Knowledge is power

Someone I know just posted this in a MySpace bulletin:

Subject: an inconvenient truth
Body: check this movie out, necessary stuff

Knowledge is power, arm yourself!

Apparently people still see "An Inconvenient Truth" as the only source of information about climate change. Nothing wrong with checking that movie out, it does give an insight into certain things.

The addition "Knowledge is power, arm yourself!" however suggests, that this movie gives you the knowledge you need. If knowledge is power, knowing that one source will not hold the whole truth would be a crucial starting point. At least have the decency to point out its flaws and list alternative sources of information.

Arm yourself!

The Simpsons Movie Trailer

There are a few trailers out there, here's 2:

Fucking siked!

Sly and the Family Stone

Everybody is waiting in anticipation whether Sly and the Family Stone will show up at North Sea Jazz tomorrow. Here's why:

Onvoltooid Verleden Tijd: Sly & The Family Stone (in Dutch)

Official site

Sly & the Family Stone Wikipedia

Grammys 2006 (he shows up around 5:30)

The Green Bubble bursting?

Een paar dagen geleden werd de documentaire "The great Global Warming Swindle" uitgezonden. Een documentaire die ingaat tegen de huidige klimaatideeen van global warming door CO2 uitstoot. Wetenschappelijk is er genoeg aan te dragen tegen de stellingen die in "An Inconvenient Truth" naar voren worden gebracht. Die film van Al Gore (waarschijnlijk als muppet van een of andere instantie, IPCC ofzo - ik heb moeite die man zijn eigen bedoelingen te geloven) is de leidraad van ieders bewustzijn. Met als gevolg allerlei bedrijven en wetgeving die precies vertellen hoe je je geweten moet sussen.

Tijd voor een tegengeluid dus. Maar om de publieke opinie te keren, zul je met een sterk verhaal moeten komen. En dat laatste ontbreekt het de Swindle schromelijk aan. Had Al Gore al een verhaal van samengeraapte feitjes, al dan niet gemanipuleerd, hier is het een en al manipulatie en hak-op-de-tak werk. Ze hebben een lijstje met kritiekpunten op "An Inconvenient Truth" gemaakt en één voor één afgewerkt in de documentaire. Om hun verhaal sterk te maken worden grafieken verschoven (goed gekeken naar Al Gore?) en worden theorieen over Thatchers global-warming-leugen tot wetenschap gebombardeerd. Nee, overtuigend is het allerminst. In een paar alinea's vertelt NRC het verhaal vele malen beter: ..maar_zijn_feiten_zijn_selectief.

Wat het hopelijk wel doet, is het taboe van kritiek op de milieu-lobby doorbreken. Het bewustzijn dat gecreëerd wordt, is natuurlijk totaal niet verkeerd. Wij hèbben invloed op de wereld om ons heen. Maar de hypocrisie waarmee het gepaard gaat... Je hoeft niet minder te vliegen, maar je moet het com-pen-se-ren. Niemand kijkt verder dan zijn neus lang is, de acties die men neemt zijn puur om het eigen geweten te sussen en soms de portemonnee gevuld te houden. Materialistisch kan je er natuurlijk niet op achteruit gaan. Je moet wel een steeds grotere auto kunnen rijden, dus moet er maar een energie-zuinige variant ontwikkeld worden.

En oh wee, als je niet gelooft in de heilige Al Gore. Maar gelukkig zijn er Giel Beelen, Sophie Hilbrand en hun collega's die de hele wereld over vliegen om ons de klimaatboodschap (en en passant de kutmuziek van optredende bands) van Live Earth te brengen.

En tot overmaat van ramp komt er nu een vervolg, met Leonardo di Caprio als Al Gore... Ai ai ai. Warner Independent Pictures. "What a great time to be alive, this generation gets to completely change the world." Mijn haren gaan er recht van overeind staan... Trailer.

Wetenschappelijk is er nog niet onomstotelijk vast komen te staan dat CO2 de boosdoener is van het huidige klimaatprobleem. Of dat er überhaupt een klimaatprobleem is. Global warming is iets dat zich langzaam voltrekt, dus een warme juli-maand in 2006 of een warme mei in 2007 zeggen niet zoveel. Beide ons nu bekende kanten van het verhaal blijken in meer of mindere mate gemanipuleerd. En de waarheid zal, zoals gewoonlijk, wel weer in het midden liggen. Neemt niet weg dat we, zoals eerder gezegd, ons wel bewust moeten zijn van de invloed die we op de omgeving hebben. Spaarlampen, fietsen of OV ipv de auto, vegetariër worden. Voor vele redenen beter (gezondheid, welzijn, portemonnee, de schaarse fossiele brandstoffen). En misschien helpen we ook wel het milieu ermee. Maar niet door of dankzij Al Gore, dat is altijd al zo geweest...

