This is about the Garden State soundtrack. I can't think of a snazzy title.

It's been quite the week, so unfortunately I've neglected The Musically Inclined a bit. The upside is that it's Friday and I've cleared my schedule to do precious nothing tonight...or that's the plan at least. Lord knows I'll wind up getting roped into something and probably go very willingly. In any case, I was trying to think of something to post about. The most obvious thing music-related is that the other day I watched Garden State for the second time. It's really a terrific movie, the kind of that's got a perfect balance of heart, soul, brain, and weirdness. Unless you've seen it before, you've got no idea where you're going until you get there. That's fairly representative of life, I think.

Garden State has been out a few years and I distinctly remember being more interested in it for the soundtrack than for the actual movie, because that's most of what anyone talked about. A friend gave me a copy of the soundtrack last year and that's ultimately what spurred me to rent it. Some soundtracks are weak, only having a couple songs worthy of purchase, but what makes this one different is that it plays like that perfect mix tape that someone gave you. I guess these days it's more about the playlist, but the idea is the same. From Nick Drake, Frou Frou, Colin Hay, Coldplay, and of course the Shins, there's not a track there that doesn't perfectly encapsulate the feel of the movie. Most strikingly, I knew exactly what kind of tone to expect before ever watching it.

That's some serious mix tape skill. At the same time the soundtrack is so solid and rich, I listen to it sparingly. These last couple days though, it's been on loop in my head and I don't mind hearing that wistful, calm, yet cathartic backdrop to my day-to-day life.

If for some reason you haven't seen Garden State, good freaking grief, get your butt into gear and watch it. Now.

Third Eye Blind: Latest Victim of F.O.S. Syndrome

I've got precious little time to rant, but I saw this article on CNET talking about how Third Eye Blind's vocalist thinks that the album is better off dead. No, sir! We will have none of this talk. Just because the market dictates something doesn't make it right. On the bright side, when was the last time anyone cared about Third Eye Blind? Besides a trip down memory lane whenever "Semi-Charmed Life" comes on shuffle, they haven't exactly had much staying power. Anyhoo, happy Monday.

Max Tundra on Twisted Ear

Here's my Twisted Ear review of Max Tundra's Parallax Error Beheads You. This sucker might just leave you questioning your tastes. Have fun.

The Killers: "Human" Music Video

As previously mentioned a few posts back, music videos can be pretty uninspired sometimes. The Killers released the music video to "Human" recently and pretty much it's them playing in the desert, complete with Brandon Flowers' feathery jacket making another unwanted appearance. The song sounds limp and even though I'm well aware that the music track is almost never live, this time around it's just distracting and it contributes to a very thin feeling through out the video. "Human" is visually weak, musically weak and possibly worst of all, predictable.

Heavy Jack: Multiply

Admittedly, when I first read the name "Heavy Jack," I was mostly expecting a metal band, and the pirate bunny on the cover didn't do much to influence me otherwise. Metal is not my favorite genre by any means so, I really didn't know how I was going to feel about this band.

Fortunately for all parties involved, what I found were some very solid (non metal) sounds with deep roots in 60s guitar rock. Sure, countless musicians pay regular homage in the temple of the rock greats, but few have enough to skill to make it sound like anything more than cheap mimicry or the kind of crap that should never go past the walls of a 15-year-old's bedroom.

Heavy Jack has got some skill. Their debut album, Multiply is a mere but completely respectable thirty five minutes of serious guitar play and nearly raspy vocals. It starts off with the plenty powerful "Bushfire" and dives right into "Blood Red Sun," which definitely bears the imprint of the Rolling Stones.

Speaking of which, Heavy Jack covers "Jumpin' Jack Flash" on this album. Dangerous? Cocky? You just don't cover Stones' songs. Upon listening to it though, I actually like what they did with the guitar riff. That's probably the best part, sometimes the vocals feel like they're trying too hard but over all the result is a heck of a lot better than you'd expect.

There's a lot of consistency on this album in terms of quality, so I really can't say there are any duds. "Peace Soldier" doesn't have the strongest chorus, but it's forgivable.

I really enjoyed "What's in a Name," it's got a cool shift toward the end and the guitar is very intense. Likewise, "Bandits in the Night" is very moody and sounds like it would make a dramatic show opener. Plus, there's definitely some Dylan in there amongst other influences.

In sum, these three brothers have produced a terrific product and if it was my band, I'd be damn proud of this album.

The Musically Inclined wishes Heavy Jack the best of luck.

Juana Molina on Twisted Ear

Here's another Twisted Ear review, kids. Juana Molina is a singer from Argentina and her album Un Dia is definitely worth checking out.

The Killers on SNL

I tuned into SNL tonight to see if Tina Fey would reprise her role as Sarah Palin, which she did, and to to my pleasant surprise the Killers were the musical guests. To this point I haven't heard anything off the new album, though I hear that a couple songs leaked.

I'm writing this as I watch, so they've only done one song so far, "Human," to be exact. While the feathers on Brandon Flowers' jacket are inexplicable, the song is decent. The big line is, "are we human or are we dancers?" I think it's one of those situations where they're trying hard enough to be trying too hard and the lyric runs the risk of feeling contrived.

As far as the sound, it's definitely more Hot Fuss than Sam's Town. After the reception the latter received, I'm not surprised. That's one of the funny things about the Killers, they're the subject of some serious backlash. These days they don't seem to do much for the old credibility.

While that might be the case, I don't really like the idea of abandoning a band just because of a few opinions when I still like listening to them. Life is too short to be a snob.

Ok, here's song #2. I think it might be "Spaceman." There's a faint shadow of "When You Were Young" in there somewhere under the synth and Flowers' straining voice. I really can't make a call. It was a bit unimpressive, but I seem to remember my first exposure to Sam's Town tracks also being their SNL performance. I wasn't crazy about "Bones" but it definitely grew on me.

I guess we'll have to wait for the album before making any big judgments, but so far I'm not holding my breath.

Happy Saturday night, kids.

Breaking News: Santana Makes Working Stiffs Everwhere Extremely Jealous

I saw this on my Rolling Stone news feed yesterday and for once I'm at a loss for words-- no snazzy little opening comment. Carlos Santana says he's going to give up guitar in seven years, start a church in Maui and be the preacher. Right. Sounds like a fatal case of F.O.S. syndrome.*

I'm loathe to level any criticism of the personal choices of people I do not know, but really? Carlos Santana is going to "hang up" his guitar? Does he realize how many people would give their left foot to be anywhere as good as he is...and then give the their right foot for the kind of time he has to actually play the damn thing?

Who knows. It was an interesting and somewhat unexpected little story. Dude's got to know he's never going to be able to get away completely and I'd like to think that after a few months he'd take a look at this guitar and just think, "oh, man. I can't do this." Personally, I haven't laid my hands on my guitar in a month for lack of time and it's driving out of my mind. I can imagine it playing out like that Andy Griffith episode where Howard Sprague retires to some gorgeous island and realizes there's nothing to do and winds up moving back to Mayberry.

Anyway, Santana is currently preparing to tour for his thirty-eightth album.

Then again, after that many albums...I think I might just head for Maui too.

* F.O.S (full of s__t) syndrome is an extremely serious meidcal condition and is in no way a laughing matter. It could happen to you, folks.