Recent comments

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   2 weeks 5 days ago

    This was the greatest week of music that I've ever experienced.

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   2 weeks 5 days ago

    Whoops :)

  • Every animated movie ever created (alphabetical)   2 weeks 6 days ago

    Like so many others, I need help finding a movie: it would have been made in the 80s or 90s,
    Don Bluth style, and it had a boy and a girl and a singing lion and something about a key and maybe a book, too. Lots of rich sound and color. I used to got to my brothers best friend's house and his Mom would let me watch it on VHS. Considering the family, it might have had some christian values attached to it. It is definitely NOT the care bears, although it was similar. Any help would be appreciated!

    Also Fluppy Dogs should be on this list, but I didn't see it. (Talking rainbow colored, dimension hopping dogs who get separated somehow and are on a quest to find something)

  • Most Haunting/Nightmarish Films (mid-revision)   2 weeks 6 days ago

    I would never recommend Salo but i wouldn't dimiss it as schlock. It's Pasolini's vision of fascism and the complete control it can give some people. He must of felt unable to depict it in any other way. Probably a film better read about than seen.

  • Best TV Series Spawned from a Movie?   2 weeks 6 days ago

    Will be nice to see a serie about counter strike 1.6, right ?

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   3 weeks 4 hours ago

    thinking the same thing. lol

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   3 weeks 5 hours ago

    Piano Concerto 32?

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   3 weeks 16 hours ago

    I utterly disagree with that website in this case. It might have 4 major thematic ideas (which is about what many whole symphonies had up until Beethoven's 3rd), but several offshoots/strands of others -- Mahler's evocation of God/life/nature/the universe/his own viewpoint/interior world, the multitude of ideas and emotions throughout the entire symphony is possibly unmatched. But, okay, we disagree. Who really cares? :)

    Thanks for the link re: Beethoven!

    Operas? Oh yes... geez... :)

    As far as vocal works, just got flattened by Verdi's Requiem tonight :)

  • Books Read in 2013   3 weeks 19 hours ago

    Thanks. Just saw your post. It's definitely different. The writing is very poetic, long sentences that sometimes lose the subject. Very "mythic" feels like a greek legend or something. Almost too long for it's writing style (like really rich fudge, you'd never want to have a pound of it at a time). The ending was not what I expected.

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   3 weeks 1 day ago

    I think the the first movement certainly has its share of repetitions and stretches in a way, say, the symphonies of Haydn or Mozart never do. As this website says "the amount of actual thematic material is actually quite economic for him" and "the first introductory measures present four ideas that will consistently recur over the movement's vast canvas...". From my view, noting the repetitions is not in itself a critique but an observation. The sluggishness is bound with the slow moving nature of the music, most often I am charmed by it, but--as I alluded to earlier--the pace can be a little taxing on occasion.

    After returning to Mahler's third, it ain't all that; except (and this is a huge except) for the last movement which is an extraordinary concentration of his musical gifts and maybe my favorite thing that I've come across from him. I completely get what you mean about the overwhelming amount of music to get to (not just the genius composers but the various interpretations too). I make a conscious effort to introduce myself to some new art everyday (whether a painting, or a poem, or a piece of music) but even then I feel there isn't enough time in the world! You definitely need to get to operas though!

    Just to continue the trend of leaving YouTube links in my comments, here's what I'm currently listening to: Beethoven's 2nd cello sonata. Schnabel is one of my favorites.

  • Greatest Classical Works [under reconstruction - nothing to see here]   3 weeks 1 day ago

    Yes, I can understand, and good to hear that you'll be building it back up. I've had a little bit of difficulty acclimating to classical after being so immersed in rock/jazz (and film) for the better part of the last 7.5 years (though, for the most part, I'm rolling now). I'm fundamentally looking for the same thing in any of them so it's not too tough, but it still requires a little bit different set of ears, so to speak.

  • Greatest Classical Works [under reconstruction - nothing to see here]   3 weeks 1 day ago

    Don't worry, I will!

    [In a reply to MJongo's post earlier on this thread, I explain why I frequently remove my list. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from.]

