Rescue Me "Torch": Third Degree

In a season that has rekindled the spirit of the first, "Torch" stands out even more, in that it didn't even rely on the 9/11 storyline, which the series' best episodes (until now) found their inspiration from. The episode is book-ended with Tommy dealing with children in heartbreaking situations, both amazing in their own way.

The scene of Tommy cleaning up the burnt child thrown from the car was gripping in it's patience both with how it was framed and in it's willingness to let the scene breath without little or no cuts. The journey Tommy takes to get to the final scene is allowed to develop at it's own pace as well. The long drinks of whiskey followed by the third degree Tommy gets from his ghosts lead to the self-inflicted damage of the torch. (Was that a cadaver in place of Tommy's leg, or did they do that via CGI?) The ghost of Tommy's Da points out, "The only thing gets through that thick Irish skin of his is fire." It makes sense that Tommy is a masochist, given his exploits, but it was still jarring seeing him take that turn. The pain seems to work for Tommy, as he finds a way to feel something again -- even dry-humping Sheila on his wound. I don't see Tommmy putting on a happy face for the cancer kids without him experiencing some sort of change in feeling, as the earlier scene points out, Tommy's lack of feeling is what makes him able to clean up the burnt kid.

The final scene of him playing with the kids (pictured above,) was done to Cat Power's re-imagining of "New York, New York," which I took to be a comment on where Tommy has ended up. "If I can make it there, Ill make it anywhere." Being able to turn on the compassion to play with the kids suffering through leukemia is a triumph for Tommy. The looks on the other firefighters is interesting contrasted w/ how they looked (albeit, out of focus) in the first scene. If it is a breakthrough for Tommy, it obviously won't last, this is still Rescue Me after all.

You know what else won't last? Lou's Civil War chess set and coin collection. Oh, Candy... I hope I'm wrong, but given the rest of tonight's plot, I have to assume Tommy burning himself is a parallel to Lou figuratively burning himself as well, by letting Candy back in.

Enjoyed what appears to be the final musical number with Steven Pasuale, but it's definitely time to move on now, and, even if it felt awkward at times, it was nice seeing Teddy and Maggie's stories finally intersect with the Tommy's (even if somewhat peripherally).

Song: "New York" - Cat Power

Ear on TV: Week 06.29.09: Art Brut

It's a holiday week so it's time to drift up the dial a bit for inspiration. Our first stop is Fuel TV, whose The Daily Habit always seems to have at least two must-see bands stopping by each week. This week is no exception, with favorite acts Art Brut and Jay Reatard both making appearances.

Art Brut have mastered the art of arrested development in their songs. On Friday they perform two examples of their craft, in the songs "Alcoholics Unanimous" and "DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshakes." The latter song has already paid off with a recent guided tour of DC Comics. If I were frontman and lyricist Eddie Argos, a good chunk of the songs on my next album would be places I'd want guided tours from: Thank you, this next song is called "Ben & Jerry Pints & Playboy Mags." I'm just saying...

Meanwhile, for the first time in *some time, I've found myself watching MTV again, thanks to the new web-friendly talk show It's On With Alexa Chung. This week, the Twitter-happy Chung welcomes rapper Drake, who some may know as Jimmy Brooks from Degrassi: The Next Generation. Sure, I probably only checked out this artist because of his fly stage name (actual name, Aubrey Graham), but the kid actually has some mad skillz... who am I kidding? It's a slow week, and I'm mostly featuring him to put up an image of his album (unauthorized, apparently) titled The Girls Love Drake, because, you know... it's so true!

*The exception being last year's brief, but excellent series The Paper.

Finally, on Friday night the Sundance Channel is airing the Wilco concert film Ashes of American Flags which you should check out if for no other reason than to watch guitarist Nels Cline's hands. You don't have to be a guitarist to be mesmerized by his fretwork (but it might help).

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, June 29
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Steve Earle (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Jay Reatard
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Green Day (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Yeah Yeah Yeahs (REPEAT)
Tuesday, June 30
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeros
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Drake
Wednesday, July 1
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Diane Birch (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Little Boots (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Lou Reed and Julian Schnabel (REPEAT)
Thursday, July 2
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Phoenix (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: P.J. Harvey w/ John Parish (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Neko Case (REPEAT)
Friday, July 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Bat For Lashes (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Art Brut
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Keane (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Wilco: Ashes of American Flags: Wilco
Saturday, July 4
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Ludacris, T-Pain
PBS: Austin City Limits: Paolo Nutini, Grupo Fantasma (REPEAT)

True Blood - "Scratches": Control Issues

If the first two episodes helped set up the season, "Scratches" puts the pedal down and hurtles it forward -- to Dallas, to be exact. While the wheels are in motion on several fronts, they also managed to slip in a theme of control -- makers controlling the vampires they've turned, Steve and Sarah controlling Jason, and MaryAnn trying to control just about everybody else.

