Juno: So Quirky, You'll Puke.

I finally saw Juno last week. I actually liked it far more than I expected. To be quite honest, I thought I would hate it, because I am extremely fed up with the recent influx of pregnancy comedies in Hollywood. I never saw Knocked Up or that other movie about the two guys who are trying to "make a baby for daddy", and quite frankly I'd really rather not. I made an exception for Juno, however, since everyone in the universe was praising it to high heavens, and I'm sort of glad I did because it really was pretty cute. The story is pretty cute, the acting is superb, and Michael Cera in short-shorts is generally a good thing. (I don't care how young he is. He's hot. Shut up.)

I did have one problem with Juno, however: THE DIALOGUE.
OH MY GOD. The dialogue is "campy" at best, and nauseating at worst. It's seriously got the worst and most contrived writing I have ever seen in a movie. It runs rampant with pop culture references, namedropping, and awful, corny humor. Here is an example of what I mean:

Juno: (yelling through the house) Uh, dad?
Mac MacGuff: Yeah?
Juno: Either I just wet my pants... or...
Mac MacGuff: "Or"...?
Juno: Or... THUNDERCATS ARE GO!

THUNDERCATS ARE GO? Come on. What the fuck is that? On what planet is that even remotely funny? Perhaps one-liners like that are to be expected in a film written by an ex-stripper. There is also a scene in which Juno is asking the pharmacist if her pregnancy test could be a false positive, to which he replies, "This ain't no etch-a-sketch. This is one doodle that can't be undid, homeskillet." The worst of all, however, was the gothy receptionist chick at the abortion clinic who asked Juno if she wanted some "boysenberry" condoms, commenting that it made her "boyfriend's junk smell like pie".

Anyway, regardless of the fact that I find the dialogue annoying and tasteless, I still think that this movie is worth seeing for the excellent cast, the awesome soundtrack (Kimya Dawson, Belle & Sebastian, et cetera), and Michael Cera in short-shorts. Go see it.

Michael Showalter's Sandwiches & Cats

I've finally gotten around to giving Michael Showlter's debut comedy album Sandwiches & Cats a listen. I absolutely love Michael Showalter, but I'm typically not a fan of most stand-up comedy and I never find myself sitting around listening to comedy albums on repeat all the live long day. Surprisingly, I rather enjoyed Sandwiches & Cats upon a first listen and have already managed to make it through the entire album a few times thus far. I'm embarrassed to admit that several times I found myself sitting there with my headphones on, chuckling out loud with no one else present in the room. I suppose that's a testament to just how powerful and moving Sandwiches & Cats truly is.

One highlight of the comedy album includes Michael Showalter's dismay at being mistaken for Screech. "He thought that I was one of the most iconic losers ever of all time. Do you know how badly that hurts?" On another track, Showalter goes through a list of some pretty unbelievable alternate names for the so-called restless leg syndrome, including 'jiggly legs', 'the kicks' and 'sewing machine foot'. Michael Showalter's joke about his love for DVR is interrupted by a mewing sound coming from the front row. He then spends several minutes marveling at the audacity of the woman sitting in the front row who brought her two cats to his comedy show. An actual video of that spectacle can be seen here.

Michael Showalter's Sandwiches & Cats is mixed bag of observational humor, slight self-deprecation and a few separately recorded comedy sketch songs. Amazingly enough, the songs aren't bad. For example, It's quite enjoyable to hear Showalter's song abut the ten commandments of sandwich making, where he yells excitedly (as only Showalter can) about how mustard goes with everything.

My absolute favorite track on the album is 'The Apartment', where Showalter talks about the honor of being editor in chief of his high school literary magazine and then proceeds to read through a dramatic poem that his teenage self had written. The way Michael Showalter reads the poem is so amazing, you just have to hear it for yourself. All in all, Michael Showalter's brand of comedy is both hilarious and comforting. He makes me quite glad to be alive and a part of this world, a world where Starbucks sells thermoses and copies of Akeelah and the Bee. I highly recommend giving Michael Showalter's Sandwiches & Cats a listen.

MP3: Michael Showalter - The Apartment (zshare)

MP3: Michael Showalter - Sandwich Commandments (zshare)

Purchase Sandwiches & Cats here:

Kyle XY? Because You Need To Be Watching This Show, That's Why

I've been a member of the Ginger Cookie Disco Nation for only a day, but I don't think it's ever too soon for one to start exerting their pop-cultural influence by immediately telling people what they need to be watching and listening to. This also marks the first post to depart from music to television, and I will do my best to make this transition of topics as smooth and painless as I possibly can.

