A Brief TV-Series Review = 'Downton Abbey' (Season 1) (2010)

TV Series = Downton Abbey (2010)

Writer/Creator = Julian Fellowes

Rating = 5/5 Stars *****

This Masterpiece Classics production is excellent, and I would like to say that I recommend it to everyone. The first Season has been completed and aired, and the according to the Wikipedia page, the second season is currently being filmed as I write this, and is set to be aired in late 2011. The series is set in the fictional Downton Abbey in about 1912-1915 and revolves around the lives of the Earl of Grantham, his estate of Downton Abbey, and all of the relatives and workers who's lives twist and turn and revolve around this fictional estate in the years just pre-WW1. Also according to wikipedia it is currently the most expensive British television show ever produced. Don't miss this one if you have the chance to watch it.

Now They Call Them Oldies = 'Donna' by Ritchie Valens (1958)

Here's an oldie for the week...Donna by the late Mexican-American singer/songwriter/guitarist/legend Ritchie Valens. Ritchie Valens ( Ricardo Esteban Valenzuela Reyes), was born in 1941, and died tragically in 1959 at the young age of 17! But in those short 17 years he left us with some classics, and my shuffle results brought me to this Valens song. Now, obviously being a child of the 80's Valens was long gone before I was even a concept, but I still appreciate his contribution to American music and of course I remember watching the 1987 biographical movie La Bamba on HBO as a kid and being impacted by the music and story (you know, the one with Lou Diamond Phillips). So anyways, Donna is the oldie of the week, and it peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Wake Up' by Acid Girls (feat Frankmusik) (2009)

Today's feature song is Wake Up, by Los-Angeles-based DJ duo Acid Girls (feat. FRANKMUSIK). The duo started out as music bloggers, and moved up to dj'ing major parties the world-round and of course now they are producing their own music and remixes. Wake Up was released in 2009 on the French Music Label Kitsuné, and their Kitsuné X The Cobrasnake album. There isn't a whole lot of bio-information on these two, so you might head over to their MySpace page HERE if you are interested in checking out more of their work.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Can't Shake This Feeling' by Grum (2010)

Today's feature song is Can't Shake This Feeling, by UK electro-artist Grum. Grum (Graeme Shepard) has been active on the synth-electro music scene since 2007 and he originates out of Leeds, UK. Can't Shake This Feeling comes off of his May 2010 debut album titled Heartbeats, which I would highly recommend checking out if you are into the synth-electro scene and are fond of artists like Cut Copy, Van She, The Presets, Miami Horror, and Tesla Boy.  If you like what you hear be sure to visit his MySpace page HERE, and note that you can purchase this album now on ITunes or Amazon.

A Brief Movie Review for 'The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest' (2009)

Movie = The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest (2009)

Director = Daniel Alfredson

Rating = 3/5 Stars *** 

This is the 3rd and final part of the now popular Stieg Larsson triology, and it continues directly from Part 2. While this film has a bit less violence and a bit more of the unfolding of the plot, it remains to be the least exciting and most anti-climactic of the triology (being the climax of course). Main character Lisbeth Salander and her deformed father Zalachenko are both hospitalized whilst Salander's giant and vengeful brother Niedermann remains on the loose. We discover more about the mysterious spy organization Zalachenko works for and journalist Michael Blomkvist gets himself and his co-writers in deep into the conflict. I still think that part 1 was the most interesting, but this concludes the trilology so naturally you will want to watch it as well.

