Scritti Politti - Cupid & Psyche 85

Cupid and Psyche refer to the Greek myth where the son of Venus (Cupid) is sent to make a beautiful girl (Psyche) fall in love with a hideous monster. The young god-ling cannot complete the task as he has fallen in love with the mortal himself.

In 1985, the British synth-pop group Scritti Politti put out there second album in reference to that tale - Cupid & Psyche 85. The original vinyl release had nine tracks, five of which were singles released in the UK. The later cassette and CD versions added four more tracks, three of which were alternate versions of earlier tracks on the record.

Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock: the Album

Afrika Bambaataa is the on-air name of American DJ Kevin Donovan from South Bronx, New York. His style of break-beat deejaying was critical to the early development of the hip-hop music style of the 80’s. In 1986, Tommy Boy Records released Planet Rock: the Album, a collection of previously released old-school hip-hop singles.

Grease (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

Note: this blog post/review is dedicated to Jeff Conaway who played "Kenickie" in this film as well as starred in shows like Taxi and Babylon 5. The 60-year old actor died Friday morning 5/27/11 at Encino Tarzana Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized in a coma since 5/11/11. Jeff battled with drug addiction for many years, including to pain-killers which were needed to counter physical ailments from which he suffered. May his spirit rest in peace.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Today we took in the afternoon matinee of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth installment in the Disney film franchise.

Back on board is producer Jerry Bruckheimer and musical director Hans Zimmer, giving the film the visual and audio continuity from the earlier installments. Also on board are Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush and Kevin McNally, reprising their earlier roles of Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Barbossa and Mr. Gibbs. Joining the cast are Penelope Cruz (Angelica) and Ian McShane (Blackbeard).

Barry Manilow - Tryin' To Get the Feeling

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

In 1975, Barry Manilow released his third studio album Tryin’ to Get the Feeling. This record continued the popular momentum of his previous release, scoring him a top 10 album (it peaked at number 5). The record went on to be certified as triple platinum.

Comic Books of the Week (5/25/11)

Green Arrow #12 - okay, this issue was the actual close out the Brightest Day tie-in on the title. Loved the Prado/Reis cover and Neves art on this issue. Good stuff. The story was okay, given that GA was clearly only helping out the people while the major story ending of BD went on around him. But that is what GA is, really, a hero of the people. Looks like the book will be going back to a more urban feel now that the forest is gone. I'm looking forward to that.

Green Lantern #66 - part 7 of the big "War of the Green Lanterns" arc. I really like how Johns juggles all the players while moving the story along. Krona's true plan is revealed.

Green Lantern Corps #60 - part 8 - John and Kyle's mission to save Mogo goes terribly, tragically wrong. Bedard and Kirkham delivered the goods on this issue - no complaints at all. Nice.

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10 - part 9 (loved how we got three parts this week - that really helped keep the attention to the story high) - the purging of the Central Battery occurs with some great character bits all around. So glad I decided to pick up the parts in the titles like this one that I don't normally read.

Justice Society of America #51 - Dr. Fate and company venture to save the soul of Lightning, while Jay Garrick fights a different sort of battle (city bureaucracy). While I thought it was a good issue, I am getting a little turned off by this title. I'll hold out a little longer, until the "big changes" come in the Fall. I hear Jerry Ordway might be coming on to do the art (that will help, I think).

Elvis Costello - Blood & Chocolate

For his eleventh studio album Blood & Chocolate, released in the fall of 1986, Elvis Costello reunited with is usual backing band the Attractions and with producer Nick Lowe. While the album did well on the UK album charts (peaking at number 16), it failed to make it onto the US Billboard album charts.