2007 mid-year

Since 2007 is halfway now (time flies!), it seems like a good idea to start this blog of with a musical mid-year review. The first 6 months of 2007 turned out quite interesting musically. A good amount of decent records, and some very good ones. Lots of interesting shows. In true High Fidelity fashion (don't you just love Nick Hornby?), here are my top 5's:

Records:

1. Dinosaur Jr. – Beyond
   I've had these songs on my computer for a long time before the album was released, but didn't pay much attention to it. I remember I liked them, but never played them. Until around the time their tour was announced. I started listening to the album again and was stunned by what I heard. Dinosaur Jr. is back! Back with Barlow and Murph. Where Mascis released ok-but-not-great records under the name Dinosaur Jr., this record turns into a diamond with the other two.
   
   When the guitar is plugged in and Mascis starts the first song with one of his famous solos, I'm hooked. What becomes clear immediately is the great production. A very clear sound. All the different guitar layers have their own distinct sound, backed by a great rhythm section. The vocals are whining in the way only Mascis can do it. When you come to the 4th song, that Barlow sings, we've had a classic rocker, a more laid-back tune and a tearjerker climaxing in Mascis' unlimited soloing. That's how diverse and dynamic this album is. And it keeps going like that. Their mixture of noise and melody is back at You're Living All Over Me level. I'm glad Barlow and Murph are back to tame Mascis.



2. The Shins – Wincing the Night Away
   This record was released back in January, so it is easy to forget when looking back. However, it is an awesome record and a great step forward from Chutes Too Narrow. At first I was slightly disappointed in this record, I expected a second Chutes Too Narrow and didn't recognize The Shins in this release. After hearing it a few times I realized it is pure Shins. The beautiful vocals, e.g. on Red Rabbits, are still there, as are the guitars and songs that for me sum up The Shins. It's all just a little less obvious (more mature, as the old rock cliche goes). They've added some more instruments and some soundscapes/samples here and there. Now, I don't know how I didn't recognize The Shins in it. From the vocals and the build up in the first song to songs like Australia, Phantom Limb or beforementioned Red Rabbits, it's very typical. Other songs show that they have exchanged some of the immediate catchyness of Chutes Too Narrow for modesty. And it works well. Really well.



3. The White Stripes – Icky Thump
   The future of The White Stripes seemed quite unclear for a long time, with Jack White playing with The Raconteurs and all. It was hard to imagine what they could do that would still be interesting after 5 records. After all, with their 2-person line up and their style of music, you can only do so much. But in fact, it's very easy. Jack White just bursts out a lot of new awesome riffs, that are as usual spiced up by Meg White's playful drumming. The drums are always subject to debate, but I think the way she handles the drumsticks is very effective for this music. These songs wouldn't last with perfect musicianship. Although the guitars and vocals couldn't have been done much better, I guess.
   
   The album is a very balanced set of songs, some in true garage-rock fashion, others more Raconteurs style. The 2 standard instruments are occassionaly accompanied by bagpipes or a trumpet. The album starts of with a typical White Strupes rock 'n' roll tune, also the first single and title track. Great riffing and I love the vocals. To be followed by probably the most catchy song on the album, with great lyrics. The trip continues over 13 stops in total, screaming, howling and raunching, sometimes slowing down to 300mph, covering Conquest to slowly turn into you.



4. Shellac – Excellent Italian Greyhound
   The new Shellac kicks off with a song that gave the name to this blog. When Steve Albini screams "Can you hear me now?" over a weird staccato riff, it sounds so desperate that I just had to use it. This 8:30 minute epic sets the tone for the rest of the album, a great opener. After 7 years, Shellac felt like making an album and this is the result. The LP comes in a nice gatefold sleeve, with an additional sleeve around it, showing the actual cover of the greyhounds of the title (turning against the supporters of their racing events). They have included a cd that contains the songs as well, for your car stereo or computer or whatever. Not included are lyrics, not sure if these do come with the cd version.
   
   Musically it is unmistakenly Shellac. Of course the guitar sound Albini has used since Big Black is there, but also the structures of the songs tell you this is true Shellac. All instruments, including the vocals, get the attention they deserve on this album, stripped to the bare minimum (as on any Shellac album). Three great musicians, with a respectable approach to their band. They will never compromise their music and hobby by turning the band into a job or adhere to rock standards. No merchandise on tour, all they do it for is the music and the product that is the result of their creativity. And what great result, too. With the exception of the other 9 minute song on this album (Genuine Lulabelle), this album might be their best to date. It's hard to tell why this album is better than their previous output, but the feeling is different. It feels more complete, more as an album than just a collection of songs.



