Sophie Says Sooth (2002.09.02): "Avoid graduation at all possible costs. This may sound crazy now, but by the time you're out of school for a year you'll know exactly what I'm talking about and you'll really start to miss caring about back-to-school sales. Enjoy this time while you can."

Sophie Says Sooth (2002.08.26): "When you call your children unexpectedly, do not express concern if they were out until 4, 5 or 6 AM. They are now the masters of their own bedtimes. If someone of the opposite sex answers the telephone at 7 AM on a Sunday, say nothing."

Sophie Says Sooth (2002.08.19): "It was once required that ten witnesses be present at a marriage ceremony to outsmart jealous demons. (I don't know who really thought this would work but let's play along for the sake of the story.) Bridesmaids dressed similarly to the bride and groomsmen's attire resembled the groom's in an attempt to confuse the spirits who wanted to harm the couple."


Silverchair / Diorama: "Musically, it is one of the best of the year. Rich orchestrations sweep across beautifully arranged songs, a feat quite remarkable for a band unaccustomed to such complex string and horn work. This is due, in part, to help from the legendary Van Dyke Parks, whose resume boasts such names as U2 and the Beach Boys."

Miniviews 2002.08.02: "While reining his noodling tendencies way in for the two Guided By Voices records released by TVT, his side projects exploded. The Fading Captain series, home to numerous collaborations and throw-away 7" singles, has probably had a release or three just since you started reading this piece."

Miniviews 2002.07.28: "If John Lennon and Yoko Ono had been in little-known power pop bands, then decided to do a record together with John's brother and a pseudonymous drummer for a Spanish label you've never heard of, Double Fantasy would've sounded a lot like Sound It Out."


San Diego Comic-con 2002: Part 1: "A lot of it sounded like standard conspiracy theory bullshit; I would like to believe him about the income taxes, though. Apparently it has something to do with the improper ratification of the 16th Amendment and taxing our privilege of earning money."

"Glamour Hose": A 14-piece photographic series from Natalie Meyer


"Pixel Worship": A new short narrative work from Aaron Veenstra





2002/05/16

So I saw "Attack of the Clones" this morning. It's a ride, much more of an action movie than "The Phantom Menace" was -- better than the critics would say, not as good as "Empire" but basically accomplishes everything it should try to accomplish. The next episode requires a lot of plot support, so it felt a bit like Lucas was trying to smoosh four hours worth of movie into 150 minutes but he's never really been a master of pacing anyway. I don't know where the negative reviews of Hayden Christiansen are coming from, as he delivers as good as performance as one can expect with the movie's overwrought, Saturday serial dialogue. His work is far better than Mark Hamill did in any of his three films and the less said about Jake Lloyd the better.

What really made it entertaining was the detail. The opening sequence on Coruscant is unlike anything seen in the previous four movies; it's this close to being taken straight out of "Blade Runner." Later on in the movie we see the beginnings of the empire's plans from the original "Star Wars," added in almost as a throwaway line. And yes, Yoda whips out the lightsabre and kicks some ass. That was a nice one; I've been wanting to see that for almost two decades.

There's maybe one wink at the audience too many, definitely several puns too many but it's a solid work. Lucas even changes things up directorially, if only a little. It'll be interesting to see again and try to catch the little things I missed. If only I could get this damned movie piracy thing to work.



2002/05/14

Punk bands get old, it's simply the way time works. Some deal with it by ignoring the fact that they're 20 years older than everyone coming to their shows -- Rancid, NOFX, the sad menagerie touring as Dead Kennedys -- and some, like Jawbreaker, deal with it by breaking up and starting new projects. This is how Jets to Brazil came to record 2000's most mellow guitar-poet record, Four Cornered Night.

The record's first 12 tracks, which never turn it up past four, lead up to the shout-out filled closer, "All Things Good and Nice." Singer Blake Schwarzenbach spends several verses rattling off the people and things he loves, including his whole family, everybody in the band, his piano and some stranger, ending each verse with some Tod A-inspired line like, "Even when you're wrong I think you're great," or, "Don't confuse the truth with your pain." It's nice to see a rock album hinging on a track that's all about words.



2002/05/13

My favorite Sophie columns are the ones where she just happens to answer a question I was already wondering about. She does it again in this week's edition and I'll give you a hint: I'm not getting married.



Log Archives