We start off with the scene that was previewed at PaleyFest, with Sookie stomping off into the forest after a fight with controlling Bill (they really like make-up sex,) and meeting up with that bullhead beast.
Bullhead (who may or may not be MaryAnn) takes off running with her fingernails like Flo-Jo and gives Sookie some cat-scratch fever. This attack was probably meant to take Sookie out of the picture, but instead sets off a chain of events that leads to a pair of ruined pumps (poor Pam), the release of Lafayette and a road trip to Dallas, where much of this season is set to take place.

Meanwhile, in crazy Christ cult, Jason's haunted by thoughts of Eddie (Stephen Root, back ever so briefly) casting some doubt in his involvement with the vampire hate group. But as it is with much of religion, Sarah knows the way to control Jason is through both guilt and sex -- guilt about not protecting his loved ones, and sex via some serious flirtations. As Rev. Steve points out, "Sarah doesn't just whip out her pudding for anybody."

Speaking of control and sex, Bacchus Babe MaryAnn is throwing a party and has slipped her guests a roofie, or whatever it is that she's calling "juniper." Before you know it, shirts are off, pupils are mydriatic and some sort of orgy* is going on. Tara finally notices things are off, but MaryAnn still has some sort of control over Eggs, and uses his sculpted body to keep her from straying too far.

*For being an orgy of sorts, though, the scene didn't feel very sexy. Call me crazy, but I like my sexy without blown pupils, thank you very much.

Another one MaryAnn might just have some control over is Daphne, who, by no coincidence, shows up the moment that Sam is getting ready to blow out of town. Does the poison from the scratches give control to MaryAnn, and if so, do we assume that was MaryAnn's endgame with Sookie via bullhead? Eric has his sights on Sookie as well, and one wonders if and when either realizes they're not alone in their goal. Regardless, the shot of Daphne's scratches provides a great cut to the title song "Scratches," by blues diva Debbie Davies, who delivers the lines, "Who been making those scratches, all over your back?" Bullhead, that's who!

One final thought: Just how sweet are Jessica and Hoyt together? You have to give Alan Ball credit as he started to set them up last season, with Hoyt asking Sookie if she knew a vampire he could date. She's led a sheltered life and he still lives with his mom ... heck, even Bill, ever the over-protective father figure, seems to cave in to the idea of them dating by the end.

In attempts to get True Blood posts up the night of airing, these playlists will appear a tad incomplete until updated on Monday. UPDATED!

Playlist: True Blood - Episode 2.03
1. "Spell of Wheels" - Peter Case - Sam is angry when Daphne comes up short
2. "Me Cai" - Pacifika - MaryAnn cooking in prep for party
3. "Shooting the Rapids" - Stock music from 5 Alarm - Terry drives off angry
4. "Willin' to Crawl" - Johnny Neel - Tara and Eggs talk at beginning of party
5. "What's a Man to Do" - The Mule Newman Band - Sam warns Tara via phone message
6. "Sex and Candy" - Marcy Playground - Jessica walks into Merlottes, talks with Hoyt
7. "When the Fire Starts to Burn" - Stock music from Black Toast Music - Jessica reveals to Hoyt she's a vampire
8. "Ice Ages" - DJ Acucrack - Sookie negotiates with Eric
9. "Power (Voodoo Version) - King Britt Presents Sister Gertrude Morgan - Andy shows up at MaryAnn's party
10. "Destiny Complete" - The Angel - Tara notices what's going on at the party
11. "Scratches" - Debbie Davies - Closing credits

Previously: Keep This Party Going (Episode 2.02)

Things might have gone down differently...

Forgive me, for a minute, the exercise of going back in time to 1979. The young and multi-talented singer Michael Jackson releases his first solo release for Epic, with what should be the record of the year in Off the Wall. It's a critical success, and the first album to put four singles in the top 10, and the album reached #3 on Billboard, which should be enough, right?

Jackson is not happy and vows for his next album to be the biggest release ever. This is the point, it seems, that MJ begins stepping outside reality. We get his first skin-whitening, nose job (necessary at first to fix a broken nose, but done w/ looking less African American in mind nonetheless) and hair straightening. You can't help but think Jacko believes that this is what it takes to cross over. Musically, he and Quincy Jones take what sold well with Off the Wall and tried to make that even bigger with Thriller. Jacko is rewarded with huge album sales for his tinkering, reinforcing his skewed ideas helping to serve as a blueprint for his life going forward.

I can't help thinking that if Jackson would've been even just a little bit more satisfied with Off the Wall he still would've risen to the King of Pop, but also had a longer richer career. That's why I'm stopping at Off the Wall in my rememberance of Jacko.

