Category: Kunst, Art & Expressery

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Uiteindelijk ZIJN we beesten, niet?

Enki Bilal - Animal'zEn NAAKT zijn we ook, zelfs verscholen onder een hoed. …Het mag duidelijk zijn, het lezen van een strip van Enki Bilal heeft het effect dat ik naar andere geestelijke denkwerelden getransporteerd wordt.
Waar wat grafisch kan, is.

Ik heb deze ANIMAL’Z in 1 enthousiaste, vroeg-nachtelijke ruk uitgelezen. Futuristische western (kogelsplijtende duels, ogen in de schaduw van een hoed) volgens een sci-fi visie getransponeerd op een wereld in het post-‘Infarct’ era (de gigantische milieucatastrofe). Geweldige grafiek. De grijze soberheid van vette potloodkool. Lichte kleuraccenten. Hier en daar een oog. Rood. Er is ook blauw.

Handelsmerk. Een briljante retrospectieve en filosofische kijk van overmorgen op de wereld van morgen na het gedoe van vandaag. Wereld gedrenkt in grijs, van zoute koffie en poederwater (los die paradox maar eens op, ha), van mens-dier mutaties en andere robotische wezens.

Zijn vorige reeks was een trilogie in 4 bedrijven. Reflecties op geweld (op straat en in de kunst). Sluipschutters. Het Joegoslavische trauma.

Bilal, Enki - De slaap van het monsterBilal, Enki - 32 DecemberBilal, Enki - Afspraak in ParijsBilal, Enki - Vier

Maar Nike deed me wel denken aan Nikopol, de onovertrefbare anti-held uit de onovertroffen gelijknamige cyclus. Reflecties op geweld (op straat en in religie), op geheugen ook. De verfilming ervan was zeer fascinerend, gelukkig geen kopie van de boeken, een bevreemdende afwisseling van mensen en animatie, maar toch net niet…

Bilal, Enki - Nikopol1 Kermis der onsterfelijkenBilal, Enki - Nikopol2 Lady in BlueBilal, Enki - Nikopol3 Koude EvenaarBilal, Enki - Immortals

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Talking about Sea and Power

One of my favourite indie bands is British Sea Power, so I wholeheartedly shouted “Yes” when they asked me Do You Like Rock Music?

British Sea Power - Man of AranAnd now, kind of suprisingly, they’ve composed a soundtrack to the 1934 documentary Man Of Aran, by Robert Flaherty, showing the harsh life at those Irish islands (off the west coast). So not only did I want to get their CD, but also have a look at this movie. And what an impressive experience it turned out to be.

The power of the sea, its overwhelming might, through this black on white eye. No hiding here (we’re all in this together). All to get the boat on shore. Get wet now, will you. We definitely should fix that hole. Look for sand in the crevices. Spread it on the sea weed. Grow potatoes. Lessons for youngsters: how to catch a crab so you can catch a fish. But leave the shark hunt to the grown ups. We need oil for lamps.

And what a fine craft is shown. Camera positions, framing, the imagery and its editing, the stills, the shadows, capturing the enormous splashes.

Man of AranI was highly impressed by both the movie and the (new) soundtrack. Both are so powerful and completely take you onto the rocks and the sea of Aran. These are the kind of surprises you love BSP for. Feel the shivers when you hear how the theme from the song True Adventures (from Open Season) gently comes back again in… It Comes Back Again.
Let’s call them Irish Sea Power (for now).

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Mei, en ‘t is al oktober (Borduren met Pooh)

Straf, in maart was het september en we zijn nu mei en het is oktober. Hoe te verklaren dat 3 maanden slechts 1 maand is in wat een parallelle tijdrekening lijkt? Omdat het over mijn Pooh-kalender gaat, natuurlijk.

