Phillip Lehner dot com

John Locke will do what John Locke has to.

So season 5 begins and Phillip for one is NOT disappointed.  The producers made a statement at the end of season 4 that more questions would be answered than asked in season 5.  So far they appear to be keeping their word.  I will not spoil anything for you if you are behind, but I have to say that John Locke is the ruler of the Universe and is likely in league with the Chuck Norris.  Thus he will do whatever he has to do to win.  Winning in this case means protecting the island and if you have to die to make that a reality…       so be it.  This guy gets so much stronger as he gets older he makes Benjamin Button look like a second rate Forrest Gump clone…   wait Button was already a second rate Gump clone.  More on that later, but for now if you have a pulse and are not caught up to current episodes then heed my warning:

JOHN LOCKE WILL DO WHAT JOHN LOCK HAS TO.

And that may include destroying you and the ones you love if you do not get onboard.

Band of Horses - Cease to Begin

A few months ago, a coworker of mine returned from a visit out of state with his family and in his possession was a pile of music suggestions and samples.  In that pile lay hidden the gem that is Band of Horses.  I have not been able to dig out good music in the last couple of years as I should, so when I find good stuff I get pretty excited.

Mostly minimal in terms of instruments, this record is delicate and feathery.  The vocals are somewhat childlike and endearing even when the lyrics seem ominous and dark.  Drums are tasteful and subdued with a solid bass and driving rhythm, but the shining lure for my is the remarkable melodies.  Sometimes strange and unsettled they always hook and nag your memory for hours on end.  Though based in Seattle, I would swear that they are European based purelyon the similarity of their melodies and vibes to that of Sigur Rós.  Completely otherworldly, yet somehow heavily grounded.

Another tip of the hat to SubPop.  And a thank you to Jeff for the suggestion.

Fleet Foxes

This afternoon my boss, Fran, suggested that I give this record a listen.  I knew I was in for good things when I saw Subpop was the label as they have rarely failed me in the past.  Also, I noticed that they are signed to Bella Union which carries the likes of Andrew Bird.  Fleet Foxes are considered Baroque Harmonic pop.   Three tracks in and I was convinced.  I absolutely love it.  Some tracks haunting and gossamer harmonies that place it well off of the beaten path.  Thick flat drums and big live room sounds give it a realism and roughness that appeal to me and my distaste for polish.  I am reminded of Beirut minus the anthems and can’t help but to feel swept away in those golden tones which is a feeling I not experienced in a long long time.   All in all, I strongly suggest you pick it up.

I love Wes Anderson films and feel that the further down the road he gets the better his work becomes.  While The Royal Tenenbaums may never be outdone, Darjeeling is an instant classic.  I admit that I had my reservations with Adrian Brody’s introduction into troupe of regulars.  To my delight he was fantastic!  His ability to play grief stricken, disturbed characters is uncanny and he turned out to be really funny as well.  Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman are classically uncomfortably and awkwardly charming.  I almost leaped in my seat when I saw Bill Murray and literally laughed out loud when I saw Pagoda.  The colors and sets in all Wes Anderson films are amazing and this did not fail to please.  Beautiful shots through Indian themed backdrops were absolutely classic.

Now for the brass tacks…   I realize that this film doesn’t break a lot of new ground and in fact it repeats a few themes familiar in Rushmore and Tenenbaums.  However, the transitions make a bit more sense than normal and the characters, though quite odd, are believeable enough to think you could see them in real life.  At the end of the day, Darjeeling is basically what you expect when you plug in an Anderson flick.  Whimsical, bizarre and completely satisfying.