Your Daily Feature: 'Monsters' by Antonio Paul (2010)

Today's song goes to Australian indie-pop group Antonio Paul and their song Monsters. Antonio Paul are based out of Bunbury, Western Australia and consists of members Marc Antonio, Michael Paul,  Jordan Gianfrancesco (live synth), and Sam Maher (live drums). City Dreams appears on their Treasures EP, which was released in September of 2010. You can check out their Unearthed Page HERE, their Facebook page HERE, or even purchase their EP HERE.

Your Weekly Classics Shuffle: 'Sunny' by Bobby Hebb (1966)

We're back again with Your Weekly Classics Shuffle, and the result isn't actually a shuffle result this time around. I decided to feature the 1966 song Sunny, by African American singer/songwriter Bobby Hebb as I recently featured the house-remake of this song in another post. Bobby Hebb (born Robert Von Hebb) was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1938, and past away in August 2010 at the age of 72. Sunny was his most well-known song and it appeared on his 1966 Sunny album, and it has been covered by many artists over the years including Cher, Boney M., Boogie Pimps, Georgie Fame, James Brown and many more.

A Brief Movie Review for 'The Return Of The Pink Panther' (1975)

 Movie = The Return Of The Pink Panther (1975)

Director = Blake Edwards

Rating = 2.2/5 Stars **'

The Peter Sellers Pink Panther movies are actually quite funny and consist of the well-known clumsy/hopeless French detective who manages to cause incredible amounts of damage and mayhem in the process of his pursuit of jewel thieves. Good for a laugh, although this one was a bit longer than it needed to be in my opinion. I read somewhere else that this was the lowest rated of all of the Seller's Panther movies made, so I will have to watch the others I suppose.

Your Daily Feature: 'When They Fight, They Fight' by Generationals (2009)

Your Daily Feature is the 2009-release track When They Fight, They Fight, by American indie-rock duo Generationals. The New Orleans-based Generationals have been making music circa 2008 and are duo Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer. When They Fight, They Fight comes off of their 2009 release debut EP Con Law. Check out the band website HERE for more music and info. Where has my creativity gone...seriously??

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Latest tracks by Elefant Traks

Featured Song of the Day: 'Zimbabwe' by New Navy (2011)

Today's feature song is Zimbabwe by Australian indie-dance group New Navy. New Navy hail out of Sydney, Australia and consists of members Matt-Drums, James-Guitar, Benjamin-Bass Guitar & Vocals, and Jamie-Guitar (no last names provided). Zimbabwe is a single off of their recently released debut EP titled Uluwatu, which was out on June 12th, 2011. You can check out their website HERE, or their Unearthed page HERE.

A Brief Movie Review for 'Special' (2006)

Movie = Special (2006)

Directors = Hal Haberman, Jeremy Passmore

My Rating = 3.3/5 Stars ***'

A good movie over-all, and not a typical formula either. A mildly depressed Los-Angeles meter-maid decides to participate in a new drug clinical trial to see if it will help him to move forward in his life. Only he finds that the drug actually causes schizophrenia and delusions that he has superpowers and is here to tackle crime in super-hero fashion. You may find yourself worrying the whole time about what the main character is going to do to himself next, and I reckon that this movie actually has a message about classism and how the working class of people in our society finds themselves leading meaningless lives, working in meaningless jobs, being told to just tow the line and not question the order of things, and then repeatedly used, abused, and manipulated by the system and higher classes which regards them as useless trash. Just take another pill and you will forget all your problems....definitely check this one out if your looking for something to watch.

Now is the Time to Protect the American Dream: Van Jones

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Featured Song of the Day = 'Up Up Up' by Givers (2011)

Today's feature song is Up Up Up by American indie-pop band Givers. Givers have been active since 2009, they originate out of Lafayette, Louisiana, and consists of members Tiffany Lamson (vocals and percussion), Taylor Guarisco (guitar and vocals), Kirby Campbell (drums and vocals), Josh LeBlanc (bass guitar), and Nick Stephan (saxophone, keyboards, flute). Up Up Up is a single released off of their first studio album In Light, which was just released on June 7th, 2011. Head over to their MySpace page HERE for more info and music.

