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Favorite
Things ~
AlBums Zoar
~ Clouds Without Water. The crowning achievement of this
group’s young career. On their third album, Zoar is joined by
such guests as Matt Johnson (The The), Brendan Perry (Dead Can Dance)
and the Masai People of Lake Natron, Tanzania. Weighty issues are
tackled here: the unobtainability of happiness through material
pursuit, the horror of human disconnect, the finite nature of
humanity. Because of the sheer variety of styles represented here,
the album demands the listener’s attention, refusing to be
played as background music. Reminiscent at times of Nicole Blackman,
Elijah’s Mantle, and the Heavenly Voices compilations. Truly
alternative music for alternative listeners. E
Nomine ~ Die Prophezeiung ~ Klassik Edition. Teutonic,
dramatic, majestic and magnificent. Imagine a collaboration between
Enigma, Brainbug, Goethes Erben and the cast of Carmina Burana and
you’re almost there. The Klassik edition, including the German
Pop Orchestra, is the one to get; the disk is also available in Pop,
DVD and Remastered Editions. German vocals, both male and female,
are accented by bursts of Latin choirs. Lyrics are inspired by
movies and mythology, and address the grand themes of life and death,
sin and salvation, judgment and Armageddon. Absolutely stunning.
Postal
Service ~ Give Up. A side project conceived by members of Death
Cab for Cutie and Dntel, greater than the sum of its parts. Despite
the melancholy lyrics, a sunny disposition runs throughout the album,
Thank the upbeat, eighties-style delivery, welded to a bed of light
electronica. No other album could brighten one’s mood with
such cleverness. Rachel’s
~ Systems/Layers. Originally conceived as a theatre piece, this
album incorporates “love letters” from the band’s
fans in the form of some mighty strange samples, which have been
artfully integrated in the mix. Spoken words drift in and out of the
haze of piano and stringed instruments. The album fits under the
category of “modern classical,” yet is also recommended
for fans of improvised jazz. A calm, confident, mature release. Magnet
~ On Your Side. A thoroughly British sensibility permeates this
disk; wry lyrics are wedded to tender backbeats, gentle piano,
swirling guitar and soaring strings. On a couple occasions an
electronic influence works its way toward the fore. Somewhat similar
to the softer, more accessible side of Radiohead, yet superior to
their recent output. Various
Artists ~ Solid Steel Presents the Herbaliser. Hands down, the
mixtape of the year. A smooth blend of hip-hop, funk, soul and
spoken samples, with a decidedly anti-war bent. As good as Coldcut’s
“Journeys by DJ” and DJ Shadow’s “Brainfreeze,”
and more consistent than the Herbaliser’s original material.
The best driving music in recent memory. Lamb
~ Between Darkness and Wonder. While Lamb’s previous
albums have been known for their standout tracks, this fourth release
works best as a whole. The edge is still there, but the
accessibility factor has been raised. Thank the exposure on “Six
Feet Under!” Calexico
~ Feast of Wire. Mariachi music, tailor-made for border
crossings. Americana and chill meet in the land of desperados, then
kick back their boots for a long summer siesta. Murder
by Death ~ Who Will Survive, And What Will Be Left Of Them? The
devil has come to town, and the saloon is full; nobody cares to stand
against him. A concept album worth its execution, kind of like Tom
Waits joining Godspeed! You Black Emperor.
Worm
Is Green ~ Automagic. The latest export from the land of Bjork
and Mum. Broken beats, plaintive vocals and a narcotic-influenced
cover of “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” Songs Evanescence,
“Missing.” Please, please forgive me, but I won’t
be home again. The
Innocence Mission, “Look For Me As You Go By.” Don’t
see me only as I am, but see me how I long to be. Sarah
McLachlan, “Answer.” Cast me gently into morning,
for the night has been unkind. Lamb,
“Till the Clouds Clear.” What you gonna do when
the storm takes over? Android
Lust, “Unbeliever.” I feel afraid yet hopeful,
and I don’t care – I want to believe it’s possible.
Movies LOTR:
The Return of the King. An elegant ending to an ambitious
trilogy. Lost
in Translation. Bill Murray’s world-weary masterpiece –
ennui on parade. The
Eye. Stylish Japanese “Sixth Sense” – style
thriller, US remake coming. Northfork.
Original, elusive Lynchian parable. Deliberate, precise,
gorgeous. Whale
Rider. New Zealand folk tale with universal appeal. No hobbits
tho. Thirteen.
Written by a teenager, for teenagers, who couldn’t see it
– “R.” Winged
Migration. A labor of love with remarkable results –
documentary. Big
Fish. Tim Burton’s cotton candy fable. Overly sentimental
but appealing. The
Station Agent. A painter, a hot dog vendor and a dwarf become
friends. Bend
It Like Beckham. Culture-clash comedy wins with innocence &
energy. Books Marjane
Satrapi, Persepolis. The story of a young woman growing
up in Tehran during the Islamic revolution, presented in graphic
novel format. Perhaps the best example of this medium since Maus. Mark
Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. When
an autistic lad discovers someone has stuck a fork in the next-door
neighbor’s dog, he feels inclined to investigate. He knows
what
means, but don't give him a :/. A charming tale, smartly told. Craig
Thompson, Blankets. A 582-page original graphic
novel. That’s right. And it’s damn good too. Boy meets
girl, boy loses girl, boy draws comic. Also recommended: Bryan Lee
O’Malley’s Lost at Sea. Adam
Nicholson, God’s Secretaries. Beautifully written
historical narrative about the origins of the King James Bible. Yann
Arthus-Bertrand, Earth From Above: 366 Days. Incredible
photos, paired with eye-opening mini-essays on the state of the
world. Happy
New Year from Rich Allen (RevRichA@aol.com)!
The Full PoOP 2003
Our Fearless Leader's Annual Analysis 2003
THE CONTRIBUTORS
Richard Allen
´01 ´02 ´03
Ken Beck
´01 ´02 ´03
Kent Benziger
´01 ´02 ´03
Paul Cangelosi
´01 ´02 ´03
Brennan Cavanaugh
´02 ´03
Duncan Clark
´01 ´02 ´03
Damian Cleary*
´01 ´02 ´03
Kevin Ferris
´01 ´02 ´03
Jim Finnigan
´01 ´02 ´03
Eric Fine
´01 ´02 ´03
Bob Fino
´01
RoseAnn Fino
´01
Michael Fix
´01
John Greak
´01 ´02 ´03
J.T. Habersaat
´01
Bruce Handschuh
´01
Kathena M. Hasbrouck
´01
Kevin Hodgkiss*
´01 ´02  ´03
Michael Hodgkiss
´02 ´03
Andy Jacknick
´02 ´03
Rick Lange*
´01 ´02 ´03
John Lefsky
´01 ´02 ´03
Susan Lyne
´02 ´03
Andrew Martin
´01 ´01
Rich McBride
´01
Jim Meyers
´01
Mike Miller
´01 ´02 ´03
Matt Nerney
´01 ´02 ´03
Irv Rosen
´01 ´02 ´03
Kerri Rosen
´02
Mark Rosen
´01 ´02 ´03
Raissa St. Pierre
´01 ´02 ´03
Jeff Schwartz
´01 ´02 ´03
Praveen Sharma
´01
Dave Squillante
´01
John Stewart
´01 ´02 ´03
Bill Still*
´01
Dan Wilmer
´02 ´03
Mark Zip
´01 ´02 ´03
* = pictures (larger files)
Parnassus Records
(our hosts)
Rhino
(for no real reason)
Zip's Ziggurat
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