Borduurwerk Pooh (oktober)Dus: mijn jaar bestaat (tot op heden) uit januari tot juni, juli, augustus, september en nu dus ook oktober. De laatste maanden zijn voor… later.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Straight from Ireland and very untrue

Jerry Fish CollectionAs a huge fan of An Emotional Fish (a follower from ‘Celebrate’ -still mad about it- and their debut -strong pop-, to ‘Junk Puppets’ -rock it, baby- to ‘Sloper’ -sort of folk-pop’ish-) I was oh so excited in 2002 to find out that leadsinger Gerard Whelan had returned to the planet of music as Jerry Fish and assembled the Mudbug Club to help him out. So I got their CD Be Yourself to hear a detached, relaxed sound with jazzy lounge music full of positive vibes. And I was really happy to see that mr. Fish collaborated with his former emotional co-species. Of course I couldn’t resist buying the 3 EP’s from the CD as well. 2004 saw the release of the live CD/DVD “Live at the Spiegeltent” that both perfectly capture the joy of playing and performing. But then… silence.

Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club - The beautiful untrueUPTO NOW… as them Mudbuggers are back with the beautiful The Beautiful Untrue. I had to go upto the source to get it (shame on local and internet stores!), but that resulted in a signed copy (thanks, Jerry!).

True they remained to the essential approach as described. But it’s even more refined and some distinct female voices bring something… ecstatic.

It builds on the finest tradition of romantic crooning. But don’t forget to add some latin influences. Sometimes it leans more towards whispering, sometimes towards weird cabaret, Gavin Friday-style (he’s Irish as well and I’m a fan as well). A deep, dark voice, clear trumpets and horns, a well-placed touch of guitar makes some great late night movie lounge atmosphere on a little glittering disk.

Check out some videos (new & old). Look at the (sometimes shy?) rock star. Do I see a future crooner behind those eyes?

Posted on by — Leave a comment

What colours to paint your horrors in?

The Horrors - Primary ColoursLuckily, The Horrors themselves use a lot more than just Primary Colours on the album of that name. Maybe lyrically ‘horrors‘ is too much translated into (only) the loss of love, the dark side of romance. But overall they do create a genuine and wonderful mix of dark vocals, happy vocals, distorted guitars, detuned guitars, fuzzy synths.

Warning! Following references serve only to paint a picture without having heard the band (though I doubt whether that’s possible). The opening tracks remind vocally of Interpol‘s debut. Guitars are fuzzy in the best My Bloody Valentine tradition. Some songs excitingly drag along like only The Swans could. I will not mention Joy Division.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

From B to J

During a check on my favorite artists I ran into a music video of David J, reminding me of the fascinating artist and songwriter the man is.

The song brings up memories of Bound for Hell, which he wrote for the self-titled Love & Rockets album. Although this album divided not only the band’s 2 main songwriters, but also their fan base, I still love it. Exactly because of its playfulness, its fooling around with pop music. Subsequently they defined… pop music. And does ‘Roll On’ on the Daniel Ash album ‘Foolish Thing Desire’ bring up memories of ‘Motorcycle’ on L&R? (anyone saying “The Jesus & Mary Chain”?)

I have mostly known David J as the coolest bass player around. I found out only last year that he had composed the music for the V for Vendetta song This Vicious Cabaret, using Alan Moore’s lyrics. Following is not an official video, but pastes imagery of the (great!) movie on top of the (great!) song:

David J - V for VendettaFairly intrigued I bought me the full (mini) CD. Now, that’s what I call (avant-garde) CABARET! My edition also holds the demo version of the main song, which is truly great (knowing that it’s the result of a 1 night effort).

It all started with Bauhaus. And it’s quite fair to say that also Peter Murphy (I’m a huge fan!) and Daniel Ash are fascinating artists and songwriters, that have helped defining the face of music. Dark Entries - Bauhaus and BeyondIf you want to know more on the forming of, the history of Bauhaus and the subsequent paths of its members, there’s this illuminating book Dark Entries (Bauhaus and beyond). It goes back to the days of various bands, of David J playing bass, his brother Kevin (Haskins) on drums (flower pots?) and Daniel on guitars. With Peter they came to be the legendary Bauhaus (1919).