The Philanthropist: An Englishman in Abuja

While it's easy to find problems with the pilot to The Philanthropist, the work of actor James Purefoy and the beautiful world music soundtrack make it all work surprisingly well. Between the painful idea of following an affluent business men kneeling down to give a hand to third world countries and the construct of telling the story at a bar (to allow for narration,) it really shouldn't be this good, but Purefoy (Marc Antony from Rome) acts the hell out of it to make it all go down smoothly. And that's how the pilot pretty much goes: Something overly sentimental or contrived happens and Purefoy puts on the charm to make it seem less so.

There's a lot of television veteran talent behind the series starting with Tom Fontana (Homicide, Oz) at the helm with old pal Barry Levinson (The Natural, Bugsy,) Peter Horton (Grey's Anatomy, The Shield) and a cast featuring Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order) and Neve Campbell (Scream). The biggest thrill, though, is seeing Marc Antony of Rome get driven around by Omar from The Wire (Michael K. Williams) -- nothing better than a beloved HBO series team-up.

Aside from Purefoy, though, the highlight here is the music backing it. They managed to get the great Spanish composer Alberto Iglesias (The Kite Runner, The Constant Gardner, Volver) to contribute the theme song, and get his compatriot (and fellow contributor to The Kite Runner) José Villalobos to compose all the great incidental music to the pilot.

The rest of the soundtrack is pretty "resplendent" as well, with music from Africans like Baaba Maal, Issa Bagayogo and Ayub Ogada (who Iglesias also knows from working together on The Constant Garnder, their two collaborations are present in the pilot). My favorite inclusion is probably Tiken Jah Fakoly's cover of Sting's "Englishman in New York" ("African à Paris"). The presence of Sting, if only in cover form, is relevant in that he (and wife Trudie Styler) introduced Boston philanthropist Bobby Sager (who Teddy is based on) to producer Charlie Corwin, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Hopefully, with that connection in tow, they keep up the music, as with Purefoy's Teddy, it's an important character in the series, and seeing how he's going to be in a different locale every week, there's potential for a diverse collection of world music to choose from.

Playlist: The Philanthropist - Episode 1.01
1. "Internationale" - Baaba Maal (iTunes)
2. "Guero Canelo" - Calexico
3. "Interlude-Libation, The Water Ritual" - Bela Fleck
4. "Kothbiro" - Ayub Ogada (from Constant Gardner)
5. "Dicholo" - Ayub Ogada, Gavyn Wright & London Session Orchestra (from Constant Gardner)
6. "Africain à Paris" - Tiken Jah Fakoly (cover of Sting's "Englishman in New York")
7. "Draman" - Wasis Diop (iTunes)
8. "Bul Ma Miin" - Orchestra Baobab
9. "Down Under" - Colin Hay
10. "Kalan Nege" - Issa Bagayogo
11. "Bye Bye Baby" - The Donkeys

Rescue Me - "Disease": Veggie Tales

That's two episodes in a row now that have utilized Steven Pasqual's Broadway pedigree, putting them in the running for my annual Best Music Moments on TV for the year. This one ("To Be a Vegetable") was possibly even more elaborate than the last and Peter Tolan might want to consider try dabbling with a musical on Broadway (Rescue Me: The Musical?) I don't expect we'll see much more (I have the screeners, but haven't had a chance to get to them yet,) but I hope inspired weirdness like that will continue with the series.

"Disease" opened with a trademark Rescue Me firefighting montage set to music, this time a jaw-dropping slow motion scene set to Duffy's "Syrup & Honey". We hadn't seen much fighting of fires in the past few episodes, so the song almost seemed like it was a way of beckoning the series to come back to the fire-fighting.

And we also got this great line from Franco about Michael's use of crying to pick up the hot nurse:
"I've taught him too much... and now I must destroy him."

Now Downloading: New Releases 06.23.09

This week perfectly illustrates what makes this such a great year for music. Looking at it on the calendar some time ago, there was some excitement, but who knew there'd be so many year-end list candidates from this crop. The latest from The Future of the Left, Sunset Rubdown, Dinosaur Jr., Foreign Born and Regina Spektor will undoubtably make a few lists, and there's also great new releases from Patterson Hood, The Gossip, Tortoise and God Help the Girl.

Playlist: New Releases 06.23.09

Releases below, with highlighted ones getting reviews shortly.

