I thought they would be hard-pressed to top the video for Atlas, which I still maintain is the most ‘techno’ — whatever that means — video I have ever seen. This one has all the classic elements: richly detailed organic textures enlivened by the dancing light, quick step editing synched perfectly to the beat, all mixed as precisely as a dj might. And, of course, you know I absolutely love the way the lights drip like candles…
But it’s the last three minutes that truly blow me away, where the slow fade of the song is matched perfectly to the dawn of a new day. With rare exception, most live music is experienced as day turns to night. I don’t know that I have ever seen anything quite like this; it’s so peaceful, so tranquil, especially after such a blistering song.
I couldn’t be happier to see my beloved Warp Records continue to push the bounds of music and now video. I can’t wait to see and hear what they think of next. As for Battles, they sold out San Francisco the last time through, but I will not miss their next show on November 1 at the Great American Music Hall, one of my favorite places to see live music.
Until then, watch for the Making of Tonto dvd on October 22. I can’t wait.
So funny, and so damn true. Luckily, I only waited four hours for mine. Even still, it was worth every minute and every penny. And yes, I am a nerd and I don’t care.
Great music. Incredible color and composition. Anamorphic wide-angle lenses over lush landscapes. A meandering plot predicated on a succession of seemingly random vignettes, all loosely tied together at the end. Oh, and Futura everywhere.
It looks to be another epic, and classic, Wes Anderson film. I can’t wait for the September 29.
I have much to do, though perhaps it’s better said there’s much I would rather do, but I have been absolutely consumed with bloxorz. Honestly, I knew I was screwed from the moment I read Jason’s short “Oh, so you like the addictive games, eh?” intro. Even though I saw the link over lunch, I somehow waited until tonight to play — how’s that for willpower, not normally my strongest suit! I am already up to level 17 too, and chances are I will be up most of tonight trying to finish all 33. I truly should have waited for the weekend…
On a related note, I have always wanted to link to another fiendishly clever blend of art and technology at albinoblacksheep: the end of the world.
It seems somewhat unfair to find joy in such silly diversions, with all the chaos and upheaval in the world. In many ways this is by design, we are constantly lulled to sleep by idle pursuits like seven straight hours of Monday Night Football (both of my teams won too) and 14 hours of college football on Saturday (poor Michigan and Notre Dame, it breaks my Buckeye heart to see them suffer). That’s all well and good, but the simple fact of the matter is that life as we know it is fundamentally changing, and not necessarily for the better…
I wholeheartedly believe that art and technology, when focused and directed and sustained, can truly change the way we relate to the world around us. If nothing else, I hope I can at least awaken our collective inner rebel, the voice that doesn’t blindly accept the world as is. We are much more powerful than we realize, but only if we awake from our collective slumber (or stupor), embrace our long-dormant imagination, and exercise our sense of humor and good will.
I believe it can be done. And I think I have a pretty good idea of how to do it too. Now if only I can stop playing bloxorz long enough to get it started…
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
