4.30.2008

i am listening to the new portishead record right this minute.  so far i like it very much.  it sounds different from their other records.  it's still dramatic, but in a more subtle way for the most part.  there are some very unsubtle drum machine parts that are full of metallic precision.  these drums contrast with the soft and vulnerable vocals of beth gibbons.  the keyboards sound freaking amazing.  i want to eat them.  the record deserves to be listened to very carefully.  i feel that if you listen to it is as background music you may miss some of the fine details hidden in mix, and that would be an insult to their production/engineering team.  it pleases me that after returning from what appears to have been an 11 year hiatus they have a fresh and exciting new recording that is not a tired rehash of their old work.  i wish i could have hung out with all the band members individually during their hiatus so i could know what they were listening to, and what they were eating, and what personal strife they were braving.  i'm glad they made their new record, and i hope that 11 years from now they have an equally as interesting new album for me to listen to.  also, i hope they tour.  i will go see them.  

sincerely, 
jim 


4.23.2008

i just found out that my car is seriously fucked.  those weren't the words the mechanic used, but he doesn't even want to work on it.  he told me, "i don't do engine work anymore."  that is not convenient.  i made an appointment with another guy in jp. i went to him before, and it worked out.  hopefully this guy is going to tell me something nicer than the last guy, but i doubt he will. he's going to tell me to empty my wallet, and then he's going to fist me with his wrist watch on. i am not looking forward to it.  i have to wait an entire week for the forecast violation of my posterior body cavity.  i guess it's good that the mechanic is so busy.  he seems to have the faith of lots of folks.  i like that in a mechanic.  
the opening in brattleboro was great.  the people were super nice, and i think the snacks were the best opening food ever.  i'm not even exaggerating.  they had all sorts of great sweet and savory finger foods.  i wish i was there right now.  the show looks good too.  you should totally drive up to brattleboro, and go directly to the brattleboro museum and art center.  look at everything.  

thank you for your time, 
jim

4.16.2008

if there's one thing you can count on in 2008, it's seeing some of my photographs in a juried show somewhere (just not in boston).  if you are in the greater brattleboro, vermont area on friday night (this friday, april 18 at 5:30) you should drop by the brattleboro museum and art center.  i have six pictures up on the wall there right now, and they are just waiting for you to look at them. if you can't make it to the opening, don't fret.  the show will be up until august, so anytime you feel like taking a drive into vermont this summer, you should do it via brattleboro so you can see the splendor.  i believe there is a shoe outlet there, too.  from my experience, shoe outlets excite people more than art shows do, so bring a friend, see some art, buy some shoes.  word. 

yours truly, 
jim turbert   

4.03.2008

i have recently come to the conclusion that i greatly admire rob zombie.  i came to this conclusion on the way to work yesterday when i heard his song "living dead girl" on the radio.  i don't have any strong feelings for his music, but if he offered a step by step course on how to have an awesome life, i would totally take it.  he is living the dream, and by that i mean that he is spending his time immersed in what he loves.  he made a name for himself in a rock band called white zombie (also the name of a classic horror movie).  white zombie offered up a bunch catchy monster themed industrial metal jams, and scored 3 or 4 hits in the 90s.  you might think that after pulling off such a coup that he would fade away into nineties metal obscurity. well, he didn't.  he has convinced someone to give him money to make feature length  horror films.  i may be wrong about that, but even if he hasn't convinced someone to give him the money, he has amassed a big enough fortune to fund the production of three films, including a remake of halloween.  you know he loves the original halloween, and he got to write a back story for michael myers.  that shit is pretty dope.    he gets to be a rock star, and he directs films.  on top of that, his wife is totally onboard.  she has even adopted the last name zombie.  i wonder if their mail box says "the zombies" on it.  basically, rob zombie has made that which is beloved to him into his livelihood, and for that i salute him.  here's to you rob zombie.  you are an inspiration.  

sincerely, 
jim turbert

p.s.  rob - if you ever read this, could you please tell me if you wake up feeling completely satisfied with yourself every morning?  i'm betting that you do.