DISQUS

Tom: Don't worry. You'll always be "Fearless Leader" to The Shamus.

Jason: Ha! So, you're one of those types...Good to know. Good to know.

Tom, no argument here, although "Girls In Their Summer Dresses" doesn't do as much for me as "Livin' In The Future" and "Magic." I hope the whole disc keeps growing on me, but it's been exciting today to feel reenergized by a mainstream pop album. It's been awhile. One nit: I keep seeing these references to "Terry's Song," but that wasn't on the Apple download I got today, unless it has been renamed "Devil's Arcade." And if I've been screwed out of a song, I'm not going to be happy.

The Brady Bunch theme. "Here's the story/Of a lovely lady..."

Thanks to all, especially the foreign film ones. I knew there were some good ones there, especially the Band of Outsiders one. That might qualify for Best Off-Campus Dance Routine, as well.

Excellent additions from all of you. Joe Valdez, over on my site, reminded me of one I meant to put on but forgot:

BEST NIGHT BEFORE COLLEGE: "American Grafitti."

Uh, how did you guys get a copy of the album and how about slipping it to your favorite New Critics shamus?

Siren, Siren — I can feel your pulse pounding way down South here. Why do you read those web sites?
As for De Palma, your post is a nice birthday tribute to the man. He turns 67 tomorrow, and he's back in the cultural news, and winning awards at film fests. He deserves it.
P.S. No love for "The Fury"?

And he also tells Big Dan that he's Ulysses. Now, I'm confused. Oh, well, I'm just gonna change it! After all, I want to be bonafide!

Caroline: Well, that's interesting. In the movie and the script, Clooney tells the Sirens he's Ulysses Everett McGill. In the published script's credits, though, which I borrowed from shamelessly to write this, it's Everett Ulysses. Hmm, another feat of misdirection by the Coen Brothers? Was Everett so bedazzled by the Sirens that he said his name backwards? Or maybe Clooney liked the sound of it as U.E. better than E.U. Who knows?

Kevin: Thanks for the info on the backgrounds. To OutOfContext: The Sinbad color short is in this box set, as well. Another reason it's a keeper.

Dear Dan Leo,

Ha!

Signed (sealed, delivered)
The Shamus.

P.S. In the immortal words of Stevie Wonder: "When you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer." Sounds sort of, uh, Morrissey-esque, eh? Cheers.

As I read these lists, I'm again struck by the sheer volume of music released on a weekly basis, and how it's basically impossible for anybody to be current with any level of thoroughness, as I used to feel like I was as a teen-twentysomething in the late '70s-'80s. Of course, that might be an age thing, who knows? I feel bad for so many artists who can get a record deal nowadays, but then never get any traction.

As for the White Stripes, I don't find it frustrating at all. I really like the album, more than their others. And Jason, I've found myself getting back to my jazz roots as well lately, mainly through the volumes of discs that I can borrow and rip from my local public library. Of course, they always have a little more Al DiMeola than you want, but those are the breaks.

Kevin, I've read both. So I sympathize.

The rest of the group's contributions didn't overwhelm Brian's post-Smile work, I agree, but it did complement it nicely. Which is why, no matter what Brian says today, he's never had a band that interpreted his work as well as the Beach Boys. I'd also argue that Dennis' "Pacific Ocean Blue" is a better solo album than any of Brian's work, including the recent re-imagining of Smile, which doesn't really work well for me, except for the fact that I'm glad he was finally able to embrace the work after so many years.

Being a Macca fan, I wish I could get behind this new disc. But it's nowhere near as good as Chaos and Creation In The Backyard. "Fine Line" is the best McCartney song in decades. I think he really needs somebody pushing him, as he had in the Beatles and as he had on Chaos with producer Nigel Godrich. Going back to David Kahne as a producer just meant that he was basically cleaning out whatever was left in the closet. Still, Paul can do whatever he wants to. I think he's more than earned the right.

I like Wipe-Out. But better than Miserilou? No way.