Serial Slingshot

MUSIC

The Promise Ring - The Horse Latitudes


Awesome Promise Ring EP. A must have for fans. This was released in between their first two superb albums, "30 Degrees Everywhere" and "Nothing Feels Good", which many people consider the best emo album ever made. I actually prefer 30DE to NFG but whatever. I like "Very Emergency" though quite a bit too, even if they did kind of abandon their old sound and became all super-poppy.

Anyways back to "The Horse Latitudes", it features one of the best songs from 30DE, "A Picture Postcard", but then also "E. Texas Avenue" and "Saturday", two of the best songs the band has ever written. The album starts with a bang with "Watertown Plank" and ends the same way with the ultra-catchy "I Never Trusted the Russians." I trust the Russians. Not that I know any, but still. As I was saying, if you're a fan of emo-pop or emop as we like to call it in the blogging world, you'll like this EP. If people actually call it emop, I just made that up, lame.

8 songs, over 24 minutes:

There will be ice cream

Buy it here.

MOVIES

MARS ATTACKS!

Is an explanation for why I like it really needed for this movie? Tim Burton's best for sure and a great cast. Oh so good.

IMBD Entry
Purchase ONLY $6.99!

I worked for the first time today. It's not that bad, all I had to do was upload 400 pictures to a website, and resize them, but it took forever. As always, I'll try to be back sometime in the near future.
-Sean

MUSIC

Anathallo - Sparrows

This album/EP has only 7 songs, but all are pretty solid. I have their new full-length, which has 14 songs, and it's gotten some great reviews but I don't care for it all that much in all honesty, at least so far. If you really like this, tell me and I might post their new album though. The song "To Gary And Marcus - The Sovereignty Of God His Omnipresent" on this is a favorite of mine, it's just so beautiful.



7 songs, about 38 minutes

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DG69AEV1

Buy it and their other albums here.


MOVIES

Oldboy

One of the most fucked up movies I've ever seen and it's not like I've seen that many weird movies, but still. It's about an average guy who is imprisoned for 15 years for reasons unknown to him. He's then released after the 15 years to a world completely changed only to have 5 days to find who it was who imprisoned him and more importantly: why? Did I forget to mention that in the 15 years in his imprisonment, he trained and became a supreme master of kung-fu? Yeah.
They're remaking this movie for an American audience for 2008 with allegedly some big names, but I have no concrete word on who will be in it.

IMDB Entry
Purchase

As always, I'll be back soon enough with some more music and words of knowledge in the near future.

FREE RAPIDSHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNTS

I just noticed today. Go over there while the offer lasts.

Your premium account lasts for 47 days, and if by then you've earned 10000 points, I think you get to keep it. Good deal.

http://rapidshare.de/cgi-bin/freeaccount.cgi

I'll come back with some more music/movies tomorrow I hope, I just wanted to let you all know in case you didn't already.
-Sean

MUSIC

Frog Eyes - The Future Is Inter-disciplinary Or Not At All

New Frog Eyes EP?!? YEAH MAN.

I've listened to it a ridiculous amount of times the past few weeks, and I really love it. it's a lot more mellow than their previous efforts. 8 songs 17 minutes. This EP has to be thought of in a whole, not just separate songs. Overall, it combines into a beautiful, yet uneased, unity, making it one of the best releases of the year so far. Frog Eyes can be painful, but in their own unique way, they're one of the msot consoling bands I know.

I put it on YouSendIt since it's a fairly new release, so the link will expire soon!

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=1458C6267E9361BB

Buy it here.

BOOKS

You Shall Know Our Velocity! by Dave Eggers - A great book from one of the best and funniest modern day writers. One of my friends who also sometimes writes on this blog(I won't mention any names) has been reading this for the past three years or so. We're starting to think she's dyslexic. Anyways, the book confronts charity, travel, and friendship. All in one. I don't want to ruin it for you, so trust me on this one, it's good.

