NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS

Right now, the question begging to be asked is: under which rock have I been living for the past few years? Only now I'm beginning to really appreciate the music of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Some four years ago I got myself their Best Of cd (swapped with a mate for Pulp's Different Class at the time) and that was influenced by yet another friend who had Nick Cave's compilation and I somehow enjoyed the sound of it back then, without really understanding it. Still, the I agreed to go ahead with the swap (this was a time when downloading music off the internet and copying audio CDs wasn't really common place for me. Yet. Oops, did I just say that?).

Anyway, the best of has been lying around for this good while, getting a bit of air play on one of my sound systems on very rare ocasions. I'd say I've listened to it, what, three times since I got it? Somehow, a few days ago it all just clicked right into place. All songs sounded just perfect, the mood perfect aswell and that was a delight. I went on and got myself another couple of discs, "Let Love In" and "The Boatman's Call" which I'm currently enjoying. Outstanding.

This is going to spin quite a lot around here in the foresseeable future.

Considering I'm useless maintaining a proper blog for any considerably long amount of time, I think I'm just going to plagiate Mike Portnoy in his website's forum and turn this place into a "Hero of the Day" shrine. I hope he doesn't become upset and file a lawsuit against me (I wish! It would probably mean I'd sit on court next to the man himself!). Anyway, here's my first Hero of the Day..

FERNANDO MEIRELLES

Saw "Cidade de Deus" (City of God) tonight. I can't believe I haven't seen this movie earlier on. I ain't saying anything new here but I must give my own two cents and say that Fernando Meirelles is one hell of a gifted director and that I eagerly await his next feature film. While going through the movie's little over two hours, I noticed five or six great directorial details and that was fantastic from someone not only making his international debut but also coming from Brazil instead of Hollywood. Its Academy Award nomination (for all it's worth) was really really deserved, for my particular money. A must-see and probably my favourite 2003 movie.