Todays Feature Song = 'Jacksons Last Stand' by Ou Est Le Swimming Pool (2010)

Today' s feature song is Jackson's Last Stand by British synth-pop group Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool originate out of Camden, London UK and consisted of members Charles Haddon (ex-lead singer, is now deceased), Joe Hutchinson, and Caan Capan. This song was the 3rd single released by the group, and it was released on July 12th, 2010 which later also appeared on their debut album titled The Golden Year. The release of that album was delayed from its original release date when the lead vocalist Charles Haddon tragically committed suicide on August 20th, 2010  following a performance in Belgium, and so I will dedicate this post in honor of his memory as well as to honor his friends and family. R.I.P.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Vanished' by Crystal Castles (2008)

Today's feature song is Vanished by Toronto-based Canadian electronica-band Crystal Castles. Crystal Castles have been active on the electronica music scene since 2004 and consists of producer Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass. They have released 2 studio albums, and Vanished appears on their self-titled debut album which came out all the way back in 2008! Quite clearly the lyrics have been sampled off of the Van She 2005 hit single Sex City (Van She are an electro-pop band from Melbourne, Australia headlined by lead singer Matt Van Schie). Be sure to check out the Crystal Castles  website HERE, or their MySpace page HERE for more band and music information.

Now They Call Them Oldies = 'Caravan' by Van Morrison (1970)

This weeks oldie according to my shuffle-results comes from 1970 and is none-other than Caravan, by Northern-Irish singer/song-writer/musician Van Morrison. Caravan was released on Morrison's third solo-album titled Moondance. The Moondance album peaked at #29 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart that year. Check out his wikipedia page HERE for more info and history on the artist and music.

A Brief Movie Review for 'Yesterday' (2004)

Movie = Yesterday (2004)

Director = Darrell Roodt

Rating = 4.5/5 Stars

Yesterday (2004) is no doubt an educational drama about a young mother living in South Africa with her daughter and husband who works afar and is only home a few times during the year. Main character Tuesday (is her name) struggles with the discovery that she is HIV positive, poor, and must find a way to guarantee some sort of future for young daughter who faces losing both of her parents to AIDS. Not a lite-film, so if you are in a fragile mood don't watch, but it is something people should watch to raise awareness that AIDS hasn't gone anywhere. Too heavy for me to watch again, but don't let that keep you from watching it.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Scattered Diamonds' by Hungry Kids of Hungary (2011)

The song of the day is....Scattered Diamonds, by Australian four-piece indie-pop band Hungry Kids of Hungary. Hungry Kids of Hungary formed back in 2007, comes out of Brisbane, Australia, and consists of Dean McGrath (lead vocals, guitar), Kane Mazlin (vocals and keyboards), Ben Dalton (bass guitar and vocals) and Ryan Strathie (drums and vocals). Scattered Diamonds comes off of their Mega Mountain EP, which was released on March 7th, 2011. If you like what you hear be sure to check out their MySpace page HERE, and their Unearthed page HERE.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Hello, How Low Can You Go?' by Ross De Chene Hurricanes (2010)

Today's song is...Hello, How Low Can You Go?, by Australian indie-garage-rock band Ross de Chene Hurricanes. Ross de Chene Hurricanes originate out of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and consists of members Justin Kuchel (on Drums), and Mark Doman (on Vocals and Guitar). Hello, How Low Can You Go? comes off of their Kicking the Jams album which was released in October of 2010, and is available for free download at their website HERE. For any further info on this band check out their MySpace page HERE, or you can also check out their Unearthed page HERE. Good stuff!

Feature Song of the Day = 'The White Line' by Bonjah (2011)

Today's feature song is The White Line by New Zealand blues-roots-rock group Bonjah. Bonjah are a 5-piece Melbourne-based group (originally from New Zealand) consisting of members Glenn Mossop, Regan Lethbridge, Dave Morgan, Dan Chisholm, and James Majernik and active since 2007. The White Line is a 2011 single release. For more information check their website HERE, or their MySpace page HERE.

Today's Feature Song = 'Starlighter' by Jupiter (2009)

Today's feature song is Starlighter by French electro-disco-duo Jupiter. Jupiter are a boy/girl duo based out of Paris, France and there isn't really a whole lot of other info on them out there, unless of course it is in French somewhere that I haven't located. Starlighter comes off of their 2009 release EP of the same Title. If you like what you hear you can head over to their MySpace page HERE, or check out their Lastfm page HERE.