MOVIES

Battle Royale - Here's the plot summary from IMDB:

"Ninth grade students are taken to a small isolated island with a map, food and various arms. They have to fight each other three days long until the last one remains and are forced to wear a special collar which will explode when they break a rule."

Oh boy, now I know you're dying to see it. I think some of it's kind of inane, but overall I really enjoyed it. It was made in Japan back in 2000, based off a book, and is very popular over there. The story basically revolves around this boy named Shuya Nanahara trying to stay alive while protecting Noriko. It has one of the most badass villians though in Kiriyama, who is a "transfer student" who remains silent throughout the entire movie. It's a good movie and has some killer scenes (literally), and I'm sure there's some overall moral to it, but I can't really figure out what it is.


I hope you guys enjoy this triple onslaught of culture recommendations. As always, I'll try to be back sometime in the Future that Is Inter-disciplinary Or Not At All. I kill myself.
-Sean

I've thought about and I decided we should include suggestions for good books and movies that you should all look into, since (this may come as an astonishment to some of you) music is not the most important thing in life. I mean, it's good and all, it's a wonderful part of life, but you shouldn't let music control your life.

So instead of listening to music today, go read a book, or watch a great movie.

BOOK SUGGESTIONS

How to be Good by Nick Hornby - I'm reading this currently among his many other wonderful books. I enjoy this one in particular for its insightful look at marraiges and the overall struggle that love is. As if I'd know, right?

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer - I actually preferred this one to his other one which happens to be below and very good also. This one has to do with a 9-year-old kid whose Dad died in the World Trade Center on 911. Touching and humorous to say the very least.

Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer - His first novel, which was adapted into a movie. A character who happens to be named Jonathan Safran Foer goes on a quest to find information about a girl he sees in a photograph with his deceased grandfather who escaped Europe for America during the Holocaust. He receives the help of two natives, Alex and his own grandfather. Alex is my favorite character by far, with his attempts upon the English language which left me in a fit of laughter at points. Then there's the whole rotation between different stories. It's brilliant, yes, but it's probably easier to connect to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close because we've experienced 911, and most of us out here in the blogging world have not experienced the Holocaust.

MOVIES

The Master of the Flying Guillotine - The most kickass early kung-fu movie I've ever seen. The One-Armed Boxer fights the Master of the Flying Guillotine, who happens to be a blind priest. So good.

Hellboy - This movie wasn't very well received by the critics, and I guess the plot is a bit ridiculous, but that's the entire point of it. One of the best comic book movies I've seen in a while.

Better Off Dead - One of John Cusack's earliest roles and his best in my opinion. Oftentimes hilarious, the movie is just a sweet comedy about teenage romance.

I hope I can keep this trend up, leading you to not only good music but also books and movies, hopefully with more in-depth reviews while not giving the entire plots away. I hope you all don't mind, but it seemed like a good idea since I love reading and movies, at least recently. Umm I'll try to be back soon enough as always to satisfy your cultural needs.
-Sean

Okkervil River - Down the River of Golden Dreams

Thanks to Emily for uploading this!

I haven't had much time to listen to it yet, but "It Ends With Fall" is definitely up there for one of the best songs they've ever written. The rest of it is just the emotional and pretty music you'd expect from Will Sheff and Okkervil River. It's just so passionate and honest that you cannot connect to it, and added in with the great lyrics and instrumentation and whatnot, it makes for a consistent album that at worst borders on good/very good. I really have to listen to it more though.

I'M STILL IN SCHOOL. As is Giselle. And it's been like 90 the past few days and I had to mow the lawn today. I like mowing the lawn though. It's really soothing and I'm unbelievable at it. As I was saying though, I have two more days of finals and I can hardly wait to get out.

11 songs, 46 minutes

Buy it here.

If you want to test it out, then here.

