Categories
Miscellaneous

Film Review: The Lobster (2015)

The Lobster is a film featuring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, and John C. Reilly. It is a film that is hard to explain, and even harder pigeonhole into one genre: it contains elements of drama, thriller, and romance, but the genre it most closely resembles is dark comedy.

The film takes place in a near-future dystopian setting in which everyone is required to be in a committed relationship. Singles are sent to a hotel where they have 45 days to find a mate, or they will be transformed into the animal of their choice. The film centers around David, a man who is all alone after a failed marriage, as he tries to navigate awkward courting rituals at the hotel before he is turned into a lobster.

The Lobster is full of twists, turns, and convoluted plot points that some viewers may not like. There are also elements of the absurd in the film that I think are intentionally confusing, such as non-sequiturs, nonsensical dialogue, and long shots that seem to overstay their welcome. There are only 3 characters with names in the film; the rest are identified by their traits or roles. The ending of the film raises many more questions than it answers, which is simultaneously tasteful and frustrating. Depending on your perspective, the film has a lot to say or absolutely nothing at all.

In spite of its downfalls, The Lobster is one of the most entertaining films I have seen this year—I don’t usually watch films more than once, and I have seen this one three times. There were plenty of scenes that made me laugh, some that made me uneasy, and some that were genuinely touching. The ambiguity of the film leaves plenty of room for thematic analysis. Perhaps the film is criticizing our society’s obsession with monogamous relationships and our willingness to sacrifice individuality to conform to be better partners, or perhaps it means nothing at all – either way, it’s worth watching.

Have you seen The Lobster? If so, what did you think?

– DJ Mango

Categories
Playlists

Restful Tunes Playlist

Written By Miranda

The perfect playlist for an autumn or winter day for relaxing. Think dark academia, the Twilight series, or a Michael Gondry film. Plenty of light instrumentals to melancholic tracks for you to enjoy. Listen here.

  1. Vote by The Submarines
  2. Box of Rain by Grateful Dead
  3. Blue Ridge Mountains by Fleet Foxes
  4. Possibility by Lykke Li
  5. You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are by Keaton Henson
  6. To Be Alone With You by Sufjan Stevens
  7. Don’t Swim by Keaton Henson
  8. Soon We’ll Be Found by Sia
  9. Master of None by Beach House
  10. 505 by Arctic Monkeys
  11. China Doll by Grateful Dead
  12. The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel
  13. Needle In The Hay by Elliott Smith
  14. Chicago (acoustic version) by Sufjan Stevens
  15. Rosyln by Midnite String Quartet
  16. Holocene by Bon Iver
  17. John My Beloved by Sufjan Stevens
  18. The Owl And The Tanager by Sufjan Stevens
  19. River by Joni Mitchell
  20. Springfield by Sufjan Stevens
  21. Asleep by The Smiths
  22. Blue Bucket of Gold by Sufjan Stevens
  23. Little Green by Joni Mitchell
  24. Cementality by King Krule
  25. Space Song by Beach House
Categories
Music Education

Women in Jazz

Ya like jazz? Yes? Well who comes to mind when you think about the smooth tones that characterized the 40s and 50s? Is it Louis Armstrong? Or maybe Frank Sinatra and Louis Prima. While all of these men were incredible singers, more often than not they outshined a whole group of female jazz artists that were just as good, if not better.

One of my favorite artists, Billie Holiday, dominated the charts back in the day. She rose to fame in a time following the Great Depression, with a new flavor of music that became known as “swing.” With songs like I’ll Be Seeing You and Easy Living she quickly made a name for herself. Her music also incorporated a strong element of the civil rights movement, with Strange Fruit serving as an emotional depiction of the effects of racism.

Another notable singer from the time was Ella Fitzgerald, who popularized scat singing through songs such as Dream a Little Dream of Me and A-Tisket, A-Tasket. Perhaps one of the biggest women in music at the time, she was also popular on the big screen, with a role in Pete Kelley’s Blues and making guest appearances on TV shows such as The Frank Sinatra and The Ed Sullivan Show.

One last artist I’d like to point out is Dinah Shore. Her melodic voice fits perfectly with the instrumental background and perfectly characterizes the aged feeling that comes from listening to this genre of music.

Each song by these artists tells a story. Some tell stories of injustice, some of hardships, and some of love. But these stories are what helped women gain a foothold in the music industry and will forever be timeless on any jazz playlist. 

Hope you guys enjoy the music, 

-DJ chippypants

Categories
Miscellaneous

Friday Favorites (10/16)

Written By Miranda

Friday Favorites is a biweekly playlist series created by Miranda featuring her favorite songs from the past two weeks with a focus on new releases and  lesser-known music. You can check out this week’s new tracks as well as all songs from previous weeks on WKNC’s Spotify here. This week’s Favorites include some of the best indie breakup songs. 

