Heave Media

Friday: Even though I’m not a rock star (difficult to believe, I know), I’m fairly positive that there is some sort of barometer of just how “rock” you are. Playing basement parties and getting the cops called on you probably registers a 1.2 on the 10-point ROCK scale. Trashing a hotel room? Solid 5.7. Having your CD recalled because it’s too loud? A motherfuckin’ 10. That’s exactly what happened with European copies of Dinosaur Jr.’s Farm. Now, they missed achieving an 11 because they recalled it themselves. Apparently, there was a software snafu that really did make the CD painful to listen to. However, before I realized they were doing the recalling, I had great images of concerned mothers pleading with these legends, in a “my God, won’t SOMEONE please think of the children!” kind of way. 

Saturday: While this hasn’t necessarily been keeping me up at night—that honor goes to wondering why The Rachel Zoe Project is taking so damn long to come back for a second season—I’m sure this matters to all those DC Comics fans out there. After beating out Bradley Cooper, Jared Leto, and Justin Timberlake(?), resident stud Ryan Reynolds has been cast as The Green Lantern in the new film.  

Sunday: Sad news. Maura Tierney (one of my favorite old docs from ER) has a breast tumor. She’s currently set to begin treatment, and her pilot Parenthood—set to premiere this fall—has been pushed back to 2010. 

Everyone’s panties may be in a knot over Sasha Baron Cohen’s treatment of homosexuality, but Bruno snagged the top spot at the box office, taking in $30.4 million from Friday to Sunday. 

Monday: Gah! Maybe not the most descriptive noise, but I made a scene at work when I sneaked a peek at Pitchfork and saw that Broken Social Scene had reunited over the weekend in concert. Normally, that means that Emily Haines shows up, or maybe a random guy. BUT NO. Feist, Amy Millan, and Emily Haines were all there to sing their signature tracks. Oh, and BSS will be starring in a film of their own making called This Movie is Broken. Until then, though, check out these performances. Amazing. Thanks to Pitchfork for letting me jack this link. 

Nathan William of Wavves cannot catch a break. Except when he breaks his wrist skateboarding. I swear, that pun just happened as I was typing. Couldn’t even stop it, and won’t delete it. First, he has a bit of a breakdown in Barcelona. Now, even his hobby is cramping his style. Good news though? He plans to play all of his scheduled dates. Now that’s a 7.8 on the ROCK scale, at least. 

Tuesday: I feel like the world hasn’t heard much from The Strokes lately. It always seemed like a band like that couldn’t last forever, but you’d figure they’d put out at least several solid albums. Or maybe that was just me. Anyway, if you were attached to Julian Casablancas’ overall leadership qualities and musicianship, you’ll probably love the news of his solo album, with a vague “this fall” release date. In true hipster style, he’s misspelled the title—it’s called Phrazes for the Young. You rebel!  Throwin’ Z’s in where S’s should be! I get the same rush from dropping G’s off the ends of words, so I totally get it. 

As far as rap monikers go, Ghostface Killah has always taken the cake in my book. It’s probably due to my penchant for misspellings. Mr. Killah (ooo, I bet he’d love that name) is releasing an R&B-influenced rap album in September called The Wizard of Poetry. Please, dear God, let this album art be EPIC. 

Wednesday: More solo fun! In this round, we’ve got offerings from the frontman of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Alec Ounsworth. Look for Mo Beauty on October 20, and get ready for loads of New Orleans influence. It’s safe to say that I’m intrigued.  

Some people need to strike out on their own, and others need to join forces. While it may not be as great as the recent Vampire Weekend/Ra Ra Riot collaboration, it’ll be interesting to hear what Vivian Girls and Woods sound like together. The Babies, a trio consisting of VG singer Cassie Ramone, bassist Kevin Morby of Woods, and Justin Sullivan (drummer from Brooklyn band Bossy), don’t have an LP just yet, but keep your ears open.

Thursday: Here’s a lil’ tidbit about me—Thursday is probably my favorite day of the week. You can almost taste the weekend, and I can certainly taste the alcohol (I may have graduated college, but I’m hanging onto Thirsty Thursday until someone rips it from my warm, drunk hands). So, I’ve decided to make the Thursday post on “The Week that Was” a celebration of random news. Don’t fret—if something actually happens, I’ll let you know. But, for the most part, I’m going to stick to the crazy shit Reuters posts early in the morning.  

For example: “Harry Potter actor admits to growing cannabis.” I immediately get excited and click, only to find out that its 19-year-old Jamie Waylett (who played bully Vincent Crabbe in the films). LAME. I want to hear about Hermione’s cannabis farm. Anyway, he pleaded guilty after police found 10 plants that he was growing in his mother’s home. And here I thought my mom was cool for letting me grow those opium poppies.