By Jack Silbert on April 4, 2023
EPISODE #532: IN SHAPE
The Yardbirds — “Shapes of Things” [ALTERNATE THEME]
Idlewild — “When I Argue I See Shapes”
Johnny Restivo — “The Shape I’m In”
The Band — “The Shape I’m In”
Beach Boys — ”I’m in Great Shape”
They Might Be Giants — “Spiraling Shape”
The Pipettes — “Pull Shapes”
Jackson Browne — “In the Shape of a Heart”
Clem Snide — “The True Shape of Your Heart”
Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians — “The Shapes Between Us Turn Into Animals”
The Microphones — ”I Felt Your Shape”
Guide by Voices — “The Room Taking Shape”
The Replacements — “Bent Out of Shape”
Grass Widow — “Give Me Shapes”
The Hive Dwellers — “Pine-Shaped Box”
The Mighty Lemon Drops — “Sympathize With Us” r.i.p. Seymour Stein of Sire Records
Jack Silbert proudly records the Aquarium podcast in Hoboken, NJ.
Posted in internet radio playlists | Tagged Beach Boys, Calvin Johnson, Clem Snide, Grass Widow, Guided by Voices, Hive Dwellers, Idlewild, Jackson Browne, Johnny Restivo, Mighty Lemon Drops, Pipettes, Robyn Hitchcock, Seymour Stein, The Band, The Microphones, The Replacements, They Might Be Giants, Yardbirds
By Jack Silbert on March 29, 2023
4.5 stars out of 5
First and foremost, this is not A Quiet Place III. Though it is a pretty quiet movie. The Quiet Girl, from Ireland, was one of the 2023 Oscar nominees for Best International Feature Film. It didn’t win, but it is terrific.
I’m not sure when the movie is set — late 70s? early 80s? — though I narrowed down the timeframe faster than I did for Women Talking. What we have here is a quiet girl, Cáit (pronounced “Cort”), living in rural Ireland with a white-trash family, or whatever the Irish equivalent of white trash is. Dad drinks a lot, mom is preggers again, money’s too tight to mention, and Cáit is prone to wandering off and hiding. Till the new baby arrives, they send Cáit off to live with an older couple, mom’s cousin, a few hours away.
What transpires is a sweet, slowly unfolding story about gaining and earning trust, not accepting your prescribed fate, carrying on after troubles… and that family is where you find it.
Young Catherine Clinch as Cáit has never been in anything before and she is marvelous. Again, she’s quiet, but gives little glances, small motions; she’s holding so much inside. In this life of ours there are loud, running-around, confident kids but if you were among the rest of us, you will connect with Cáit on a soulful level.
Carrie Crowley as foster mom Eibhlín oozes compassion and patience tempered by some underlying fatigue and sadness. Andrew Bennett is the foster dad (jimminy, he was the narrator in Angela’s Ashes; small country!) and you might say he’s The Quiet Farmer but he has an internal life too and a code to live by, and, well, just give him time. Michael Patric as her real da is sufficient though I kept wondering what Colin Farrell would’ve done with the role. Likely it would’ve been distracting.
Cheers to writer/director Colm Bairéad, only his second feature and nearly each piece perfectly placed. (Script is adapted from the novella Foster by Claire Keegan; will have to check out her work.)
Note to viewers (and I hope you will, soon): The movie is subtitled as they’re mostly speaking Gaelic. Interestingly, characters will switch off into English and then switch back; I didn’t know if that was less formal or what. But, interesting.
The film’s emotional intensity really snuck up on me, and as the end credits rolled I found myself weeping. Quietly.
Posted in movie reviews | Tagged 20s movies, Academy Awards, Ireland
By Jack Silbert on March 28, 2023
EPISODE #531: CONNECTIONS
The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME]
The Rolling Stones — “Connection”
Jack White — “Connected by Love”
Teenage Fanclub — “Connected to Life”
The Aquanettas — ”Connecting Line”
Yourcodenameis: Milo — “I Am Connecting Flight” [Peel session]
The Memories Attack — “Connected”
Superchunk — “Connection”
The Nuclears — “Siamese Connection”
Radio Birdman — “Connected”
Grandaddy — “Disconnecty”
Of Montreal — “Disconnect the Dots”
Laika & the Cosmonauts — “Disconnected”
Jack Silbert proudly records the Aquarium podcast in Hoboken, NJ.