  1. Bad Day by Darwin Deez 
  2. Compromise by Phony Ppl 
  3. Mardy Bum by Arctic Monkeys
  4. Putting The Dog To Sleep by The Antlers 
  5. Not In Love (ft. Robert Smith)  by Crystal Castles 
  6. No Destruction by Foxygen 
  7. Flowers In December by Mazzy Star
Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Slept On: RMR

Not much is known about the figure known as RMR – pronounced “rumor” – who never makes a public appearance without his embroidered ski mask. One thing is certain, however: the man can sing. His breakout single “Rascal”, with its impassioned vocal performance and “F— 12” refrain, combines hardcore hip-hop aesthetics with country balladry thanks to its interpolation of “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. Like Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”, the juxtaposition of these two styles makes “Rascal” – along with its music video – primed for viral success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCdAtvwW1E8
Music Video for “Rascal” by RMR

Given his enigmatic persona and viral appeal, it would be easy to write off RMR as a gimmick. When I play “Rascal” for my friends, none of them take it seriously – but while there is a certain novelty in auto-crooning about drug dealing over a country instrumental, it’s clear the rapper has his sights set higher than one-hit wonder status. In June of 2020, he followed up the success of his viral hit with Drug Dealing is a Lost Art, an EP that saw features from Westside Gunn, Future, Lil Baby, and Young Thug. Tracks like “Welfare” and “Dealer” showcase RMR’s ability to glide over melodic trap instrumentals and prove that “Rascal” was no fluke.

So who is the man behind the mask? According to RMR, that isn’t important – the music is all that matters. As he told Entertainment Weekly: “At the end of the day, every artist is wearing a mask. Even a lot of individuals in their normal day are wearing a mask. I’m just a mirror for them.”

– DJ Mango

Categories
Weekly Charts

Underground Charts 10/21

ArtistRecordLabel
1KYLESee You When I Am Famous!!!!!!!!!!!Self-Released
2PRINCESS NOKIAEverything Is Beautiful/Everything SucksSelf-Released
3KARI FAUXLowkey SuperstarChange Minds
4AMINELimboUniversal Republic
5CITY GIRLSCity On LockQuality Control
6RICO NASTY“Own It” [Single]Sugar Trap / Atlantic
7DANIELA ANDRADE“Puddles” [Single]Crooked Lid
8DUCKWRTH“Crush” [Single]Republic
9REJJIE SNOW“Cookie Chips” [Single]Honeymoon/+1/300 Ent./EMPIRE
10REDVEILNiagaraSelf-Released
Categories
Weekly Charts

Daytime Charts 10/21

ArtistRecordLabel
1SIR CHLOEParty Favors [Advance Tracks]Terrible
2MAMALARKYMamalarky [Advance Tracks]Fire Talk
3YVES JARVISSundry Rock Song StockAnti-
4TUNE-YARDS“nowhere, man.” [Single]4AD/Beggars Group
5OSEESProtean ThreatCastle Face
6MINT FIELDSentimiento MundialFelte
7TAPEWORMSFuntastic [Advance Tracks]Howlin’ Banana
8IDLESUltra MonoPartisan
9SLOW PULPMoveysWinspear
10OBSCURA HAILSirenDot Dash
11ARCHAEAS, THEThe ArchaeasGoner
12BUMPERPop Songs 2020 [EP]Self-Released
13SHY BOYSTalk LoudPolyvinyl
14BBYMUTHAMuthalandSelf-Released
15KNXWLEDGE10,000 ProofStones Throw 
16SHIVUM SHARMA“Diamond” [Single]Self-Released
17DON TOLIVERAfter PartyWMG Atlantic
18OHAJIJEast Manhattan ProjectMore Valid Decisions/Hustleward
19XAVIER WULF“Kid Cudi (Remix)” [Single]The Hollow Squad
20QUELLE CHRISGunsMello
21FRANK OCEAN“DHL” [Single]Def Jam
22REASON“Show Stop” [Single]Top Dawg
23AJANI JONESBlack Power RangerAjani Jones
24LO VILLAGE“Jefe’s House” [Single]Rebel 
25KISSISSIPPI“Around Your Room” [Single]Triple Crown
26ANGELA MUNOZIntrospectionLinear Labs
27ASAP FERGFloor SeatsRCA
28RICO NASTYAnger ManagementAtlantic
29JOJINectar88rising/12Tone
30FEMDOT“94 Camry Music” [Single]Self-Released

