| ONG-BAK: MUAY THAI WARRIOR
Director: Prachya Pinkaew
Cast: Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao, Chatthapong Pantanaunkul, Suchao Pongwilai, ...
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When the head of Ong-Bak, the sacred Buddha of a poor village is stolen, Young Ting is selected by the villagers to travel to Bangkok and rescue the relic in time for the ceremony. Ting was raised by monks, who taught him muay thai, but forbade him to use it in combat. Now he is forced to dive into underworld and fight for his life and the statue head. Very simple story as you can see, and that's what I love so much about this movie - as much possible of fighting and as less possible of other unnecesary shit. "Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior" is perfect in every way. I can compare it with best Bruce Lee and Hong Kong martial arts movies. Not only the story, but also the way it's filmed - no fucking computer effects - what you get is real action at its best. Great cast, weird sense for humor and non stop action. If you like 70s Hong Kong kung fu movies, you MUST see this one. Also if you think you already saw all martial arts tricks and craziest action scenes - you are very wrong - check "Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior"!!! I almost forgget, this movie has great soundtrack too - weird mix of drum'n'bass, hip hop rhythms with traditional Thailand music. Mega cool!!!!!
Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior: http://www.ongbak-lefilm.com/
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THE PRIESTS "TALL TALES" CD, Get Hip Recordings 2004 |
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The Priests are new garage punk attraction from US. "Tall Tales" is their new album on Get Hip Recordings. They are quite into 80s garage psych sound with lot of fuzz and Farfisa Vox organ. But if you are expecting The Fuzztones copy, you will be dissapointed. For me that's better cos The Priests songs are much slower, less wild with accent on the dark sphere with Doors and Creeps touch and even Monks maniacalism. Vocal is typical garage - raw and wasted. The Priests are quite original in their exploring of garage music and I'm sure that you don't hear an album like this very often.
The Priests: http://www.thepriests.net
Get Hip Recordings: http://www.gethip.com
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THE PUNK GROUP "VIDEO GAMES" CD + "INTERNATINAL ROCK STARS / TOUR DE FORCE" CD |
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Not so long ago I got link to web site of this really strange and unusual band. Of course, I immidiatelly listened to some sound files and fell in love. Punk Group are now one of my favorite just dsicovered bands. The guys were nice enough to send the CDs for review, so here we go. "Video Games" is their latest album from 2005, and I guess my favorite of all 3. Music is really strange combination of punk and early 80s electro pop with strong dosis of strange humor. Primitive and simple electro rhythm programmed on old fashioned 80s equipment + punk guitar and 80s kinda vocals is shortly described how The Punk Group sounds. But we must not forget that Punk Group are very skilled in writing songs and that all 9 songs on this CD are hits. One of the things I like most about Punk Group is that their lyrics are up to date. They sing about stuff that's happening today, so lyricaly they are not so retro as you would think. Their sound is also very original and it's not very easy to compare them with other bands. Influences are obvious, but stil they have their own sound. I specially like their cheesy synth. My faves are: "Video Games", "Toby Keith", "Sleater-Kinney Sucks" and "Enola gay" (really cool cover of O.M.D. killer - this could be a hit on MTV). Punk Group's 1st and 2nd album are available on 1 CD. Musically these 2 are little bit more primitive and less catchy then their last album, but there are many killers on these 2 that you can't miss. "Heiniken" opens "International Rock Stars" with great lyrics "Heiniken - fuck that shit". Unfortunatelly, Punk Group does like Heiniken, but if they ever make it to Holland, I will buy them some better beer - hahaha. OK, we also have songs about lesbians, fat girls on bicycles, football coach, Kirsten Dunst etc. My faves on "Tour De Force" are: "Atari 800", "Her Name Is Germany" and "Rockabilly Deepshit".
The Punk Group: http://www.thepunkgroup.com
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| SALON KINGSADORE "FLAMING MORRICONE" 2003 CD + S/T 2004 CD, Sarang Bang Records |
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Strange New Zealand band that combines surf with new age, ambient and jazz. Really hard to file under certain music style, but sounds really awsome. You can guess that Salon Kingsadore is an instrumental band. Except for 2 guitars, drums and bass there are also guest musicians on Jews Harp or Zither, not really usual surf instruments. Strange, kinda romantic, exotic and relaxing music. I think the best name for this would be post surf. Salon Kingsadore are one more proof that surf music is one of the most vital and most open sub genres today. Surf music was always kinda "stick to the pattern", even till mid 90s. Today it's open for all infulences. Salon Kingasdore CD from 2004 is slightly different, some kind of jazz surf fusion. Maybe because of Fender Rhodes keyboard or strange meldoy lines and weird song structures that leave enough place for improvisation. Guys also sent extra CDr with live recordings, that only proofs that they are also great live. Very recommended to anybody who wants to hear something strange and cool.
Salon Kingsadore: http://www.salonkingsadore.com
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| THE SIRENS "HELLRAISER AND OTHER SWEET SONGS" 7"EP, Wiped Out Records 2004 |
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I'm a big fan of The Sweet, but I can't say that Sirens covers really blew my mind. It's far from bad. They added lot of punk energy, but I don't see a point in glam cover band. I think it's time you girls write your own songs. Cover versions are nothing special. Or maybe take some band that plays totally different music style and make covers in glam way. Cool 7" for parties, or maybe to have in collection, but I don't think I will spin it very often.
The Sirens: http://www.thesirensdetroit.com
Wiped Out Records: http://www.wiped-out.net
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