I love the Press!!!

Sorry, just have to pimp myself for a second, and thank Regina and the PI!

Every Empire Falls

What do these two images have in common?



EMPIRE



You may not recognize either one, but the top image is from the early 90s powerhouse rock band, Queensryche who's hit album, entitled Empire, dominated the modern rock charts for months. You remember, Silent Lucidity..."hush now don't you cry, wipe away the tear drops from your eye......" I could sing you the song, but I don’t have an audio blog...yet.

The other image is from a video installation called Funk Staden, which is part of the recent show at the Frye Art Museum also entitled Empire.

The reason that it is called "Empire" is the Frye is also showing Napoleon on the Nile, which is a very interesting historical show about Napoleon's failed attempt at invading Egypt with emphasis on the cataloging of Egyptian culture that happened along the way. An immense amount of knowledge was gathered and put into a volume called "Le Descripton de L'Egypt" or something like that. The images created by artists on that journey spawned a huge Orientalism movement in France and Western Europe. Any who...I'm getting off track.

That show, Napoleon on the Nile, though, is essential the reason that if you travel to the back of the museum you will encounter another "Empire". Empire is a collection of 5 different video installations. They have about as little to do with each other as they do with Queensryche’s Empire.

The show overlaps itself. Sound conflicts with other sound, Installations are not given enough time to breath. With the exception of 2 pieces, there is little that makes one think of Empires, whether it be Napoleon's or Queensryche’s. One of those is an oddly enjoyable real-time video recording of a wasp nest. 90 days worth. The other is the one pictured above, Funk Staden, which does deal with interesting ideas, although it turns them into flash and entertainment, with heavy-handed symbolism. Looks like the kind of video art that was really fun and interesting for the artists to make, but when the viewer experiences the work, they have a completely different experience.

Which, granted, the artists admitted to enjoying when I saw their lecture. They mentioned the "ripple effect". As an artist you do something, make or create something...then there is the ripple of the different ways it goes out into the world.

That's a lazy and convenient way to avoid having to answer whether-or-not your work has an intended viewer response. And if so, if it was successful in achieving that response. That is does the work do what you want it to do?
One thing Funk Staden does do is entertains. It is a massive, excellent installation.

Any who, this is a long, rambling "review" of the show Empire and I do apologize. I hope you can get some interesting info in here.

There are 2 pieces i the show that are not remotely art works. They are simply short documentaries and should be treated as such. Both are fascinating and should you come to the Frye before Jan 4th, make sure and check those out. A good critic would give you the titles and info here, but I suck so you will have to visit the website yourself.

Empire 2.5 Molos (lousy show with some interesting works in it)
Napoleon on the Nile 3.5 Molos
Queensryche’s Empire 4.5 Molos if I could travel back to 1990 and read my 13 year-old-mind. 1.5 if forced to listen to it today.

The Frat Boys never rest

Do not be deceived by the juvenile album cover art picture above, go out and buy this album by Restiform Bodies called TV Loves You Back. It's remarkable. Especially if you like weirdo experimental hip hop. I saw RB play several weeks ago when they opened up for that band Why at the Vera Project and I wasn't blown away at the time. However, I think that had more to do with the distraction of this random group of like 7 ex-frat boy-looking douche bags who were ridiculously dancing and virtually ignoring the music. Seemed like one of them had scored some E or something, I don't know. I mean this was the Vera Project. Not a drop of alcohol in the place. Just a bunch of enthusiastic kids there to see Why and these goons kind of ruining it for everyone. It was rather odd. I realise this has nothing to do with band's music which I'm supposed to be reviewing at this moment. Sorry about that.

It was just the thing I really took away from that show. That and the lead's spasmodic dancing. In any case, I finally picked up a copy of their album and it's a multi-layered treat! Definitely not for the casual hip hop fan, but give a shot and you will not be disappointed. Great music to drive to. 4 Molos

Molo's blog has been neglected, once again. Why do you ask? Well, for several reasons: a show at 108 Occidental Gallery, a show at SOIL gallery, writing a professional column (believe it or not!) for CityArts Seattle-watch for it in their December issue, working on a cover for Louis Liard magazine, taking over as manager of the security department, and getting ready for my big show at Vermillion, The San Juans. Which opens next thursday, October 30th, and will be up all of November!

So sorry to all of you for slacking in all my reviews, thoughts, and various what-nots that you read hear. I love you all very much and thank you for your continued readership.


Hey, I just noticed that I reviewed the Walkmen's album, twice, on this blog....WHOOPS!!

