The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicle Book One
What I’m reading….
Last year I took on the A Song of Ice and Fire series by Geroge R.R. Martin. This series has spanned over two decades and has yet to conclude, although the author mercifully tells us that the series will be completed in two more installments. That being said GRRM is not one to rush his writing and I am left five books in with no release date in sight for the sixth book!
I shared this plight with a fellow ASoIaF reader and he recommended that I try reading Patrick Rothfuss’ fantasy trilogy The Kingkiller Chronicle. Here is a quick plot summary:
The Kingkiller Chronicle is a fantasy trilogy by Patrick Rothfuss, telling the autobiography of Kvothe (pronounced like “Quoth” but with a v), an adventurer, arcanist, and famous musician. The plot is divided into two different action threads: the present, where Kvothe tells the story of his life to Devan Lochees (known as Chronicler) in the main room of his inn, and Kvothe’s past, the story in question, which comprises the majority of the books. The present-day interludes are in the third person from the perspective of multiple characters, while the story of Kvothe’s life is told entirely in the first person from his own perspective. The series also contains many metafictional stories-within-stories from varying perspectives, most of which are recounted by Kvothe, having been heard from other characters in his past.
I have just started this book, but I am already about 30% of the way through. I would give you a specific page number, but I am both reading the paperback and listening to the audiobook so my placing is a little off. The world that Rothfuss has created is very much a parallel to ours, but it contains magic and takes place in a more adventurous setting. I am completely drawn in by this story and I highly recommend listening to the audio version if you are able to. The narrator gives each mini story such life, also this story has a few songs which are better in audio.
I am excited to get through the rest and will be posting updates as I make my way through.
Are you reading this book or have you read this before? Let me know what to look forward to.
It’s the Album of the Week!
Album of the Week:
B.o.B. – Strange Clouds
This album is a sophomore success for B.o.B. for the most part it has been receiving positive reviews and I agree. I really enjoy his dynamic style and he sets himself apart by being flexible and making songs that fit specific moods. Some reviews I have read say that Strange Clouds has a lack of album cohesion, but as I just said, B.o.B. has this style that can express varying moments and I totally dig it.
He is able to hold his own against hip-hop hard-hitters like: T.I., Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and Lil’ Wayne. Collaborations are nothing new in “Hip-Pop” music, but it is rare for a new artist to stand out when they have a veteran on their track. This star power is a bit elevated from his debut album which featured Hayley Williams from Paramore and international radio favorite Bruno Mars.
B.o.B. has moments where I get a bit of a Kanye West vibe especially on his track Ray Bands. He has confidence that borders on Kanye-sized ego, but the difference is that Bobby Ray is keeping this in check.
So all in all, this man has a way with his lyrics and keeps you bobbing your head to each track. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys this hybrid genre. I will be keeping this album in my car because it is perfect driving music (which means no more back-to-back Gotye! Can you say played-out?)
B.o.B.: “I’m really excited about this one. You’re always excited about every project. But I really feel like I’m in my groove with this one. I’m more aware of myself as an instrument, as a sound. It’s more intentful.”
My favorite tracks: Ray Bands, So Good, and Out of my Mind.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote many marvelous stories and a couple of the favorites have been successfully adapted for the big screen: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Great Gatsby. This year it is Baz Luhrmann who is directing this latest adaptation and I must say I am excited. The jazz age was all about liquor and music and the story does a great job of incorporating this environment into the lives of these characters.
Quick Story Detail:
Nick Carraway is the narrator who moves to Rhode Island to start his career. His second cousin Daisy lives nearby with her husband Tom Buchanan. Carraway’s other neighbor is the millionaire and titular character Jay Gatsby. Gatsby and Daisy used to be lovers during WWI, but were separated. Gatsby remained obsessed with Daisy and procured a fortune to try to win her back. When he finds out she has married he uses his newly acquired fortune to move into the neighborhood and throw lavish parties to get her attention, but she never attends. Gatsby befriends her cousin Nick and convinces him to arrange a clandestine meeting for him and Daisy. Their love affair begins again and sets the rest of the plot in motion.