  • Greatest Classical Works [under reconstruction - nothing to see here]   3 weeks 1 day ago

    Damn... :( Hope you repost :)

  • Greatest Classical Music Works of All Time (in-progress)   3 weeks 1 day ago

    I've now almost revisited everything that was already listed here as of a couple weeks ago. Just have the following left:

    Symphony of Three Orchestras-Carter
    Requiem-Verdi
    Ostrobothnian Symphony-Balakauskas
    Glagolitic Mass-Janacek

    It's already been an incredible experience returning to classical (so many amazing works!) -- it's been the icing on the cake after the last several years have mostly been spent with rock, jazz and film -- almost like those were all building up to returning to classical and getting more out of it than ever. I still have so many left to revisit, and tons to newly discover.

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   3 weeks 1 day ago

    Guess we'll have to agree to disagree re: diversity on his 9th :) ...though admittedly, I don't have his 4th as a comparison, so maybe I'd agree with you relatively speaking, if I listened to it -- though I consider very few (if any) works as or more diverse than Mahler's 9th (Off the top of my head, Escalator Over The Hill is within that range). Sorry, also not familiar with any sluggish/repetitive sections ... Do any lines exactly repeat themselves over the entire symphony; there's usually/always a variation, I believe...

    Anyway, you mentioned Walter and Mozart and I've gotta say he must have the greatest rendition of Mozart's Requiem I've ever heard :)

    Jussi Bjorling's aria from Eugene Onegin... Thanks! Have no clue when I'll get to it but I appreciate the recommendation. Feel free to remind me later on down the line if I've never posted anything about it (just SO MUCH to listen to these days!)

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   3 weeks 1 day ago

    Yea but it's been 7-10 friggin years! There's so much to revisit, not to mention all I need to discover, but I do plan on getting to it soon -- from memory it's probably 9.3+ for me too!

  • Top 10 Movies & Albums of the Week (2013)   3 weeks 1 day ago

    Have you listened to Beethoven's Missa Solemnis yet? Imagine choral writing with all of the glory and grandeur of his Ode to Joy extended to 80 minutes. I'm seriously considering it to be his 2nd greatest work - though I still need to listen to it more. Give Klemperer's recording a shot if you haven't already.

  • Greatest Albums of All Time (Rock & Jazz)   3 weeks 1 day ago

    Lol, it was a joke :) My list does look a lot like Scaruffi's and from time to time I receive comments from others showing up on listology to tell me so -- as if I'm not aware of it :)

    "How often do you usually listen to a new album before you feel you given it a proper listen?" It depends on the album but usually once or twice before I feel I can rate it confidently, occasionally more. I've thoroughly devoured a lot of rock/jazz/classical for years though, so I would recommend more listens if you're not so familiar.

    The most important thing with Slint is that, during its "verses", it's both a quiet, searching stream-of-consciousness, detailing accounts macabre and suspenseful, and, along with its jagged rhythms, brooding bass and introverted vocals, also sounds/feels as if the protagonist is contemplating, calculating, and unraveling a series of mathematical theories. The choruses/climaxes are charged by sudden, overwhelmed noise and violence. The album keeps getting increasingly harrowing and suspenseful all the way up until its helpless, terrified, tragic conclusion.

    I'll write a snippet on Blonde On Blonde when I have a few more minutes :)

  • Greatest Classical Works [under reconstruction - nothing to see here]   3 weeks 1 day ago

    "Ljubica Maric has used en entire arsenal of contemporary music in order to achieve a high goal. She speaks from the depth of her soul with clear and impressive language..." - Dmitri Shostakovich
    I am fascinated with Ljubica Marić's very dark and mysterious music. I may even upgrade my rating of her Byzantine Concerto. I also plan on investigating other female composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina.

    Also, aside from Mozart and Bach, I haven't listened to much Pre-romantic music, so thanks for all these links!

  • Most Haunting/Nightmarish Films (mid-revision)   3 weeks 1 day ago

    Thanks, I haven't had much, if any, desire to see Salo. If I get convinced that it is truly artistically redeeming of its content (as in, intellectually/emotionally rewarding and not just a "novelty act"), then I may give it a go. Haven't seen Safe or Audition, but I've been interested in both of them before.

