a really great movie, too. I confess to getting a little weepy at the end.
Anyhow, Bob B. Soxx (I am guessing: not his real name), just kills on this song.
Special Bonus Tracks:
-From Mr. Mojo Nixon, a man who has made a career out of not really caring a whole lot/ not taking it all too seriously, Sleigh Ride. In one take. Without ever bothering to look up the lyrics.
-and this isn't a song. I'm just posting this for Jamie. It's the long-forgotten Stick Figure Theater's take on Its a Wonderful Life.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
O Tannenbaum
So this afternoon I had a small realization. Last year I can't say I was ever really in what I think of as "The Christmas Spirit". I enjoyed the holiday. It came, it went, turkey was had and presents exchanged. But something was missing, and I couldn't figure it out.
As much as anything else, Christmas is about ritual. Its why when we start dating someone new, everything about their family's Christmas sounds completely crazy (Jamie's family has a quiet family event. When I was growing up, you could expect up to 12 people sleeping in the house on Christmas Eve. I didn't sleep in my own bed on Christmas until the end of college.).
The ritual we decided to forego in 2009 was a tree. I think Jamie and I have had a tree in every apartment and house we've shared. As a kid, everything about the tree was part of the holiday ritual. We did not go as a family to the lot and pick out a tree. We pulled the branches out of the boxes, laid them out according to size (marked by a dab of color at the aluminum stem of the branch) and then began putting the thing together. It took forever just to get the branches on, let alone getting lights strung (we had no fancy pre-lit trees in those days) and ornaments hung.
And then, we all had to stand back, look at the tree, and notice that, yeah, that thing really listed, and we'd maybe get a new fake tree next year. Which we finally did when I was a Junior or Senior in high school.
But, man, you should have been there for the great "The Clapper" experiment of 1996. Let's just say that having a device that uses sound to turn the power on and off in the same room where you're watching football and basketball for two weeks straight makes for a magical Christmas tree. (That said, my Grandma loved standing up at night and "clapping" the Christmas tree off.)
Anyhow, last year after we got Scout, who is a very sweet but very nervous dog, we decided not to put up our fairly sizable fake tree. She might eat branches or ornaments. She might knock the tree over. We didn't know. Also, we were kind of glad not to lose the square footage in the middle of the house.
This year we actually decorated the front and inside of the house Thanksgiving weekend (another ritual), but... its just been off again. Our stockings are up, the nutcrackers are in place, the garland is out... but once again, I just didn't really feel like it was Christmas time. Even after going shopping for a good chunk of the day.
And I realized: maybe I need to decorate a tree. Maybe that's just part of the deal. If I don't assemble a fake tree and place ornaments upon it, maybe my Christmas engines simply won't fire.
Anyhoo... this evening we went out and got a small tree that we can place on a side table. It had sort of plastic legs you slide into place, and it doesn't exactly require assembling, but something like it. We put on some carols and put some ornaments on (its much smaller than our usual tree). Jamie sang a song or three.
The tree is now decorated, complete with Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and GL. Its got a star and a menagerie of animals and these nice glass orbs Jamie bought a while back. And I'm already feeling much, much better about Christmas.
I also have two UT sports ornaments. And as I was hanging them, I made a little promise to myself that these were for better luck next year for our mighty Longhorns. I confess, I even rubbed them for good luck.
That's what this time of year is about. Saying good bye not just to this year, but looking back at all the years, all the memories you unpack, with hope for better next year.
A Christmas album was playing, the dogs were settled and snoring on sofas, my lovely wife was under a blanket and reading, and I sat back in the glow of the lights, quite content.
And then I read this bull@#$%.
%$#@!!! %$#@ity @#$% %$#@!!!!!!!
UT's defensive coordinator, Will Muschamp, is leaving to become head coach at the University of Florida. In my book, this is a total disaster. He was supposed to be staying at UT and make millions of dollars and then take over when Mack Brown retired. But, ohhhhh no. UT had to have a 5-7 season, and Mack Brown isn't leaving on that note, so you bet Muschamp started looking around.
The guy is a great coach, he may well poach some of UT's better coaching staff that remains in the wake of the coaching resignations and firings the past week or so following the Longhorn's 5-7 season. Muschamp won't be here to recruit for 2011, and our defense was barely holding on, as it was.
My magical UT ornaments did NOTHING.
Stupid 2010. Stupid 2011.