Do not be fooled, this is not a love story people! This story has deceit, booze, women, secret pasts, money, and car crashes. All while delving into characters and examining selfishness at its core. Insight and action rolled up into one. That is just the book. Now you take this exciting plot and add Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan as seen through the lens of Baz Luhrmann and you have a promising movie. So dust off your copies of this amazing book and brush up before its release this Christmas. Perhaps also re-watch Leonardo DiCaprio in Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet.
Album of the week – Time Travel edition… Early 2000s
So this week the new albums were less than amazing so i decided to go back into my vault and pick out three albums that are worth checking out:
The Strokes – I think we can all agree with Rolling Stone when they say that Is This It? was one of the top albums of the 2000s. This album dropped in the U.S. in October of 2001 and after that you could actually see a change. The music began swaying to that addictive Indie Rock sound and even the fashion began to change. Dudes especially, started saying Good-bye sagging pants… Hello skinny jeans! It is rare when you can have such a significant shift from the success of one album. The music speaks for itself, you have upbeat melodies paired with Julian Casablancas‘ raspy voice and stellar lyrics. This is an album which will be on repeat for days and keep you entertained. My Top 3 Fav tracks: Last Nite, SOMA, and Someday.
Kill Hannah – For Never & Ever is a surprisingly great album. I had heard Kennedy on the radio a few times and thought it would be just another blip on the radar kind of band. A friend of mine insisted that I was wrong, burned me a copy purchased a copy legally, and presented me with it. I was automatically hooked. This band has a way with lyrics that makes you dig deep into the most primal emotions and run with it. Kill Hannah’s Lead Vocalist / Songwriter / Guitarist / Piano man Mat Devine is an amazing frontman. I had the pleasure of catching Kill Hannah while they were opening for Mindless Self Indulgence and I was blown away by their intensity as well as his utter androgeny. ( Nerdy Sidenote: He recently was tapped for the Broadway show Spiderman: Turn off the Dark as Grim Hunter. However, the mounting issues led to a Hiatus and then his role was cut along with the rest of the Geek Chorus.) All in all this is a fun listen. My Top 3 Fav tracks: 10 More Minutes with You, Kennedy, and Boys & Girls
Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American also known as their self-titled album. This album came out in July of 2001, the record label was afraid that the name would be misconstrued (Bleed, American!) after 09/11/2001 so they changed it and the track name to re-release. Despite this small controversy the album sold very well and became the album this band is known for. They even had a successful re-release in 2008 and a ten year celebration tour (which of course i attended singing each word with the equally smitten masses) The lyrics in this album are extremely thoughful and can be applied to any emotional high, personal crisis or pensive moment. My top 3 Fav Tracks: Praise Chorus, If you don’t, don’t and Hear you Me ( the current name of my iPod).
Hope you enjoy these picks and i will keep an ear out for the next album of the week! Don’t be surprised if next week has a bit of disco in it. Mourning yet another music legend this week, Donna Summer. She died of cancer today at the age of 63. So sad, I spent many Saturday nights listening to disco night on 98.1 and Last Dance wrapped it up each time.
Million Dollar Demos coming your way
I have in my possesion two of the unreleased demos from 2002 One by One Foo Fighters’ album! Ok, so yes, you could go online and find these gems yourself; but why bother when you could just join us here at Call Yourself a Nerd?
These are what drummer Taylor Hawkins referred to as the Million Dollar Demos because that is how much money the band dropped on the first draft of their wildly successful One by One album. Why were there two drafts you ask? Well, Taylor was recovering after a bad drug overdose. The band had just finished a long tour and were kind of burnt out, Ghrol was lending his talent to other bands to avoid the band’s creative blocks… in summation: Band drama + personal drama = The almost demise of the Foo Fighters! They dealt with their stuff, regrouped, because they are too awesome to split up and recorded in Dave Ghrol‘s garage to create the version you all, no doubt, have at home.
