Music Streaming and an Update on Magic Mike

Of course we like to wander off and check out what else is out there. Discoveries are a gem; they may come in random or in recommended channels, but if your curiosity does not hit you will regret not clicking on the link.

Here's a rundown of my selected music discoveries today:

"Take Me Somewhere Nice" by Mogwai from the Rock Action album (2001).


I have to admit it sounds a bit like Sigur Ros (to those offended, if ever, pardon me for the comparison) but it also reminds me of Pinback's "Loro", for some reason. 


The line that hits: "A false memory / Would be everything / A denial, my éliminent"

"Follow the Map" by Mono from the Hymn to the Immortal Wind album (2008).

A pretty cinematic piece that caught my attention because of the title (I think one of my favorite words is "map"). I remember a song by some group called Mono before, but I am not sure if this is the same. Anyway, I initially suspected this would go along the Haruki Murakami world but this is far from surreal; the cut is more Departures with its obvious dramatic elements.

"Tres" by Pinback from the album Blue Screen Life (2001).

The thing with Pinback is that they seem to sing from the underground: muffled and atoned. They can be quite cryptic as well. And the thing with their songs is that you will know right away that it's Pinback. Hurrah.

The line that hits: "Sah fasa gan"... no idea what it means, haha.

"Pretty Face" by Soley from the album We Sink (2011).

What's with these North European people? They make it sound like their music float over snow. Apparently this Soley person is the Icelandic Seabear band member Sóley Stefánsdóttir. Well. You can expect fairy lights in this song grounded with some tribal-sounding bits. 


The line that hits: "Will you be my friend in my dream / Just take that pretty face I've shown me"

"Octopus" by Bloc Party, from their latest and recently released album, Four (2012).

Finally! A new set of tunes from one of my favorite boys. I am not sure if "Octopus" kicks off the new album. Although the song hasn't taken me yet in manner of "This Modern Love", "Octopus" seems to be a continuation of the Bloc Party sound --- not a drastic change, just familiar.



Finally, finally --- I saw Magic Mike last night (why do I make it sound like it's an important highlight? Haha!). I enjoyed it; I knew right away that what I was seeing was a Steven Soderbergh treatment. I had to keep my jaw from dropping every time there's a strip show. Surprised to see CSI guy Adam Rodriguez in one of the roles and was happy to see him stripping.

This image of Matthew McConaughey, in this black pussy shorts and small yellow top is hard for me to get over though!

Oh, that outfit!

I thought Magic Mike was good film; better than the usual average pieces but what I like about this is the story is simple and predictable (the inductee, the hero, the aging stripper) but set against complex relations and personal demons. I was impressed by Channing Tatum in general and I like his chemistry with Cody Horn. I guess, the thing with Soderbergh this time is that for a film about those who gyrate their crotches in every screaming female's face, he still adapted a very subtle approach and not too in-your-face. Although, again, there were moments I had to put a hand on my mouth, especially when I had to stare at numerous buttocks and packed abs and the exotic dancing na talagang bumabayo! Afterwards, I knew that after the spectacle of a strip act, you just know how cheesy it really is once you get down to what they really do.

I'd recommend any girl to watch it. Yes, including my mom and my aunts. I wonder how they'll react.