Currently Listening Separation Sunday By The Hold Steady "Hornets! Hornets!" see related

Moving On

I've moved. My blog, that is. For a few reasons. For one, the Xanga uploader has ceased to work properly from my computer; I'm updating now from a public one. And I want to try a new blogging format, too, for which I think Blogger is a bit better. So, you can find the new Hawkmoon here:

http://jlhurst.blogspot.com/

Note that, while the posts are currently just music- and film-related, I will in fact be posting ramblings about my personal life, as well. So you won't miss that. And I'll keep the Xanga account to comment on other folks' blogs; hopefully y'all will follow me over yonder and give some feedback there!

Currently Listening Neon Bible By Arcade Fire "Intervention" see related

Back from the Dead

Life's been busy. Very busy. That's why I haven't been blogging. I've been drowning in work on my thesis, a Shakespeare term paper, a pair of philosophy exams, and work with the RUF and Defenders of Life groups. Plus, trying to find a little bit of time to spend with the superb new Arcade Fire disc, trying to make some plans for the summer, and trying not to think about all the reviews I really ought to be writing.

And then there's the Magic. In another day or two, once things cool down a bit more, I've got stories. Oh boy do I have stories.

For now, let me note that next week is my spring break, and I hope to catch up on some reviews. Also, within the next month or so, I'll be seeing Neko Case, Over the Rhine, and Relient K with Mae. Don't ask why I'm interested in that last one-- I just am, okay?

Also, I saw 300 yesterday. Yeesh-- what a brutally, jarringly violent film it is. In fact, the whole film is filled with violence and sexuality that's so heavily stylized it comes across as nothing less than pornography... glorified violence and sensational sex that's clearly meant only to titilate us and appeal to our baser appetities. The look of the film is actually pretty cool in some ways, if a bit too derivative of Peter Jackson's films, but it's ultimately not something I'd recommend to anyone.

Currently Listening Let It Roll By Willard Grant Conspiracy "Flying Low" see related

PSA

It is entirely possible that the patent-pending Hurst Magic is back in glorious form.

Entirely possible.

I'm just saying.

Currently Listening Kindness of the World By Joe Henry "This Close to You" see related

Strange Departures

Well, I watched just about all of the Oscars last night, and, contrary to what every other critic and pundit seems to be saying, I actually found it to be fairly enjoyable, even if almost all of the actual awards were entirely predictable, and the best film of the past year (two or three years, really)-- The New World-- was, of course, completely absent. (Save for an oh-so-sweet clip in Michael Mann's montage!) Some reasons why the Oscars weren't all bad this year:

• Ellen. What can I say? I thought she was pretty funny. Not as good as Jon Stewart was last year, but worlds better than Chris Rock. Her bit was tame, but very charming.
• Marty. About freaking time he got his due. And you know, I'm even excited that he finally won a Best Picture-- not that The Departed actually was last year's Best Picture, or even the best nominated picture, or even Scorsese's best picture. But it's satisfying that a class act like Scorsese is finally getting recognized by the boneheadas at the Academy. (Still, a shame that it came for this movie rather than Taxi Driver or Raging Bull... but then again, I like The Departed better than Goodfellas, or Gangs of New York, or The Aviator...)
• Al. Mr. Gore seemed to be the big star last night. And you know, while I don't always agree with his policies, and would never actually vote for him in an election, I really admire and appreciate what he's doing for the conversation about climate change.
• Will Ferrell, Jack Black, and John C. Reily. Funniest thing ever.
• Alan Arkin. File this one under Pleasant Surprises.
• Costume Design for Marie Antoinette. Astonishingly, this was not expected to happen. Thank God the Academy turned out to have more sense than most people figured they would...

And, just a few gripes:

• No New World or Three Burials, of course.
• Melissa Ethridge. Ewwwwwwww. Can we really live in a world where she's won an Oscar and U2 hasn't?
• Cinematography went to Pan's Labyrinth. Not Children of Men. Certainly not The New World. Pan's Labyrinth. Sigh.
• Did I mention no New World?

Currently Listening City Morning Song (Dig) By Sarah Shannon "On and On" see related

Miracle of Two

For anyone who might care, the problems and issues discussed in the last entry have all been neatly-- if somewhat painfully-- resolved, and things are back to normal and perfectly happy here in Pearsons 222.

Moving on. Last week, while in Knoxville to visit the doctor about my sinus infection, I stopped by my folks' house and found that a package had arrived for me in the mail. In it were two CDs from the same publicist. The first-- which I had requested a few days before-- was Eleni Mandell's new album Miracle of Five. I've been listening to it steadily for the past week now, and it's a treasure. Mandell is a torchy, jazzy singer with a voice that recalls a sultrier Kim Taylor, or even Leslie Feist. She writes beautiful, idiosyncratic meditations on relationships good and bad, and her poetry has a deceptive simplicity in the economy of its language; it says a lot without using a lot of words. It's beautiful stuff, by turns playful, flirtatious, romantic, and solemn. Recommended-- and thanks, Schil, for prompting me to give this one a chance!

The other one that arrived was not one that I'd requested, but it's about as good. It's by a band called Willard Grant Conspiracy, and it's called Let it Roll. Now, I have no idea who Willard Grant is-- the mastermind behind the band is Robert Fischer-- but these guys are great at what they do-- namely, playing somber, sepia-toned Americana... except for when they errupt into a fiery, electric-guitar fury, as on the scorching nine-minute title track. And their lead singer sings with a gravity and a dignity that reminds one of Johnny Cash or Leonard Cohen... except for when he lets go and nearly screams himself hoarse. They write wonderful, if frequently dour, songs about faith and love and human nature, and it's absolutely wonderful music. Also recommended!