Before we get to the clips, I have listened to them many many times already and feel justified in saying that the Foo Fighters are one of the best rock bands of our time. They did release these two songs; these are the rough cuts. I appreciate the fact that they wanted to put their best work out there and not just something that would sell. Too many artists get lazy or perhaps frustrated and put out tracks that just fall flat. That is not the case with the Foo Fighters. They always deliver amazing tracks that hold onto that iconic sound while still evolving.
Enjoy! and scroll down for a tangent afterwards….
Tangent… I believe a band is only great if they hit on multiple levels. 1. Sound, 2. Lyrics, 3. Live shows, and 4. ego. You only have to watch this group live once to see that they hit on each and every one of those levels. At their shows it is not about the flashy costume changes, it is about the music and the fans. I went to see them play a huge arena show a few years ago and we were in the pit against the railings about midway in the crowd. They had a catwalk and lowered a second stage from the ceiling so that the people in the back of the arena could have a front row view. They used their stage in a way where even 5’3” Natalia could see everything. They were even gracious to their opening acts, thanking them and expressing how much they enjoyed touring with them. This time it was Weezer who opened for them and since it was the last date on the tour Dave decided to pay male strippers dressed as rock meds to dance behind as they played. I think the massive amounts of cat calls and laughter alerted Rivers to what was going on and it was pretty priceless. So yes, 1. nailed it everytime. 2. everlong… enough said. 3. Best views, great sounds, long sets, guaranteed encore. 4. T-shirts and Jeans, no hollywood crap, c’mon the frontman plays drums for up and coming bands because he loves music. (See: Them crooked Vultures, Queens of the Stoneage etc.), gracious, no frills!
Do-do-do Do-Di-do It’s time for … The Album of the Week!
Hello by Karmin 
Karmin is: Amy Heidemann (Lead Vocals) and Nick Noonan (Keyboard, vocals)
I just bought the album which was released yesterday 5/8/12
Amy is amazing, she is the clearest rapper I have ever heard. I found this group on You Tube after they covered Look at Me Now by– Chris Brown feat Busta Rhymes. Amy was able to belt out this song with amazing pacing and clarity! Busta Rhymes would be proud!
I really enjoy this duo because they have such a different style. I am one of those people complaining about the lack of originality in popular music today, so a group like this is a fast favorite. My iPod has been playing singer/songwriter stuff for about a year now and I think that this group might help push me out from under my musical rock. If I had to compare this group to any other artist I would say that Amy does sound like a cheery version of Fergie when she raps. A bit nasally and she has a cute girl attitude when she spits her dope rhymes…yo.
Most of us have heard Brokenhearted on the radio in the past few weeks, there is one other song that I think will be released as their second single Hello which is also the title of the album. These two tracks stick out above the rest, but if you enjoy this upbeat-synth-pop-rap style you will enjoy this album. It is on sale at iTunes for $6.99.
His name is MCA I said howdy he said Hi
MCA co-founder of the hip-hop trio The Beastie Boys has passed away at the age of 47.
MCA was a lyricist, bassist and video director for the group. Personally, I think 47 is way too young for someone so talented.
Beastie boys had punk origins, but ended up helping to pave the way for hip hop in mainstream media. We all grew up with License to Ill in some way shape or form. We listened to The New Style and were introduced to Brass Monkey, Paul Revere, Girls etc… License to Ill is still one of my favorite hip hop albums because you can listen to it all the way through. It is one of those that pumps you up and keeps you there. You can dance to it and someone is always laughing when you recite the lyrics as emphatically as possible. The kids in the band picked up brass instruments because of it and all the suburban rappers felt like they were included in a pop culture phenomenon.
I feel like we are losing all the good ones. MCA was an amazing lyricist and enunciated well enough that we all understood and appreciated his wit and puns. It is always sad when we lose a celebrity because we allow them to represent a time in our lives and some even look to them as heroes. So many bands and artists look to the Beastie Boys as an influence and MCA’s loss will be felt all over.
So I invite you to help me celebrate his life by enjoying his music and watching his amazing music videos.
Comic Books + Music + Movies = Soundtrack.
The track list for the Avengers Soundtrack was released last month and they are taking my excitement level up a notch. The bands involved definitely confirm that this will be one of the most action-packed movies in this genre.