Yo I got a bunch of Frog Eyes that I got for my birthday so I might upload those soon. Otherwise, I'll be back soon enough as always.
-Sean

A Northern Chorus - Bitter Hands Resign

This Canadian band is very much along the lines of Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai, except with vocals floating over the celestial melodies. First off, I'd like to thank my brother Chris for showing me this band.

Now as for the review, I don't know where to begin so I'm going to be perfectly honest. I'm falling in love with this band and this album. It's 8 songs and 50 minutes, and every moment is truly beautiful. It's just so nice to kick back to while I'm talking to people over the Internet and whatnot. I can't really say enough about it, except that you should go support the band, which you can do so here by buying their albums.

Giselle, I think you would like this band a lot if you don't already. I would tell you this in person, but I hardly ever see you and it's the weekend.

Go listen to the mp3's they posted at their website, which happens to be one of the best band sites I've ever seen so definitely be sure to check it out.

If that isn't enough for you, I guess download the album, and hopefully you'll be so overcome with an uncertain yet natural feeling of proximity to the band that you'll go out and buy their albums. Please do support the band though.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZTRCT95A

I got the link from the Postapocalyptic Vanguard.

It's pretty late. It's almost 2 in the morning. I'm going to go to bed for now, but I'll be back soon with another post.
-Sean

Okkervil River - Stars Too Small To Use

The out-of-print first album by this awesome band. I have no idea why they don't reissue it, I love it! Hopefully you will too. This album is a MUST for fans of Okkervil. It's 7 songs and 31 minutes, but definitely a portent of the brilliant music they would continue making. "Kathy Keller" and "The Velocity of Saul At The Time of his Conversion", the first two tracks are worth the download alone. I don't think it's as good as Black Sheep Boy, or Don't Fall in Love With Everyone You See, but it's much more along the lines of the latter. I have only about 1/2 of the songs on Down the River of Golden Dreams on my computer, so I can't really comment on that one. If anyone could upload it for the site, it would be greatly appreciated.

Honestly though, I could not be happier with these songs. I expected some shitty demo-like songs but it's a really impressive first album. Banjos, wavering vocals, insightful lyrics, what more could you ask for?

Buy it this album you can find it somewhere because I'm legally responsible to say that I think.

This whole wide world isn't wide enough

As I told you, I went to The Boy Least Likely To concert Tuesday night. I have some pictures to upload if I figure out how to use my cell phone. It's weird. I'm damn good with computers and calculators, but I somehow cannot operate a cell phone. I'll be back hopefully within the next few days with the pictures, and a short concert review, but for now I have to study for Finals, or at least attempt studying.
-Sean

Ok okay, Giselle's not dead, no worries. I'm fucking lame. Sorry. Like really goddamn lame. Wow. Yeah. I'm just really tired today.

The show last night was fun though. Today, not so much. I'll give you some musix when I'm in a better mood.
-Sean

Hello all my dear friends, today is the birthday of your humble blogger. In order to celebrate my 16th birthday (at last) and the start of summer, I've decided to make you a mix.

It's not really summer yet, but it's close enough. I'm not a huge fan of summer. It's just too goddamn hot. And Winter's too cold. Spring and Fall are perfect. But anyways, hopefully this will start you all out on a successful and happy summer.

Tonight I'm going to see The Boy Least Likely To at the Knitting Factory in New York. Should be fun. Maybe I'll see one of you there. If you want to meet me, just yell out "Joe Strummer" repeatedly and I'll find you. Rapists, let it be known that I'll be packing as always. Umm Giselle might be going...perhaps...maybe. She never really gave me a definite answer.


EDIT: I just called Giselle and she can't go to the show tonight. She's no longer licing. I'm joking, she had some family thing. So I have an extra ticket. If anyone wants it, wait at the entrance, randomly shouting "Joe Strummer" and I'll give it you. We can be best friends.

To summer-ize: AWESOME.