The Last Days Of House: 'Sunny' by Boogie Pimps (2004)

Now for another edition of The Last Days Of House, and today we have German-electronic/house group Boogie Pimps and their 2004 release hit track Sunny. Boogie Pimps is a collaboration between DJs Mark J Klak and Mirko Jacob which began in 2000 out of Erfurt, Germany. Sunny was a cover-version of the original 1966 song by American singer/songwriter Bobby Hebb, and the Boogie Pimps version would reach #10 on the UK charts, and #23 on the Australian charts. I was surprised to see that the original radio-edit of this song isn't available as a digital download on either ITunes or Amazon, but their hit house-cover of Somebody to Love is, so you can check that out, although it will probably appear in a future post here. Til next time, and lets hope for some more sun too!

Featured Song Of The Day = 'Simple Man (feat. Daniel Merriweather)' by Diafrix (2011)

Today's featured song is Simple Man (feat. Daniel Merriweather) by Australian hip-hop duo Diafrix. Diafrix consists primarily of the Melbourne-based duo Khaled “Azmarino” Abdulwahab and Mohamed “Momo” Komba, both of whom were refugees from their home countries who immigrated to Australia at a young age. They have since made their mark on the Australian hip-hop music scene having made an extensive career on the Aussie live-music festival scene, as well as music tours all over Europe. Simple Man is a new single release by the group, released on April 4th, 2011, and featuring the guest vocals of Australian R-and-B-singer Daniel Merriweather. If you like the song you can head to the group's MySpace page HERE, or their very own website HERE for more.

A Brief Movie Review for 'All Good Things' (2010)

Movie = All Good Things (2010)

Director = Andrew Jarecki

Rating = 3/5 Stars ***

Bit of a strange movie, and oddly enough they say its 'based on events,' but they never say 'true' or 'factual events' so who knows how loosely based they are, although they do say that sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. The movie starts out quite normal about a young couple who get married and live happily for a few years until the wife (Dunst) discovers that her husband and his powerful New York real-estate mogul family are really quite evil to the core. The story then takes quite a twist and the husband (Gosling) basically becomes a  cross-dressing homicidal maniac on the run. Again, a strange movie and one would hope not too true to actual events.

Mentionable Mashups: 'Word Up This Way' by Marc Johnce (2011)

Its been awhile since I posted any mashups, so Mentionable Mashups returns from holiday to present you with the latest track Word Up This Way, by Nuremburg-based mashup producer Marc Johnce. This mashup involves the 2011 released #1 hit Born This Way, by the Empress of Pop Lady Gaga, and it has been brilliantly mashed together with 2004 cover song Word Up! by American nu-metal band Korn, both songs that I recommend checking out on their own as well. If you like what you hear you can head over to Marc Johnce's website HERE, or head over to Mashuptown for more mashups HERE.

A Brief Movie Review for 'Alfie' (1966)

Movie = Alfie (1966)

Director = Lewis Gilbert

Rating = 3.8/5 stars ***''

 The original 'Alfie' (starring Michael Caine) is an interesting movie, and not exactly what I expected it to be either. It is in fact much better than one might initially think after reading the taglines and movie brief. It is a movie about a playboy who leads a reckless love life and doesn't seem to have much other purpose in life than scoring with as many women as he sees fit; but it is also about Alfie having to face up to reality that he is now a middle aged-adult and starts to find himself confused as he begins to leave the lifestyle that defined who he was for much of his youth and begin to face what it means to be a father and someone who no longer fits the old mold quite so well (almost a mid-life crisis sort of movie, but of one who never moved on past the party-stage). Michael Caine does a great job in this role, and I recommend watching this one, and after doing so I have little to no interest in the more recent version.

Featured Song Of The Day = 'Modern Art' by Black Lips (2011)

Today's feature song is Modern Art by American garage-punk band Black Lips. The Black Lips began back in 1999 out of Atlanta, Georgia and consisting of current members Cole Alexander (guitar and vocals), Jared Swilley (bass guitar and vocals), Ian Saint Pé (guitar and vocals), and Joe Bradley (drums and vocals). Modern Art is a single release off of their 6th studio album Arabia Mountain, which was just released on June 7th, 2011. You can check out their MySpace page HERE for more music and band info.

Another Classics Shuffle: 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' by The Rolling Stones (1971)

And the Classic's Shuffle result for this week, straight out of 1971, and hardly an unknown song is Can't You Hear Me Knocking by legendary British rock band The Rolling Stones. The Rolling Stones formed in London, UK back in 1962 with an original lineup of Brian Jones (guitars, and harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (vocals and harmonica) and Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass guitar), and Charlie Watts (drums). Yes, they are still touring to this day despite some of them being almost 70 years old which is pretty amazing and cool at the same time. Can't You Hear Me Knocking comes off of the band's 11th American and 9th British studio albums Sticky Fingers, which was released in April of 1971. This song has been featured in many films including Blow, Casino, Comedian, The Fighter, and Without a Paddle to name a few. This is one of my favorite Stones tracks so enjoy and stay tuned for more.

