Movie Review

This sounds like a really interesting movie:


http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100328/REVIEWS/100329982/1001

Review #1, Draft

Nothing like everything you've heard before
CD Review: Why? Eskimo Snow (2009) / Label: anticon

It's hard not to love this album, especially if you're into charming art rock with quirky lyrics. But even if you're not, you'll instantly and helplessly be sucked into the happy harmonies and intricate stories of Why?'s newest CD, Eskimo Snow. Recorded live in Minneapolis along with their previous LP, Alopecia (2008), Eskimo Snow was released on September 22, 2009 by the artist-owned Indie label anticon. It is the fourth LP by Cincinnati natives Jonathan (Yoni) Wolf (vocals), brother Josiah Wolf, and Doug McDiarmid, who classify their music as “pop-inflected psychedelic folk-hop.”

At first, Eskimo Snow sounds like the spirited, feel-good tunes of the Beach Boys, or less antiquated bands like The Thrills and Modest Mouse. For the first five songs, Why?'s lovely noise of harmonizing vocals and instantly pleasing melodies is interrupted only occasionally by grungy guitars that remind one of Weezer, or some of the other '90s bands whose posters likely decorated Yoni, Josiah and Doug's walls. On pianos, bells, and violins, Why? create the kind of enchantment that sounds like an endless beach vacation with 24/7 sunshine: pleasant and sugary, and perhaps just a bit overproduced. If it weren't for the weird lyrics and progressive changes, or for Yoni's charmingly imperfect vocals (“a sickly sweet, half-rapped, singsong style”), it might be nauseating.

But Why? know how to bring their own twist to the established table of post-2000 American Indie. In between the happiness there are welcomed glimpses of melancholy that grow more prominent as the album flowers into an eclectic cross between Bright Eyes, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, and The Walkmen. True, there’s nothing fundamentally new to Why’s sound, but they’ve managed to combine an array of influences and turn them into something fresh and exciting. Starting out rather slow and somber (“I conquered my own childhood silence, and now the world is my lit confessional marquee...”), “Into The Shadows Of My Embrace” transitions through several tempo and melody changes, until it bursts into a chorus of jumbled voices chanting, “We found a dead fox, and a dozen matchbox cars, when we cut back the hedges on Cortelyu place…” The rest of the quite wordy, 35-minute album is marked by equally imaginative lyrics that were probably not always crafted entirely unintoxicated. “Even The Good Wood Gone” shows that reflections on death don't have to be sad, but can also be oddly entertaining: “And when I'm really buried I'll be buried in Cleveland with a new pair of ski's and someone's old set of keys to their car...”

Eskimo Snow is uplifting and touching at the same time; it’s the accomplished work of a band that is clearly having fun, while also presenting a profound look at the “most mundane of life's happenings,” as their bio on Myspace explains. When, in “One Rose,” one of the masterpieces of this album, the singer/narrator tells us that “all the things inside me, I assume, are doing what they need to be doing,” we can relate. Why? know how to move us without being soppy or repetitive. And despite all the obvious references to other bands, Eskimo Snow is an original and inspiring take on love, mortality and everyday struggles. With their catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics, Why? master the fine line between easily likable radio pop and intelligent storyteller songs that, usually, one listens to only on vinyl and by candlelight.

Interesting book review

I ran across this review while browsing for nothing in particular, but after reading it, I'm really interested in the book.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/23/AR2010032303617.html

Column#2: Issues with Freedom

It's kind of funny I decided to call my blog "Random Things I Think About." Not only did I pick this title without paying much thought to it, but I also find myself unable to write anything that isn't random. Or anything at all, for that matter. I'm paralyzed by the fact that I can write whatever I want.

Maybe I should have been more precise when naming my blog.

And maybe I have issues with freedom. After all, I'm European. According to Glenn Beck, Europe is almost as unfree as Russia and China on his imaginary "socialism"-versus-freedom diagram (America being the freest, of course). We're oppressed because of universal health care, a substantial security net, and the crazy fact that a college education doesn't cost a fortune. Or having a baby. Or getting sick. Oh yeah, that's health care again. Growing up in a society in which insurance for everyone has been the norm for decades (or has it been a century yet?), it's absolutely incomprehensible to me that anyone might vote against universal coverage. Or that in 2010, a civilized nation has yet to make that step. ('What is this, Russia?' Oh, that's right, Russia's on the other end of the freedom scale.)

