Bradford Cox is keeping busy

And that makes me a happy bunny. After releasing the best album of last year, Parallax, Cox has announced some tour dates for Atlas Sound (still waiting for the European dates) and contributed to music collaborations.

A new Deerhunter track called "Curve" is one of the songs on a compilation album organised by Blonde Redhead. The album is called We Are the Works in Progress and it was released yesterday. All proceeds made of the compilation will go directly to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund and Architecture For Humanity organisations to help rebuild Japan after the 2011 tsunami. Listen to the beautiful, instrumental track below.



Bradford also did an acoustic version of Leonard Cohen's "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy" as a part of the Vimeo series "Old Ideas With New Friends" which honours the new album Old Ideas by Cohen. It's probably one of my favourite cover songs ever, take a listen below.



And finally, the original:

Winter

I'm one of those people who really loathe winter, mainly because I can't stand the cold weather and the never-ending darkness wears me out. I'm always feeling chilly and tired (because I don't get to see the sun while at work) and spend my evenings under a blanket counting down the days until summer gets here.

So I often forget how beautiful it is outside during midwinter. But yesterday I forced myself outside for a walk in the freezing cold air and I was reminded of how amazing a snowy landscape can be. And even though I'm crap at taking pictures, I had to take a few snapshots with my phone (sorry about the bad quality). So all you fellow sufferers, quit complaining about the cold weather for a moment and go outside - you might be pleasently surprised.

 

I love our beach (but I love it even more during the summer time).

Better, but still disappointing

Just as I wrote a post about Memoryhouse's song "The Kids Were Wrong", they go and share another track from their forthcoming album, The Slideshow Effect. "Walk With Me" sounds better than their previously released track but is still a bit disappointing. It has a mellow sound to it and I really like the background vocals. But for some reason Denise's way of singing annoys me even more than it did on "The Kids Were Wrong". I don't like her abrupt enunciation and I wonder why her singing doesn't annoy me on their debut EP. Has she changed her style or am I just going mental? While I'm struggling with these questions, you can listen to the song below.

Wild Nothing return with a new track

Wild Nothing are working on a new album to be released later this year and they've shared a tasting from the album, called "Nowhere". The track features guest vocals from Twin Sister's Andrea Estella.

I have mixed feelings about "Nowhere". I'm glad Wild Nothing are recording a new album but I'm not sure if I'm happy with the direction they're going at with this track. I'm not too pleased with the country feeling of the song but Jack Tatum's and Andrea Estella's voices go well together. (OT: It's a shame about Twin Sister really, they showed so much promise with their Color Your Life EP, yet failed with the debut album In Heaven.) Nevertheless, I hope Wild Nothing will release the new album soon. Listen to "Nowhere" below.

New Andrew Bird song!

One of my favourite singer-songwriters, Andrew Bird has released the first song "Eyeoneye" from his upcoming album. The album itself, called Break It Yourself will be out March 6.

The song sounds like... Andrew Bird. Which makes me happy because he rarely lets me down. It's a great tune - his voice sounds as good as ever and I love the whistles! I can't wait to hear the new album. And you won't be able to wait either after you've listened to "Eyeoneye" below.

Eyeoneye by Andrew Bird

(Not so) Great expectations

The first time I heard of Memoryhouse was back in April 2010 when I was introduced to their track "Sleeping Patterns". I instantly fell in love with it and the four-track EP, The Years. Ever since I've been waiting for them to release a whole album of beautiful, dreamy songs and I was really excited when I found out their debut album will be released on February 28.

A new track called "The Kids Were Wrong" from the upcoming album, The Slideshow Effect, was released on Memoryhouse's website last December. I was really looking forward to hearing it but sadly I got disappointed. I was completely underwhelmed by it. It's an okay song but that's about it. What ever happened to the dreaminess and lightness of their debut EP? "The Kids Were Wrong" is an upbeat pop song but unfortunately not a very good one. It's not original in any way and Denise's voice sounds stuffy, even annoying at times.

I hope that the whole album won't be a miss. You can listen to "The Kids Were Wrong" below.

Monday

Please...

Silence is golden

  

 Sometimes I think I should just keep my mouth shut. 

New music from Windy & Carl and Grizzly Daniel Rossen

Just before Christmas, Windy & Carl shared a new track called "Remember" from their upcoming album We Will Always Be which will be released February 13. Windy posted a heartfelt message about the new album via Brainwashed and being the romantic that I am, I found myself a bit teary-eyed after reading it. You can listen to the soothing and ethereal track below.



Grizzly Bear/Department of Eagles member Daniel Rossen has released a new song as well, called "Saint Nothing". His five-track solo EP Silent Hour/Golden Mile will be out March 20. I wasn't too excited about the new track but I'm still going to check out the EP after its release. Who knows, maybe it'll grow on me later on. Take a listen below.

New acquaintance - Carter Tanton

I know Carter Tanton from his guitar work in Lower Dens but I had no idea he had released a solo album. I haven't had the chance to listen to the whole album yet but I'm going to after listening to "Murderous Joy". Pitchfork wasn't too excited about his debut album, Freeclouds but I think this track shows potential. So if you like the folky stuff, take a listen below.

My Week With Marilyn

I went to the movies with two of my friends a week ago to see 'The Help' but we soon found out that the showing was already sold out. So we decided to go and see 'My Week with Marilyn' instead. I wasn't too disappointed with the change of plans because I actually wanted to see MWWM more than 'The Help'.