Okay, I'm not going to waste any time here and just get straight to the point: Everyone should be watching Kyle XY. Everyone. The only people who may possibly be excepted here are the blind, deaf, and/or retarded, and even then those are generous exceptions. So that means if you aren't blind, deaf, and/or retarded and you aren't currently in love with this show, there is one of the following things wrong:

1. You aren't aware of its existence.

Yo, check it, unaware person: There is an amazing, brilliant, truly original series overflowing with awesome on Mondays at 8/7 central on ABC Family called Kyle XY. I realize that you were somehow not aware of this fact, but you no longer have that problem. You now have a new problem, which is that you haven't watched it yet. Let's fix that.

2. You're aware of its existence but just haven't watched it yet.

Hey, whatcha doing? Have you been waiting for me to tell you that you need to be watching it? Because if you were, I'm telling you now that you need to be watching it, so let's get on that. It's currently in its second season, but it isn't necessary to have seen the first season to understand the second season. It helps if you have, but don't let that stand in the way of giving it a go. The premiere of the second half of season two resumes tomorrow night at 8/7 central, preceded by an all-day marathon starting at 11am. You won't regret it. Unless, of course, you watch it and don't like it for some ungodly reason, in which case you might want to get checked out. There's a chance you may not actually be a human being.

3. You're aware of its existence, you watched it, and you didn't like it.

I can't help you. Whatever is going on to make you dislike Kyle XY was present long before you ever watched Kyle XY, and that's something you'll just have to work on.

Here's a really awesome video someone put on OurTube showcasing in a nutshell what happened during season one:

Okay, well, the bottom line here is that even if you don't want to watch it or don't like it, everyone still needs to watch it. At the very least, Kyle's intense adorability never fails, so you can always watch for that. There is really no possible way for you to lose with this show. Trust me.

David Shrigley's Worried Noodles

They're noodles, and they're worried. How the hell can noodles be worried, you ask? I have no idea. What ARE these worried noodles, you ask? I shall tell you. There's this Scottish artist named David Shrigley. In 2005, he published an LP-sized book called Worried Noodles, a wacky collection of song lyrics and pictures. This year, he has re-released this book accompanied by a two-disc compilation of 39 artists who have set his words to music. Among these artists are Deerhoof, Franz Ferdinand, Islands, Hot Chip, Final Fantasy, and David Byrne.

The songs on the compilation range from disturbing to hilarious, and are sometimes both. Take, for example, Manager and Coordinator of Prostitutes, recorded by Les Georges Leningrad:

Give me a chance, mate.
Allow me to demonstrate
That I can do things well.
Better than the last bloke
Who stole from you
And called the police on you.
I will not let you down.
I can do things well but
I'm only ten years old
And I'm in a wheelchair.

Need I say more? I think not. However, the lyrics are way more exciting than the actual song, so I will not be posting the mp3 for it. Instead, I would like to draw everybody's attention to No, which is featured twice, with one version by Franz Ferdinand and one by Hot Chip. Franz Ferdinand's version is a guitar-driven dance-rock hoedown, and Hot Chip's version is soothing and reminiscent of their early work. I'm going to post the Hot Chip version, because I highly prefer it to the former.

MP3: Hot Chip- No

Let's Get Serious For Reals, You Guys

Hi!!

I am Josie, and I am going to be periodically contributing random things here from here on out. Hmm. You know, I've always said that "from here on out" phrase out loud, but I've never actually written it down before now. It looks weird. Anyway, I've not prepared an actual post with substance yet, but I wanted to do a semi-introductory thing so that there wouldn't be any more confusion than necessary. In the mean time while you're all waiting for me to conjure up this actual post with substance, to give you an idea of what kind of atmosphere I'm going to be bringing into the Ginger Cookie Disco, I come bearing the gift of Jermaine Jackson.

Let's Get Serious

I found this song a couple of years ago and I always try to get it into as many people's lives as possible, because it really is a gift to the world that needs to be experienced. I've listened to it many, many, many times - okay, probably too many times to be admitting to other people - and I can't figure out if it's the best or the worst song ever, but what I do know is that it has seriously grooved its way into my soul. There is really only one thing to be said about it, and it's from the song itself:

"S-E-R-I-O-U-S/ Baby, let's get serious/ Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah YEEEAAAHHH-owwww!!!"

Oh em gee. I can't even think anymore after writing that so I'll have to go for now, but I'll leave you with one final thought to ponder as you listen to this masterpiece:

This song was written for Jermaine Jackson by ...wait for it... Stevie Wonder. I am super serious, baby.

Jens Lekman - Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo

It's no secret that I've been gushing over Jens Lekman for the past couple of years. The first song of his that I ever heard was 'Tram #7 To Heaven', which I'm confident should be everyone's first venture into the world of Jens Lekman. I felt as though I had been transported in time back to 1962 and was listening to a scratchy record on one of those old turntables, except Jens was asking me If I had eaten my banana from 7-Eleven.