Posted in internet radio playlists | Tagged Grandaddy, Jack White, Laika & the Cosmonauts, Of Montreal, Radio Birdman, Rolling Stones, Superchunk, Teenage Fanclub, The Aquanettas, The Memories Attack, The Nuclears, Yourcodenameis: Milo
By Jack Silbert on March 22, 2023
3.5 stars out of 5
Are all the movies trying to make me feel old? Adonis Creed is Rocky’s young protégé, and now he’s retired too? Sheesh! We’ve now reached the Rocky III period in the life of Creed, where after his latest title defense, the wealthy, famous, happy-at-home champ hangs up his boxing gloves. But just when he thought he out, they pull Creed back in — to face an imposing challenger from the streets, Clubber Lang… uh… [checks notes] Diamond Dame Anderson.
Creed and Creed II both hovered in the very good/pretty good range, and the latest installment is no exception. In the first movie, we learned that young Adonis had been in a Los Angeles youth home, and that angle is revisited here. His buddy Dame was supposed to be the boxing phenom but ends up behind bars instead. (Was happy to see Spence Moore II, Dan on one of my fave recent shows A.P. Bio, playing teenage Dame in flashbacks.)
Flash-forward to the present, Dame is back in society and wants his long-delayed shot at the championship belt. (Jonathan Majors is much more intimidating as Diamond Dame than he was as Kang the Conqueror, and in a wild twist, Majors is an American actor, not British!) Creed feels guilty about how things went down back in the day so he helps out his childhood pal.
As in any series, it’s a comfort to see our old friends, and here we have Tessa Thompson back as Mrs. Creed, Phylicia Rashad as Mama Creed, The Wire’s Avon Barksdale as Creed’s trainer, and even Viktor Drago returns. Notably absent: no Michael Buffer as the ring announcer, and, no Rocky Balboa. Stallone is a producer on the film, and the character’s presence still hangs over the film, down to a Bill Conti musical cue.
Michael B. Jordan is again solid as Adonis Creed, and also sits in the director’s chair for the first time. (Not that it’s a competition, but Sly was directing by Rocky II.) Jordan does an adequate job behind the camera, even attempting an extended artful sequence. It’s not entirely successful, but I appreciate the effort. (An even less successful moment has Creed and Dame on opposite sides of a wall.)
I also appreciated that the movie wasn’t afraid to have several slower, thoughtful sections. A few people even walked out of the packed theater I was in; their loss! The screenplay deals with the specter of childhood trauma, the risk of bottling up memories and emotions, challenges of parenthood, and ever-present guilt without getting too heavy-handed. Without Ryan Coogler or Stallone as screenwriters this time around, it falls upon Ryan’s kid brother Keenan Coogler to co-write. Again, it’s mostly successful — I’d say this is just a notch below the first two Creed films. And I must admit, there was a key moment when I was really hoping Rocky would show up. I was craving that little extra excitement.
Of course it all leads up to the big fight, and of course I was cheering. As long as they keep making these movies, I’ll keep seeing them. (OK, please don’t tell Sly I skipped that last Rambo.)
Posted in movie reviews | Tagged 10s movies, 20s movies, 70s movies, 80s movies, Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone
By Jack Silbert on March 21, 2023
EPISODE #530: SPRING 2023
The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME]
Sun Ra & his Arkestra — “Springtime in Chicago”
Luluc — “Winter Is Passing”
Wizard Brain — “Seasonal Changes”
Civic Mimic — ”Four Seasons of Spring”
Lou Rawls — “Spring Again”
Olivia Tremor Control — “Spring Succeeds”
The Lucksmiths — “Rushes of Pure Spring”
Beach Boys — “Spring Vacation”
Angel Olsen — “Spring”
Michael Beach — ”Spring”
Johnny Horton — “When It’s Springtime in Alaska (It’s Forty Below)”
The Baseball Project — “Spring Training in New Orleans”
Paul Simon — “April, Come She Will”
Clifford Brown & Max Roach — “Joy Spring”
Jack Silbert proudly records the Aquarium podcast in Hoboken, NJ.
Posted in internet radio playlists | Tagged Angel Olsen, Beach Boys, Civic Mimic, Clifford Brown, Johnny Horton, Lou Rawls, Luluc, Max Roach, Michael Beach, Olivia Tremor Control, Paul Simon, Sun Ra, The Baseball Project, The Lucksmiths, Wizard Brain
By Jack Silbert on March 14, 2023
EPISODE #529: ST. PATRICK’S DAY 2023 (LUCK)
Eels — “Beginner’s Luck” [ALTERNATE THEME]
Joe Simon — “Pool of Bad Luck”
Neko Case — “Bad Luck”
The Undertones — “Hard Luck”
Nicole Atkins — ”Brokedown Luck”
The Lookers — “My Luck Has Changed”
A Tribe Called Quest — “Luck of Lucien”
k.d. lang — “Luck in My Eyes”
Dntel — “Dumb Luck”
Betty Davis — “If I’m in Luck I Might Get Picked Up”
Elvis Presley — ”Good Luck Charm”
Paul Westerberg — “Whisper Me Luck”
Ron Sexsmith — “A Kiss for Luck”
Mary Wells — “Goodbye and Good Luck”
Jack Silbert proudly records the Aquarium podcast in Hoboken, NJ.
Posted in internet radio playlists | Tagged A Tribe Called Quest, Betty Davis, Dntel, Eels, Elvis Presley, Joe Simon, k.d. lang, Mary Wells, Neko Case, Nicole Atkins, Paul Westerberg, Ron Sexsmith, The Lookers, Undertones
By Jack Silbert on March 7, 2023
EPISODE #528: WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2023
Siouxsie & the Banshees — “Cities in Dust” [ALTERNATE THEME]
Big Joanie — “In My Arms”
The Cat’s Miaow — “The Phoebe I Know”
Tammy Wynette — “Apartment #9”
The Rondelles — ”Mission: Irresistible”
The Aquanettas — “Love With a Proper Stranger”
Voice of the Beehive — “I Say Nothing”
Sam Phillips — “Where the Colors Don’t Go”
Dry Cleaning — “Scratchcard Lanyard”
HAIM — “The Wire”
Scary Monster — ”Tender Forever”
Roe Knows Best — “Breakfast in Bed”
Carole King — “Nobody’s Perfect”
Florence Dore — “And the Lady Goes”
The Operation Breadbasket Orchestra & Choir feat. Mahalia Jackson & Mavis Staples — “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” [live]
Jack Silbert proudly records the Aquarium podcast in Hoboken, NJ.
Posted in internet radio playlists | Tagged Big Joanie, Carole King, Dry Cleaning, Haim, Mahalia Jackson, Mavis Staples, Operation Breadbasket Orchestra & Choir, Roe Knows Best, Sam Phillips, Scary Monster, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Tammy Wynette, The Aquanettas, The Cat’s Miaow, The Rondelles, Voice of the Beehive
By Jack Silbert on February 28, 2023
2 stars out of 5
It was a drizzly winter day on the Jersey shore and I had hours to kill. “Oh, I’ll see a movie,” I thought. Alas, Asbury Park’s art theater isn’t open mid-week in the off-season. I had no choice but to go to the mall multiplex. This, of course, was no problem for me. Being “high brow/low brow” is kind of my thing. Plus, I really liked the previous Ant-Man installment (though I had found part 1 to be mediocre at best).
Chapter 3 is, um, what’s that phrase, ah yes… not good. I have some free advice to the Marvel brass: Take a step back. How about one hero, one villain, and, I don’t know, the fate of a city at stake or something? This time-shifting, parallel-world, all-powerful-being nonsense is ridonkulous. Ant-Man and his crew fall through a portal into some alternate universe (the “Quantum realm”) and I was reminded of being a kid trying to watch that first Star Trek movie and the Enterprise is going through a big space cloud… and going through a big space cloud… and going through a big space cloud… and it was so BORING.
