An uncommon pair, a common and contenting result

by Justin Boone on March 6, 2010

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson are pretty common household names in their given arenas. However, not many people seem to be aware of what happens when you put them on the same stage, or rather the same studio, in this case.

Break Up, an album that came out last August on Rhino Records, is chocked full of the haunting, sometimes lazy sounding singing style of Ms. Johansson, and the almost perfectly-preserved 90s relic that is Mr. Yorn. The result, is the soundtrack of your Sunday jaunt to the grocery store, Saturday morning breakfast at home, or evening walk through the park at dusk. In other words, this uncommon pair creates a common sounding album that produces uncommonly uplifting results.

With a title like Break Up, you probably don’t expect to be uplifted when you select this album on your iPod, but let’s be honest with ourselves, the subject matter is exactly what we need to feel content with our day. When it comes to the media we consume every day, we don’t want rainbows and butterflies, we need a little grit, grime and dirt from others to make ourselves feel normal.

We also need a bit of soul searching music–the kind that lulls you into a restless, yet comfortable purgatory of self-examination that leads to progress. The first song gives you a jolt of energy to start cleaning your apartment, fill your basket with “healthy” meal items, or put on your shoes to walk off last night’s mistakes. By the middle of the album, you’re ready to confront the anxiety that lies directly below the surface and delve deeper into the roots to find the real problem. By the end, you’re a little tired, but filled with enough pride, or desperation, to push through to the finish line with a solution. Then, the album ends. You snap back into reality, and you quickly forget you ever had to go through that 28:53 minute journey in the first place.

But there is one startling difference. You feel better. You never knew anything was wrong in the first place, but now you feel better.

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Stay cultured: Burberry in 3D and Red Velvet Soft Serve

by Justin Boone on February 26, 2010

Every Friday, check out some of the best entertainment news, reviews, gossip, upcoming events and cool stuff from the web. Something you’d like on the list? Share it in the comments section below.

News

  • Burberry goes 3D. Way better than the Jonas Brothers. (Wallpaper)
  • New developments about Jimi Hendrix’s right and left hands. (Guardian)
  • Lady Gaga ignites new trend in agriculture. (Daily Mail)
  • Lily leaves music, says hello to fashion. (NY Mag)
  • Erykah Badu courts McCartney for sample clearance over Twitter. (Mashable)

Reviews

  • New documentary film states “culture has become big business” in Philly art scene. (Village Voice)
  • Aussie band Danimals meets Mark Ronson. Pretty cool results. (The FADER)
  • New musical about closet guy military boys opens with a bit of something for everyone by the York Theatre Company. (NY Times)
  • Everyone’s in love with Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. (The Times)
  • Sam Mendes’ The Tempest opens at BAM with a lackluster take on the role of Prospero. (NY Times)

Events

  • Thom Yorke confirms tour with Atoms for Peace side project. NYC on the list! (Rolling Stone)
  • Gay Africa event in London to support LGBT activism in Africa. (Londonist)
  • Momofuku red velvet soft serve ice cream launched. I’m quivering with joy. (Urban Daddy)
  • Mark Morris Dance Group through Saturday night at BAM. (NY Times)
  • The New York Times Travel Show this weekend in NYC. (Go Nomad)

Stuff

  • Beach House contest! Get some cool swag and the new album. (The Music Slut)
  • The W* House. So obsessed with how Wallpaper brings us interactive design galleries online. (Wallpaper)
  • Stay abreast on breasts. Good book for the inquisitive gay. (Cool Hunting)
  • Park Slope goes Jersey. Looks a bit like a community theatre version of Rent. (Village Voice)
  • The house of Viktor and Rolf. Not your typical couture fashion house. (Art Babble)

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Ice cream filled, cereal coated, lard flavored doughnuts

February 22, 2010

Some are predicting that 2010 will be the year the doughnut takes a bite out of the cupcake’s fast track to fame. From designer dougnuts, to custom to order, these fatty little critters with a big ol’ hole in the middle are already making a strong comeback in New York, and not just because another [...]

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Stay cultured: RIP Alexander McQueen and Chatroulette Revealed

February 19, 2010

Every Friday, check out some of the best entertainment news, reviews, gossip, upcoming events and cool stuff from the web. Something you’d like on the list? Share it in the comments section below.
News

Say hello to the founder of Chatroulette. (Bits Blog)
Tina Fey making a second comeback on the Saturday Night stage in April. (New [...]

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10 money-saving tips and places for your next London holiday

February 16, 2010

London is for sure one of my favorite cities. But if you don’t play your cards right while you’re there, you can definitely end up spending a lot more than you’d like. Here’s a few tips for making sure you get the most out of your trip, while not stretching the limits of your wallet.
1. [...]

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Stay cultured: Condoms and Kitty

February 12, 2010

Every Friday, check out some of the best entertainment news, reviews, gossip, upcoming events and cool stuff from the web. Something you’d like on the list? Share it in the comments section below.
News

Phoenix announce spring tour. Um, no NY? (Pitchfork)
Bloomberg gives OK on cementing the Broadway plaza project. (Variety)
NYC condom design finalists announced. All [...]

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The real time challenge–key points about engagement

February 10, 2010

Last night, I had the pleasure of hosting a seminar on social media marketing, but the conversation naturally veered into several different directions, pertaining to the many issues around the subject. One particular moment in the conversation really stuck out to me, was the idea that social media provides us a real time conversational opportunity [...]

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Natural History Museum: Naturally Boring

February 8, 2010

This weekend, I had a chance to check out the American Museum of Natural History again. It had been a while, and it was a bit too cold to do much outside. Overall, I was happy that we decided to go inside, but I couldn’t help but feel like this museum is a prime example [...]

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Stay cultured: PeeWee’s got an iPad, Paul Rudd Smiles…Sigh

February 5, 2010

Every Friday, check out some of the best entertainment news, reviews, gossip, upcoming events and cool stuff from the web. Something you’d like on the list? Share it in the comments section below.
News

Paul Rudd. That’s all that needs to be said. I don’t care what he does. I love him. (New York Magazine)
Courtney Love [...]

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Stay cultured: Wendy Williams in Avatar and R.I.P. Miramax

January 29, 2010

Every Friday, check out some of the best entertainment news, reviews, gossip, upcoming events and cool stuff from the web. Something you’d like on the list? Share it in the comments section below.
News

WB stands up for itself and says no to Murphy’s husband’s sad accusations. (Vulture)
National Lady Gaga Day? Okay, I like her, too, [...]

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