Of course, over the past 25 years the guys have kept creating new, distinct and fantastic work, have reformed a couple of times, even put out a new Bauhaus album. Too much for one lousy blog note…

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Tonight: dubbed in Blood: FF

Franz Ferdinand‘s Tonight: music2dance2. Perfect tunes to seduce those pretty girls –who don’t understand boys– to… dance. And a little kiss?

The boys fool around. Laugh. Dream. Create super sound moves. Don’t be afraid if you hear their voices. Plunge into the unbearable lightness of dancing. It’s taken to an extreme hyperlucid level on the bonus CD Blood: Thunder. Synths. Echoes. Kinda like some ancient Bauhaus B-sides (In Fear Of Dub, Here’s the Dub, Ear Wax).franz-ferdinand-tonightAnd what a great job on the visual aspects again. Had some heavy night out (dancing), guys? Now get away you blood sucking paparazzi!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

I’m throwing my arms around Morrissey

I’m throwing my arms around Morrissey
because only his dramatic feel reflects my love

In fact, I had already thrown my arms around Him since his glorious return with You Are The Quarry. Although the early solo albums were highly acclaimed (still are) I never got beyond the radio hit singles. Maybe it was just me not getting over the split of my beloved The Smiths… But then there was Irish Blood, English Heart. Provocative. Great. Self assured. Rocking. I bought me the 2 EP’s and the full album, and years+2 also Ringleaders Of The Tormentors. Against the critics again I loved Him even in his Italian love phase.

morrissey-years-of-refusalThe fantastic single I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris has the only true vintage melodramatic Morrissey poetry. Great but I doubted. Still went out for the full Years Of Refusal to (yes! allright!) find the return of the fierceness of Irish Blood, English Heart, only now resonating throughout the whole album. Both lyrics and music are beautifully drenched in black and violent smoke. The final rise of punk, mozzer-style. With a great bass to end the album and rub it in. Salty noise banging in my head. morrissey-years-of-refusal-vinylishAnd finally (yes again!) no overwasted, endless feedback guitars droning on and on to… no end. Don’t let the child mislead you. Adult work.

Quite original CD-print. Certainly reminds me of my The Smiths albums. Makes a black circle look round, right?

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Who watches the Watchmen?

alan-moore-watchmenI certainly haven’t (yet). Because I first wanted to read the Watchmen book. As I (luckily) also did with From Hell and V for Vendetta.

As usually with Alan Moore it took me some time to get through it. Because of the figuring personas, their psychology and backgrounds, a complete society sketched and, not to be underestimated, the plot. Moore’s works are truly ‘Graphic Novels’, balancing images and narration (both of high quality). Guess why it took 4 years.

As usually with Alan Moore it was worthwhile. Certainly for Watchmen. In a historically twisted world, numerous layered tales are served, that eventually all interact and interconnect (with the Pirates’ book-in-the-book and its writer’s role as supreme example). The written intersections in the book (of varying ‘written’ nature) required my patience but added perspective. All to present a hyperoriginal perspective on superheroes, also behind the scene (how common), the early amateurism and marketing attempts of the masked avengers, their objectives, motives and ethics, the fact that they get old and… retire. No wonder that The Minutemen weren’t meant to last.

alan-mooreAlan Moore is without any doubt one of the greatest graphic novelists of our times. He gave us a complete hypothesis on the identity of Jack The Ripper and the motives and instructor for his outrageous killings, in an historical London with all its (dark) facets, in From Hell. Mediocre movie if you know the book. He told about this fascinating superhero-like character fighting a fascistoid authority in the truly haunting V for Vendetta (brrr, the scaring philosophy -liberating?- behind the torture scenes…). The movie was good, respecting main roles, colours and story of the book. He has not just written another Batman story with The Killing Joke, it soon became a well adapted standard for the becoming of Batman’s biggest opponent, The Joker. But Watchmen is the best I’ve read to date of Alan Moore. It really stands out with all its magnificent complexity. Sorry to say that The Ballad Of Halo Jones was just good, entertaining above all. Others would kill to be able to write it, I guess.

alan-moore-v-for-vendettaalan-moore-from-hellalan-moore-halo-jones

Now I will sit and wait. To watch the Watchmen on DVD (director’s cut).