Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Wonderwall, Part 2 (of 14)

On the Rise: Fringe Trimmings


Fringe is making a subtle return this Spring. Hemlines are being finished with unwoven threads while others are embracing full looks of loose leather strands. Though these aren't the same Native American-inspired looks that Anita Pallenberg sported, there is a tribal quality here that provides further development of the globalization trend that Pallenberg's bohemian style certainly influenced.

Ann Demeulemeester

Balmain

Cynthia Steffe

Dolce and Gabbana

Jill Stuart

Just Cavalli

Louis Vuitton

Max Azria

Proenza Schouler

Rodarte

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Vampire Weekend

Contra

Rating: 7.0

Not abandoning their Paul Simon influences, Contra is another lovely blend of thumping Afro-jam and playful indie pop. However, the sophomore release isn't groundbreaking like their eponymous debut due to its nearly identical revisit to the same theme. It still sounds like Vampire Weekend can have good fun but this time the chords and lyrics aren't as memorable. In any case, it's a good spin. This is Vampire Weekend being the charming, prepster darlings that we all know and love.

Contra is available for purchase January 12.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Everlasting Cool

Black & White Stripes have continued to be a staple in any wardrobe for years. Whenever I see someone wearing the classic and nautical look I usually end up thinking that person looks pretty damn cool. Why is that? Well, here are a few reasons...

Jean Seberg

Edie Sedgwick

The Ramones

Christian Dior Fall 2005

Kate Moss

Alexa Chung

Givenchy Spring 2010

Sunday, January 3, 2010

WTF

The Grammy's
Full List of Nominees.

Where to begin... The Grammy's have been getting it wrong practically since its conception and they continue to disappoint again this year. There were a few more deserving nominees chosen than in previous years: MGMT, Maxwell, Q-Tip, YYYs, Phoenix, Lady Gaga and Kid Cudi. In fact, as far as I'm concerned the Rap and R&B categories are typically accurate; though I would've at least hoped for a nomination for Raekwon as well as Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" this year.



What's really missing is the nominating committees obvious removal from present rock music culture. Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, U2, Neil Young... We have heard it all before. There was a time and place when these old rockers were writing relevant lyrics and music, but that day is not today nor will it be tomorrow. Their time has come and gone, so let's focus on the future of rock music and move on. How about starting with the revival of psychedelic for example? Animal Collective has played a big role in this revival with the release of 2009's Merriweather Post Pavillion; an album that has been called the best album of 2009 by, oh, just some 20+ publications, and rightfully so.



The Horrors, The XX, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors- now those are some names missing from the nominating list. And La Roux should have definitely snagged a nomination for "In For The Kill" in the Dance category.



The thing that really gets to me is that this oblivious group of "chosen ones" are part of the reason why the music industry is dying, along with MTV, VH1, and radio. In fact, the only ones that ever get it right are credible critics. Perhaps I'm being a little melodramatic... But no wonder record sales have plummeted when this is the so-called "music" being promoted and played everywhere. People are being brainwashed that artists like the Black Eyed Peas are one of the greatest acts of our time. And how would they know otherwise? I mean after all it's the only thing heard by the public. People don't have time to do the research it takes to find truly great music; so please start doing everyone a favor and shed a little light towards the truth or you (the people responsible for sending this false message) will probably be out of a job for losing public interest.