the power of e...

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there's not a whole heck of a lot i know about Phoenix, AZ's Emperors Of Japan, other than that their high-volume, space rock a la The Pixies, Aloha, or a more laid back Seam, is good. damn good. it doesn't hurt that there's something in the vocalist's style that reminds me of Solea-era Garrett Klahn (also x-Texas Is The Reason).

and they must be big fans of Christmas, cos they offer both of their albums, "Your Freak Majesty (2006)" & "Activator (2008)", for free download on their website.

go get yourself some.

EmperorsOfJapan.COM
MySpace

"The Perfectionist"
"Good Night, Good Night"
"Cadillactation"


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"The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)"



IMDb

"Pale Rider (1985)"



IMDb

through three decades no one made a western like Clint Eastwood. there have been a couple stabs at it over the last few years, but i doubt it'll ever come close to the beauty, style, and depth of these.

newsish:



election season is mostly over.

although, i'm sure we'll all be happy to be free of the constant barrage of thoroughly nasty politicking, i myself will remember the contest of 2008 fondly.

after nearly a decade of folks devouring entirely too much of what was being shoved down their hungry little throats in the form of political misinformation and corporate propaganda, people finally saw through it all enough to stand up and scream for change. anyone who still refuses to see or to admit the disparity between the candidates when it came to message vs. mockery, hope vs. zealotry, and a true call for change vs. the same old bait and switch... anyone who still can't see the difference may be beyond hope and help.

but fear not, this revolution is still for you as well, whether you believe in it or not.

bread & circus...

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i'm honestly embarrassed by how long it took me to give Asheville, NC's Archers Of Loaf a good listen. in fact, by the time i got my act together, their act had just broken up.

i know, dumb.

anywho, these quirky alt/indie rockers left behind four proper LPs "Icky Mettle (1994)", "Vee Vee (1995)", "All the Nations Airports (1996)", & "White Trash Heroes (1998)", an amazing EP "Vs. The Greatest Of All Time (1994)", two live discs "Vitus Tinnitus (1997)" & "Seconds Before The Accident (2000)", and a rarities roundup LP "The Speed Of Cattle (1996)" to remember them by.

go buy them all now. do it. now.

Alias Records Site
MySpace
WebInFront.com(Fan Archive Site)

"Death In The Park"
"Lowest Part Is Free!"
"Harnessed In Slums"

visual:

"Carnivale (HBO 2003-05)"



i'm not aware that there's ever been a show like HBO's "Carnivale", and there may not be another like it again. it proved too dark and slow for most viewers, and was therefore canceled, and left unresolved for the most part, after two seasons.

if you like your tv to always follow the rules and to lay everything out for you real quick so you don't have to pay attention much or decipher anything, this show's not for you either. but if you don't mind something deep and resonant, that perhaps takes it's time in the fashion of an old western, then definitely check this out.

IMDb

newsish:



happy 80th birthday to the amazing Clu Gulager!!! whether it's an old western or a ball-busting horror flick ("Return Of The Living Dead", "Feast (I & II)"), Clu is as cool as they come.