KT Tunstall Suits Up

KT Tunstall got her big American break in 2006 when contestant Katharine McPhee delivered a surprisingly horizontal rendition of her hit song "Black Horse & The Cherry Tree" on American Idol. From there, Tunstall's debut album Eye to the Telescope went multi-platinum. Tunstall's second album, Drastic Fantastic, slipped under the radar—way under—in comparison to her debut. If it weren't for the occasional Eye to the Telescope tracks gracing the radio, one might be compelled to forget about Ms. Tunstall altogether. Fortunately for her fans, she won’t settle for that.

Tunstall's third studio album, Tiger Suit (released Oct. 5 in the US) is the Scottish singer-songwriter's most ambitious effort. "Hold On," the lead single from Drastic Fantastic, was basically a "Black Horse & The Cherry Tree" retread. There is none of that this time. Tiger Suit is clearly a different animal. The very first ominous synthesizer chord makes it very clear that this is not your, um, older sister's KT Tunstall record. Except it kind of is. She still has that honest folky singer-songwriter dynamic and still dabbles in upbeat country blues, but she explores so much more. Tunstall has never shied away from electronic experimentation, her live shows are loaded with samples and loops, but she really pushes herself in that area on Tiger Suit. There are moments at which Tiger Suit could pass for an Imogen Heap album (though Imogen did trade in the electronics for all natural instruments on Ellipse).

The album’s opener “Uummannaq Song” takes no prisoners. The aforementioned synthesizer and echoing “oh oh oh’s” set a vast stage that Tunstall confidently commands, wailing through a powerful chorus. “Uummannaq Song” is poised to be the crown jewel of Tiger Suit until “Fade Like a Shadow” comes around. Perhaps the most cheerful-sounding song ever written about lost love using vampiric imagery, “Fade Like a Shadow” hits with an infectious wall of sound sprinkled with a delightful xylophone line. Not all of Tunstall’s emotions are masked by upbeat pop tunes, though. “Lost,” “The Entertainer,” and the sparkling “(Still a) Weirdo” provide pitch-perfect contrasts to the toe-tappers. “Weirdo” is the confession of a person woefully coming to terms with inadequacies and the inability to measure up. Think Radiohead’s “Creep” with less angst and more heart.

Tiger Suit is a bit uneven, but that speaks more to the excellence of the standout tracks than the deficiencies of the others. Not only does it serve as the vehicle for a few wonderful tunes, but Tiger Suit is also a delightful 43 minutes of music.

I'm Still Here

My Dearest Readers,

I have not abandoned you. Rather, I have been concentrating my efforts on a very modestly paying outlet: The North Park Press. I may still post things here that the Press deems inappropriate or, perhaps, too brilliant and insightful. In any case, please follow my work here.

Forever yours,

Kyle

Premature Holiday Excitement

I know it’s still summer and I just wrote about why I am excited for Fall, but may I write about the exciting holiday season? It looks good. Really good. Good enough to make up for 2010’s crop of Summer films.

Exhibit A: 127 Hours – November 5 (limited)

It doesn’t look as interesting as 28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire, or even Sunshine. It also may bring out the worst in my claustrophobia, but I am not prepared to bet against Danny Boyle right now. Especially not with a leading man as likable as James Franco.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWWcQC0ZxIM

The following week we (hopefully) get another treat: Morning Glory – November 12

I love Jeff Goldlum… or at least the idea of Jeff Golblum. Maybe I only like him as Ian Malcolm and a Conan O’Brien guest. For whatever reason, I am much more optimistic about this Goldblum film than I was about The Switch, but I do feel like I am risking a lot with this pick. Especially because both Goldblum and Harrison Ford are such risks in this genre. The one thing I am confident about is that the always watchable Rachel McAdams will carry the picture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9lWUqraDoU

And a third consecutive intriguing release: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – November 19

No explanation needed. It looks sick.


Then the potential crown jewel of the season: How Do You Know – December 17

I’ve only seen the trailer, but it looks like James L. Brooks is back to business. The comedy looks so sharp, so smart, and so funny. Hopefully there will be more to it than the trailer jokes. And how about that cast? Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, AND Jack Nicholson? Holy Cow! I hope I don’t regret saying this, but if I only see one movie the rest of the year, this is it (no offense, Harry). Please be better than Spanglish. Please be better than Spanglish. Please be better than Spanglish.

http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAZfBVGWimM

Why I'm excited for FALL!

Along with the magnificently comfortable temperatures, here are a couple more reasons why I am excited for Fall.

