Just Kids, Patti Smith

BEST OF 2010
There are certain times when a book falls into your hand at the right time. Patti Smith's memoir is one of those books. As I have struggled with the idea of "who am I as an artist?" over the past couple of months, it was lovely to read about the struggle of coming to terms with being an artist. And, the struggles of growing into the concept of an artist.

I admire the people filling this memoir. Those who gave up on everything expected of them to follow their dreams. Poetry, music, literature, painting, photography, etc. The Chelsea Hotel is a dream come true to me. A commune of lost souls creating. Feeding off of each other. Perhaps, also, destroying one another. The complexity of the way we rely on others who may not be our best option.

Many reviewers have found the name dropping to be unnecessary. But, it adds to the reality of this period. When artists were their own small celebrity circle. Before the mass audience started to be so interested in these 'other' artists. Also, many have complained too many of Smith's memories seem made up. I have always hated this complaint about a memoir. In writing one has to create. Even when writing non-fiction. And, don't we all remember the way we need to remember? Not necessarily the way it painfully did happen?

The love story of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe is very interesting. The confusion of sex and gender. The way they were one, but so much two. There is a great sadness in the way she writes of their slow separation into different worlds. The innocence of Patti Smith is the most shocking parts of this memoir.

She has always inspired me. As I closed the book last night I started to cry. Once again inspired. Once again asking myself if I was on the right path. Once again wanting so much to focus more on my own writing.

This is a memoir more on the process of becoming an artist and less about two young lovers.

B

The Girl With Glass Feet, Ali Shaw

Was it envy which drew me to this novel? The author was born in 1982, as was I. The author worked in a bookstore, as did I. The author has a degree in English Literature, as do I. The author works in a library, as do I. The author has published his first novel...

I am often curious about the writing of others in my age range. Often times authors are older. Rarely are they younger. Something happens in your 30s. This is the age of many published authors... thirty and above. But, someone so 'young.' What does he have to say?

There is something fresh, orginial, and familiar in this text. A fairy tale of sorts. But, not a Disney fairy tale. A Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Something dark and mischevious. The slightest amount of hope and romance lingering along the edges.

Due to school work, I only read half of this novel. After a two week break I went to pick the novel back up, but realized I would need to start over. So, for a bit, the book has been placed aside. But, I look forward to returning.

First half: B+

Up

I have a bad habit of turning children's films into heavy material. I believe Mary Poppins is a movie about child abuse. So, it comes as no surprise that I would find something living underneath the surface of Up.

One could take the film as is. Or, as death. The point of this film is impossible. An old man moving his house, via balloons, to South America. Managing to drag it along through a forest like a parade float. A young boy who hitched a ride. A talking dog, etc.

The film is about death. The old man's wife dies at the start of the film. I believe the old man dies shortly thereafter. Instead of his wife being part of this second life he has created the house to represent her. Calls the home 'Ellie' many times throughout the film. The young boy at his side is a contemporary spitting image of the old man in his youth. An awkward nerd in search of an adventure. And, the talking dogs. Dogs are known as man's best friend. What man wouldn't want a dog that speaks?

The old man discovers a rare bird that an explorer he admired was unable to ever truly prove as real. Once again, such an unlikely stretch of the imagination. I believe children's stories hold so much more than the surface because I believe those who create for children refuse to treat them as children. Those who play with the imaginations of children know there is an ability to really grasp more.

I wouldn't say the film was overly charming, or sentimental, or imaginative. But, it was something different for a short time.

B-

Head First, Goldfrapp

A mix of Kate Bush, ABBA, and a bit of contemporary electronic music. A mix of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Goldfrapp is always recreating their sound. One never knows what to fully expect from their next album.

I have to admit, I'm usually a little disappointed with what is released. After a while the CD usually grows on me. But, what Goldfrapp suggests as goal never seems fully developed by time the album is fully formed.

This time around, Goldfrapp is going for radio lite pop songs. There is nothing here anyone really wants to embrace. Everything is a little bit cold and distant. The songs mostly sound alike. They sound like something you've heard before. And, why not find that something else?

The album isn't a failure. It is fun. A couple of the songs will make it on to my workout mix. Or a mix CD of hipster dance songs. I'd like to see some of these songs receive the remix treatment.

The album will be lovely on warm summer nights before going out to dance...

C+

Scratch My Back, Peter Gabriel

It is kind of hard not to be excited by the concept of this album. Music great (and oddity) Peter Gabriel pulls together a set list of wonderful songs... by other artists.

Gabriel's voice has always been very attractive for me to listen to, but I never found many of his actual songs to be too appealing. Now, I get his incredible voice and flair for the dramatics mixed with some wonderful lyrics.

Gabriel covers my favorite Arcade Fire song, 'My Body is a Cage,' by adding some of the most brilliant mood setting string section. Actually, the whole CD is with strings... no drums or guitar.

Also covered: David Bowie, Bon Iver, Magnetic Fields, Talking Heads, Paul Simon... And, one of the most odd and exciting covers is 'Apres Moi' by Regina Spektor.

This isn't an earth shattering album. But, it is comforting in a whole new way.

B-

The Body Artist, Don DeLillo

After reading Point Omega I knew I would need to return to DeLillo's earlier "short novel" to see if there was a connection. I feel these two novels are very strongly tied together. Not so much in plot or theme. But, somewhere in these two texts is this discovery of time as still and moving.

I first read The Body Artist upon its release. I loved the book and have placed it on my top ten favorite books of all time list. I can't recall what my theory of the book was at the time. So, I'm uncertain if how I feel now is the same as how I felt then.

I feel the book is a complex study of loss. The way we mourn the death of someone we love. And, in the case of this novel, how an artist relates to the loss of another artist/lover. The filmmaker and the performance artist. These two as different studies in art, but somehow so similar. The idea of creating an illusion of reality through fantasy through reality.

Laura is just a shell. She creates herself as something new. Someone new. She is never herself. Unable to be alone. A need to constantly create. So, is this stranger in her house a reality? A fantasy? A work of art in progress? DeLillo is a master at not giving direct answers. Just suggestion.

B+

Dagger Paths, Forest Swords

BEST OF 2010

I won't lie, I based the downloading of this album on the cover. The website I downloaded this from had very little information on the band. In fact, very little meaning none. And, I attempted to do some searching on my own... only to find a few songs on YouTube. Nothing to tell me of the band's past.

The songs are beautiful. Instrumental, primal, brooding, mysterious. Some of the songs have an anxious build up. As if taken from the scene of a scary movie. Other songs have a beautiful movie score element. The likes of Ennio Morricone.

Then, there are the comparisons to Fout Tet... Animal Collective... Memory Tapes, even. This instrumental lo-fi dub meets slow burn folk.

Despite all these comfortable comparisions, the album is still something wholly fresh and welcoming. You can check out "videos" for Miarches and Glory Gongs on YouTube. Or, and not to sound too emo, check out their myspace page.

B+