Crazy Crystal Castles Concert at Circa? Correct!

So Keane and I went to she Crystal Castles at Circa Friday night. Not my favourite group on this scene right now, they're best know, at least to me, for their wicked remix of 'Atlantis To Interzone'. But I mean, it's Klaxons, everyone remixes Klaxons, and it's always good, but their 'Crimewave' single is crazy catchy too.

Anyways, on to the show. I think this kind of music is always better live, it's so much fun to dance around and such. Plus, I love the fact that they bring in a drummer, it's way more real feeling. The singing was not amazing, but the singer was ridiculously high-energy. They didn't play too long, but I guess they don't have that much material. They aren't Justice or anything, it's not the kind of thing where I'd go thinking "hmm, I just feel like sitting and enjoying some music tonight", but I'd definitely see them again if I was in a high-energy fun mood.

That's the other thing, I've never been to Circa before, and I have to say, I have mixed feelings about it for a venue. Likesay, it seems like the kind of place you go if you have so much energy that you can't look at the same thing for more than 30 seconds at a time. But on the other hand, it definitely pumps you up for the show, and they actually play good music (even when the band's not on), like they actually put thought into it, not just top 40 whatever. At the same time, if I was paying to see someone who's music I really wanted to hear, I'd be pissed for several reasons: The dance floor's too small (for the number of people there), the people are annoying (grabbing at me, not paying attention to the music, pushing), the drinks are expensive!

Long and short: fun band, fun place, fun night, just not necessarily my thing. At least, not every night.

Stuff that White People Like

This blog says more than mere words ever could (which is useful because the site is another blog).

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/40-indie-music/

Hilarious!

Their Album Title Rhymes Like This One Doesn't

aRTIST oF tHE yEAR goes beyond what most bands do by going out of their way to give English and Grammar teachers at least three fevered dreams and a tearful phone-call to their mother about the sordid situation of their life.

Why? How the hell should I know?

How? By writing their name with capital letters where non-capital letters should be!

It actually sums up a lot of what they are like as a band. They're part of the French electro scene right now, which I suppose gives you a general idea of what you're going to get when you listen to them. Given my somewhat limited (but ever growing) knowledge of the underground club scene across the pond right now, if I had to describe them to my kidnapper in exchange for my release, I'd probably say that aRTIST oF tHE yEAR is a band that you'd get if you took Digitalism, sebastiAn, and a grade four birthday party and put them in a blender. Although I'm a few months behind, wRECK lA dISCOTHEQUE is their most recent album, closing off 2007 with a bang.

The first impression I got listening to this album was that I no longer have to wonder what would happen if I were trapped on a rollercoaster that happened to be floating in space while people were cheering me on. This is the kind of stuff that you want playing at your party, but only once everyone is out of their mind. It's pretty rave-ish, although about mid-way through the album you end up getting at least one slower-paced song.

Anyway, if you're looking for experimental-electro, these guys are popping up on Top 10 lists (for electro) all over the place lately. Give them a listen. yOU wON'T rEGRET iT!

Awesome Awesome Band Band Poney Poney

I know next to nothing about these guys. According to their Myspace Poney Poney used to be some sort of One man and an ipod deal. They're a 3 piece now and by the sounds of it all business.
Their new track has been produced by Justice which I feel is a pretty good testament to their quality already and they've recently remixed the new Teenagers single Love No.
They seem a little like Paris' answer to the Kalxons, but very worth keeping an eye on.

Nothing Personal, it's just Revenge.

Created by Takashi Okazaki the Story of Afro Samurai follows along a Young warrior bent on defeating and dethroning his father's murderer in a world of Violence Ruled by the One wearing the number one Headband.
Along with his Imaginary sidekick Ninja Ninja (Voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), Afro Samurai (Also Voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) Fends off Bandits, warriors, old friends, and the mysterious Empty Seven Monks while on his quest for revenge.
I can't write summarizations.
I love this Series. The fight scenes are spectacular, the story is interesting and Samuel L. Jackson does not dissapoint. The world it takes place in has this strange mix of Asian and Rap Culture that, although may seem weird, I found worked really well.
Anyways, I can't do it Justice. Here's a clip:

Call The Hairstylist! Call The Deepsea Diver!

I went to see Spiral Beach at the Pepperjack in Hamilton on Saturday night.

"Well, was is fun, or what?" you might ask. I'd be inclined to answer, "yes! it was quite fun", and to do so enthusiastically. Really, they're a very fun band. They play an odd combination of highly theatrical 70's new wave (I think B-52s, for some reason) and high attitude post-punk. The result is something entirely new and refreshing. And not just because it's different, it's also really fucking good. I mean, it's killer guitar licks (entirely different from what you're used to), weird keyboard noises, crazy bass lines, dance-able grooves, and the male/female vocal combo that I'm always partial to.

They played my old favourite Voodoo, but mostly stuff off their new cd, Ball. After hearing sounds like "Astro Girls", I couldn't help but buy aforementioned cd. Most songs don't disappoint, my personal favourite may be "Man Moon", but a lot of the fun and theatrics of the live show is lost in the recording. Don't get me wrong, it's a good cd, and especially strong considering the relative youth of the band, but the strongest suit of this band is definitely the live show.

Unpractical toys for unpractical people

Probably the best investment anyone can make is Realestate.
Generally the value of land and the houses on it are constantly rising. There are a few tricks to maximize the amount of money made versus the amount of money paid in an investment like this as well. Improving flooring, windows and even adding a little paint can bring in a lot of money from prospective buyers.
There is another thing to add that, though a little unorthodox, will add a large amount of value to a house. That thing is a secret passageway.
Started in 2004 a Mechanical Engineer names Steven Humble Creative Home Engineering offers an amazing amount of ways to escape captors, Hide secret documents and just be that guy with a sliding book case (My favourite being the couch slide).
I think the majority of CHE's business is generated by the growing paranoia in America combined with an overwhelming amount of wealth held by people with no practical idea of what to do with it.
Anyways, check out their site.
Hiddenpassageway.com