Same as It Ever Was…Only Better
Jul 30, 2009 Musings
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I saw Stop Making Sense again last night . Hadn’t seen it since it came out—holy crap, 25 years ago! It was part of an ‘80s film revival series that’s playing throughout the summer at a local amphitheatre. A riveting document of the Talking Heads’ 1983-84 Speaking In Tongues tour, it holds up a quarter-of-a-century later as possibly the best concert film ever. Oh, screw “possibly.” It’s the best. (And yes, I’ve seen The Last Waltz, The Kids Are Alright, Woodstock, Rust Never Sleeps, etc.)
Over-Killers
Jun 18, 2009 Musings
Remember “Mr. Brightside?” Brandon Flowers sure doesn’t. Apparently, Flowers and his band, the Killers, have abandoned the concise, ’80s-flavored formula that brought them fame a few years back in a bid to become the next Springsteen. Or perhaps Meat Loaf. Their single “A Dustland Fairytale” and especially its just-released video take the epic narrative shtick to eye-rolling extremes. The vid has it all: sin and redemption, love lost and regained, a rumble straight out of The Outsiders, old cars, dust, and lots of meaningful smoking. The lyrics spin images of “castles in the sky [sitting] stranded, vandalized” and of an unforgiving land where “dreams all hide” and “good girls die.” Sheesh! Give us “she’s touching his chest now/he takes off her dress now” any day.
Shocking twist ending: Despite everything, the song ain’t bad. Kind of cool, really. In a Meat Loaf sort of way.