October 2007 finally brought us new material from Jens Lekman; his second full length release Night Falls Over Kortedala. This album is no disappointment. I fell in love with it immediately. Everything I love about Jens Lekman is still there: the beautiful melodies, the obscure samples, the witty lyrics and the nostalgic feeling that is ever present in all of Jens Lekman's songs. Night Falls Over Kortedala offers a sound that is much larger and stronger in comparison to Lekmans' previous releases. Jens Lekman knows what he is doing. There is not much to say about Night Falls Over Kortedala other than that it is an absolutely wonderful and unique recording.

What I really want to talk about is the song on Night Falls Over Kortedala that I thought for sure was my least favorite. 'Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo'. It's a favorite among many long-time fans as well as recent converts. The 1950s horn, prevalent throughout the entire song is just a little bit much for me to handle. Every time I hear it I feel like I'm on the set of Grease or Happy Days (which isn't necessarily a pleasant feeling). Despite my original distaste for it, 'Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo' has begun to grow on me. While listening to it today, I started to notice lyrics in the song that I hadn't noticed previously. It suddenly struck me that this song is actually pretty great.

There's a cow and an ostrich just waiting for you!

A glass of apple cider just waiting for you!
The smell of 1952 just waiting for you!
And all I'm doing here is just waiting for you...

Sure, any Jens Lekman fan is aware that a great deal of his lyrics are humorous and 'quirky', but those lyrics just really hit the spot. It's probably the usage of 'ostrich' that did it for me. I can't really think of the last time I heard the word ostrich utilized in a song. Also, the visuals of a cow, an ostrich and apple cider waiting for me out in the country is just pretty profound and well... amazing.

There is another charming little verse earlier in the song where Jens Lekman attempts to squeeze in a million words per line about what people in a small southern Swedish country town are like.

Why do the people in the country wanna look like the people in the city?
When the people in the city aren't the slightest pretty
I want the people in the country to wear flannel shirts and saggy jeans all covered in dirt
I want the people in the country to be open and kind
but most times I've met those with a narrow mind
with a big black dog to bite your behind
if they ever find out you're not one of their kind

Maybe I can appreciate it because I've definitely seen some tiny tiny country towns in the United States that seem to be stuck in the 1950s (Vermont, I'm looking at you). In closing, 'Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo' is a much better song than I originally thought it was. I'm even beginning to appreciate those over the top horns that make me feel like I'm wearing a poodle skirt, cardigan sweater and saddle shoes at a high school dance.

MP3: Jens Lekman - Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo (zshare)

Purchase Night Falls Over Kortedala here:
(CD, MP3 and Vinyl formats available)

Best Music Videos of 2007

2007 will be remembered as a year that offered simply way too much good music to keep track of. Alongside the good tunes came some equally brilliant music videos.

This list contains 15 of the best music videos of 2007, and was compiled by me (Melissa Robot) and no one else. Thus, it reflects my own personal favorites from the past year. I have no idea what the co-bloggers picks for favorite music videos of 2007 would be. For all I know they sit around watching videos of Billy Ocean all day. Oh wait, I guess I'm the one that's been watching 'Get Outta My Car' non-stop for two days straight. Anyway... For once I'm going to refrain from my typically epic reviews and allow these videos to speak for themselves. I recommend that you watch all of them.

15.

SHITDISCO - OK
Directed by Price James
SHITDISCO's video for 'OK' features pop-up book puppetry that somehow manages to sync up with the song to near perfection. A cute and innovative concept for a video that completely blew my mind the first ten times I watched it.


14.
To My Boy - Model
Directed by squarelips

'Model' is the first To My Boy video I ever laid eyes on, and it sold me on them completely. The colorful clockwork motif compliments To My Boy flawlessly, right down to Jack and Sam's matching belts. Click here to read my full review of To My Boy's music.

13.
GhostHustler - Parking Lot Nights
Directed by Pete Ohs

Is that a Nintendo Power Glove I spy? Those things seem to be resurfacing everywhere lately. This video clearly exhibits the most practical usage of the classic Nintendo Power Glove. Look out for my absolute favorite punch-to-the-face (occurring immediately after the sub-par breakdancer finishes executing enthusiastic uprocks and coffeegrinders on a Nintendo Power Pad).

12.
Spoon - Don't You Evah
Directed by Jeff Nichols
Keepon developed by Hideki Kozima and programmed by Marek Michalowski

Oh wow do I want one of those little Keepon robot things. It's just so cute. Not to mention that it dances to Spoon's music beautifully. As a dance journalist I must note that the cinematographer has captured little Keepon's quality of movement on film exquisitely.