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Future of the Left - Travels With Myself and Another
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

When mclusky broke up four years ago, smart-ass angsty noise rock lovers all wept (internally). In the past few years we've been forced to make due w/ offshoots (bass player Jonathan Chapple's outfit) Shooting At Unarmed Men's debut and then the so-so debut (Curses) from the other 2/3s from mclusky, Future of the Left. With Travels With Myself and Another, though, the mourning period is officially over, because this album takes the clever angst that singer Andy Falkous perfected w/ mclusky and does it one better. From the opening screams of "COME ON RICK, I'M NOT A PRIZE!" ("Arming Eritrea") speakers are ablaze with Steve Albini wet dreams and lyrical figure eights (how the song somehow ends up being about Darfur is beyond my talent, but Falkous is one who makes it work). Normally that much screaming just makes my head hurt, but Falkous' rage is concise and, more importantly, intelligent. There are plenty of examples, but during the march of lead single "The Hope That House Built" there's the line "Re-imagine God as just a mental illness... " which is merely one of many couplets that cut to the heart of FOTL's themes. TWMAA is 33 minutes of controlled rage w/ no fat whatsoever, so much so that the album houses several anthems that are guaranteed live staples for the life of the band, like "I Am Civil Service," "You Need Satan More Than He Needs You," "Drink Nike" and the stunning closer, "Lapsed Catholics." When they play Capitol Hill Block Party next month it's going to be insane (so fitting that The Jesus Lizard is reuniting and playing the night prior).

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Arming Eritrea" [mp3]

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Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

When Dinosaur Jr. released Beyond two years ago, it was a pleasant surprise, like the cherry on top of the already incredulous occurance of J. Mascis and Lou Barlow buring the hatchet and reuniting. Now comes Farm and we have concrete proof this is no fluke - J, Lou and Murph are making vital music again. It's not like Lou Barlow's contributions are that great here, but there must be something to having him there, because Mascis' songwriting just seems to elevate with Barlow on the bass. Lead single "I Want You To Know" ranks right up there with "Freakscene" and "Little Fury Things" from their glorious past, and there are plenty of other songs ("Over It" and "Plans" to name two) that slide nicely into an already impressive set list. Unlike the Pixies seem to be, Dino Jr are not content to just ride their reunion out playing their greatest hits, and there's a lot to be said for that.

Download: "I Want You to Know" [mp3]

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Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Dragonslayer marks the point in my mind where Spencer Krug's Sunset Rubdown no longer seems like a side project to Wolf Parade, and appears and sounds like a real fleshed out band. Their debut was essentially a Krug solo album, and nothing against Random Spirit Lover, but compared to Wolf Parade, it still felt like Krug just letting off steam. Dragonslayer is six epic voyages plus two singles, and by singles I don't necessarily mean radio-ready. "Idiot Heart" and "Paper Lace" are as close as Sunset Rubdown come to radio, even the dance floor: "I was never much of a dancer but I knew enough to know you've got to move your idiot body around." Meanwhile, the rest of the album take the listener through various points in the musical spectrum, in epic fashion, without feeling like the point of the song has left. Like any Krug release, it's a grower... repeat listens are recommended, but there's more on first listen than previous Sunset Rubdown releases, if you're looking for an easier entry point. Whatever it takes you to give it a spin (or two, or three,) I say.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Idiot Heart" [mp3]

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Foreign Born - Person to Person
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

I've been listening to this album a lot lately, and it's been hard to put down. It's as if Sam Roberts were secretly writing music for Arcade Fire, combining blue cholar pop sensibility with an ambitious, possibly even grandiose reach. Singer Matt Popieluch never sounds over indulgent, though, and the songs walk that fine line, always pulling back before they go to far. With stunning songs like "That Old Sun" and "Early Warning" it's hard to go wrong with this favorite of one Ed Droste (Grizzly Bear).

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Early Warnings", "Vacationing People" [mp3]

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Regina Spektor - Far
Patterson Hood - Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs) / / Free AOL Album Stream
The Gossip - Music For Men / Free AOL Album Stream
Tortoise - Beacons of Ancestorship / Free AOL Album Stream
God Help The Girl - God Help The Girl / Free AOL Album Stream / "Come Monday Night" [mp3]
Birds Of Avalon - Uncanny Valley / Free AOL Album Stream
Deer Tick - Born on Flag Day
Jets Overhead - No Nations
Girls At Our Best - Pleasure
The Bats - The Guilty Office / "Castle Light" [mp3]
The Lemonheads - Varshons
Alexi Murdoch - Away We Go (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) / Free AOL Album Stream
Florence & The Machine - A Lot Of Love. A Lot Of Blood.
The Mars Volta - Octahedron
Spinnerette - Spinnerette / "Rebellious Palpitations" [mp3]
Bjork - Voltaic
Pete Yorn - Back & Forth
Tift Merritt - Buckingham Solo
Nosaj Thing - Drift
Amy Speace - The Killer In Me / "The Killer in Me" [mp3]

REISSUES
R.E.M. - Reckoning - Deluxe Edition

tags: music, album review, dinosaur jr, future of the left, foreign born, sunset rubdown, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody

Ear on TV: Week of 06.22.09 - The BPA with Iggy Pop

It's an embarrassment of riches this week as far as musical guests on the talkies, with Sonic Youth, Phoenix, Dinosaur Jr., Grizzly Bear, Wilco, Regina Spektor, St. Vincent and Brighton Port Authority & Iggy Pop appearing -- just to name a few.

