URGENT

URGENT URGENT, UPDATE UPDATE

This blog has malfunctioned significantly, so much so that I had to create a new blog.

NEW URL: http://knowthecitizeninsane.blogspot.com

Go there, re-bookmark me, and re-subscribe!

Sorry for the inconvenience, but it was Blogger's fault, not mine.

See you at the new space,

TJ

It's Name Is Trouble

So, I'm having massive technical difficulties with Blogger.

It look as though this blog may be moving location.

Stay tuned.

(Sorry to those relying on my site feed. I don't know how many of you are out there, but currently the feed isn't working whatsoever; part of the reason why I might be heading for greener pastures.)

The Sunday Loom

So, here are a few subjects worth noting...

First, the new (fifth) season of Entourage starts up on September 7th, and the recent teaser trailer has severely heightened my anticipation. Check it out for yourselves below...


Appartently, the synopsis of the first episode of the new seasons is as follows...

55 "Fantasy Island" Doug Ellin/Mark Mylod September 7, 2008
As Medellin gets slammed by the critics, Vince and Turtle resort to Mexico to avoid anything to do with the film. Meanwhile, Eric, Drama, and Ari are in L.A., focused on their careers. Drama begins to get recognized and E gets new clients and also, with Ari's help, tries to get a new movie to dig Vince out of his hole from Medellin. Ari and Eric go to Mexico to tell Vince about a movie that Emile Hirsch dropped out of that he would get top dollar for. After a heart to heart between E and Vince, Vince tries to pick up his career.

Now, it's common knowledge that Entourage gets a bad rap in certain circles due to its popularity for those of the frat-boy persuasion. However, as both a fan and critic of TV, I've got to defend the show; it's no where near as vapid, navel gazing, or self-indulgent as any episode of Sex and the City. Plus, from a technical (direction and screenwriting) perspective, the show pulls off myriad things that other shows don't or won't try. On top of it all, Jeremy Piven and Kevin Dillon are two extremely solid cast members and actors. Outside a "fanboy" perspective, the show has a lot legitimately going for it. No really, it does.

Second, where is a new album from Sufjan Stevens?


Despite the lack of another "state" record (or any other album, really), Sufjan's been putting out some great material in the form a single MP3s, contributions to compilations, etc. I bring this up in specific regard to a conversation I was having with a good friend of mine. He debated that Sufjan's non-album work was of the weaker variety, whereas I strongly disagreed; some of his best, forward-thinking material comes in the form of these one-offs. To satisfy my ego and provide a winning argument, I've posted three examples of "new" (non-album anyways) Sufjan songs below.

Sufjan Stevens - What Goes On
This track is circa 2005 and is a pretty healthy demonstration that Sufjan's still got it (and creatively growing) despite his musical sabbatical. It's off of the compilation record This Bird Has Flown - A 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Rubber Soul and shows Sufjan structurally reworking the Beatles' track of the same name.

Sufjan Stevens - In the Words of the Governor
A 2007 track off of The Believer CD compilation from the literature magazine of the same name, this one's worth posting because of the radical approach (read: departure) Sufjan takes; it's more fuzzed-out, over-sustained, and distortion-saturated than anything Sufjan's done so far. And in what could be a bonus for some, Sufjan lyrically abandons his stereotypical storyteller approach for more simplistic, perhaps punk-inspired, lyrics.

Sufjan Stevens - Majesty Snowbird [Live]
So far, this track's only seen light at Sufjan's live shows (click for the Pitchfork-approved photos of the Sufjan show I attended). It's more epic and outstanding than anything Sufjan's attempted thus far, even on Illinois, and despite the mediocre sound quality, it's easy to hear.

So c'mon Sufjan, we know you've got the talent, record a new album already, "state" or otherwise.


Third, I should mention Comic-Con. It was quite radical. I got to hang out with such legends as Paul Pope, Eddie Campbell, John Cassaday, David Lloyd, and more.

That and I got a stack of books rough 15" tall, the complete Tales from the Darkside, a plethora of pictures, and nearly killed my wallet.

Here are a few shots...




See more photos here
Alright, I think that's all I've got until tomorrow. Check back throughout the week for more updates; I've got a brand new mixtape, a slew of MP3s to share, and a variety of videos that are worth checking out.