A Brief Movie Review for 'Waste Land' (2010)

Movie = Waste Land (2010)

Director = Lucy Walker

Rating = 5/5 Stars *****

Waste Land is a very worth-while documentary about the Land-fills of Rio De Janiero and the people who make a living as 'pickers' that collect and sell the recyclable materials from everyone else's rubbish. Brazilian visual artist Vik Muniz makes his way back to Brazil in an effort to raise awareness about pickers and the lives they live, as well as taking the opportunity to give them a human face, and to give something back to his people who need it most. Check this one out!

Feature Song Of The Day = 'Fall At Your Feet' by Boy And Bear (2010)

Today's featured song is Fall At Your Feet by Australian indie-folk band Boy And Bear. Boy And Bear started out in Sydney Australia in 2009 originally as a solo-project by Dave Hosking who was later was joined by Jake Tarasenko, Killian Gavin, and Tim Hart, all members that have since contributed as singers and songwriters in the group. Fall At Your Feet is a cover version of the original 1992 song by Aussie/Kiwi band Crowded House. The Boy And Bear cover version was released in November of 2010 on a Finn Brothers covers album titled He Will Have His Way, so you can find it there. I look forward to more from this group in the future. You can check out their Unearthed page HERE, or their MySpace page HERE.

Featured Song Of The Day = 'Have Fun' by Bleeding Knees Club (2010)

And the song for today is....Have Fun by Australian indie-punk band Bleeding Knees Club. Bleeding Knees Club originate out of the Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia, and consists of members Alex Wall (Drums/vocals) and Jordan Malane (Guitar). Have Fun comes off of their October 2010 released Virginity EP. So, as per usual you can head over to their MySpace page HERE, or check out their Unearthed page HERE.

Featured Song Of The Day = 'Foreign Lover' by Stonefield (2010)

Today's feature song is Foreign Lover by Australian rock-band Stonefield. Stonefield consists of 4 sisters Amy Findlay (lead vocals and drums), Hannah Findlay (guitar), Sarah Findlay (keys and vocals), and Holly Findlay (bass guitar) and who are based out of Melbourne Australia. The song Foreign Lover comes off of their debut EP titled Through The Clover, which was released in November 2010.  For more music and info on the band you can visit their MySpace page HERE, or their Unearthed page HERE.   Foreign Lover by stonefieldThrough the Clover

A Brief Movie Review for 'The Tourist' (2010)

Movie = The Tourist (2010)

Director = Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Rating = 2.2/5 Stars **'

  

The Tourist, starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie is a very formulaic action-intrigue film with a very thin plot and what seems like little substance/soul. The film has wonderful scenery though, lots of beautiful settings and European city-scapes, especially of Venice which most definitely helps. I get the feeling that they sort of slapped-together the standard Hollywood action-intrigue formula plot-line together just for an excuse to get Depp and Jolie in the same film (which clearly equals easy big bucks at the box office), and I think they could have easily come up with an interesting plot but opted not to for some reason. This movie is however worth watching once, and be warned as it may make you want to travel.

The Last Days Of House: 'Make A Move On Me' by Joey Negro (2005)

This week's Last Days Of House feature track goes to British House DJ Joey Negro and his 2005-released track Make A Move On Me. Joey Negro (Dave Lee, and also known as Jakatta, Doug Willis, Z Factor, Sessomato or Mistura) is a house-DJ and highly sought-after music producer from the Isle of Wight, UK who has been active in the music-production game since 1988. Make A Move On Me was first released in 1999 under his alias as Z Factor, but it was re-released as a single in 2005 as "Make A Move On Me" featuring vocals by Taka Boom, and this version reached #11 in the UK, #59 in Australia, #40 in Ireland, #1 on the US Dance chart. Check out his website HERE for more info and music.

Featured Song Of The Day = 'Fragile Bird' by City And Colour (2011)

Today's feature song is Fragile Bird, by Canadian Canadian singer/songwriter City And Colour. City And Colour is actually an acoustic side project of  St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada-based Alexisonfire vocalist/guitarist Dallas Green, which has been active since 2004. According to his Wikipedia page Juno Award winning Dallas Green is often accompanied by a rotating number of Canadian musicians but that City And Colour is primarily his own side-project. Fragile Bird is a single-release from his upcoming Little Hell which is set to be released on June 7th, 2011.