As much as anything else, Christmas is about ritual. Its why when we start dating someone new, everything about their family's Christmas sounds completely crazy (Jamie's family has a quiet family event. When I was growing up, you could expect up to 12 people sleeping in the house on Christmas Eve. I didn't sleep in my own bed on Christmas until the end of college.).
The ritual we decided to forego in 2009 was a tree. I think Jamie and I have had a tree in every apartment and house we've shared. As a kid, everything about the tree was part of the holiday ritual. We did not go as a family to the lot and pick out a tree. We pulled the branches out of the boxes, laid them out according to size (marked by a dab of color at the aluminum stem of the branch) and then began putting the thing together. It took forever just to get the branches on, let alone getting lights strung (we had no fancy pre-lit trees in those days) and ornaments hung.
And then, we all had to stand back, look at the tree, and notice that, yeah, that thing really listed, and we'd maybe get a new fake tree next year. Which we finally did when I was a Junior or Senior in high school.
But, man, you should have been there for the great "The Clapper" experiment of 1996. Let's just say that having a device that uses sound to turn the power on and off in the same room where you're watching football and basketball for two weeks straight makes for a magical Christmas tree. (That said, my Grandma loved standing up at night and "clapping" the Christmas tree off.)
Anyhow, last year after we got Scout, who is a very sweet but very nervous dog, we decided not to put up our fairly sizable fake tree. She might eat branches or ornaments. She might knock the tree over. We didn't know. Also, we were kind of glad not to lose the square footage in the middle of the house.
This year we actually decorated the front and inside of the house Thanksgiving weekend (another ritual), but... its just been off again. Our stockings are up, the nutcrackers are in place, the garland is out... but once again, I just didn't really feel like it was Christmas time. Even after going shopping for a good chunk of the day.
And I realized: maybe I need to decorate a tree. Maybe that's just part of the deal. If I don't assemble a fake tree and place ornaments upon it, maybe my Christmas engines simply won't fire.
Anyhoo... this evening we went out and got a small tree that we can place on a side table. It had sort of plastic legs you slide into place, and it doesn't exactly require assembling, but something like it. We put on some carols and put some ornaments on (its much smaller than our usual tree). Jamie sang a song or three.
The tree is now decorated, complete with Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and GL. Its got a star and a menagerie of animals and these nice glass orbs Jamie bought a while back. And I'm already feeling much, much better about Christmas.
I also have two UT sports ornaments. And as I was hanging them, I made a little promise to myself that these were for better luck next year for our mighty Longhorns. I confess, I even rubbed them for good luck.
That's what this time of year is about. Saying good bye not just to this year, but looking back at all the years, all the memories you unpack, with hope for better next year.
A Christmas album was playing, the dogs were settled and snoring on sofas, my lovely wife was under a blanket and reading, and I sat back in the glow of the lights, quite content.
And then I read this bull@#$%.
%$#@!!! %$#@ity @#$% %$#@!!!!!!!
UT's defensive coordinator, Will Muschamp, is leaving to become head coach at the University of Florida. In my book, this is a total disaster. He was supposed to be staying at UT and make millions of dollars and then take over when Mack Brown retired. But, ohhhhh no. UT had to have a 5-7 season, and Mack Brown isn't leaving on that note, so you bet Muschamp started looking around.
The guy is a great coach, he may well poach some of UT's better coaching staff that remains in the wake of the coaching resignations and firings the past week or so following the Longhorn's 5-7 season. Muschamp won't be here to recruit for 2011, and our defense was barely holding on, as it was.
My magical UT ornaments did NOTHING.
Stupid 2010. Stupid 2011.
Friday, December 10, 2010
NathanC Helps You Pick Out Your Holiday Tunes
We have a brief window here for enjoying the sights and sounds of the Holidays. A while back at our links site I mentioned a list of Christmas music suggestions I'd seen at the always-trustworthy Pop Culture Safari.
Click here to visit that list.
Do not proceed until you've read the column.
Okay? Okay.
A lot of good stuff in there. I just don't think its Christmas without the Phil Spector Christmas album. Spector may have gone bonkers, but: (a) he knew how to get a great sound (b) he knew talent (c) he knew how to cut a Christmas album and (c) The Ronnettes.
I have many trusted sources when it comes to music, but I figured that I should look to one of our specialists in such matters. Already Mrshl weighed in with recommendations for the Holidays from Sufjan Stevens and Low.
