Archive for February, 2006

Cupcakes, Copyright and Caricature

Tuesday, February 28th, 2006

Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast members, Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg have been labeled the “new wild and crazy guys” with their beastie rap skit, “Lazy Sunday” that aired December 17, 2005 on NBC. However, the skit did not stop there, but exploded onto the Internet. According to the New York Times it has been viewed by 5 million people and counting on one of the most popular hosts of the video clip, Youtube.com. Although it was an Internet phenomenon, it was a copyright nightmare for NBC. As of early February, NBC asked YouTube.com to remove over 500 video clips on the free file-sharing site, under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. YouTude.com has complied, however the skit is still circulating online. NBC also has made the skit available legally online through itunes for $1.99.
The skit has not only brought new interest and viewers to SNL, but also has created a video clip craze online. With Youtude.com, Google video and many other free video clip sites, many people have produced their own parodies of the SNL skit.

To name a few:
(click on the description to see video)
Lazy Monday – which is a “west coast” response
Lazy Monday - all about Monopoly
Lazy Sunday - two guys doing such a bad recreation it’s funny
Lazy Sunday (5th grade remix) – two 5th graders acting out the skit
Mar Sunday (Mars Hill Style) – all about the Mars Hill church service at 6 o’clock, which is probably the best remake thus far (which doesn’t say all that much). See the video is below.
Overall, the snl skit’s references have also become common place in many people’s vobulary. Even google’s popular techonology blog head lines, “Chat+Email=Crazy Delicious,” talking about its new Google chat feature. But most note worthly, the skit has spread word of mouth just as it has online.

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In Between Extremes

Tuesday, February 21st, 2006

By TJ Ryan

Jack Johnson’s smooth song craft and laid-back melodies have been enjoyed by high-schoolers, by their parents and even more so by those that are in between. With his first album released in 2002, Jack Johnson already is a household name. His sing-songy love songs like “Bubble Toes” and “Banana Pancakes” or more insightful songs like “Crying Shame” and “Staple it Together,” has kept a nice balance between “dumb” yet fun songs, and strong social commentary. Nonetheless, Jack still keeps our toes tapping no matter what he’s saying and he continues to show he is a master of pop-folk.

When he’s not wooing with his metaphoric wit, Jack seeks to educate and create awareness in a lot of his songs. Concern over modern media and consumerism seem to be a reoccurring theme in his music. A good example is in the song, “Gone” (Well look at all those fancy clothes/But these could keep us warm just like those). The ironic thing is, the normal concert crowd of mall goers and kids wearing designer surf shop shirts hum along joyously. I’m sure Jack knows, growing up on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, the shops do not exist. But, at least the t-shirts cost 25 bucks, right? Apparently, the music is so laid back a lot of the audience does not realize what is being said.

In a way, (pun alert) Johnson is a Jack of all trades. On top of his musical success, he is an award winning film photographer and a professional surfer. He also reaches out by starting the Kokua Hawiian Foundation to support environmental education in Hawaiian schools. This is not much of a surprise that he cares about the outdoors after listening to his music. It is hard to find a song without something to do with stars (or as he calls them “holes to heaven”), the horizon, or trees (as seen on the In Between Dreams album cover).

Look at Jack’s display of musical and film skill in the song, “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing.”

Now Jack is continuing to do what he does best, but he has switched his focus to a different audience. Jack released Sing-a-longs and Lullabies for the film Curious George in early February. With fun ditties like, “The Sharing Song” and others reminding kids to “Reduce, reuse, recycle”. However, it is not all educational, with the songs like “Jungle Gym,” which talks about the simple pleasures in life and follows the theme of the movie quite well. But, don’t be fooled by the title, this album is filled with a lot of new songs sounding lot what has been heard on past albums. A few friends joined him on the album, with a new duet with Ben Harper on, “Own Two Hands” and other guests include G. Love, Matt Costa and Kawika Kahiapo. Jack also covers the The White Stripes’ song, “I Think We Are Gonna Be Friends” that is seen through a child’s eyes. There a few great new solo tunes on the album, with the lively love song, “Broken” and the bongo beating movie theme, “Upside Down.” Overall, every one loves Curious George and the same will hold for this fitting and fun album in his honor.

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One Song Thrill?

Thursday, February 9th, 2006

By Alex Nordenson
Taken from The Heights, (Boston College’s student newspaper)

I must admit that I have yet to catch an episode of The WB’s Wednesday night hit, One Tree Hill, but it is apparent (to me at least; I have my sources) that it is none other than The O.C. a day early and on the east coast. And because I take no shame in being a semi-regular viewer of the California version, and enjoying it’s spotlighted music, I decided to give the new One Tree Hill Volume 2 Soundtrack a little time on the iPod.
Lustfully titled Friends With Benefit, the album is not surprisingly oriented toward the love-gone-wrong theme that I’m guessing is fluent in the show. Featured throughout are a number of recognizable artists well trained in this genre of music writing. The kick-off track, “Feeling A Moment” by Brit-Metal trio Feeder, fit the mold quite well, ranting the easy rhyme, “how do you feel when there’s no sun, how do you feel when there’s no one.” Being the Feeder virgin that I was, I found myself refreshingly pumped up by the song’s heavily reverbed balance of acoustic guitars and electric “whoo-hoos.” One Tree Hill had one solid song; I was impressed.
After a definite miss in the whiny-emo realm by Jack’s Mannequin, the soundtrack got back on track with a few familiar, reliable artists. Audioslave’s self-esteem inspiring single “Be Yourself” brought the album a much needed rock tune. Nada Surf chimes in next with some motherly advice, “always love, hate will get you every time,” in “Always Love”. A decent song, but we’re in college – who needs a mother? Kidding of course. Gavin Degraw, who has narrowly escaped the harsh label of teen pop star since the release of his first album, finally graces us with a new ballad in “Jealous Guy.” The lyrics are tired, but I admit to being a Gavin fan; the guy’s got talent and soul, and he usually combines them well.
I was personally surprised and exceedingly pleased to see Citizen Cope bring in the sixth track. Seeing him in dreads and high as a kite last fall at Paradise, I had never really thought of Cope (as fans like to dub him at shows) as being a One Tree Hill kinda guy. But “Sun’s Gonna Rise,” a personal favorite of mine, is a natural head bopper with a hip acoustic strum, and is an excellent addition to the album. Big points.
Clouted indie bands Hot Hot Heat and The Shout Out Louds make a couple enjoyable, melodic appearances later on, unfortunately mixed in with two unwelcome versions of a Tyler Hilton track. Pulling the weight on the somber, female side is Macy Gray-esque MoZella (not to be confused with the web browser). Fall All Boy also throws in their two cents with a rather unimpressive song with a trademark title that would take me all day to type.
The crowning achievement of this compilation is delivered by Jimmy Eat World, a band who I believe is one of the most underrated rock outfits out there today. Often pegged as a pillar of stability in the emo world, and overlooked when it comes to their musical and lyrical abilities, JEW has yet to receive their due respect. “23” is a fantastic song with a realistic, developed emotional quality and it has one hell of a solo.
Altogether, One Tree Hill surprised me with round two of their soundtrack set. With a few unoriginal, sappy moaners, the album was resurrected by stellar artists of much worth to me and interesting new sounds that I recommend checking out. Still not sure if I’ll watch the show.

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