TOP ADDS

ArtistRecordLabel
1PAPI SHIITAKEQuarantine Dream [EP]Trash Casual
2SUPERCRUSHSODO PopDon Giovanni
3KISSISSIPPI“Around Your Room” [Single]Triple Crown
4TOMBERLINProjections [EP]Saddle Creek
5OKEY DOKEYOnce Upon One TimePark The Van
6JW FRANCISWe Share a Similar Joy [Advance Tracks]Sunday Best
7JULIA JACKLIN“to Perth, before the border closes” b/w “CRY” [Single]Sub Pop
8DREW CITRONFree NowPark The Van
9BRUTAL POODLE“Night Creeps” b/w “Wash” [Single]Kingfisher Bluez
10OCEANATORThings I Never SaidPlastic Miracles
Categories
Weekly Charts

Afterhours Charts 10/21

ArtistRecordLabel
1JAMES MASSIAHNatural Born Killers (Ride for Me) [EP]Levels
2MAURICE FULTONEarth [EP]Gudu
3ELKKAI.Miss.Raving/ Bleep+ [EP]Local Action
4DISCLOSUREENERGYCapitol
5TSHAMoonlight [EP]Counter
6GRIMESMiss Anthropocene4AD/Beggars Group
7CECILE BELIEVEMade In HeavenSelf-Released
8ZOLA BLOODTwo Hearts [EP]Akira
9ARCAKiCk iXL/Beggars Group
10AVALANCHES, THEWe Will Always Love You [Advance Tracks]Astralwerks
Categories
Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Charts 10/21

ArtistRecordLabel
1DEFTONESOhmsWarner
2ALPHA WOLFA Quiet Place To DieSharp Tone
3CRANIAL CONTAMINATION“Hive Mind” [Single]RealityFade 
4SIX FEET UNDER Nightmares Of The DecomposedMetal Blade
5JUSTICE FOR THE DAMNEDPain Is PowerSelf-Released
6FIT FOR A KING The Path Solid State 
7NAPALM DEATHThroes Of Joy In The Jaws Of DefeatismCentury Media
8SKELETAL REMAINSThe Entombment Of ChaosCentury Media
9NECROTMortalTankcrimes
10PIG DESTROYER The Octagonal Stairway [EP]Relapse 
Categories
Music News and Interviews

Edward “Eddie” Lodewijk Van Halen

January 26, 1955 – October 6, 2020

The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a huge statue, measuring 108 feet tall, erected on the Greek island of Rhodes in 280 BC. The actual location of the original statue is disputed today, but one of the opinions on the matter is that the statue straddled the opening to the harbor of Rhodes, a foot on each side. 

I grew up listening to Van Halen with my parents. I have told the story, many times, of riding to kindergarten with my dad, and asking him to play “Little Dreamer,” my favorite at the time. Hearing Eddie play at that young age, helped bring a familiarity to all music that I would hear from then on. The sound of screaming solos and chugging riffs has always been an inviting and welcoming sound to me. In the era in which Eddie played, there were great guitarists. But he turned it up! And turned Rock on its head!

Eddie was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His family moved to California and in 1972, he and his brother Alex, founded Van Halen with original bassist Mark Stone and singer David Lee Roth. He may not have invented the “tap style” technique of guitar playing, but he sure did perfect it! More than that, though, he was the perfect expression of one’s instrument becoming an extension of one’s self. With a perpetual grin, Eddie did amazing things, both in the studio and on the stage. 

1974 – 1985: Eddie, Alex, David, and Michael Anthony (bass) delivered raw emotion and talent on Van Halen’s first 5 records, all of which have since been certified multi-platinum – Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, and Diver Down. The sixth record, 1984, was far more commercial than the previous records, but Eddie kept on with the kick ass riffs. 

In 1985 Roth went solo and The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar, stepped in to vocals and as a second guitarist. The band became even more successful, producing four U.S. number-one, multi-platinum records – 5150 in 1986, OU812 in 1988, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge in 1991, and Balance in 1995. Eddie introduced keyboards on the 1984 album, and carried that through this era as well. These records had a more pop-rock sound, but Eddie kept dealing out the killer guitars. 

1996, Hager leaves the band and Gary Cherone (Extreme) takes vocals for Van Halen III in 1998. He leaves the band in 1999. 

2003, Hagar rejoins for a worldwide tour in 2004, and leaves again in 2005. 

2006, Roth rejoins and Wolfgang Van Halen (Eddies son) takes over on bass. 

2012 sees the release of A Different Kind of Truth and, you guessed it, Eddie kept delivering the guitar mastery. 

The Colossus of Rhodes is the perfect imagery to me, when imagining Eddie within the larger guitar community. He stood like a Colossus with one foot in Rock-n-roll and the other in what would come to be known as Metal. He stood in welcome of travelers journeying to this new form of energy. He was the bridge between the old and the new. There are giants in the land of guitarists. There are metal-gods and titans that traverse here, too. But Eddie was a Colossus that changed the art of shredding forever. With a grin and a swagger, this Colossus stands forever. Rest In Rock, sir. 

Stay Metal,

THE SAW