Im Wide Awake Its Morning

Nike straight killed it again with the creative for "AWAKE," a commercial that premiered during the NFL's AFC and NFC championship games a week ago.

ACDC supplies the tune, "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution," as A-Rod, Maria Sharapova, Tom Brady and some more regular other folks show us what it takes to be in a Nike commercial.

The spot was produced to support the launch of the Nike Air Max 360.

SOUND BOY

noise illa than the next.

he play what me think.
pomp then drift, bells and horns.
mourn...celebrate.
create.

Febrary approaches, and I take stock of the 'year before' in music. ill give album of 05' to Sufjan Stevens.


poster courtesy of that good shit off Methane.

Larger Than Jim Backus

Holy brooklyn! I was checking the Fader blog, which Im afraid to admit, hips me to way more than it should, when I saw this nuttery from Ecko, above.

When I was a camp counselor up in Monticello, I used to wake my 11 year old boys up to the opening line of "Flippin off the Wall..." where a drunken MC Serch screams, 'but my balls itch!"

Those revilies made me realize the power of hip hop...strong enough to get a bunch of suburban skate rats off they ass, even on a frigid late August Catskills morning. Still, Im not sure my kids got the same buzz off Michael Berrin channeling Louis Arm as I did picking up doubles of the Brooklyn Queens 12" at Ceasars Bay. Or, for that matter, the feeling of a needle drop on said records.

Nevertheless, I went and hit up OHHLA to reminisce for a sec...the lyrics, the style, the fade, you must respect them dudes. Because after all, they were dudes. It makes sense that Marc Ecko, another dude, would pay homage. True, I aint rockin the jeans, but I am rocking the clock.

Straight flavor.

So Pretty

It used to be that a rare De La Soul b-side, a dusty Band record or a slick Quincy produced Brothers Johnson jam would excite me. And I suppose they still do to some extent, but nowadays Im looking for new music that is not only pleasurable to listen to but also distinct. Over Christmas, one of my friends parents recommended "I Am A Bird Now," by Antony and the Johnsons. Antony's name had been floating around my sector for a while, but Id never really reached out and grabbed on.

At first I couldnt really put my finger on what it sounded like, or why I liked it. At the end of the day though, the melodies stuck in my head and I found myself wanting more. Ive heard it called chamber pop or cabaret. To me it feels a bit like a jazz vocal. Either way, this haunting album need not be classified as anything other than memorable.

Could you forget a face like this? Well, his music will stay with you even longer...

Splendid

Hard to believe its been over two weeks since I last posted. Not a problem, really- given that noone is actually reading this.

Still, when I started this I thought it would be a great outlet for sharing my passions and experiences. I dont think this is neccesarily worth the wait, but I have to recommend this fantastic book.

Hotel Splendide (reprinted as Hotel Bemelmans) was written by Ludwig Bemelmans and originally printed in 1946 by The Viking Press. Bemelman (1898-1962) was an American painter, illustrator and writer, best known for the Madeline series of children's books, which he wrote and illustrated. He has also written several autobiographical books, run his own restaurant, done settings for a Broadway plays and was a frequent contributor to Vogue, Town and Country and The New Yorker.