Here is the track list:
1. “Live to Rise” – Soundgarden
2. “I’m Alive”- Shinedown
3. “Dirt and Roses”- Rise Against
4. “Even if I Could”- Papa Roach
5. “Unbroken”- Black Veil Brides
6. “Breath”- Scott Weiland
7. “Comeback”- Redlight King
8. “Into the Blue”- Bush
9. “New Way to Bleed”- Evanescence
10. “Count Me Out”- PUSHERJONES
11. “Shoot to Thrill”- Theory of a Deadman
12. “Wherever I Go”- Buckcherry
13. “From Out of Nowhere”- Five Finger Death Punch
14. “Shake the Ground”- Cherri Bomb
15. “Pistols at Dawn”- Kasabian
Avengers is a long awaited movie. There have been excited whispers for years now and the story appeals to multiple generations. I’ll have one of the comic book experts actually go into detail, but I think the comics have been around since the sixties which creates quite a large fan base. However this soundtrack mainly caters to the fans from 1990 – present. The bands range from Alternative rock legends Soundgarden to new comers Black Veil Brides.
I have previewed a lot of these tracks and man my neck is sore. Heavy power chords definitely dominate.
Previous Superhero movies have made us all expect heavy metal and rock tracks to be the majority, but usually a few alternative songs get thrown in for those nice visceral moments. This soundtrack has opted for soundtrack favorites Evanescence. Cherri Bomb an all teen girl rock band has an awesome track, presumably for those Black Widow fans out there. This band is one of those you might wanna watch for. They have opened for Foo Fighters and Smashing Pumpkins and most of the members are only fifteen years old! Damn, doesn’t that make you feel a little unaccomplished right about now?
Moving on….
As If you needed more reason to be keyed up for this album, Soundgarden is back with its first original song in fifteen years! So exciting for Chris Cornell fans. It will be featured as the credits roll so if you are watching Avengers with die-hard fans you will have the chance to listen to it in its entirety while waiting with bated breath to find out if there is a secret sneak peek clip after the credits.
Enjoy! The soundtrack hits stores May 1st along with the score.
I’m leaving you with a track from the album:
Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
My name is actually Natalia, I will be covering the books and music portion of this blog (in part at least). The Princess Bride by William Goldman is one of the many books in my library as you can see from the post title.
The three of us: Ricky, Danny, and yours truly have many mutual interests. We have even read a few of the same books, like our 6 month tear through A song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. We had started watching the series together and the second a certain beheading happened the books came out. After that Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and other pop-culture oriented reads became our focus.
There is a book I read a few years ago called Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield. This book has a line that I felt summed me up perfectly. Rob’s wife was talking to some new friends about her husband and one of the friends asked, “Does he wear glasses?” She didn’t miss a beat before answering, “No, he wears a walkman.” I immediately identified with that line because I have always had some sort of portable music device. I remember being in grade school and using my recess hiding in the corner of the playground with my walkman to listen to mix tapes my mother would make me. Even now I have an iPod on me at all times and it is filled with almost every genre of music ever conceived. I live through my ears and have even resorted to reading through my ears. I am obsessed with Audible.com and burn through at least 50 books a year.
Despite my annual reading list I never considered myself a nerd. Actually until I met my boyfriend I thought nerds were guys who wore pants that were hemmed way too high and rocked pocket protectors. My boyfriend is a comic book / video game nerd ( this is a self awarded title by the way) he redefined the word Nerd for me and I assumed you had to be a part of that small cult-ish world in order to be considered a nerd. I believed this for years and then I read the Nerdist Way. According to Chris Hardwick a nerd is someone who is compulsively obsessive and it was after I heard that, that I realized oh shit… I’m a nerd.
Now the introductions are complete and I will leave you with my album of the week.
A Wasteland Companion – M. Ward
M. Ward is best known as half of the Indie-Pop duo She and Him. A Wasteland Companion is an album that you can listen to in the background and when you catch the lyrics you are pleasantly surprised that they are so entertaining and catchy even though they are so simple.
Call Yourself A Nerd 