Corpsman NathanC is very knowledgeable about music of many genres, loves Christmas, and, honestly, works in radio. So while you may like your stuff... let's give Nathan a little benefit of the doubt. Man has paid his dues.
Nathan and I had an email correspondence over a few days, and Nathan's end went like this:
Nathan: Okay, so I finally got around to checking out that list. Man, I can find no fault in *any* of those Christmas music picks on the blogger's "main list." My top choices are the Phil Spector album, which captures the essence of Christmas in the big city. It feels very modern and classic at the same time. I have the Wynton Marsalis album, and can attest that it is a swingin' affair. Much better than an album of Wynton's original compositions (sorry Wynton), which I find to be too often academic.
(The League says: I don't think this is on the album, but diva Kathleen Battle does Christmas with Marsalis and Co., and its worth a listen)
Of all the modern crooner/swinging Christmas records, my favorite has been Diana Krall's "Christmas Songs" from a few years ago. The arrangements are terrific. And I fall in love with her when her voice cracks during "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"
I don't know that I can add more to what this fella says about the albums, other than to recommend a "buy" on the Spector, Presley, Guaraldi and Sinatra albums. Must-have for ANY Christmas collection. As for the Chipmunks, you'll be okay with the one song. And buy Diana Krall's CD.
(The League Says: Elvis Costello is a wise man.)
Later:
Re: Bob Dylan's "Christmas In the Heart":
Far from the "What the hell?" reaction most people had to this album, I felt Bob Dylan's choice to release a Christmas album to be inspired. Dylan's voice has always been unique, but since "Time Out of Mind," it's lowered into a grizzled drawl. His past few albums have been somewhat inspired by old-timey and regional music (note Dylan's favored Col. Sanders suit and tie, too), and so I feel his present demeanor and style fits within the context of a Christmas record. The arrangements on Christmas in the Heart only amplify the fireside feel. It's like your kind uncle full of eggnog singing.
(The League Says: Here's some of that album!)
By the way, those Christmas song compilations that Target puts out ("Jingle Bell Rock," "A Traditional Christmas, Vol. 1," etc.) every year are great. I always pick some up for half-off after Christmas.
Was Nat King Cole on that guy's list? If not, for shame!!!!
Who are my favorite Christmas song interpreters of all time?
In no particular order:
Nat King Cole
Frank Sinatra
Doris Day
Ella Fitzgerald
Diana Krall
Elvis Presley
(The League Says: For The King, we post video. Respect.)
My favorite Christmas song? Of course, it's Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song." It doesn't order you to deck the halls, to jingle bells, or anything like that. It just reminisces about the many sights, sounds, and smells of the season, and wishes you a Merry Christmas. Which is what we all want, isn't it?
(The League says: We agree that this is absolutely top notch. Here's The Velvet Fog himself)
And Finally:
The Beatles Christmas recordings are charming if you're a big fan of the group. But after 1965's record, they start to get very, very zany, and work better if you're under the influence.
The reviewer used the word "melancholy" to describe "Christmas Time is Here" by Vince Guaraldi. To quote The Princess Bride, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
And I just checked his list again. He *did* skip Nat King Cole! Heresy!
The League Says:
We've got our own favorites and we'll be back with them soon!
Click here to visit that list.
Do not proceed until you've read the column.
Okay? Okay.
A lot of good stuff in there. I just don't think its Christmas without the Phil Spector Christmas album. Spector may have gone bonkers, but: (a) he knew how to get a great sound (b) he knew talent (c) he knew how to cut a Christmas album and (c) The Ronnettes.
I have many trusted sources when it comes to music, but I figured that I should look to one of our specialists in such matters. Already Mrshl weighed in with recommendations for the Holidays from Sufjan Stevens and Low.
Corpsman NathanC is very knowledgeable about music of many genres, loves Christmas, and, honestly, works in radio. So while you may like your stuff... let's give Nathan a little benefit of the doubt. Man has paid his dues.
Nathan and I had an email correspondence over a few days, and Nathan's end went like this:
Nathan: Okay, so I finally got around to checking out that list. Man, I can find no fault in *any* of those Christmas music picks on the blogger's "main list." My top choices are the Phil Spector album, which captures the essence of Christmas in the big city. It feels very modern and classic at the same time. I have the Wynton Marsalis album, and can attest that it is a swingin' affair. Much better than an album of Wynton's original compositions (sorry Wynton), which I find to be too often academic.
