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September 21, 2005

Hot House 5 for Sept. 21

Jamie Gaughran-Perez

A handful of capsules on things that are making life a little better. This is about what’s hot hot hot – and heat ain’t no slave to the new. Be sendin’ along anything that needs noting.(( submissions at rockheals dot com ))

	<< We Love Katamari Katamari Damacy was the best $20 I spent in 2004. Beautiful, simple, funny-as-crap, perfectly executed. Proof that you need a good idea, not a multi-million dollar development budget, to get a “game of the year” nomination (we call that hope for gaming). Now comes the sequel with levels inspired by / requested by the legions of cult fans. Even with the steep 50% price hike (now $30!), we so can’t wait. Why do I think I’ll have bloodshot eyes, carpals tunnel pain, and the munchies around 4 a.m. Saturday morning? http://katamari.namco.com/
Marty from RockStar: INXS >> The real deal. Yes he has tone issues to work on. Yes his stage dancing can be uncomfortably off-kilter (TGP notes, what do you think it was like seeing Mick Jagger dance for the first time? while not saying this guy is the next Mick Jagger or anything). And yes you have to wade through the limp non-joy that are Brooke Burke and Dave Navarro’s attempts at hosting AND the band’s brainwashing-like repetition of the phrase “our band, INXS.” But Marty is an intense motherfucker when he stands still. And I think his jaw is hinged like the aliens on V – he could totally gulp down a kitten. Official Site (watch out, his profile pic up there is wicked quee-yuh + his songs are on iTunes, I think) He didn’t win... who cares, he’s still awesome.
	<< Ouija Interview No.1: Theo Wallis, Sarah Becan (2003) Gorgeous, poignant, and funny. Prob. my fave minicomic bought to date – at least of those that had a narrative. So many minis are crap for narrative, story, writing, character... this ain’t. Full page panels, with each being more or less the same – ghost answers questions. Simple yes, but saves all the love for the writing. http://www.jakze.com
M.I.A., Arular >> I was talking with a friend about how bad this year was for hip hop – all the Kanye up in my face and decomposing 50 Cent half lives (as opposed to Wiley or Jay-z v. Dangermouse last year, or the recent past’s Neptunes boom). But then memory catches up and I’m like, oh shit, this M.I.A. album is awesome, check it out. Chanting rhythms that’ll make you think of whatever double-dutch games filtered through whatever sandlot playgrounds in whatever country she’s from. I’m not here to do research, just pointing out the good. And don’t fear the “skits”... what is the bane of every other hiphop album on the shelf is refigured into something wholly different here – and some of the best the album offers. http://www.miauk.com/ (this site is one kinda web old school – think like early Todd Oldham sites, or superbad)
	<< Lost returns To whom it may concern: don’t fuck it up don’t fuck it up don’t fuck it up don’t fuck it up, please.

Posted by Rock Heals at September 21, 2005 08:30 AM