urbanblight » video

But it’s so much fun ranking on Coldplay

matt — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:14:38 +0000

This is the first time in 5 years I’ve heard something vaguely different from Coldplay. It makes me want to like them again. That and the fact that Brian Eno produced the new album.

(from their appearance on the Daily Show, via P4K)

Bill Hicks Tells Me to Suck a Tailpipe

matt — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:10:01 +0000

I think instead of meditating, I’m just gonna watch this every morning.

Precious Time Well Spent

matt — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:09:45 +0000

I have been swamped at work this week, barely keeping my head above water. My GoogleReader isn’t even counting my unread posts anymore.

Today I finally caught up to speed — and took a short, blessed breath of respite. And finding this video was how I spent that time.

I think I made an excellent choice.

Oh Well, As Long As This is Love

matt — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:13:17 +0000

I’ll admit it. I loved Counting Crows. I suppose I still do. It’s a strained relationship … like ex-lovers who know each other too well. But they were absolutely integral to my high school and college experience. They lead me to plenty of musical discoveries by checking out bands they mentioned, covered, idolized, etc. … through which I found a slew of bands that I now listen to with more passion than the Crows inspire in me these days.Denying the Crows would be like denying my hometown … I’d love to do it (and I will mock both mercilessly given half a chance), but in the end its influence is sewn into me. In the end, the Crows win.And let’s be honest, there are some incredible lyrics in their songs. I’m not sure that anyone has ever matched the plain-spoken beauty of :

“I want to be the last thing you hear when you’re falling asleep”- from “Catapult” on 1997’s Recovering the Satellites

So, I was shocked to discover last night that they’re playing a gig at Town Hall next week … and I had no idea. In fact, they are performing their first album (August and Everything After … the one you owned) in its entirety. I, of course, scoured the nets in search of tickets, but I’m not paying ticket brokers $350+ to sit in the back of the balcony, let alone over a grand for orchestra seats.It’s okay. I’ve only seen them live 11 times (sadly, I don’t think that’s an exaggeration – perhaps I’ll list them out for y’all someday). Point is – I can do without. But man, how times have changed. I would have sold my ass on Freemont Street to get those tickets 5 years ago.Something I think about a lot lately … as I just recently reached the 10 year anniversary of arriving in our fair city. Man, that kid was different. Don’t get me wrong, I like the current me a lot better (warts and all … I have a lot more faith in the latest release of Matt Urban). However, I often wonder what previous Matt Urbans would think if they met me.Perhaps not coincidentally, almost every Counting Crows song focuses on memory and its influence on your current place, time and actions. If you’re feeling somewhat nostalgic and need a warm blanket to cover you, you could do worse than Counting Crows. Worst case scenario, it’ll remind you how far you’ve come (or gone).Here’s a performance from Storytellers of the song that first stabbed me in the gut when I was 15, “Anna Begins” – off the aforementioned “August” record. My heart was henceforth permanently broken – and I’ve never been able to sleep in a quiet room since. All this, over a girl I never met.

Annie Lennox – Dark Road

matt — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:57:31 +0000

I really like Annie Lennox … she’s a beautiful woman with a predilection for dropping bizarre visuals into her fairly mainstream work. Not to mention that flawless voice. I generally don’t even like flawless voices, but I find hers hard to deny.

Sometimes her work is extremely middle-of-the-road, though. Which is fine, I don’t think she’s making music for me, or people like me. It does however leave me restless and bored during some of her tracks.

This new single is no exception. Beautiful enough, but forgettable, I guess. I’ll definitely listen to the album when my mom buys it.

But re: this video …

WHY THE AMERICA SHIT? What exactly does that illuminate about the song … or America for that matter? I love the low-budget superhero outfit, especially at the bus stop … but the “juxtaposition” of “real” Americans with the clean, pretty flag (while earnest, I’m sure) seems just as hollow as the branding of America it’s clearly criticizing. Also … sorry, but what exactly does this Scottish adult-rock star know about “real” Americans? They can’t afford her shows at Mohegan Sun.