Let me just updated my Top Ten Albums of the year list here:

1. The Walkman You and Me
2. The Cool Kids The Bake Sale
3. Cold War Kids Loyalty to Loyalty
4. Tapes N' Tapes Walk It Off
5. Grand Archives Grand Archives
6. Neon Neon Stainless Style
7. Siger Ros Meo Suo I Eyrum Vio Spilum
8. Astronautalis Pomegranate
9. Vamprie Weekend Vampire Weekend
10. Local H 12 Angry Months

Loosen up those pants

I'm insanely way behind on all my reviews of film, music, arts and what-have-you. Frankly I have not been paying much attention to the blogging world, and probably I've lost all of my readers because of it. But that's okay, I'll just email the two of you and let you know that I'm back!

No time for chit-chat though, let's just get into the reviews-

Pictured above are Kings of Leon, who have released an album entitled Only by the Night. It's quite awful. Really bad. Laughably bad. I mean I literally laughed as I was listening to it.
I believe the moment came when one of the songs started with the line "oooooohhhhh, she's only seventeeeeeeeen!". Seriously. The first track, okay, kind of along the lines of their last album...stuff that I enjoyed, very mainstream indie rock but pretty and reasonable...the 2nd song, not terrible....I think it was the 3rd song, that suddenly the album started sounding like an 80 pop-rock covers album. Maybe a bit Cheap Trick, except not good Cheap Trick, like really bad Cheap Trick. Like if Cheap Trick were covering Britney Spears, or more like if Britney Spears were writing Cheap Tricks songs, then got the guy from the Black Crows to sing it by telling him "thing Hootie and the Blowfish". (no disrespect to the Black Crows).

I thought, maybe, for a minute, they were being ironic. Hipster ironic. But there's no way. It's too serious-they are being serious. I really used to enjoy this band too-they've made some great music before. Oh well. Probably, it's the pants. 1.5 Molos

Another recent titian of the indie music scene, The Walkmen, came out with an new record You and Me that is far more successful. It's quite good, actually. A bit mellow, and not much in the way of groundbreaking, but a really great record. One of the best of the year and one that I'll enjoy listening to for years to come. 4 Molos

You have probably heard mixed reviews for the latest Coen Brother's film, Burn After Reading, and I suggest not paying any attention to them and just seeing this movie. It's so fully of amusing, wonderful, creepy, silly performances that you can't help but be entertained. I think it's a movie that benefits knowing very little about it going in... so stop reading this now if you are going to go see it....

...but if you are still on the fence, or figure what the hell, i'm going to rent it any how, I just have a few things to ad. The movie has such a strange feel to it...in parts I thought the Coen's were spoofing thier own, previous work, in other parts, just parodying spy/spook CIA intrigue films...it's an uneven and odd treatment. Lots of people have been baffled a bit, feel like the Coen missed the mark. But I think they were so damn great at getting these silly performances out of Clooney, Malkovich, Pitt, and others (Francis McDormick was a bit off) that the film is wonderful just for that.....and now for an even further plot spoiler....

....and the use of the ax to kill someone, comic-violently, just as they did in Fargo, what was that about? Were they just referencing themselves? Do you think they might try to kill someone with an ax in all their coming films? Frankly, that would be awesome. Any who I enjoyed the film. 4 Molos

RIP Mr. Newman. I saw Paul Newman at the Frye about 3 years ago and for a while I didn't believe it was him. How could this tiny, shriveled, humble old man possibly be Butch Cassidy, Cool Hand Luke, and The Hustler? But it was, sure enough. I can't say there has ever been a more likable screen personality who has sustained such a great, long career, not to mention every account of Mr Newman's life has been glowing with gratitude and admiration for his charitable and general good-natured deeds.

Wonderful man, wonderful actor. Great humanitarian.

And a great actor-here's my personal favorite Paul Newman roles:

1. The Color of Money- his reprisal of his character from the Hustler was just supremely entertaining, I really enjoy this a great deal.

2. Nobody's Fool - Paul really nailed the old curmudgeon softens up a bit role. And he punches Phillip Seymour Hoffman in the face.

3. Cool Hand Luke - 50 eggs!

4. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

5. The Verdict

Oh, and let us not forget Slap Shot!

There is NOTHING in southern Idaho

Last published on August 4th?!!!!!

Oops! I'm so sorry dear reader(s), I really didn't mean to get so far behind in my reviews, thoughts, and rants. Really I didn't. But then I went on vacation, got promoted, and started a massive push to get a shit-ton of work done (I'm sticking with the hyphen for shit-ton) for 2 big shows I have this fall.