The B.P.A., which is Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) working with musicians like David Byrne and Dizee Rascal, is making a big push this week, hitting both Letterman (Monday) and Fallon (Tuesday) to perform the song "He's Frank" with Iggy Pop. It's a cover song (of The Monochrome Set) that some may remembered first premiered in a Heroes episode back in November of 2007, and later appeared on the Heroes Original Soundtrack.

Nineties slacker sludge purveyors Dinosaur Jr. remain together, three years now since the original lineup of J. Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph gave us alt-warm fuzzies with their reunion. When they play Fallon on Thursday night, they'll be promoting the newly released Farm, which marks the second great album in a row since their reunion, proving the reunion isn't a fluke. Where's your Pixies now?

Meanwhile, Wilco has their seventh proper full length (self-titled - Wilco) coming out next week, but have a bigger challeng in trying to tame the new Tonight Show stage with their sound problems. Conan is still enjoying a honeymoon period, but rest assured, if the sound isn't fixed, don't be surprised if bands start to hit Letterman and Fallon instead first to guarantee a certain quality of sound.

And finally, The Roots may be the house band for Fallon, but don't be confused by their inclusion in the calendar here on Thursday night, as they're scheduled to be the musical guest as well. They have a new album, How I Got Over, and are responsible for booking the musical guests, so why wouldn't they book themselves?

More: I've recently profiled Sonic Youth (Monday on Fallon,) Phoenix (Friday on Kimmel) and Grizzly Bear (Friday on Fallon) but we also need to give some love to the doe-eyed indie queens St. Vincent and Regina Spektor, who appear on Letterman Wednesday and Friday, respectively. Just about any other week, I'd have them in the lede (just to get them purty eyes in the photo).

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, June 22
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Iggy Pop & The Brighton Port Authority
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Juan Maclean
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Pete Yorn
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sonic Youth, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Black Kids (REPEAT)
Tuesday, June 23
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: MSTRKRFT w/ John Legend
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Presets
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Elvis Costello
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Iggy Pop & The Brighton Port Authority, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Crocodiles
Wednesday, June 24
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: St. Vincent
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Bettye LaVette
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Duane Peters Gunfight
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Wilco
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ida Maria
Thursday, June 25
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Dinosaur Jr., The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bat for Lashes
Friday, June 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Phoenix
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Regina Spektor
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Chairlift
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Adele
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Grizzly Bear, The Roots
SUNDANCE: The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico (2005): Kris Kristofferson, Levon Helm, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Hawkins
Saturday, June 27
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Kings of Leon (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Crowded House (REPEAT)

True Blood - "Keep This Party Going": Old Vamp/New Vamp

After starting off strong last week with the thematic and thrilling opening episode to the second season, "Keep the Party Going" works instead to begin to build a broader theme to the season. Two themes begin to emerge; one is that of cults and their followers, both ultra-conservative (Fellowship of the Light) and ultra-liberal (the Dionysus-approved Kool-Aid MaryAnn is serving to the unsuspecting at Bon Temps).

Meanwhile, True Blood is also looking at vampire mythology through the lens of the old (Eric) and the new (Jessica). It's this quadrangle of stories that Bill and Sookie weave in and out of, thank goodness, because without the support, I think the series would fall flat. Chicago Tribune's Mo Ryan may have said it best recently when she remarked that True Blood "is a donut show -- everything/everyone around the center is way more interesting."

To that point, as far as I'm concerned the more of Eric (Alexander Skarsgard), Pam (Kristen Bauer), and Chow (Patrick Gallagher) the better. The scenes with Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) could be its own successful spin-off, especially if the drag queen's option 'C' were to be filled by Eric and he becomes a vamp. Through the books, it's been assumed that Eric was a Viking, so hearing him and Pam confer in *Swedish confirms it even more, but it also makes Lafayette's chained appearance more disturbing given the Swedish Viking's slave trade history. Of course, the Vikings era ended before the Swedes ever traded in African slaves, but Lafayette's bondage and treatment feel tightly bound to that despicable history. Is it any wonder he's ready to tell them just about anything (even if it amounts to giving up poor pussylover9@shemale.com)?

So if I even got a Jew at an Al Qaeda pep rally shot at gettin' my black ass up outta this muthaf**ker, I'm takin' it.

*Swedish, of course, is actor Alexander Skarsgard native language. He's been named Sweden's Sexiest Man five times since 1999.

