Line of Best Fit

Movie Monday: Juno

The new Jason Reitman film, Juno, is the follow up to his 2005 feature film, Thank You For Smoking.  Juno was written by Diablo Cody and stars Ellen Page (Hard Candy) and Michael Cera (Superbad, Arrested Development).  Other cast members include:  Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, and Rainn Wilson.  The film is about an offbeat teenage girl that finds out that she's pregnant, and she decides to search out and find adoptive parents for her child.  Juno has been doing very well on the film festival circuit.  It was an official selection at both the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2007 Telluride Film Festival.  Recently, it was named "Best Film" at the Rome Film Festival.  The film is set to open in limited release on December 5.  In addition to posting the film's trailer, I've posted The Moldy Peaches' song "Anyone Else But You", which appears in the trailer and film.

Juno's Official Website - Juno's Myspace Page - Juno's IMDb Page

[mp3]  The Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You   [Buy Album] [iTunes]

Juno Movie Trailer

New Nada Surf Song & Album

Nada Surf has announced that their new album Lucky will be released by Barsuk Records on February 5, 2008.  This will be the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2005 album, The Weight is a Gift.  Several artists made guest appearances on the new album.  They include: Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard, the Long Winters' John Roderick, Ed Harcourt, and guitarist Phil Wandscher.  As a preview of the new album, the band has released the song "See These Bones" for us to enjoy.  If the rest of the album is as good as this track then it's going to be a great.  Nada Surf will also be touring during October and November.  Check their Myspace page to see the dates and locations. 

Official Site - Myspace - iTunes - Barsuk Page - Elbo.ws

Nada Surf - See These Bones  [mp3]
 

Movie Monday: The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini's bestselling novel, The Kite Runner, has been adapted for the big screen.  The film, directed by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster's Ball), follows two unlikely childhood friends growing up in Afghanistan.  One of the boys is the son of a wealthy businessman, and the other is the son of the businessman's servant.  When war breaks out in Afghanistan, the life that they know is forever changed.  The Kite Runner is a story of second chances and redemption.  If you haven't read the book, I cannot recommend it enough.  There is time to read it before the movie comes out. 

The movie was originally scheduled to be released on November 2, but the release date has been moved back to December 14.  The reason for the change was because of safety concerns for three of the movie's young actors.  There is a scene in the movie that depicts the rape of one of the characters.  Filmmakers and the studio, Paramount Vantage, were fearful that those in Afghanistan that were culturally offended by the scene might harm the boys.  So they moved the release back to give the boys time to be removed from Kabul and to be relocated to a safe place. 

Official Site - IMDb Page - Buy The Book

The Kite Runner Movie Trailer

Stereogum Presents A Tribute To R.E.M.'s Automatic For The People

This past weekend, I made my first trip to Athens, Georgia.  I went to see my Ole Miss Rebels get hammered, 45-17, by the Georgia Bulldogs.  While checking out Athens, I stumbled upon the restaurant Weaver D's Delicious Fine Foods.  The motto of Weaver D's is "Automatic For The People", which was used by R.E.M. for the name of their album Automatic For The People.  Being a huge R.E.M. fan and with Automatic For The People being my favorite R.E.M. album, it was cool to get to see Weaver D's.

So with Automatic For The People fresh on my mind, it was a nice surprise yesterday when Stereogum released their tribute to Automatic For The People.  The tribute marks the fifteenth anniversary of the album's release, and it has some of today's best indie artists performing the songs from Automatic For The People.  In the coming weeks, Stereogum will be releasing other song versions from additional artists.  Stereogum and the artists did a great job on this project.  Head over there and download it now.  Also, R.E.M. will be releasing Live, a two cd and dvd set, on October 16.

Stereogum Presents Drive XV - A Tribute To Automatic For The People

R.E.M. - Drive

A Couple of Demos From Tournaments

The UK band Tournaments was kind enough to send me a couple of their demos to check out.  They're currently working on putting together their debut album, as well as, a 7" single that should be out soon.  If the demos are any indication, the album should be great.  My favorite song of the two is "Lone Sailor".  It's an acoustic ballad with a distance sounding steel guitar that adds to the heartbreak of the song's lyrics.  The track "Boldest of Colours" is a straightforward indie pop song that is excellent as well.  I'll keep you updated on the upcoming album's release.  In the mean time, enjoy these two songs from the Tournaments, and go to their Myspace page to hear another demo and to see a video of a live performance.

[mp3]  Tournaments - Lone Sailor

[mp3]  Tournaments - Boldest of Colours

Ingrid Michaelson on Last Call with Carson Daly

Ingrid Michaelson, the Stanton Island native, recently made an appearance on Last Call with Carson Daly.  She performed her single “The Way I Am” which is off on her album, Girls and Boys.  The song is also being used in a current Old Navy commercial.  Enjoy the video and mp3, and be sure to check out her album.

Official Site - Myspace - iTunes - Lyrics
Listen to More Ingrid Michaelson @ The Hype Machine

 

Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am (live)  [mp3]

   

Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am  (Live on Last Call with Carson Daly)

Movie Monday: Into The Wild

The new film Into The Wild is Sean Penn’s adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s best-selling novel by the same title.  Into The Wild is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless.  The story begins with McCandless after he graduates from Emory University and decides to give up a nice paying job and his possessions to hitchhike to Alaska.  The film chronicles his adventures and the people that he meets along the way.  Emile Hirsch (The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, Alpha Dog) stars as Christopher McCandless and the supporting cast includes Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Hal Holbrook, and Vince Vaughn.  The film is receiving rave reviews, and based on the trailer, it’s a movie that I’m looking forward to seeing.

Not only does the movie look great, but the soundtrack is also superb.  It is comprised of original songs written and performed by Eddie Vedder.  This album is a departure from the Eddie Vedder that you hear with Pearl Jam.  The songs are acoustic and mellow, and some of the songs even have a traditional sound to them.  We’ve gotten a glimpse of this side of Vedder on some of the Pearl Jam albums, but it’s great to have an entire album of these types of songs.  Here’s hoping that Eddie does this type of project again.  If you decide to buy the album from iTunes, be sure to get the deluxe version that they offer.  It has a few bonus tracks that are worth the couple of dollars more that it costs.

Official Site - Myspace - IMDb Page - iTunes

Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun (Main)  [mp3]

Eddie Vedder - Society  [mp3]

Into The Wild Movie Trailer

Pre-Order The New Iron & Wine and Band of Horses Albums

In the next couple of weeks, two highly anticipated albums from Iron & Wine and Band of Horses will be coming out.  You can now pre-order these albums and get some extra stuff will you're at it.  A lot of labels and bands are starting to do this more with their pre-orders, and I think it is a great idea.  You know you're going to get these albums anyway, so why not buy them early and get some free stuff.

The new Iron & Wine album, The Shepard's Dog, will be released on September 25.  You can pre-order the album on CD or vinyl at the Sub Pop website.  If you buy the album on vinyl, they will give you a code to download the album's songs in mp3 format.  How cool is that?  If you order the album before its September 25 release date, you will get a bonus CD with two b-sides ("Serpent Charmer" and "Arms of a Thief"), and you're also going to get some buttons and stickers.  What more can you ask for?   The album's first single, "Boy With A Coin", is posted below for you to enjoy.

Official Site - Myspace - iTunes - Pre-Order The Shepard's Dog

[mp3]  Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin

On October 9, the new Band of Horses album, Cease To Begin, will be released.  This is the follow-up to their great debut album, Everything All The Time.  You can get the new album on both CD and on vinyl.  If you pre-order the album from the band's website, you get a free beer koozie (while supplies last).  In addition to just buying the album, the band is also offering a specially priced, bundled package of the album and a t-shirt.  The album's first single, "Is There A Ghost", is posted below for you to check out.

Official Site - Myspace - iTunes - Pre-Order Cease To Begin

[mp3]  Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost

Joshua James @ Newby's (Memphis, TN)

Joshua James played at Newby's in Memphis, TN this past Saturday night.  I was disappointed in the number of people that showed up for it, but it didn't affect the show that Joshua put on.  His acoustic set was made up mostly of songs off of his album The Sun Is Always Brighter and a couple of new ones.  The live version of these songs sounded as good as they do on the album, and Joshua's unique voice also sounded great live.  His tour will continue with him doing a few solo shows, and then he will be opening for Erin McKeown through October.  You can get the complete tour schedule at his Myspace page.  If you have a chance to see Joshua live, go see him.  He is a talented artist that puts on a great show.  I've posted a couple of videos that I made during the show, as well as, the audio rips from them.  The video quality is not the best, but the audio turned out really well.  If you want to hear more of Joshua's music check out the post that I did on him back in March.

Official Site - Myspace - iTunes - Buy The Sun Is Always Brighter

[mp3] Joshua James - Lord, Devil, and Him (live)

[mp3] Joshua James - Dangerous (live)

Joshua James - Lord, Devil, and Him

Joshua James - Dangerous

Movie Monday: 3:10 to Yuma

I had a chance to see the movie 3:10 to Yuma this weekend.  It is the western directed by James Mangold (Walk The Line) and stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.  It's about a group of men, including a rancher (Christain Bale), that are taking an outlaw (Russell Crowe) to catch the "3:10 to Yuma", a train that will take him to Yuma prison to stand trial for his crimes.  During the treacherous trip, the outlaw and the rancher find a respect for each other. 

3:10 to Yuma is a great film.  Even if you're not a western fan, I  highly recommend this movie.  It is a compelling story that is well written, and the acting is great.  I predict several Oscar nominations for this movie, and don't be surprised if "Best Film" is one of them.

Official Site - IMDb Page

3:10 to Yuma Movie Trailer

Shout Out Louds: Our Ill Wills

The Shout Out Louds' new album, Our Ill Wills, was finally released in the US this week.  Those in Europe have had their hands on it since early summer, while we were forced to wait.  Our Ill Wills is the band's follow-up to their 2005 album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff.  While two years was a long time to wait for a new album, the indie band from Sweden doesn't disappoint.  The songs on Our Ill Wills have a fuller sound instrumentally than the songs on Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, but that doesn't mean that they're missing the jangly Shout Out Louds sound.  You get the same great pop songs like you did with Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, but it's like they have another layer to them.  While there is not really a bad song on the album, some of my personal favorites are "Suit Yourself", "Impossible", "Normandie", and "Meat Is Murder."  If you're a Shout Out Louds' fan, you'll like the progression that this album takes.  If you're new to their music you should not only give Our Ill Wills a try, but you should also pick up a copy of Howl Howl Gaff Gaff.

Official Site - Myspace Page - iTunes - Lyrics
Listen to More Shout Out Louds @ The Hype Machine

   
Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have To Leave It  [mp3]

Shout Out Louds - Normandie  [mp3]

         

Movie Monday: The Lookout

I got a chance to see the movie The Lookout this weekend.  It is a crime thriller that was written and directed by Scott Frank and it stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, and Isla Fisher.  I don't really want to give away a lot of the plot, because this is one of those movies that's best to watch without knowing much about it.  Just let me say that this movie is well written and well acted.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Brick, 3rd Rock From the Sun) gives a brilliant performance.  He might be the most under rated young actor that's out there today.  If you haven't seen Brick, you should check him out in that one also.  I was also impressed with Jeff Daniels' (Dumb and Dumber, The Squid and The Whale) performance as the blind roommate of Gordon-Levitt's character.  Also, Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, I Heart Huckabees) looks great as always and gives a great performance.  I just wish that her character would have been developed a little more.  Add a great script with these great performances, and you have a must see movie. 

I somehow missed The Lookout when it was released in theaters earlier this year.  The dvd was released a few weeks ago, so you can get it now.  I'm going to post the trailer, but you might want to skip it if you don't want to know anything about the plot.

Movie's IMDb Page - Buy The Lookout on DVD            

The Lookout Movie Trailer

Rogue Wave's Video For "Lake Michigan"

Rogue Wave's upcoming new album, Asleep At Heaven's Gate, is set to be released on September 18.  This is the follow up to their highly acclaimed album Descended Like Vultures.  The album's first single, "Lake Michigan", has been out for a few weeks, and the band just released the music video for it.  If the first single is any indication to what the rest of the album is like, then this could be one of the best albums of the year. 

Official Site - Myspace Page - iTunes - More @ The Hype Machine

   

Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan [mp3]

 
 

Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan

Colour Revolt Begins Recording New Album

Good news, Colour Revolt fans.  The guys have hit the studio to begin recording their first full length album.  This will be the follow-up to their terrific, self-titled EP that was released at the end of 2005.  There is no date yet as to when the new album will be out, but it can't get here soon enough.

If you have not heard of Colour Revolt or listened to their EP, then you need to get it now.  Their music has been compared to the bands Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse.  Their style of indie rock is very refreshing, and for a young band (they're all students at Ole Miss) they have a mature sound.  I've posted the song "Mattresses Underwater" for your listening pleasure.  I highly recommend that you check these guys out.

Official Site - Myspace Page - iTunes - Lyrics
Listen to More of Colour Revolt @ The Hype Machine

   

Colour Revolt - Mattresses Underwater [mp3]

Movie Monday: The Hottest State

The Hottest State was written and directed by Ethan Hawke, and it was based on Hawke's novel of the same name.  It is about a young actor in New York and his relationship with a sing/songwriter.  The cast includes:  Mark Webber, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Ethan Hawke, Laura Linney, and Michelle Williams.  The film has not received the best reviews from critics, but you can watch the trailer below and decide if it's something that you would like to see.

While the film has not received the best reviews, the soundtrack has gotten nothing but praise.  It features songs of Jesse Harris performed by such artists as Willie Nelson, Bright Eyes, Feist, M. Ward, Emmylou Harris, Cat Power, Norah Jones, Rocha, and Jesse Harris himself.  This is an impressive soundtrack that I would rank up there with some of my other favorites like Garden State and Singles.  I guarantee that you will not be disappointed with this album.

Movie's IMDb Page - Soundtrack's Myspace Page - iTunes

   
Jesse Harris - It Will Stay With Us [mp3]

Bright Eyes - Big Old House [mp3]

 

The Hottest State Movie Trailer