So sadly I've neglected my blog like the ugly stepchild it is.


However, tonight I drank beer and did not do anything productive yet, and find myself with a few minutes to tell ya'll about a couple recent bits of culture I have encountered.

Let's start with Film-

Batman has eclipsed the $500 million barrier domestic, in only it's 8th week....that's a lot of clams. I still want to try to see the flick at IMAX, but the aforementioned issues are in the way....

however, some other fun, silly flicks did come out this summer, and I missed most of them except for Tropic Thunder which I caught while on vacation downtown Jackson Wyoming. I was pleasantly surprised by this silly, smart and sprawling film. A bit too much on the self-knowing side but still a good romp. And yes, there is the whole very walk-the-line story of the pretentious actor within the movie, who has skin altering surgery to play a black guy (the actor himself is Australian) but Robert Downey Jr pulls it off quite well and hell it was funny. The best part, perhaps, was the fake previews in the beginning....but also, there is one character, which I dont want to talk about, that was just perfect...and i was very surprised by the actor who pulled it off...very well done. 3.5 Molos

I am a guy, and guys, well, around my age, and younger, like watching Jason Stathom kick ass. We are sort of helpless against it. It must have something to do with growing up in the Arnold, Stallone, Steven Segal and Jean-Claude Van Damn era. Since the demise of those folks, no single actor has been able to dominate the same way they did. Sure Vin Diesel is trying, but he really hurt his street cred with those dramas and family films he's sneaking in....doesn't he know that you cant do that crap till you are a good 12 or so action films into your career? In any case, we have Jason Stathom, the underdog action star. B-action hero from the get-go, star of Crank (which features the most amazingly audacious sex scene i've ever seen in a non-porn flick) and the new film Deathrace. Really, what can I say? If you are into this movie you will have already gone to see it. And if you aren't then you wont see it. I was very entertained, but I never want to watch it again. 3 Molos


In Music:

The new Walkman album, You & Me, is very very good, maybe best record I've heard this year. It's a little less rock then their brilliant album Bows and Arrows, but still quite delicious. Smarter, more sneaky, and a little dirty feeling still. I enjoy it a great deal. 4 Molos

Okay, I have to get this published and get offline here...


but one more review-
the GZA, aka Genius, aka Bobby Digital (right? - sometimes i get my Wu confused). Has a new one out, Pro Tools, and it's very good. Pretty much it feels like an updated version of his seminal work, Legend of the Liquid Swords, even going so far to use some of the same music...but it has a freshness and good, strong lyrical content that pulls it off. Very strong if not innovative work. Quite enjoyable and will satisify all you Wu Tang fans out there who read my blog, cause I know there are a lot of you! 3.5 Molos

Cool kids like cool kids who listen to The Cool Kids

Probably as you look at this image, you are wondering if you accidentally found a secret time-warp blog that sent you back to 1988, when rap was all about gold chains and White Sox hats with the tag left on them. But nope, it's Chicago's own throwback rap act, The Cool Kids, who have released one of the best records of the year, the very short and delightful The Bake Sale. Cool Kids were described to me as "Hipster Rap" and I'm sure they will be a huge hit with white kids across the nation...but hell, whatuva. If Saul Williams can make a record with Trent Reznor, (somehow creating the ultimate in highly complicated anger music management) then maybe there really isn't any color left in music, right?

Yeah right.

Well The Cool Kids dont care about all that. All they care about is thier bikes, their gold, parties, and great, simple beats. I love it. The album rings in at about 30 minutes-it's really more of a long EP-and that's just about perfect for this sound. It's throwback but fresh too. If all the hipsters start rolling around Capitol Hill, blasting The Cool Kids from their Vespas, well, then fuck it-let's just all have a good time. 4 Molos


Speaking of having a good time, do you think that Trent and Saul had a good time making their concept-NIN meets David Bowie meets the Black Panthers? You bet they did. The result of this pairing, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust, is quite something. It's good, I think. Good in that way that I'm not sure I could listen to it very often. But that's Saul Williams for you. The album is supposed to have a really hard edge I suppose, but it all comes off as a touch silly, actually. Maybe I just have a hard time buying those NIN-rage-filled mechanical guitar screeches as actual danger these days. I suppose I should go and listen to "Wish" again. See if it still affects me. Any who, I can't really recommend or not recommend this album. I do think it's worth a listen-if you are into this sort of thing. 3 Molos

I heard many good things about the new Nas album...I should not have listened I guess. There are good moments on the record-like when Nas goes off on FoxNews and in general when Nas is just ripping away, I am fully into all that. However, the album is filled with standard, formulaic hip-hop choras vocals, and uninspired song crafting, plus too many corny flourish elements. The kind of stuff that always pops up on big rap albums that studios put a bunch of time into. If I could reproduce this album, taking out all of the female vocals, all the pretty stuff and just have Nas and some beats-now that would be a great comeback album. Someone teach me one of those programs so I can do that! 2.5 Molos Oh, and the albums is untitled because he wanted to call it Ni**er and there was some sort of label dispute regarding that.