I will gladly pay a few more dollars in taxes if it means that everyone can have health insurance. But sharing would be socialism, and socialism definitely goes against the Christian beliefs that helped build this country. After all, where would we be if we actually cared about each other? If we actually started valuing human beings more than our SUVs, and decided that love and charity are more important than money? (Wait, that sounds familiar. Didn't Jesus mention something about that?)

I've been trying to understand the American definition of freedom, but after all these years, it still doesn't make sense to me. It's true that the American Dream works for some people, and that it's probably easier to become rich in America than in most other countries. But it's also a lot easier to lose everything virtually over night. Is poverty freedom? I'd much rather have a security net that catches me before I hit the ground. A law that ensures I will have health insurance no matter what – that I won't go bankrupt simply because I've been in an accident, or have cancer. A system that takes care of me even if I lose my job or become disabled. I'd much rather not worry myself sick.

Since I came here, I've been struggling with outrageous doctor's bills despite having health insurance. I'm not sure what it is my premium pays for if, at the end of the day, I still have to pay more. I'm also not sure how long we'll be able to afford that insurance. Every year, we have to cut more benefits to keep our premium at a rate we can live with, and I know that in August, it will go up again, and we might have to drop it altogether. The Health Care Reform is a step in the right direction, but I'm skeptical whether it will affect us at all. Because my husband is self-employed, we have to buy our own insurance, and without proper regulations, Anthem is free to charge us whatever they want. Mandating everyone to get coverage only works if that coverage is affordable, otherwise it may be more of a punishment than a right.

Because of this, I'm hoping that the public option is not completely off the table yet. Fear-mongering screams by Glenn Beck and the likes that this would mean a loss of health care quality (and ultimately, of course, America's downfall) are signs of serious delusion more than anything. While Germany may not even have the best health care system in Europe, its government plan still offers more services for a lower price than Anthem's most expensive plans. (And there's no waiting for treatment, either, something that is often assumed by critics of government health care.) I know, because I've had both.

When my son Fynn was born in 2004, I didn't have to pay a thing. Neither the frequent pregnancy care visits to my doctor, nor the five-day-stay at the hospital cost me anything at all. Not only did I enjoy special, out-of-order ultra-sound visits due to minor complications, but I also needed an ambulance ride to the hospital, and underwent a semi-emergency C-section, all of which would have cost me a fortune in America. With my German public plan, they didn't cost anything at all.

My mom has suffered from serious health conditions for the past few years, including colitis and an aneurism in her stomach. Both illnesses require regular treatment, check-ups, and sometimes surgery. I can't even imagine how much more terrible this would be if my parents lived in America. But in Germany, visits to the dentist or a new pair of glasses are more troubling financially than major surgery, and compared to here, they're not very troubling at all.

I don't know why so many Americans oppose a better health care system. Sure, it will mean a few more dollars out of your paycheck, but it will also mean that you won't go broke because you get sick – or die because you never see a doctor that could prevent serious illnesses. When only some have insurance, that insurance is expensive because it pays for all the uninsured, as well. But if everyone is required to pitch in, premium costs might actually go down. And if a public plan ever goes through, it might actually force private insurers to provide better deals. So, even if your perspective is purely economical, you'll likely be better off with universal health care.

Not worrying yourself sick, that's freedom.

Anthony Bourdain's Travel Blog

I have to admit, I absolutely adore this man. His blog may not be quite as entertaining as his hilarious travel show, but it's definitely worth reading. Whether offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Bill Murray's driving skills, or letting us in on some travel observations and experiences that didn't make it into the show, Bourdain's wit and 'word-craft' always make for a great read.

NYT Maureen Dowd

While this is probably one of the most followed columns, it's still one of my favorites. I especially enjoyed Dowd's recent comment on the health care debate within the Catholic Church. Great stuff!