From the new vampire perspective, adding home-schooled teen vamp Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) to the story seemed necessary to add some punch to the Bill-Sookie dynamic, but she also provides some comic relief and serves as a useful (and common) plot device: a newcomer who learns about who she is while the audience, in turn, does the same. Like crying tears of blood, for instance. With Sookie guiding her, it becomes a (perhaps unfortunate?) metaphor for her first period, and brings up a theory I had before about women and fascination with vampires. I posed this theory to my own bleeder at home, and she thought it was amusing so I blame her if it offends. OK, it goes like this ... based mostly on the Twilight phenomenon, it's well established that the most rabid fans are 1) female and 2) both near the beginning (tweens) and end (mid-lifers) of their menstruation life. To that I merely ask, is it just a coincidence that bleeding and bloodsucking should be so intertwined?

As far as the cult Ying (Fellowship of the Light) and Yang (MaryAnn's debauchery) goes, I'm mostly going to reserve delving into those for next week. It's just worth noting that cult extremism (and all extremism for that matter) is like a circle -- the further right and the further left you go, it's inevitable that you meet on the other side of rational, i.e. crazy. Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten) just happens to be the perfect example of someone who can walk across those extreme cults and find a way to fit in. And by find a way, I of course just mean he's dumb.

Other things noticed, music edition:
• Speaking of Fellowship of the Light (and dumb), that was Molly Burnett (Melanie on Days of Our Lives) as Amanda Jane singing "Jesus Just Asked Me Out." And yes, it actually is available on iTunes (bonus track to soundtrack release). Here's hoping for the second single ("Jesus Met My Parents (and they thought he looked like a hippy)."
• I'd think Merlotte's would be the last jukebox to have the B-52's on it, but I guess having "Keep This Party Going" as the episode title track made it necessary to bend reality a tad. (It's popcorn TV, right?)

In attempts to get True Blood posts up the night of airing, these playlists will appear a tad incomplete until updated on Monday. UPDATED!

Playlist: True Blood - Episode 2.02
1. "Forty Years Down The Road" - Stock music from Black Toast Music (George Strait knockoff) - MaryAnn orders the menu at Merlottes
2. "God Blessed Texas" - Little Texas - Jason shows up Luke at capture the flag
3. "I Can See It" - Stock music from Music Box - Background at Merlottes
4. "Lighten Up" Stock music from Downright Music - Background at Merlottes
5. "Jesus Asked Me Out Today" - Amanda Jane And The God Rockets (Molly Burnett) - leadership retreat performance
6. "Not Coming Down" - Stock music from Messy Music - Bill in department store shopping for Jessica
7. "You're Gonna Miss Me" - Stock music from 5 Alarm Music - Daphne talks with MaryAnn
8. "Wanna Cause Some Trouble" - Stock music from Black Toast Music - Sam and Andy talk at Merlottes, MaryAnn starts to work her magic
9. "One And Only" - Stock music from Black Toast Music - Eric and Bill at Dept. store
10. "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" - Sonny Terry - Tara & Eggs talk at Merlottes
11. "Keep This Party Going" - The B-52's - patrons get hot & heavy, Sam confronts MaryAnn>
11. "Deeper Into You" - Johnny Hazzard - Lafayette pleads with Eric to turn him
12. "You Did" - Chuck Prophet - closing credits

Previously: "Nothing But the Blood": Reparations

Hot and Bothered

While it seems I've been lax this week, I've had to deal first with a forced extra night in Orlando thanks to a delayed flight/missed connection and then with a house-wide epidemic of crippling stomach flu. Here are some pics from our trip to Disney World before we came back and violently threw up all over.



More photos

Song: "Goin' Quackers" - Donald Duck

Ear on TV: Week of 06.15.09 - Phoenix

It's been a couple months sincePhoenix tore the roof off of 30 Rock during their appearance on SNL, and in that time their fine album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix has come out and has garnered critical praise nearly everywhere ears are employed. They appear on Letterman Thursday, and if you missed their SNL performance, here's another shot to see just how good they are live.

Meanwhile, Jack White (White Stripes) has a new outfit called The Dead Weather, a collaboration with fellow blues enthusiast Alison Mosshart (The Kills). While White takes a backseat playing drums (Mosshart sings,) his fingerprints are all over the band's gothic blues sound. It's fitting that the band makes their network debut on Conan, since White Stripes were the first and last band to play on Conan's Late Night run.

