Friday March 15, 2024

SOUND
Spanish/Mexican Electronic Cold Wave
Off the back of the Los Espookys rewatch I got interested in the soundtrack and have been seeking out the artists who appear on it. ·Y·, Grado 33, Hoffen, Equinoxious, Los Macuanos, Hoffen, La Bande-Son Imaginaire, Mueran Humanos*, Varsovia** and others. There’s a playlist here. The electronic darkwave of Mexico City’s Equinoxious (AKA Rogelio Serrano) is my favourite.
*from Germany but sung in Spanish **from Chile

Xmal Deutschland – Early Singles (1981 – 1982) (2024)
Nouvelle Vague – Should I Stay Or Should I Go? (2024)
They cover Breakfast by The Associates and Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round.

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TV/FILM
Some terribly light entertainment has entered the schedule this week.

Is It Cake Too? (Netflix)
People make cakes that look like shoes and mandolins. It’s nuts. Also host Mikey Day is annoyingly OTT – but here we are for season 2.
The Good Ship Murder (SBS)
Sometimes you watch a show because you know it’s terrible and that becomes the reason you watch it (case in point – Departure). Well, this is that. Murders happen weekly on a cruise liner and are solved by an ex-cop, now wannabe Michael Bublé, and a ship’s officer who seems to despise him, but we all know how these things work (*wink*). Imagine a Hallmark version of Midsomer Murders on The Love Boat. I know. This nonsense is deliriously compelling.
The Big Interiors Battle (Foxtel)
The Brits do these designer knock-out shows better than everyone else, although this is a pretty pedestrian attempt, and there’s no one of the calibre of Alan Carr to add some campy entertainment. It’s ok, but at the evictions unfortunately no one says “See you later, decorator”.

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CHARITY SHOP FINDS
X-Files – Series 6
Morven Callar (2001)

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ONLINE
Emma Bunton – Maybe
I’m bordering on obsession with this brilliant 2012 song and video (HOW CAN THIS NOT HAVE BEEN A HIT!?!).

And if you’ve ever seen Sweet Charity, you might recognise what must have been the inspiration for the choreography from the also incredible Bob Fosse musical number – The Rich Man’s Frug.

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Friday March 8, 2024

TV/Film
More Krofft on Tubi
Dr Shrinker, The Krofft Supershow, Far Out Space Nuts have appeared. Sadly most of it is pretty dire to contemporary viewers, the Krofft Supershow looks especially cheap with the nattily named and Godspell-audition-attired Kaptain Kool and the Kongs who appear to be performing in shopping malls. K K and the K includes bubblegum music alum Debra Clinger, who has both Rock Flowers and The Cattanooga Cats on her CV. Respect. Despite all the shortcomings, I would have totally watched these shows when when I was a kid.

The Crown (Netflix)
Watched the final episode this week. It felt a tad anti-climactic given what had come before, although this season has been a tougher sell given that it’s history that’s in many viewers’ lifetime memory.
Los Espookys (Foxtel/HBO)
One of my favourite shows from the past few years. Started a rewatch of series 2 this week. It’s even better the second time around. Bip Bip.

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ONLINE
Fade Into Blue: The Life, Work & Legacy Of Derek Jarman
It’s from a decade ago but it’s still a good overview of the artistic legacy of Derek Jarman.
Poseidon’s Underworld
This blog has been around for a very long time but keeps giving. If you’re into a queer eye view of pop culture film and TV from decades gone past then this is the blog for you. His recent post about guest stars on the Quinn Martin production of The F.B.I. prompted a weekly viewing appointment for me. Needless to say, this is relevant to my interests.

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SOUND
Brian Eno – Ambient 1: Music For Airports (1978)
After listening to this for the millionth time I thought I should find out how it was created.
C Duncan – Architect (2015)
Beautiful first album by C Duncan. Layered airy harmonies.
David Holmes – This Film’s Crap Let’s Slash the Seats (1995)
Starts with an incredible, almost 13 minute, track called No Man’s Land. David Holmes’ future as a soundtrack composer is all there.
Ladytron – Light & Magic (2002)
Seventeen was the buzz, but Evil is the one for me.
John Maus – Screen Memories (2017)

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