5. Big Business – Here Come The Waterworks
   Never heard of this band before, until I saw them with the Melvins. Turns out half of the Melvins is now made up of this two-piece called Big Business. BB's combination of heavy bass-riffing and pounding drums immediately convinced me and I bought the album. Little did I know, drummer Coady Willis used to play in Murder City Devils. On this record he's also taking some vocal duties. The other half of this band is Jared Warren, playing bass and singing. They've added some guitar and noise on the album, too.
   
   With bass and drums as the main ingredients they produce a heavy, sludgy type of hardrock. The bass riffing is extraordinary, fast and aggressive. The drums are hard-hitting and the vocals shrieking. This record is only 8 songs, but destroy everything else you'll be listening that day. It's probably not the best in it's genre and certainly not better than the Melvins (but their last record is 2006), but it's a bit easier to digest than most bands. Where other bands bore me with uninteresting slow passages and taking themselves way too seriously, Big Business grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the album is over.

The order of this list is changing on a daily basis. I started writing this yesterday and changed the order today. Right now I would prefer Dinosaur Jr.'s sad guitars over The Shins beautiful vocals, but other times I would prefer Shellac's intensity. And considering the amount of records I haven't even heard yet (or not enough anyway), it could all change at any time. One record I would like to mention as well is Arctic Monkeys' Favourite Worst Nightmare. I never expected that band to come with something new and interesting so soon after Whatever People Say I Am... Let downs: Bad Brains (musically good, but the vocals, or better: lack thereof, and delay effects... BRRR!) and QOTSA (I wasn't expecting a new Rated R, but this new one goes in one ear, out the other).

Shows

1. Dinosaur Jr. – Paradiso, 27-6
   I was waiting for this band to come back again after I missed them last time. And now with the new record out it was even better to see them. They kicked off with the first song of the new record, "Almost Ready", to be followed by "The Wagon" and another new song. During the first song the sound was horrible and J. Mascis fucked up the intro to the song. But on his own created guitar-island on stage, he got back into it and amazed me with his skills. Lou Barlow seemed to enjoy playing all those songs live and Murph kept everything together with his drumming. An awesome show, looking forward to see them again at Pukkelpop.



2. The Shins – Paradiso, 5-4
   The Shins are extremely popular since their appearance in Garden State. No wonder this show was sold out in a day. I got to the show quite late, as I was stuck in traffic. But was just in time for The Shins. I watched them from the back, normally I don't get into it that much when doing that. But The Shins were convincing. The sound in Paradiso was the best I ever heard, I could recognize every individual instrument. The singer's voice was perfect, he could reach all the notes. They played a good mixture of all 3 albums, including both catchy sing-alongs as well as more quiet songs. Amazing show.



3. Melvins/Big Business – Patronaat, 21-4
   First time for me in the new Patronaat. Porn was finishing their set when I entered the venue. So one more band before the Melvins. Big Business came on stage and I was blown away! With just bass and drums they made a huge impact. Dale Crover of the Melvins did some guitarnoise in a few songs. For the last song "Another Fourth of July... Ruined" they were joined by Dale Crover and King Buzzo and played that song as The Melvins. Only to continue with the Melvins set for 1,5 hours! They play with 2 drummers these days and are tight as hell. A fair amount of hits came by and I left the venue satisfied. Props for the cheap merchandise.



4. Do Make Say Think – Popcentrale, 13-5
   DMST played at the Urban Explorers festival in Dordrecht this year. The festival was held for the second time, and last year, when Jesu played, wasn't very crowded. That was different this time: the Popcentrale was sold out for this show. And rightfully so. With the stage setup they currently have in the Popcentrale (a few years already, but still) and enough people there is always a good athmosphere. With their dynamic, experimental and mostly instrumental jazzy post-rock DMST grabbed the attention of even the most stubborn rock fan. They have something to offer for everyone. Slow, silent passages are mixed with outbursts where the 2 drum sets, guitars, bass, horns and keyboards are abused to their full potential. A great show that renewed my interest in DMST completely.



5. De Kift – Paard, 17-4
   I wasn't sure what to pick as the 5th show in the list, this one or Shellac's Paradiso show. Since near the end of Shellac's show I was waiting for them to stop, I chose De Kift. I had seen them once, playing the soundtrack live to their own film. And again, their type of music and combination of instruments left me amazed. I was intrigued by what they were doing. From the humor to the big ass horns, all a big inspiration.

Obviously I missed some shows as well, e.g. Battles and Supersuckers. Oh well... I didn't like the Negative Approach show in Hof ter Lo, as probably the only one there. I don't know what Brannon was doing, but he certainly wasn't singing the words. NA's music is great, but the sound was horrible, I wasn't sure what the guitarplayer was doing and the mentioned vocals left me disappointed. But luckily it wasn't The Je Ne Sais Quoi, that band represents musical AIDS.