Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Lou Reed & the Killers

Since my last post brought out the bile in so many, namely Gabriel and his toadies, I'm going for a kinder, gentler Rotard today. (JR, you totally made my day giving me a nickname that sounds like I'm a snooty French whore! D'accord!)

But I've decided to keep with yesterday's Joy Division theme and point everyone in the direction of the Killers' cover of "Shadowplay." So what do y'all think? When I first heard they were covering Shadowplay, my initial reaction was, "Oh, Brandon, no you are NOT!!!" Covers so rarely turn out well, particularly covers of songs that are near and dear to my heart. And really, the only decent Joy Division cover I've ever heard thus far is from Sir Trent himself with "Dead Souls."

But as it turns out, I've been pleasantly surprised with the Killers' take on "Shadowplay." They update the song without changing the general melacholy mood. But they don't veer too off course with their updates either, making the song unrecognizable. It's definitely a more uptempo take on the song, but one that stays true to the source. Of course, Brandon Flowers's nasally voice is quite at odds with Ian's monotone drone and I think competes with the strong bass of the song. Perhaps I'm just too used to Ian's sound, but I find myself wishing it were Ian's voice set to the Killers' instrumentals.

The Killers' new album, Sawdust, comes out next Tuesday, and based on their "Shadowplay" cover and their new single "Tranquilize," I'm excited. Like so many sophomore albums, Sam's Town was less than interesting, especially considering the brilliance of Hot Fuss, which still is in my regular rotation three years after its release.

Their video for "Tranquilize" is pretty interesting, given that Lou Reed not only makes an appearance, but his voice eminates from Brandon Flowers. Sorry, but Brandon aint' got nuthin on Lou. In any event, take a gander.

64 comments:

maise said...

Oh, hon, I dunno...what's up with the Killers? What, are they Andy Warhol now? Why can't they just accept that they're the Duran Duran of the new millennium? Hot Fuss was brilliant, not least because it was FUN and dancey, not plodding and sullen. Some artists can do plodding and sullen, like Mr. Reed, but the Killers are just completely superfluous here.

D:ANGEL said...

Is it possible for anyone on this site to take an interest in music where the lead singers are actual men? Ian Curtis, The Killers guy, Trent? The three of them combined doesn't equal the manliness of one normal man.

How about we talk about some real rock?

Suggested Topics:

Dimebag Darrell
Deicide
Cannibal Corpse

Whip something up.

D:ANGEL said...

Whoa -

I just watched that video and it sucks.

Is Ryan Reynolds the lead singer?

And why are they trying to be cool now. You are right, Maise... accept being Durna Duran and get over it.

Ro said...

And what would you like to discuss about Dimebag, Danny?

Ro said...

How about I like it just because I know you'll hate it?

maise said...

The question is...is Gabriel the boy or Dirty Uncle Rodney?

Ro said...

Although that would suggest that your opinion somehow matters to me. Sorry, jag off. I like what I like, and if you don't like, suck it.

Gabriel said...

The boy grows up to be Uncle Rodney. DUH.


I think you're on point with that one actually, Rotard.

1. Gabriel has taste.

2. Gabriel likes things that are good.

3. Things that are shitty make Gabriel angry.

4. Rotard likes things that make Gabriel Angry.

5. Ergo, Rotard likes things that are shitty.

I recommend a sharp blade, a warm bath, and the "Bracelets of Fortune" technique. Let me know if you need more specific directions.

maise said...

That's right, Ro. If we all liked what Gabriel liked, that would mean us losing many precious hours tied up in Angelman's basement, wearing a Raggedy Andy costume and crying piteously.

maise said...

Okay, fine...you spend hours tied up in Angelman's POOL CABANA, wearing a Raggedy Andy costume and crying for your mother.

Ro said...

See, Gabriel, you must have me confused with JR. She's the only one around here that whores for your approval.

Iris said...

I see those anger management sessions are paying off, Gabriel.

D:ANGEL said...

Well Dimebag was very influential for one. Every guitar player in the world was influenced by him.

D:ANGEL said...

The Bracelets of Fortune, what's that?

maise said...

Bracelets of Fortune...sounds like one of your bands, Angelman...

Anonymous said...

Whores for his approval?

No, Rotard, it is YOU who is confused, and you have me confused with MAISE.

I'm divine. I inspire Gabriel's approval.

I mean, seriously.

Taste of a one-eared monkey is BEING CHARITABLE.

Anonymous said...

And start liking things that suck? Sounds like we're already covered in that department.

Since when is it a crime to agree with Gabriel?

Gabriel said...

See Angelman, you start at your wrist. And you make a loooong incision all the way up to the crook of your elbow. Now, you only have a few moments of real clarity before things get REALLY fucking bloody... so you make an incision at each wrist from side to side.

And when you're done, what're you left with? Two upside down bloody crosses. Bracelets of Forture; pretty much drain your body -- five minutes, tops.

maise said...

Oh God, that's such a *gothemo* way to kill oneself.

D:ANGEL said...

cool!

do you wanna hang out and watch the craft tonite?

Anonymous said...

Someone's got an awful lot of pent-up anger about her disillusionment.

I'm not naming names or anything, but I think y'all know who I'm talking about.

Gabriel said...

I was going off on how you should kill YOURSELF, Rotard. Because somebody as fucking stupid (and with such poor reading comprehension) as yourself really has no business breathing any longer.

And it was your fantasy epic hero that hung himself, bitch. Get your facts straight, have a perspective, and seriously -- think of something clever to actually being saying before you attempt to "get back at me", or whatever it is you think you're doing, because right now watching you flail is like watching a crippled dog pull itself out of its own shit.

Fascinating, but kinda depressing at the same time.

D:ANGEL said...

just ate a fantastic lunch from CALIFORNIA VEGAN. Ahhhh

Anonymous said...

Bo-ring.

D:ANGEL said...

you know how I can tell Ro and Maise hang out to much?

They both use the word "toadie"

Anonymous said...

Um, Mr. Angel, you didn't just "go there", did you?

D:ANGEL said...

"go there"?

Baby, I just moved in AND took the remote.

Gabriel said...

He also farted all over the place. And let me tell you -- that vegan shit must NOT be easy on the intestines, judging by the smell.

D:ANGEL said...

this from the guy who always asks me to play "dutch oven" with him...

I am a gentleman.

Gabriel is a scoudrel.

Gabriel said...

Scoundrel... I like the sound of that.

Ro said...

"...think of something clever to actually being saying"

Yeah, dipshit, that says it all right there. Dumbass.

Anonymous said...

R, you have no sense of humor.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of GG Allin, this sounds like something he'd enjoy.

Iris said...

That's right folks! Whenever you're feeling a little blue or feel like you just need a friend to talk things out with, call the Gabe Town National Hotline for help. We assure you nothing can go wrong when our conscientious counselor Gabriel is on the line.
That's 1-900-Gab-riel.
$1.99 for the first minute, $3.99 for each additional minute, if you've offed yourself in under five minutes the call is FREE. Results may vary. PP is not responsible for any deaths or subsequent counseling fees if you survive the call.


I really don't get what the fuck is wrong with people. Who really wants to get high on shit? Literal shit. I'm surprised there aren't coinciding reports of people cutting out their tongues from the taste of sewage during these hallucinations.

And were GG still alive I'm sure he'd also be a frequent visitor to 2girls1cup.com or hell, maybe directing videos of his own. NSFW is an understatement! Maise, you'd do well to just completely avoid this one.

D:ANGEL said...

Jesus, Iris.

That link is from hell.

I REALLY want to know how you know about that.

Iris said...

I know, it's really bad, right? I assure you it's pretty innocent how I came across that one. I was perusing YouTube a few weeks back and saw all these videos of people's reactions to watching some other video. Looks of pure horror, retching, gagging, running from the room, etc. I was like "what the fuck are these people watching?" One of the videos had a link to that site in the description. As they say curiosity killed the cat...but not before it dry heaved.

maise said...

I was having Iris describe it to me on IM, and I think she got only about halfway through before I totally gagged, so yeah, that's a link I'm NEVER clicking on.

Iris said...

Yeah I'm thinking about just deleting that entire comment containing the link. Seriously people you don't want to click on it at work...possibly even at home unless you're really into scat play.

Gillian said...

2girls1cup is one of the 'shock' sites that I totally can't stomach. thanks for reminding me of its existence. :C

Me and Iris can be "Horrible things on the internet" friends now, though. High five!

pokeydots said...

STOP THIS MADNESS!!!!!!! Dutch Ovens, Slicing-up Arms, Scat Play, etc. Let's discuss something more pleasant!

I need a cheezburger
http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/4626/Emergency+Kitten/

Anonymous said...

I think it all started when DA invoked the name of GG Allin. I blame him.


On a happier note, I saw the MOST AWESOME rainbow on my way home from the pet store yesterday. I pulled my car over to marvel at it, and the air smelled like fabric softener. It was awesome.

Iris said...

Fear not dear pokeydots. I've got something more plesant in the works right now.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, she's PhotoShopping a picture of me drinking a cup of chamomille tea next to a waterfall while my pet unicorn grazes nearby.

The inclusion/exclusion of Fabio in said PhotoShop creation is still undecided.

Iris said...

So you don't want your perfect rainbow included in the pic?

Anonymous said...

You can't capture a moment like that in PhotoShop. You have to live it.

Iris said...

Well can I at least include the Snuggles fabric softener bear?

maise said...

Did the rainbow look like this?

D:ANGEL said...

Well the worst part of that site is that the video just starts playing... my cursor hovered above the link... then I finally clicked thinking there was plenty of time to hit the "back" button but with in 5 seconds I had seen something that couldn't be unseen. You should make the "post a reply" buttons on this thread a link to that - now that would be funny.

It's funny, for all of my love of horror and etc. I really can't take that stuff... even a few of the horror movies I watched I could never have seen and been OK (like Cannibal Holocaust or any of the August Underground flicks).

Iris said...

Fuck. Never enough time at lunch but I promise I'll get it up after a bit of tweaking after work. A post I mean...not JR's picture. That will take some time to find the perfect Snuggle bear image. ;)

Gabriel said...

Dude, the August Underground shit is AWESOME.

Anonymous said...

No, Maise. It was kinda like this.

D:ANGEL said...

RAINBOW!

The redhead is gabriel.

Gabriel said...

Wow. That actually is me.

Anonymous said...

Of course. He's winking.

You know, DA, I was going to go there with the rainbow joke, but I decided to make it a little more challenging.

D:ANGEL said...

obvious is my middle name.

Anonymous said...

I thought it was Alowicius?

D:ANGEL said...

Mine is Tiberius.

Gabriel said...

Danny Obvious Angel

D.O.A.

Nuff said.

D:ANGEL said...

you know what sounds good?

Vanilla Latte.

THAT is what sounds good.

maise said...

Danny Vanilla Latte Angel?

pokeydots said...

More like Danny Java Chip Frappacinno Angelino - tall, dark, sweetly smooth and decadent.

D:ANGEL said...

Now we're talkin'!

Anonymous said...

I know I'm late to the party--hell, at this rate, the party's already ended--but I had to add my 2 yen:

"I find myself wishing it were Ian's voice set to the Killers' instrumentals."

That can probably be arranged via the wonder of mash-ups. Wait, are those even cool anymore?

Iris said...

Dunno if they are or they aren't, Em, but they still entertain me. There are a few really good ones out there. Skipping past the obvious Beatles & NIN, I also loved the Garbage & Dannii Minogue mash up.