Monsters
I love sci-fi. I got excited for the Skyline trailer so you can imagine how giddy this trailer made me. And I should know better than to read in to the review snippets in the trailer, but if someone at “Aint it Cool News” considers this the best giant monster movie that he or she has seen in years, then that means said critic considers it better than Cloverfield AND The Host. I LOVE MONSTER MOVIES!!!
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IshZoIwz_o

Hurley
Weezer’s recent reinvention was so welcome. Better yet, they seem to have even further embraced silliness since Raditude. Want proof? Look no further than Hurley’s cover: no text, just the face of Jorge Garcia. “All we wanted was his amazing face,” said singer-songwriter Rivers Cuomo to Spinner. Cuomo is also very proud of a collaboration with Ryan Adams to be included on Hurley. For another fun Weezer collaboration enjoy the video posted below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiIwgcrv4wU

Or for a reminder of Rivers’ heartfelt songwriting…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztvJdAIGk54&feature=related

Sex(orc)sim

Now I’m no expert on exorcism movies; I’ve never even seen one. But from the little bit I know about the three that I’m aware of (“The Exorcist,” “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” and the upcoming “The Last Exorcism”) they all feature possessed girls. That really tangles my rosaries! The repeated portrayals of women as controlled by spirits only further perpetuates the (not always conscious) belief that women are to be controlled.

These exorcism films are just one more message that reinforces the belief that men are able to control women- and that women should allow themselves to be controlled. This does not need to happen. The writers may not be doing it intentionally either. They may just be following the pattern of previous exorcism stories. That is why it is imperative for storytellers to carefully meditate on the subconscious messages of their stories. Let a demon torture a man. Let a superhero be in a same-sex relationship. Let a damsel save a dude in distress! It’s riskier, but the same messages over and over form dangerous stereotypes. Dangerous, demonic stereotypes!

Toy Story 3: Pixar Knows where they Stand

Andy is all grown up and going off to college. The most recent installment of the Toy Story series is not for children, but rather for the inner children of those who have grown up. “Toy Story 3” is a somewhat dark and could be scary for young ones at times. There is enough silliness and slapstick to hold a child’s attention, but it doesn’t compare to the brilliant script that more mature viewers will appreciate. I dare not give any of the clever surprises away so, please, PLEASE, see it for yourself.

Two summers ago, Pixar released, “Wall-E”: an emotionally touching, visually arresting dialogue-less marvel. They have somehow upped the ante twice consecutively since then, first with “Up” and now “Toy Story 3.” Pixar has certainly set the bar very high and is dominating the animated film market, but they are well aware that they are not the only ones making magic.

Toy Story 3 features many new toys. One of them is a Totoro doll. Many people might not notice it (it has no lines), but anime fans will recognize the creature from Hayao Miyazaki’s classic film “My Neighbor Totoro.” Pixar didn’t need to acknowledge Miyazaki- or anyone for the matter- they have worked their way to the absolute top of the film world. They have consistently made high quality work right from the get go. They didn’t need to recognize anyone else- but they chose to.

For all of Pixar’s great works, they understand that others have paved their way, and without much recognition. Miyazaki is a Japanese filmmaker that continues to make terrific animated films after 30 years. Miyazaki’s hand drawn films lack the computer animation of Pixar, but their magic is absolutely undeniable. And, like “Toy Story 3,” they often offer just as much to adults as they do to children- if not more. Including the Totoro doll was a subtle, but very appropriate nod to one of the all time great filmmakers. I was so glad that the folks at Pixar, for all their success, knew to acknowledge the master.

MacNificent

“MacGruber”, the most recent Saturday Night Live skit to turn film, is a one-note comedy, but it hits that note hard.

Rogue Pictures took a 90-second recurring skit and blew it into the most over-the-top SNL film to date. The television skit is comfortably within the show’s TV-14 rating, but the film’s humor is relentlessly crude. If you don’t appreciate juvenile jokes about sex and excrement, you probably won’t like this movie. But if you appreciate MacGruber’s sophomoric brand, the film will bring you to tears in laughter (as it did for me, but to qualify that: the last two films to do the same were “Team America” and “Brüno”).

But “MacGruber” is more than a mere string of gags. Unlike “The Brothers Solomon” (the last film Will Forte starred in and wrote), which dragged between jokes, “MacGruber” moves very briskly. Credit Director Jorma Taccone, who also fills the film with surprisingly impressive action sequences. Not bad for a guy whose biggest previous productions were SNL Digital Shorts. “MacGruber” achieves a big-budget action film feel, which really heightens the satire

“MacGruber” also deserves props for finally delivering a big screen roll that allows Kristen Wiig, arguably the funniest SNL performer, to show her stuff. If you don’t laugh at her coffee shop scene, you probably need your funny bone checked out. The rest of the movie is certainly not for everyone, but for those who do appreciate it, it’s explosive.