Journeying with Monkey in and Away from NYC

Born from an egg, and thrust into chaos: it’s the start of a tale that is representative of us all.  Our experiences and our interactions dictate the direction or the sort of life we will lead.  Perhaps we’re born into circumstances that seemingly provide no hope and we are stripped of decisions.  Sometimes, we’re thrown temptations.  Do we falter? Are we so self-absorbed and deluded by our feelings of self-worth and grandeur that damn everything and everyone, we will have what we want?  Do we fall from grace and strive for enlightenment? Or do we fall victims to the darkness of the underworld or the empty promises of a perfect life that’s not ours and created in delusion?  Are we lucky enough to be given that second chance at redemption and at the end of the day, what do we do when we’re cast out on a journey to find ourselves?

Two weekends ago, I journeyed to yet another re-telling of the classic tale in Chen Shi-Zeng's, Damon Albarn’s, and Jamie Helwett’s Monkey: Journey to the West at NYC’s Lincoln Center (herein referred to as “Journey”), and this past weekend, I began my Odyssey with Monkey in Enslaved and his Journey to the West (herein referred to as “Enslaved”).

Obsession(s) for Weeks: 10/08/2010 - 10/29/2010

Damon Albarn

One half of the genius behind Gorillaz, Damon Albarn has quickly become one of my favourites. He is incredibly, musically diverse and accomplished. He is freaking brilliant.

A Casio on a Plastic Beach

If not for the taxing endeavour undertaken a few months ago at the insistence of the Frenemies, I may not have re-kindled my love of Gorillaz.

Had I not re-kindled that unholy alliance with Murdoc and twisted love of 2D, I may have missed the best show this year and certainly one that has made it in the Top 5 of shows I have seen.

The zany stories behind all members with Phase 2 during the promotion of Demon Days ended five years or so years ago, and Phase 3 began on a tiny island at coordinates: 48° 52' 36" S, 123° 23' 36" W

Noodle was presumed dead, Russell was not invited to come back to record with Murdoc, and 2D was kidnapped to resume vocal duties.

Clearly, the Phase 3 Plastic Beach adventure was going to be no less entertaining than previous Phases but what about the music?

When I first heard that Damon Albarn gathered a bunch of artists together for guest work on the album (more so than ever before), I feared a gimmick.  However, with the release of the album in March, it was obvious that my concerns were unfounded.

With the excitement of a solid, incredibly diverse album mixing alternative rock with hip-hop, synth, brass and a full orchestral score and talent from countries with sounds not heard in the mainstream; and a fan club membership to the Sub Division (formerly G-Club) - I eagerly waited the announcement of a tour.

How would Damon and Jamie Hewlett do it?

How would Murdoc, 2D, Noodle (cyborg and real) and a rather large Russell be transformed for a stage?

The accomplished, bold 3rd album would be no easy feat to re-create live but with the genius of Damon and Jamie, nothing is impossible.

Welcome to the World of Plastic Beach.

Another Tuesday, Another 4 AM Stint

Last time I did this it was actually a Wednesday, it seems - so states the blog.  And the blog never tells anything but the truth.

Whatever the case, I'd just like to say that the whole world Time Zones thing is messed up.

Curse you BST with your 9 AM shenanigans and curse you EDT with your lack of EST'ness.  Who knew we were currently in EDT here in NYC?! I'm sure lots but the fact is, I didn't!

Well, that's not true either...I did know but forgot that's the proper term.

While I'm at it, curse my various systems with their various Time Zones and asking me to set clocks (I'm looking angrily at you PSP).

And curse the UK for being 2 minutes ahead of NY.

Okay, that last bit...was just a computer clock error on my part.

Rambling much?

Yes, yes I am!

Maybe I should go to bed...

With dreams of Gorillaz in my head.

I Have Not...

 ...But try MC.

I am loving my virtual tour of Gorillaz' Plastic Beach thus far (although I have not gotten to 2D yet) as well as the album.  It could be that I am currently obsessed a little by Damon Albarn's voice.

This Week(s) Obsessions: 01/03/2010 - 01/15/2010

Gorillaz

Re-listening to my albums of the Noughties made me re-aquainted with this band. The blend of genres and talent on Demon Days is mavellous and I look forward to their 2010 release. I wonder what they will look like in Phase 3...?

2D

I read bits of the Gorillaz history - what a mess. And hilarious. I also love 2D the most! Of course, it would figure I'd like the 'pretty boy' and he's really stupid to boot. Awwww.

The Battle of the Animated Bands

With my re-kindled addiction to the Gorillaz, I was reminded of a time in 2005 when I first walked into Toy Tokyo.  Maybe it was one of the first times but anyway, Beetchie and I happened upon the Gorillaz Kid Robot figures.

They were beautiful.

I wanted them but could not afford or even fathom spending the $300 plus dollars on the set.

Quickly consumed by at least 256 other obsessions, I forgot all about my Gorillaz love and my want of their figures until I stumbled upon the White Collection sometime a few weeks ago.

And they were affordable, but still...at $119, I decided I did not need to spend that either.  I am ridiculous but I know my limits...occasionally.

Some searching later, I found 2D for sale at a much more reasonable price and decided he should join the Army of Misfits.

His boots are Misfit ready!

I'm not sure what role he shall play but it's guaranteed to not be part of the wheel that makes clever decisions.

Perhaps he can be our Harmony Smurf?

With better vocals and no bugle?

 Leading the AofM to victory and smurfberry muffins? ...Wait.

The lead singer of The Oxtails began clamouring from his bubble-wrapped slumber and demanded an immediate audience and battle of the animated vocalists to determine who would lead the call to Smurfberry pies!

With Zarnyx citing shenanigans, they both took to their mics without their Asian guitarists as back up (wow, the similarities between bands is amazing! Except our bassist is a true bassist and is black, and theirs is not.  And they also have a full time drummer while ours was off getting 'runk like a skunk and eventually booted from the band) and began a competition so fierce, I was lucky to withstand the sheer awesomeness of it all and capture these candid shots of all the action.

Though, of course...

Indeed, it looked rather grim for Zarnyx - no matter how many oxymorons,

 world-wide promoters, stars, clear microphones, or H1 for a band manager...

 if you can't even look your competition in the eye, you're nothing.

...one fail later, Zarnyx opted for black and white press shots instead, having decided that he was too much of a cool kid to let something like height be an issue.

Because as we all know, we ALL look better in black and white...

...yep, no sign of a bruised ego here or a tiny, carney hand.