Across the Universe: A Beatles Musical...And it Actually Worked

I can't even really think of everything I want to say because I typically don't review movies-- there's so much to cover. Acting, singing, dancing, visual effects, story, and that's hardly the half of it. As far as the visuals themselves, I can only say that you'd have to watch the movie yourself because I couldn't possibly do them justice if I said they were mind-blowing.

I can say this though, the Beatles were probably the first band I was aware of, back when I was barely five and by ten I figured out they were my favorite band. When you listen to a band for that long, you easily take them for granted. It's nearly impossible to maintain the same level of interest or appreciation for why you thought they were so great in the first place. Watching Across the Universe reminded me. The arrangements are done so intelligently as not to merely copy the originals or totally reject them. They made these songs seem new again. "I Want You (She's so Heavy)" hasn't sounded this good in years and Abbey Road is just begging for another go on the stereo.

Then there are the songs I don't know so well, like "Helter Skelter" or "Happiness is a Warm Gun--" a couple of killer scenes, especially the former which was tragically and ironically juxtaposed with "Across the Universe" in the climax. There's still a lot to be heard.

Obviously, a significant reason for the appeal of not only the movie but the band itself, is the time period. 60's music had something ineffable-- don't get me wrong, I'd never want to be some kind of musical nihilist, convinced that music is dead and gone, stupid and weak. There's stuff out there that makes me want to take off running down the street because it's so good but there's a soul from that decade that we will not see again, except for maybe a fleeting artistic glimmer from a movie like this.

I'd defy anyone who would tell me that this could have been handled in a more apt fashion. Sure, the start was a tad rocky but the end result is a giant gorgeous painting that, in my opinion, is one of the few movies or soundtracks these days that would actually be worth owning.

Coldplay: I Got A Bad Feeling About This

A few days ago Coldplay announced the name of their fourth album. Viva la Vida. But then they tacked on Or Death and All His Friends.....to do what, make people take them seriously? Dudes, it's too late for that. Ever since I read about how they're changing up their sound, incorporating latin beats etc., ever since I read about how they feel as if they completed some kind of trilogy and are now moving on, I can't help but smirk. We'll see how well this works. Coldplay is Coldplay. They're not the band that delves into the self-absorbed depths of experimentation. It feels like they are forcing an evolution, the kind of evolution that only works when it comes naturally. The likely outcome here, is "much ado about nothing." Not much good has ever come out of taking yourself too seriously. I think Coldplay fans will be missing that dreamy, flighty sound that they do so well. In any case, Viva la Vida or Death and His Friends, comes out in May. I hope I'm wrong.

The Raconteurs: When Did This Happen?

Apparently The Raconteurs are releasing their second album on the 25th of this month. How the heck did this slip by? That's talent, folks...and maybe a few threats to keep the information on the d.l. In any case, the title is Consoler of the Lonely and it will contain fourteen tracks. The band told Rolling Stone "we wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding its availability, reception, or perception." It's an interesting idea...what if people had to make up their minds about an album or single before any of the music critics could get their reviews out? I think that there would be less music snobbery and more pure appreciation for whatever genuinely is appealing to a particular person. Maybe this way of doing things is worth a shot...The Musically Inclined certainly doesn't get any advance copies!

Death Cab Will Possess Your Ears (but possibly not your attention span)

Amid much rejoicing, I tried to listen to Death Cab's single "I Will Possess Your Heart" as soon as I realized it had been released. Not bad timing considering it was only days I go that I revisited Plans with much renewed appreciation. So...there I was on their Myspace, recognizing the riff from the video they put on their web site in December, waiting for the lyrics to kick in. After about two minutes I said to myself, "Oh. This must be the track that's nine minutes long. Right." For the record, Ben Gibbard doesn't actually start singing until four and a half minutes in and when his voice does break though it's a tad startling. The effect is a musical parting of the sea. Running time is funny because there was a day when it would have been totally unacceptable, but broken confines aside, I'm still trying to figure out if the nearly nine minutes are artful or slightly self-indulgent. Oddly, it goes by surprisingly quick. This may be because the repetition has an entrancing effect, or maybe because of its newness. The lyrics themselves aren't anything spectacular, at least nothing to be compared to the excellence of "Title Track" or "Crooked Teeth," but the music itself is pretty decent by Death Cab standards...solitary piano, solitary guitar then a blend with some other stuff thrown in for that ethereal sound which they pretty much perfected in Plans. In any case, points for making such a confident declaration. Thankfully, May is not too far away. I want to hear the rest of this business. Stay tuned.

Vampires This Weekend

Vampire Weekend is one of those bands that creeps up on you and beofre you know it, they're all over the place. This weekend they were on Saturday Night Live and I broke my policy of not watching that crappy show for the sake of hearing them. Not bad...my understanding is that they're Columbia University drop-outs with a penchant for afro-pop beats. They seem like a perfect little indie band, high brow and quirky. Of course, they performed two songs, "A-Punk" and "M79" accompanied by three violins and a cello. Guess you can take the boy out of the Ivy League but can't take the Ivy League out of the boy. The lead singer has a somewhat eerie presence, his eyes moving more than the rest of him and his voice isn't exactly the greatest but the music itself makes up for it. At this point it's hard to say if they're really going to explode beyond the indie world or at least gain some longevity in it...or just fizzle like an intruiging little fad. I suppose we'll find out but in the meantime I'm curious to hear more.

Slow Days

Not much has been happening around The Musically Inclined. My mid-winter blitz of new music has all but dried up and I'm looking for leads, so don't hesitate to recommend something. Lately, not even music news has been all that interesting. Rolling Stone endorsed Barack Obama today...about 60 festival line-ups have been announced, half of them featuring Jack Johnson as the headliner...Foo Fighters are going on some summer gigs. Maye a ticker tape would be more effective. Well, in any case stay tuned and we're going to dig up some stuff this weekend to feed the monster. Until then, check out "V Neck Sweater" by the Greyboy All Stars. It's been out a while but it's a good mix of funk with the slightest splash of indie.