September 16, 2005
Sufjan To-Night!
I'm going to see Sufjan Stevens at the Metro tonight. And you're not. So suck on it, everyone else!
The ticket just arrived, via FedEx. For the record, I paid $78 on eBay to see this sold-out show. And then I found out that David Littlejohn had an extra ticket. Eh bien.
Also, Chris and Lauren and I watched The Wizard of Oz with Dark Side of the Moon last night. I can safely say that my mind was blown in a way that hitherto I thought only the Polyphonic Spree and maybe Jesus Christ capable of.
Posted by Tyler at 01:03 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 05, 2005
Sufjan's Album Delayed, or, And You Thought DC Comics Was Already Pathetic Enough
From Pitchfork:
Caroline Bermudez reports:
Good things come to those who wait-- well, at least until a cease and desist order from DC Comics is no longer in place. Such is the fate that has befallen Sufjan Stevens' Illinois, which was originally scheduled to be released today. A post on Stevens' label, Asthmatic Kitty, states, "Unfortunately we've had to stop selling Illinois due to an legal issue concerning the artwork." According to various blogs and message boards, the legal issue in question is that the album cover featured an image of Superman (flying high above the Chicago skyline with Al Capone in the foreground). As comic book fans well know, the birth of the superhero came in 1938, when Superman made his debut on DC Comics.
In a statement to retailers, Asthmatic Kitty asked them not to sell the LP, saying: "We have been informed that there is a possible copyright and trademark infringement on the cover of the Illinois album art. We have been advised by a lawyer to essentially cease and desist, and that it would be in our best interest to do our best to retract as many of these cds as possible."
There has been no word yet from Asthmatic Kitty or Stevens regarding the specfic nature of the matter, the album's new release date, or what the new cover art will be. Daniel Gill, Stevens' publicist, e-mailed Pitchfork to say that an official statement is shortly forthcoming. We will provide updates on this story as more details emerge. On the plus side, if you were able to order Illinois early, you've now got a nifty collectors' item in your hands.
I've now got a nifty collectors' item on my hands! Hooray! I still want to cry for poor Sufjan, though. I daresay the Man of Steel would be on his side in this...
In better news, Pitchfork gave Illinois a glowing review (9.2), and managed to sound like they knew what they were talking about!
Posted by Tyler at 02:06 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
June 22, 2005
At Least the Commies Didn't Catch Us This Time
Can anyone tell me why the Air Force is still using a fifty year old jet to run recon? And haven't we had some problems with this model before?
And last night the AFI released it's list of Top 100 Movie Quotes. I'm such a sucker for shit like that. I called "Here's lookin' at you, kid" for number one. I was only four spots off.
Top 10:
1. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," "Gone With the Wind," 1939.
2. "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse," "The Godfather," 1972.
3. "You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am," "On the Waterfront," 1954.
4. "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore," "The Wizard of Oz," 1939.
5. "Here's looking at you, kid," "Casablanca," 1942.
6. "Go ahead, make my day," "Sudden Impact," 1983.
7. "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up," "Sunset Blvd.," 1950.
8. "May the Force be with you," "Star Wars," 1977.
9. "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night," "All About Eve," 1950.
10. "You talking to me?" "Taxi Driver," 1976.
Notable omissions, in my humble opinion:
"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Resevoir Dogs
"This means something" - Close Encounters
"I was born a poor black child" - The Jerk
"When you got it, flaunt it, baby, flaunt it!" - The Producers
"Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs..." - Rushmore
Eh, what can you say? It's the AFI.
In other news, Billy Corgan ran a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune saying, "For a year now I have walked around with a secret, a secret I chose to keep." The secret he refers to is, of course, that Zwan sucked and he wants to reunite the SHITTIEST BAND IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.
Apologies in advance to Chris Kornman for that last sentence.
Posted by Tyler at 01:12 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 18, 2005
Sufjan Snubs Chatty on Illinois Tour
But you can bet yer britches he's coming to Chicago! Choke on it, losers! (Just check-up with KCRW for what promises to be a good performance...it will be streaming.)
07-14 Los Angeles, CA - KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic in-studio performance
07-15 Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern $ %
07-16 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater $ %
07-17 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall %
07-18 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall %
07-19 Santa Cruz, CA - The Attic %
07-21 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater %
07-22 Seattle, WA - Triple Door %
07-23 Seattle, WA - Triple Door %
07-24 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards %
07-27 Boise, ID - Neurolux %
07-28 Salt Lake City, UT - Lo-Fi Cafe %
07-29 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre %
07-30 Aspen, CO - Belly Up %
08-01 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room %
08-02 Tucson, AZ - Plush %
08-19 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
08-20 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
08-21 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09-08 Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre *
09-10 Toronto, Ontario - Trinity / St. Paul's Centre *
09-13 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom *
09-14 Newport, KY - Southgate House *
09-16 Chicago, IL - Metro *
09-27 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
* with Laura Viers
$ with Bunky
% with Liz Janes
--From Pitchfork--
Posted by Tyler at 09:44 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack