New Best Thing: Stepdad!

Click here to listen to Stepdad's tunez. 

I had heard about the band some time ago but never got around to giving them a listen. After looking them up on spotify and giving them a test run I have to say that they are one of the new best things. With a name like Stepdad and a picture or two of them that I had seen from when they performed at the Westcott Theatre in Syracuse I wasn't sure what they would sound like. But, after listening to them (on repeat for days) I can say that they aren't what I expected. They are a kind of Passion Pit re-imagining where the tunes are pumped full of more fun that you can imagine without losing any of musical integrity. Front man Ultramark epitomizes awesome with his fading hairline, thick beard, bright wardrobe, sunglasses and rotund frame. Their newest album "Wildlife Pop" will surely be one of the top albums on my 'best of 2012' list. Songs like "Must Land Running," "Will I Ever Dance Again" and the poppy power ballad that is "Treasure Hugs" make up one of the most consistent and entertaining albums of the year. Ever present 8-bit noises and Ultramark's high pitched falsetto will bring a smile to your face, and if something makes you happy than that something is something of note. A breath of fresh air, learning to ride a bike and all that kind of stuff; Wildlife Pop is almost like these things, it holds its own. The lyrics are really interesting in many of their songs as well, which isn't always the case in fun loving electronic music.
Good stuff. Good stuff.

4 out of 4 Buscemis! Huzzah!

The Faint Live @ Terminal 5

I saw The Faint live at Terminal 5 in New York City. My mind was blown, my clothes were soaked in sweat and my pants were soiled. It was the most amazing live experience that I have ever been a part of. They started off their set with a song that was new and not too many people in the crowd had heard it before, nevertheless the crowd (a three level venue filled to the brim) bounced along to the beat. After that there was a quick pause and the whole place erupted in a blast of energy and excitement as Dropkick The Punks began. I couldn't help but yell with elation as one of my all time favorite songs played louder and faster than I think I've ever heard it before. The band (sans bassist) fed off the energy of the crowd and it was a mutual bond of pure AWESOMENESS. The concert could have been six hours or more and I don't think anyone would have minded (though I am quite sure most people there would have died of exhaustion.) I went in expecting something great and left completely blown away by what I had just experienced. Todd Baechle bounced around on the stage contorting his body and swinging his arms as he sang and yelled bringing as much to the stage as is humanly possible (perhaps even more.)

The first opener was a band called Icky Blossoms, whom I hadn't ever heard of and when I asked about them I was told that they were "pretty good." They were great too. A perfect act to get the crowd ready and play some great tunes, I highly recommend going on spotify and listening to their album especially the creepy crawly "Sex to the Devil" which was their most memorable piece in my opinion. The lead singer sang with haunting energy and was accompanied by the blaring vocals of one of her male counterparts to produce a sound that was equal parts electronic and enigmatic. What what!?

I give The Faint show at Terminal 5 as many Buscemi heads as possible. In fact, it was so good that I am going to give it a new grade....

I give this show the coveted "Kilted Buscemi Award" in honor of the sheer brilliance and awe-inspiring experience that was blown into the ears, eyes and asses of everyone in attendance. 

Here's a crummy iPhone video of them performing "Mirror Error"

My new favorite thing

Serious Jibber-Jabber, Conan O'Brien's web series where he has lengthy conversations with people about things that interest him, is awesome. Go watch it. Go watch it now! I assume you just went and watched it and are now coming back to give him the respect that he deserves (in the form of finishing this review.) Conan's new web series is a good change of pace from the videos of people falling on escalators, pictures of celebrities with shrunken faces and other ridiculous things that have littered the internet today (I'm not saying I don't love these things... I really do.) I was really surprised by the way that these interviews/ discussions/ conversations felt. They really aren't funny... they're just really interesting and thought provoking. Ok... sometimes they are kind of funny, but you won't wet your pants and shoot milk out of your nose. You don't do that every time you laugh? I do. I hope he keeps doing these and I hope he keeps getting really cool people like Nate Silver and Judd Apatow to come on and talk with him. Kudos Conan, you are the man still. 

This is a little misleading, Conan doesn't do all the talking. 

Prometheus, The Alien Movies and scary music

I just finished a run through of the ALIEN quadrilogy. I have to say... the movies seemed a lot scarier when I watched them as a small child, although they were the censored for television versions where most of the good ole fashioned sex, violence, nudity, swears and rock n' roll was removed. Still, I was surprised in general by the quality of the films (with the largest exception being the stupid human-xenomorph autism monster born at the end of resurrection.) No matter how many times I watch them I can't help but want Sigourney Weaver to die. Ripley just isn't a likable character to me. 

This all started because I watched Prometheus. I didn't pay attention to it at all when it was in theaters, all I knew was that it was a Ridley Scott movie. I didn't make the Scott-Alien connection, all I had was Gladiator and Robin Hood in mind seeing as they were the last Scott movies I had seen. I watched it and was pretty excited about it in the end. Spoiler, there is a Xenomorph from the Alien movies in the end that pops out of the giant gothic rubber man's body. My mind was blown and my pants were soiled. The movie wasn't an A+ film, but it was pretty good. I likes me explosions, big budgets and a WICKED LOUD DEEP TONED NOISES on occasion though so it was a good showing. 

This blockbuster gets a good ole 3 Buscemi grade out of 4 

Speaking of scary stuff and loud noises, I was introduced to these scary sounds over Thanksgiving Break, enjoy. 

So. Utterly. Terrifying. 

Loraxian Politics

After watching the newest episode of South Park online, I just HAD to do something related to the Lorax. I love the video mocking conservatives that came out a while ago that starred a "conservative Lorax." That little orange and yellow mustached bastard makes a great poster boy for a more progressive environmental advocacy program (basically everything Romney seems to hate.) I haven't seen the new three-deeee Lorax movie with Frank Reynolds voicing him (I picture the Lorax getting drunk and hanging out under bridges with vagrants, and it hurts my soul.)  But, I did this little fella recently because I care. God speed, my friends and may Thor be with you wherever you go. 

Here is the aforementioned video, homies.

Faith Healer

Davey Havok and Jade Puget of AFI fame have another band with a more electronic vibe. Blaqk Audio, which has had some commercial success with it's dance/ ravy beats and boom boom boom bace, somewhat recently released a new album building upon what they had already established with their premiere debut a few years ago in "cex cells." Blaqk audio is a far cry from the earlier incarnations of Davey, Jade and their musical endeavors. Let us compare one of his earlier (and one of my favorite) songs and the newly released "Faith Healer."

Here, now is the new video for Faith Healer off of Blaqk Audio's newest album "bright black heaven." Notice the differences? It's like oats and honey, like grass and bark, stones and bricks, hair and clouds. (I have no idea what the pattern there is either.) Faith Healer builds upon the industrial sounds of computers screeching beautifully, and robots having sweet cybernetic intercourse that we have all come to expect from Blaqk Audio. This song also takes more "AFI-esque" lyrics, and Havok vocals remeniscent of Decemberunderground and build a really catchy song.  You WILL find yourself singing along with the "oooOO-OOO-oooo don't you know. If you come down down down..." portions of the song towards the end of the song, and you will love yourself for it. I mean, does he ever speak to you like I do? I didn't think so, chump-nugget. Now go listen to the rest of their album. Dat stuff be good, ya'll. 

You're going to find yourself humming this song in every elevator from here to Tuscaloosa and for that I give this song (not necessarily the music video) and the rest of "BRIGHT BLACK HEAVEN" a solid 3 Buscemi rating.