TRACKLIST:
I. Saturday Looks Good To Me - When The Party Ends *How could you not love this song?*
II. The Mae Shi - Vampire Beats
III. Ted Leo - The Ballad of el Goodo (Big Star) *I prefer this one to the orignal*
IV. Sambassadeur - Kate
V. The State of Samuel - Square Roots
VI. Godspeed You Black Emperor ft Cassius Clay (McSleazy Bootleg) *Giselle doesn't care for these two Cassius Clay mashups, this and #22. I think they're amazing though. Cassius Clay is also one of my heroes though.*
VII. Tullycraft - 8 Great Ways
VIII. Shearwater - Johnny Viola *Favorite off the new album. Agree?*
IX. The Faces - Ooh La La
X. The Jesus and Mary Chain - My Girl
XI. Jim Guthrie - Nighttime-Anytime (It's Alright) (By the Constantines)
XII. Les Parisiennes - L'Argent ne Fait Pas le Bonheur
XIII. Pavement & Jay-Z - In The Mouth, An Encore
XIV. The Zombies - Summertime *At this point, I tried to get some summer songs in here.*
XV. The Robot Ate Me - The Genocide Ball
XVI. Of Montreal - Where Eagles Dare (Misfits)
XVII. Band of Horses - The Funeral *Song of the year so far in my opinion.*
XVIII. The Pixies Three - Summertime USA
XIX. Marmoset - Chinese Checkers
XX. Jawbreaker - Accident Prone *One of my favorite songs of all time*
XXI. Les Angles Morts - Whats Real Summer
XXII. Mogwai ft Cassius Clay (McSleazy Bootleg)
XXIII. The Mountain Goats - Sometimes I Still Feel The Bruise *Song off the new Australian Tour Only EP Babylon Springs.*
XIV. Mono - Halcyon (Edit) *The best thing my older brother has ever shown me.*

It's just over 80 minutes. Sorry, but I couldn't cut off any song, I just felt too bad.


My present to you.

Umm, I'll be back sometime soon hopefully. I'm busy with the end of school and finals and all that though.
-Sean

Found around the net...
These links will expire soon!

Sage Francis
Road Tested
Sick of Waging War
Sickly Business

Devendra Banhart
Rejoicing in the Hands
Nino Rojo

Cocorosie
La Maison de mon Rêve
Noah's Ark

Mates of State
Team Boo
Our Constant Concern

Red House Painters
Songs for a Blues Guitar
Old Ramon

Aesop Rock
Float
Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives

The Magnetic Fields
69 Love Songs Vol. 1
69 Love Songs Vol. 2
69 Love Songs Vol. 3

-Giselle

Three Singles I Uploaded For You All Tonight

Q and Not U - Hot and Informed

The Boy Least Likely To - Hugging My Grudge

The Boy Least Likely To - Paper Cuts

I'd tell you to buy them, but as everyone knows, bloggers are evil and are enemies of the music industry. Seriously though, go buy them if you can find them, I just can't.

We're on a roll here over at Serial Slingshot. Hopefully we'll keep it up. I'm going to go resume reading A Clockwork Orange which is absolutely awesome so far so I'll try to do another post later.
-Sean

Some good listens:

Other places

Some very good albums that I've dug up in some archives.

The Royal Tenenbaums Soundtrack Via Oh Comely
Half-Handed Cloud - Halos and Lassos Via Oh No!
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain via Oh No!
Built to Spill - You In Reverse via The Indie Connection
Eux Autres - Hell Is Eux Autres via Regnyouth
Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Tortoise - The Brave and the Bold again via Oh No!
Sambassadeur - Coastal Affairs EP Via The Sad Pandas

Hope you enjoy these all. They're all worth buying which you can do either at Amazon or at the bands' websites if you look. I do not have the energy to post all the links to where you can buy them, but trust me, they're worth the purchase, or you can just see for yourself by downloading it first. I have to go take SAT's. Fun stuff. I'll be back later with another post hopefully.
-Sean