    Thanks for the correct title -- I'll fix it :)

    Note: this list needs to be updated...

  • Greatest Albums of All Time (Rock & Jazz)   3 weeks 2 days ago

    Sorry, i don't understand the comment you on my list.

    Scaruffi really is quite an influence on you. If i recall rightly he also rates most of these highly. Maybe i'll follow your guide. Although i've liked weird stuff instantly (Gnaw Their Tongues, Captain Beefheart, Sun Ra) and found some easy stuff just doesn't get me first time round (Bob Dylan, Slint). How often do you usually listen to a new album before you feel you given it a proper listen?

  • Most Haunting/Nightmarish Films (mid-revision)   3 weeks 2 days ago

    Have you seen Pasolini's Salo? I think a little part of my soul died after seeing that. Not the best film of his films to start with really. Takashi Miike's Audition had me shaking by the end. Todd Haynes' Safe is probably the film that most haunts me (and it doesn't contain any violence). The film that i've found to be the most nightmarish is on your list - The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*.

    *Sorry for being pedantic but that's the correct title. The director spelled it wrong for the copyright.

  • Greatest Classical Music Works of All Time (in-progress)   3 weeks 2 days ago

    Totally understood :) These days, mine are usually pretty stable (been a long journey though), but if any work deserves continual reassessment, it's that one, along with several of Beethoven's other late works (15th String Quartet anyone?).

    I'll be listening to it again soon, and I won't be surprised at all if I upgrade it. It's been 8.5+ several times for me.

  • Every single way to say "Goodbye"   3 weeks 2 days ago

    Peace n chicken grease!

  • 100 best PS3 games released during the last three years   3 weeks 2 days ago

    Out April 2013 (April 2010 releases):
    Super Street Fighter IV
    Grand Theft Auto IV: Liberty City Episodes
    2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa


    Out March 2013 (March 2010 releases):
    God of War III
    MLB 10: The Show
    Battlefield: Bad Company 2
    Final Fantasy XIII
    Just Cause 2


    Out February 2013 (February 2010 releases):
    BioShock 2
    Heavy Rain


    Out January 2013 (January 2010 releases):
    Bayonetta
    Darksiders


    Out December 2012 (December 2009 releases):
    none..

    Out November 2012 (November 2009 releases):
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
    Assassin's Creed II
    Dragon Age: Origins
    Buzz! Quiz World


    Out October 2012 (October 2009 releases):
    Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
    FIFA Soccer 10
    Demon's Souls
    Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
    DJ Hero
    NBA 2K10
    Borderlands
    Brutal Legend
    WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010
    NBA Live 10


    Out September 2012 (September 2009 releases):
    The Beatles: Rock Band
    NHL 10
    DiRT 2
    Guitar Hero 5
    Need For Speed: Shift
    Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
    IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey


    Out August 2012 (August 2009 releases):
    Batman: Arkham Asylum
    Madden NFL 10


    Out July 2012 (July 2009 releases):
    BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

    Out June 2012 (June 2009 releases):
    Fight Night Round 4
    Red Faction: Guerilla
    Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10


    Out May 2012 (May 2009 releases):
    Infamous
    UFC Undisputed 2009


    Out April 2012 (April 2009 releases):
    none..

    Out March 2012 (March 2009 releases):
    MLB 09: The Show
    Guitar Hero Metallica
    Resident Evil 5


    Out February 2012 (February 2009 releases):
    Street Fighter IV
    Killzone 2


    Out January 2012 (January 2009 releases):
    Skate 2

    Out December 2011 (December 2008 releases):
    Prince of Persia

    Out November 2011 (November 2008 releases):
    Resistance 2
    Valkyria Chronicles
    Call of Duty: World at War


    Out October 2011 (October 2008 releases):
    LittleBigPlanet
    BioShock
    Rock Band 2
    Fallout 3
    Dead Space
    FIFA Soccer 09
    Far Cry 2
    Guitar Hero World Tour
    Midnight Club: Los Angeles
    MotorStorm: Pacific Rift
    Saints Row 2