In Film:

Nothing new to report. Except that Batman has made 400 Million already. In 3 weeks. Watch out, Titanic! All that despite my rant about the poster being some kind of weird 9/11 exploitation marketing tool in my previous blog. I guess molo's sketchbook doesn't have the power I image it to have....yet. Muhahahah.




Best albums of the year, so far, that I have heard:

(by the way, it's been very hard to rank albums this year...seems like nothing has really stood out for me-lots of good albums but nothing has blown me away...yet...although, probably i just haven't come across the good stuff yet)


1 The Cool Kids The Bake Sale
2 Tapes N' Tapes Walk It Off
3 Grand Archives Grand Archives
4 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Dig Lazarus Dig
5 Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend
6 M83 Saturday = Youth
7 Neon Neon Stainless Style
8 Sigur Ros Meo Suo I Eyrum Vio Spilum Endalaust
9 Sun Kil Moon April
10 Stephen Malkimus and the Jicks Real Emotional Trash
11 Devotchka A Mad and Faithful Telling
12 Portishead third
13 Vetiver Things of the past
14 Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
15 Silver Jews Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
16 Giant Panda Electric LazerPortishead third
17 MGMT Electric Feel
18 The Roots Rising Down
19 Saul Williams The Enivitable rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust

$155 Million over the weekend.

This movie is already quite the success, and rightly so. It's really quite good. Well directed, far better than the first Christopher Nolan Batman. Interestingly character driven - as Batman should be. It refuses to fall into the cartoon-like realm of past superhero films. If any think, it's a little too sure of all the character's complex emotions and various developments and points them out with various dialog a bit too much...but that's jut nit picking a film that given the Hollywood parameters could not have been better. 4 Molos

One interesting point I'd like to bring up, though, is this poster above. I recall seeing this poster, or this image on Myspace, and thinking-that looks really cool, and also, man I can't believe they had the balls to use a image that is so reminiscent of 9/11. Yeah I know, I know, I'm the last person to every get pissed about such a thing, or really care at all. So I'm more just curious as to what the thinking was, there. Obviously any skyscraper/building getting blown up, especially by terrorist (such as the joker in this case) will remind us of past events-and I certainly don't think we should shy away from it. However-what I'm really wondering, is the marketing here...because that image from poster-with a gaping hole in the building, burning, was not in the film at all...not unusual for a movie poster to do such a thing-have a poster that doesn't use an actual film image. However, it's lack of being in the film (the image) makes it an even more conspicuous choice.

Did the Batman marketing team want to intentionally touch an emotional response in people with that image? Did they specifically think-this image is great for us, people will not only really pay attention to it because it reminds them of 9/11 but they will also think that the new Batman will somehow have the emotional weight of those events, and maybe even be about such a similar thing.

Which it was about- terrorism-totally anarchistic terrorism, but as pointed out several times in the picture, terrorism.

Well, food for thought any way.

PS I can't believe that I have actually ended up writing a post about 9/11 on my blog-that's the last thing I expected to ever do!



Best films of 2008 that I have seen:

1. Batman The Dark Knight
2. Speed Racer
3. Cloverfield
4. Ironman
5. The Bank Job
6. Be Kind, Rewind
7. Hell Boy 2
8. Indiana Jones 4
9. The Hulk
99. 10,000 BC

The current rankings (such as they are worth)

Best releases in music, this year (that I've come across):

1 Grand Archives Grand Archives
2 Tapes N' Tapes Walk It Off
3 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Dig Lazarus Dig
4 Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend
5 Sigur Ros Meo Suo I Eyrum Vio Spilum Endalaust
6 Sun Kil Moon April
7 M83 Saturday = Youth
8 Stephen Malkimus and the Jicks Real Emotional Trash
9 Devotchka A Mad and Faithful Telling
10 Vetiver Things of the past
11 Neon Neon Stainless Style
12 Silver Jews Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
13 Giant Panda Electric LazerPortishead third
14 Portishead third
15 MGMT Electric Feel
16 The Roots Rising Down