The film is set in London, England where sir Laurence Olivier (the great Kenneth Branagh) is filming his new movie 'The Prince and the Showgirl'. It is 1956 and Marilyn Monroe (flawless Michelle Williams) is at the peak of her career. Olivier casts her for the leading role as Elsie and since he has the male lead in the film he is hoping to gain success as an actor in Hollywood with the help of Marilyn. Marilyn on the other hand is hoping to get credibility and appreciation as an actress by acting side by side with Olivier who is noted for his acting skills on stage.

Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) is dressed for success.

Before the filming begins we meet young Colin Clark (cute Eddie Redmayne) who wants to become a film director. With the help of Vivien Leigh (pretty, although expressionless Julia Ormond), Olivier's wife, Coling gets a job as a third assistant director (a.k.a. an errand boy) in the film. One of Colin's main tasks is to get everything ready before Marilyn's arrival but yet he manages to have a dalliance with one of the girls in costumes, Lucy (sweet but indifferent Emma Watson).

Colin (Eddie Redmayne) is determined to become a director and isn't afraid to show it.

When Marilyn arrives with her husband, Arthur Miller (tepid Dougray Scott), everything changes. It soon becomes clear to Olivier that the rumours about Marilyn's inability to follow schedules and unbalanced behaviour are true. So he tells Colin to keep an eye on her. After a fall out between Marilyn and Miller, Miller decides to go and see his children back in the States. This upsets Marilyn who confides in Colin after Miller's depart. Colin becomes infatuated with her charms and Marilyn picks him as her confidant. This sets off a chain of events that allow Colin to see what it's like to be Marilyn Monroe instead of being just Norma Jeane.

Marilyn (Michelle Williams) doing what she does best - being Marilyn.

My Week With Marilyn is based on a true story (Colin Clark wrote two books about his time with Marilyn). It is mainly a vivid portrayal of the iconic Marilyn - the ever so flirtatious bombshell when seen in public, who turned into an insecure little girl lost off camera. We get to see Marilyn at her best - the sweet and lively beauty who could charm any man (or woman) within her radar and also at her worst - the woozy and unstable diva throwing childish tantrums. The other theme of the film is concentrated on the relationship between Marilyn and Colin, as well as Colin's growing pains during the filming of 'The Prince and the Showgirl'.

"I'd take care of you, if you'd ask me to."

I have to congratulate the filmmakers about the casting, which is remarkable. Kenneth Branagh as sir Laurence Olivier is brilliant - he dignifies the role of Olivier who considers 'The Prince and the Showgirl' to be his last chance to wow Hollywood. Eddie Redmayne as Colin looks baffeld almost throughout the film but it suits his character very well. (And since I'm a girl I might as well add that he's quite cute as well.) Dame Judi Dench also gives a notable performance as Dame Sybil Thorndike. The only performance (in a key role) I wasn't too fond of was Julia Ormond's portrayal of Vivien Leigh. I found her acting bland and I can't figure out why she was so made-up for the role? To me Vivien Leigh was one of the most beautiful women to have ever graced this earth and I doubt she was that wrinkled at the age of 43. Having read about Leigh's and Olivier's romance and all the struggles they had, I would've hoped to see a more vibrant actress in Leigh's role. But one performance outshines them all - Michelle Williams' performance as Marilyn. She truly captures the essence of Marilyn's character. She has been able to adopt the mannerism of Marilyn without making it look corny, but also gives a solid performance as the fragile and vulnerable Norma Jeane.

Dame Judi Dench gives a graceful performance as Dame Sybil Thorndike

I was also impressed with the settings - I was instantly sucked into the world of the mid-1950's with its cars, fashion and film studios. I liked the fact that it was set in the London instead of Hollywood. And I was pleased to see that they had copied perfectly the costumes of the original 'The Prince and the Showgirl'. There weren't any surprising twists and turns in the plot but I didn't expect there to be any either. It is merely a story about one of the most admired women of our lifetime, Marilyn. So if you want action or surprising plot twists, this isn't the film for you. But if you want to lose yourself in the Golden Age of Hollywood Stardom and witness great performances, I suggest you go and see this film.

The original 'The Prince and the Showgirl'

Best songs of 2011 on Spotify

I made a playlist of my favourite songs from last year. You can listen to it by clicking the link below (you'll need a Spotify account though). Enjoy!

Best of 2011

New Bear in Heaven!

Bear in Heaven have just released a new song from their upcoming album, I Love You, It's Cool. "The Reflection of You" is the first track from the band's third album, out April 3. It sounds really good and shows great promise for the new album. Take a listen below.

Bear In Heaven - The Reflection of You by Bear in Heaven

WANT.

I have a dream. And that dream is this skirt by Acne:

It's perfect, like a pale blue ethereal cloud. Too bad it's not Christmas anymore. And too bad that skirt costs 340 €. Sigh.

At the Drive-In comeback!

Comeback of the year (I know it's only January but I never expected this to happen). Apparently anything is possible.

http://atdimusic.com/

A must-see: The Artist

I went to the movies yesterday to see My Week With Marilyn (I'll write a review later) and saw a trailer of The Artist before the film started. And it looked amazing - beautiful cast, 20's fashion, love, bliss, fame and... tragedy. The trailer portrayed it as an old film noir movie and I read afterwards that it's not only a B/W movie but also a silent film. That made it even more interesting to me, I can't wait to see it. Watch the trailer below.

Song of the day

Ariel Pink dressed in sequins and singing about Kate Bush - how could I resist?

Tuesday is the new Monday

There are days when you wish you could just run and hide under the bed to wait for the next day. Today was one of those days. 

Even so, I've decided to give my blog (and myself) another chance. So, hi again.