Finally, the hilarious Spinal Tap has a new album this week called Back From The Dead, and they both play and are interviewed on Conan on Monday night. Whether or not you like the music to the new release, you have to admit the album's packaging (pictured above) alone make it worth the purchase. Relive the infamous Stonehenge stage display, with cutouts of the band in relative size! Just goes to show you there's more than one way to keep the CD from dying.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, June 15
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Black Eyed Peas (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Spinal Tap
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Doves (REPEAT)
Tuesday, June 16
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Gavin Rossdale
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Diane Birch
Wednesday, June 17
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Eels
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Bettye LaVette
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Street Sweeper Social Club
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Bill Clinton (REPEAT)
Thursday, June 18
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ben Harper
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Phoenix
MTV: It's On with Alexa Chung: Phoenix
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Dead Weather
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Peaches
Friday, June 19
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Sounds
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Blink-182
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Ting Tings
SUNDANCE: Touch the Sound: Evelyn Glennie
Saturday, June 20
PBS: Austin City Limits: Bettye LaVette (REPEAT)

True Blood - "Nothing But the Blood": Reparations

Whoo doggy, wasn't that fun? There's been so much of run up to this second season of True Blood I was worried the actual product wasn't going to meet the challenge. The episode, "Nothing But the Blood," did a good job of juggling all the balls left in the air at the end of last season (dead body in parking lot, the mystery of MaryAnn, Bill's vampire-in-training, Lafayette's fate) while delivering on much of the promise Alan Ball was telling us about last week in interviews. Ball said the second season was going to be "more intense...a lot scarier (and) sexier." Let's see how he did:
More intense? Check.
Scarier? Check.
Sexier? *Double-check.
I'd say that's pretty good (spoilers to follow).

*Those worried that we'd have to wait for some sweet Bill and Sookie nooky certainly had their concerns put to rest. No Cat Power love this time, but having watched a few episodes, I can tell you that Anna Paquin is no longer as shy about showing off her goods.

Alan Ball claims True Blood is pure popcorn, but forgive me if I go all Cliff Notes for a second. I picked up on a theme emerging amidst the thrills, and it's a circular one of reparation. Jason makes amends for his past by giving himself over to the Fellowship of the Sun cult, but he can't do it until Sookie hands over her own reparations given to her by her diddling Uncle Bartlett; who in turn had restitution forced on him by Bill; who, by episode's end, is made to apologize for the action the only way a Southern gentleman knows how: with some well written romantic flattery. Sookie can't resist, and lays thick her best Scarlett O'Hara: "God damn you Bill Compton, I love you." It's bodice-ripping time!

Of course, restitution was brought up elsewhere, namely in the torture dungeon in Fangtasia's basement, which housed both Lafayette (Praise be, he's alive!) and his redneck nemesis Royce. Both contemplate the bad things they did to end up in such dire straits, with Royce ending up paying the ultimate restitution for "crossing" Eric. The look (and blood splattering) on Lafayette's face was possibly the most intense the series has gotten, making the juxtaposition of Randy Travis singing the traditional hymn "Nothing But the Blood," even more chilling. The episode's namesake in song also tells of reparations, but more importantly ties together both the blood and the growing religious.

Meanwhile, we get more of Sam's back story and her relation with MaryAnn (Michelle Forbes, seeming to enjoy every bit of her dark and mischievous role,) and it turns out he's got to make his own reparations, having stolen somewhere close to $100K in cash from the vibrating maenad. Speaking of vibrations, ever notice that we only see Eggs when MaryAnn is nearby? I know he's a real character in the book, but I get the feeling in Alan Ball's hands, the character has been changed to a product of MaryAnn's power, something meant to draw in Tara (and in turn, Sookie?) It's perhaps telling that the first time Sam sees Eggs and Tara together, John Doe's "The Golden State" is playing in the background, with these lyrics piping through:
We are tangled
We are stolen
We are living where things are hidden

More random things I noticed:
- Love the inclusion of the mundane, like Bill giving Jessica the 411 on recycling. Being green, one would think, would be a priority for vampires, given that they live for as long as they do.
- Similarly, Eric appears to have been interrupted from getting his hair done when he comes down the stairs to 'take the garbage out.'
- Jessica, a product of reparations herself,
- I know Andy is meant to be an annoying character (he is, after all, a Bellefleur,) but I don't know how much more I can take of Chris Bauer yelling like his first name is Jack.

I'm on vacation in Florida right now, so I had to write this before I could get confirmation on all the songs, so forgive the incomplete list. I'll update the playlist portion sometime on Monday when I'm back. UPDATED!