11.
SoftLightes - Heart Made Of Sound
Directed by Kris Moyes

Kris Moyes has succeeded in keeping the painstaking art of stop motion animation alive and well in the video for 'Heart Made Of Sound'. This super cute video looks like it must have taken eons to make. Kris Moyes also directed the video for the SoftLightes' 'Microwave Song', which can be found here along with more information about SoftLightes.

10.
Dan Deacon - The Crystal Cat
Directed by Jimmy Joe Roche

I would probably include any Dan Deacon video in a top 15 list based solely on that weird little prancing dance he does and the face he makes whilst doing so.

9.
Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
Directed by Nima Nourizadeh

If you knew how much I adore this Hot Chip video you'd probably ask why I've placed it at #9 and not #1. Seeing as the video has only been floating around since December and is for an album that has yet to be released, it will likely be included on next year's list too. Read my full review of 'Ready For The Floor' here.

8.
Architecture in Helsinki - Hold Music
Directed by Kim Gehrig

There is just something pretty wondrous about a bunch of Australian hippie nerds jumping on trampolines in brightly colored ponchos. The editing is stellar as well.

7.
Beirut - Elephant Gun
Directed by Alma Har'el

I'm fairly certain that most people watch this Beirut video and think to themselves 'Whoa, Zach Condon has a mustache and people happen to be dancing and there is a lot of confetti fluttering around and then suddenly he is at the ocean and his mustache has disappeared and he plays his trumpet while standing in the water'. I can't help but take a closer look at JoAnn Jansen's ballet influenced contemporary choreography. It looks very West Side Story-esque to me at times and leaves me wondering if Jerome Robbins might be choreographing Beirut videos were he still alive today.

6.

Van She - Cat and the Eye
Directed by Krozm

I adore Van She and I love love love all of the music videos the guys from Krozm have directed. What I like most about 'Cat and the Eye' other than the bizarre costumes, is mainly the way the camera never stops panning right or left, circling around, or focusing out and back in. The effect is dizzying, and somehow it almost feels as if you're the one moving. Read more about Krozm and Van She here.

5.
Jens Lekman - Sipping On The Sweet Nectar
Directed by Marcus Söderlund

This Jens Lekman song tugs at my heart strings and the video reminds me of when I would find myself in scenic locations having epiphanies about life. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous and Jens is flying a plane and singing at the same time. Does life get any better? 'Sipping On The Sweet Nectar' also happens to be the only Jens Lekman song that reminds me slightly of Barry Manilow. I probably shouldn't disclose that, since everyone seems to be disgusted by Barry Manilow.

4.
Omnikrom - Été Hit
Directed by Jérémie Saindon

I'm not sure exactly what it is that makes me love this video to the extent that I do. It could be the catchy as hell song by Montreal's Omnikrom. It could be the spinning neon Rubik's Cube heads. Or it could very possibly be Linso Gabbo's colorful plaid shorts that truly make this video great.

3.

Damn Arms - Homewrecker
Directed by Krozm

Krozm seem to have a penchant for including heads with strange features and inanimate objects as heads in the videos they direct. It never gets old for me, especially in Damn Arms' 'Homewrecker', where various shapes for heads are interchanged and when removed, show nothing to be beneath them.

2.
Bat For Lashes - What's A Girl To Do
Directed by Dougal Wilson
'What's A Girl To Do' might just be the most amazing single take video I have ever seen. It features a beautiful girl riding a bike down a dark forest-y road, accompanied by a gang of hoodie sporting, animal masked beings that appear at every chorus to clap their hands (or paws) and perform choreographed tricks before disappearing once again behind Natasha Khan. Dougal Wilson's creative vision for the 'What's A Girl To Do' video is just absolutely flawless in every possible way.

1.
Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse
Directed by The Brothers Chaps

If there is one music video that I will remember 2007 by it will be Of Montreal's 'Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse'. Upon seeing this video for the first time in early 2007, I thought it was the most random and bizarre video I had seen in a good while. My reaction was a mixture of 'wtf' combined with wonder and awe. Every time I watch it, I sit around and ponder what sort of mind it took to come up with every little last character detail seen in the video. Upon closer inspection (just two days ago) I discovered that the video was directed by The Brothers Chaps. Yup, that would be the guys who have brought Homestar Runner to us for all these years.

My favorite parts of 'Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse' are 1. The sheet ghost in the audience and 2. When Kevin Barnes sings that he is 'in a crisis' and at that moment he is kneeling inside of some strange red object with a worried expression on his face. Every second of the video happens to be pretty amazing, really.

So there you have it. Those were my personal 15 favorite music videos of 2007. Hopefully 2008 brings us some more visual stunners.