A Brief Movie Review for 'Hot Tub Time Machine' (2010)

Movie = Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
Director = Steve Pink
Rating = 2.5/5 Stars **'

A group of friends head to an old ski-resort spot to discover their hotel-room hot tub has taken them back in time to 1986 and a previous trip they had there, but this time they have to re-live everything the same way or risk disrupting the future. This movie was funny and definitely a dude-flick. There's the usual crude/bathroom humor and the plot seems to be quite original (what with the hot tub time machine) too. I can't say they portrayed the 80s all that well as the preview potrayed, but this one is good for a laugh and watching once.

Another Classics Shuffle: 'Hurricane' by Bob Dylan (1975)

Welcome to Another Classics Shuffle, and this week's classic shuffle result is the 1975 protest-song Hurricane, by American singer/song-writer Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman) has been in the news lately with his recent music tour in Asia, and he was born May 24, 1941 (aged 70 at present) in Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.A.. I am really not going to go into the trivia on him because he has whole books dedicated to his biographical history and musical contributions, so if you really want that sort of stuff you can always start with his Wikipedia page HERE. The song Hurricane was written by Bob Dyland, and co-written with Jacques Levy, about the imprisonment of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, an African American (and well-known middleweight boxer in the 1960's) who was falsely imprisoned in 1966 for a triple murder and who wasn't released from prison until 1985 after a number of re-trials that were eventually ruled in 1986 as having been  "based on racism rather than reason and concealment rather than disclosure," although by that time Carter had already served around 19 years of his life behind bars. For more on that story, you can check out the 1999 motion picture The Hurricane which is based on Carter's life-story. The song was released on Dylan's 1976 album Desire.
BobDylan-Hurricane by manon42 

Featured Song Of The Day = 'Let You Down' by Hungry Kids Of Hungary (2010)

The song of the day is....Let You Down, by Australian four-piece indie-pop band Hungry Kids of Hungary. Hungry Kids of Hungary formed back in 2007, they originate out of Brisbane, Australia, and they consist of Dean McGrath (lead vocals, guitar), Kane Mazlin (vocals and keyboards), Ben Dalton (bass guitar and vocals) and Ryan Strathie (drums and vocals). Let You Down is a single release which comes off of their debut studio album titled Escapades, which was released on October 1st, 2010. If you like what you hear be sure to check out their MySpace page HERE, and their Unearthed page HERE.

Steve Judd's Global Astrological Forecast for June 2011

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A Brief Movie Review for 'Jack Goes Boating' (2010)

Movie = Jack Goes Boating (2010)

Director = Philip Seymour Hoffman

Rating = 3.5/5 Stars ***'

This movie is Phillip Seymour Hoffman's debut as a director, and its a slow-paced romantic comedy/drama that gives us a brief peek into the live's of two dysfunctional and believable couples. The characters are all pretty ordinary people with ordinary relationship/personal problems as well as old fears and blocks that they have to face and overcome in order to move forward in their lives. The way I've summarized it here may make it sound uninteresting, but it really is worthwhile movie and I think its a good omen for the directorial debut for Hoffman. Check this one out if your looking for something to watch.

A Brief Book Review for 'I: Reality and Subjectivity' by Author Dr. David R. Hawkins M.D. Ph.D. (2003)

Book: 'I: Reality and Subjectivity' (2003)

Author: Dr. David R. Hawkins M.D. Ph.D.

Published: 2003 

This book is another metaphysical masterpiece by Dr. David R. Hawkins M.D. Ph.D., and it is all about reality, the universe, God, consciousness, metaphysics, etc. and addresses just about every topic you can come across. I just finished reading in a third time and I highly recommend this book to everyone. I believe that most of you readers out there will find it compelling, even if you are not privy to the science of applied kinesiology, and you will still find that you begin to have deeper understandings about the nature of our reality and of consciousness after reading this book. I personally feel that this book has expanded my own reality and understandings of it, along with many other authors and books (i.e. Walsch, Tolle, Ruiz, Roman, ACIM etc.) of a similar genre, and has really helped to round out the extraneous factors and questions I've always had about the meaning of life, God, metaphysics, philosophy, etc.. If you are seriously considering checking this book out I would firstly recommend reading Dr. Hawkins's Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior book first, as the two read together deliver a powerful understanding. Check this book out even if it doesn't sound interesting, there is something beneficial for everyone who reads it.