Playlist: True Blood - Episode 2.01 ("Nothing But the Blood")
1. "Bad Things" - Jace Everett - Theme song
2. "Hello Walls" - Faron Young - Sookie plays while reminiscing about Gran
3. "Take Me Home (Pie Cry remix)" - Lizbeth Scott - Sookie tries to box up Gran's things
4. "Lá Vem A Baiana" - Jussara Silveira - MaryAnn, Eggs and Tara by the pool
5. "Back to the Crossroads" - Todd Snider - Sam meets new waitress Daphne in his office
(Black Toast Music selections - 2 Black Crowes sounding songs playing in background at Merlottes)
6. "All Night Through" - Shaker Sisters - Square dancers rush in w/ trophy
7. "The Golden State" - John Doe - Merlottes
8. "Nothing But the Blood" - Randy Travis - closing credits

Previously: More Blood: Video and Photos from Season 2

On vacay, the Dish-Fisher beef & True Blood

I'm in Orlando on vacation, at what is reportedly the happiest place on earth. As such, I'm out of it as far as music and tv blogging. Besides DisneyWorld, it's hard to ignore the fact that the NBA Playoffs are in town as well and if I was at home I could actually have watched the heartbreaking loss by the Magic at the hands of Derek Fisher!. Fittingly enough, it's Fisher Communications that's part of the reason ABC is finally back on Dish Network in the Seattle area (local affiliate KOMO is part of Fisher's kingdom) as the nearly six month long beef* has been worked out finally (Woot!).

*I've had a google news alert for "fisher communications dish network" set up for nearly 6 months with nearly nothing to show for it until today, when I got somewhere around 15 hits. Said a "thank you" out loud before deleting that from my stable.

In other news, I've already written a post on the True Blood season premiere and that will show up both here and on Film.com, on Sunday night. So look for that (or don't, I won't tell you what to do -- I'm on vacation, fer crissakes ;)

Now Downloading: New Releases 06.09.09

What a great year for music this has been... and even with all that's come prior, the latest from Dirty Projectors might just be the best of the year. Meanwhile, Sonic Youth's The Eternal is also a welcome return to rock and roll for the legendary band. Other new releases of note are an EP from Deerhunter, and the latest from Rhett Miller, Kasbian, Elizabeth & the Catapult, Joan of Arc, Cosmos, Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, Los Amigos Invisibles, Little Boots, Busdriver and an interesting soundtrack from British Sea Power.

Playlist: New Releases 06.09.09

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Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

When the year opened with Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion, you just knew it was going to be a special year for music, and now the latest from Dirty Projectors solidifies 2009 as a one of the best years in recent memory. Bitte Orca is by far the most accessible release from Dave Longstreth and co. while yet remaining to be complicated enough to no doubt fluster more than a few ears. Previous releases from Longstreth suffered from an almost obsessive need to complicate, and while there's still obsession here throughout, it's far more an enjoyable listen. Just listen to the middle three songs, from the afro-pop bounce of first single "Stillness Is The Move" (featuring Mariah Carey vocal references from Amber Coffman,) to the ballad "Two Doves" (sung angelically by Angel Deradoorian*) to the kitchen sink brilliance of "Useful Chamber." It's the best three song ride in any album in some time, and really, the whole album is full of unbelievable joys for the mind+ear combo. Just be careful if you're walking and listening to "Temecula Sunrise" at the same time... add in some chewing gum and you're liable to trip and fall.

*Just to illustrate that this album is a bit more accessible, I caught my 4-year old singing this song (nearly brought a tear to my eye).

Free AOL Album Stream

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Sonic Youth - The Eternal
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Back on an independent label (Matador, this time out) for the first time in nearly three decades, the legendary no wave'rs let loose from the start with the rocker "Sacred Trickster" and bob and weave throughout the album with varied success. The album on the whole is uneven, but still welcome in it's return to the kind of revved up rockers we haven't heard from the band since Goo.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "Sacred Trickster" [mp3]

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Rhett Miller - Rhett Miller / Free AOL Album Stream
Deerhunter - Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP
British Sea Power - Man of Aran
Kasbian - The West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum / Free AOL Album Stream
Elizabeth & the Catapult - Taller Children / "Taller Children" [mp3]
Cosmos (feat. ROBERT POLLARD) - Jar of Jam Ton of Bricks
Joan Of Arc - Flowers / "Explain Yourselves #2" [mp3]
Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey - Here and Now
Los Amigos Invisibles - Commercial
Little Boots - Hands / Free AOL Album Stream
Busdriver - Jhelli Beam / Free AOL Album Stream
Illinois - The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe
Mos Def - The Ecstatic / Free AOL Album Stream
The Low Anthem - Oh My God, Charlie Darwin / "Charlie Darwin", "To Ohio" [mp3]
The Aggrolites - IV
Hermit Thrushes - Slight Fountain
Placebo - Battle For The Sun
Nosaj Thing - Drift
Rubies - Explode From the Center
Anti-Flag - People or the Gun
Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D.
REISSUES
The Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue
The Rolling Stones - Some Girls
The Rolling Stones - Tattoo You
The Rolling Stones - Undercover

tags: music, album review, dirty projectors, sonic youth, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody