Category: Entertainment

Finest Dearest – Pacemaker EP (2005)

Formed in 2004, this San Francisco indie band has a bright future ahead. Finest Dearest is led by Carly on vocals, Christine and Josh on guitar, Cheryl on keys, Mica on cello and Steve on drums. If you read “cello” then you might have had the same reaction as I did. Instruments beyond the mandatory guitars and drums aren’t uncommon — Yellowcard has a violin and Linkin Park has its own turntable — for a rock band, but certainly are strange to have. … Continue reading…Finest Dearest – Pacemaker EP (2005)

Oldboy (2003)

Asian, specifically Chinese, Hong Kong and Japanese, film has recently crept into the American consciousness. Films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Hero to the more recent Asian horror films of Ringu and Ju-on [which were remade by Hollywood into The Ring and The Grudge respectively] have made big bucks at the North American box office. Oldboy, directed by Park Chanwook (Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance, If You Were Me), is a South Korean import dripping with music video style.
… Continue reading…Oldboy (2003)

Brendan Benson – The Alternative To Love (2005)

I must admit that listening to Brendan Benson makes for one very upbeat time. It might seem that pop rock might be making a comeback. With John Mayer as its poster boy and with Gavin DeGraw on the rise, Benson might be joining the two. With the opening track “Spit It Out,” Benson — with his calm vocals and patient rhythms — sounds very much like DeGraw, albeit mellower. … Continue reading…Brendan Benson – The Alternative To Love (2005)