(The League says: I don't think this is on the album, but diva Kathleen Battle does Christmas with Marsalis and Co., and its worth a listen)
Of all the modern crooner/swinging Christmas records, my favorite has been Diana Krall's "Christmas Songs" from a few years ago. The arrangements are terrific. And I fall in love with her when her voice cracks during "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"
I don't know that I can add more to what this fella says about the albums, other than to recommend a "buy" on the Spector, Presley, Guaraldi and Sinatra albums. Must-have for ANY Christmas collection. As for the Chipmunks, you'll be okay with the one song. And buy Diana Krall's CD.
(The League Says: Elvis Costello is a wise man.)
Later:
Re: Bob Dylan's "Christmas In the Heart":
Far from the "What the hell?" reaction most people had to this album, I felt Bob Dylan's choice to release a Christmas album to be inspired. Dylan's voice has always been unique, but since "Time Out of Mind," it's lowered into a grizzled drawl. His past few albums have been somewhat inspired by old-timey and regional music (note Dylan's favored Col. Sanders suit and tie, too), and so I feel his present demeanor and style fits within the context of a Christmas record. The arrangements on Christmas in the Heart only amplify the fireside feel. It's like your kind uncle full of eggnog singing.
(The League Says: Here's some of that album!)
By the way, those Christmas song compilations that Target puts out ("Jingle Bell Rock," "A Traditional Christmas, Vol. 1," etc.) every year are great. I always pick some up for half-off after Christmas.
Was Nat King Cole on that guy's list? If not, for shame!!!!
Who are my favorite Christmas song interpreters of all time?
In no particular order:
Nat King Cole
Frank Sinatra
Doris Day
Ella Fitzgerald
Diana Krall
Elvis Presley
(The League Says: For The King, we post video. Respect.)
My favorite Christmas song? Of course, it's Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song." It doesn't order you to deck the halls, to jingle bells, or anything like that. It just reminisces about the many sights, sounds, and smells of the season, and wishes you a Merry Christmas. Which is what we all want, isn't it?
(The League says: We agree that this is absolutely top notch. Here's The Velvet Fog himself)
And Finally:
The Beatles Christmas recordings are charming if you're a big fan of the group. But after 1965's record, they start to get very, very zany, and work better if you're under the influence.
The reviewer used the word "melancholy" to describe "Christmas Time is Here" by Vince Guaraldi. To quote The Princess Bride, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
And I just checked his list again. He *did* skip Nat King Cole! Heresy!
The League Says:
We've got our own favorites and we'll be back with them soon!
Conan O'Brien Ponders DC C-Listers, goes Super with Bruce Timm
By the way, that's DC Animation legend Bruce Timm helping out Conan, not just some grunt from the animation department.
Its kind of funny. After a while, you forget how these characters look to the world on first blush.
For the record, I don't know if I'd go to the mat for any of these characters except Captain Boomerang. He's been one of my favorite DC characters since the Suicide Squad days. He's back in the new Flash comics, after being dead for a few years.
A little note: Bat Lash is a "Maverick" knock off, but still entertaining. He doesn't get much attention these days, but about three years ago had a limited series. Space Ranger = Generic sci-fi guy. Just be glad it wasn't Space Cabbie, because, yes, there is such a character. I can't say anything in support of Ultra.
I'd also point out that not only is Enemy Ace name checked, but there's a reference to the forgotten mini-series "Guns of the Dragon". I've only read issue 1.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Short Post
Alas, I had to spend the evening writing our family Christmas letter for this year. So, no real post.
Also, I must now spend time further investigating the magic that is Kanye West and his new album. And, Ninja Assassin is on HBO, and its sort of distracting. This movie has really embraced how much blood there is in the human body and the various spray patterns you're likely to see from Ninja weapons.
Here's Kanye's video for Power.
I suggest blowing it up to full screen size.
I always like when I can't quite get my head around what an artist is doing. And maybe I'm overthinking Mr. West's work, or maybe not. But I figure its 2011. Go big or go home.
For the Runaway short film, go here.
Also, I must now spend time further investigating the magic that is Kanye West and his new album. And, Ninja Assassin is on HBO, and its sort of distracting. This movie has really embraced how much blood there is in the human body and the various spray patterns you're likely to see from Ninja weapons.
Here's Kanye's video for Power.
I suggest blowing it up to full screen size.
I always like when I can't quite get my head around what an artist is doing. And maybe I'm overthinking Mr. West's work, or maybe not. But I figure its 2011. Go big or go home.
For the Runaway short film, go here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)