Paul Rudd and pals land, and in classic sitcom form, two of the characters are off on one adventure and the other two handle the B plot. How will they get home? How will they stop the Worst Dude in the Galaxy? And how will they overcome having a screenwriter who doesn’t seem to know anything about science, though the whole series is predicated on genius-level scientific knowledge? (“How does it work? Um… it’s like those two-way radios we used to build.”)
Plus they rip off Star Wars with a supporting cast straight outta the Cantina and also a bunch of Jawas. Human-wise, Rudd is Rudd. He gets some cute Rudd stuff to do in the beginning. Evangeline Lilly, who had lots to do in Part II, has not very much to do in this installment (and her hair scorecard is now Pt 1, bad; Pt. 2, good; Pt. 3, bad). I’m embarrassed for Michael Douglas, who seems like a terrific guy but is tarnishing his career with his money-grubbing run as Dr. Hank Pym. Michelle Pfeiffer at least gets a more substantial role this time around. Bill Murray shows up and tries to add some zing to his lines, but they dress him up in a silly space costume with a high collar that really showcases his neck fat, which I found pretty distracting. Jonathan Majors is supervillain Captain Kangaroo King Kong Bundy Voldemort… eh, he’ll get another chance as a baddie soon in Creed III.
This movie is too long and not much fun, but if — like me — you’re merely looking to kill time on a rainy day, I guess it’ll do. Find a theater with comfortable seats, recliners if possible.
Posted in movie reviews | Tagged Bill Murray, Paul Rudd, super powers
By Jack Silbert on February 28, 2023
EPISODE #527: HATE EPISODE II
In response to an idiotic so-called “Day of Hate” by white-supremacist neo-Nazi fuckfaces that never actually materialized. Spoiler alert: Love always wins.
The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME]
The Clash — “Hateful”
Reese McHenry — “I Hate Waiting”
Eric’s Trip — “Hate Song”
Ramona — ”Hater’s Ball Parade”
They Might Be Giants — “Hate the Villanelle”
Smut — “Let Me Hate”
The Afterglows — “Sea of Hate”
Superchunk — “Cloud of Hate”
The Ergs! — “It’s OK To Hate Me”
Amy Allison — ”Hate at First Sight”
Skylar Pocket — “I Don’t Hate Her”
Pom Pom Squad — “Hate It Here”
The Planes — “Hate Army”
Big Baby — “Hate U”
The Minus 5 — “The History You Hate”
Blushh — “You Make Me Hate It All”
Little Walter — “Hate To See You Go”
Jack Silbert proudly records the Aquarium podcast in Hoboken, NJ.
Posted in internet radio playlists | Tagged Amy Allison, Big Baby, Blushh, Eric's Trip, Little Walter, Pom Pom Squad, Radiator Hospital, Ramona, Reese McHenry, Skylar Pocket, Smut, Superchunk, The Afterglows, The Clash, The Ergs, The Minus 5, The Planes, They Might Be Giants
By Jack Silbert on February 21, 2023
EPISODE #526: BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2023
Nina Simone — “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” [ALTERNATE THEME]
Jerry Butler — “Only the Strong Survive”
The Fairfield Four — “Who Stole My Old Shoes?”
The Dramatics — “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”
A Tribe Called Quest — ”1–2 Crush on You”
Big Maybelle — “Ain’t To Be Played With”
Gene Chandler — “Check Yourself”
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band — “Express Yourself”
The Six Teens — “A Casual Look”
Terence Trent D’Arby — “Sign Your Name”
Darrell Banks — “I’m the One Who Loves You”
The Tymes — “So Much in Love”
Ike & Tina Turner — “Tina’s Dilemna”
The Radio Four — “An Earnest Look”
Etta James — “Tough Lover”
Lloyd Price — “Where You At”
The Delfonics — “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love)”
Jack Silbert proudly records the Aquarium podcast in Hoboken, NJ.
Posted in internet radio playlists | Tagged A Tribe Called Quest, Big Maybelle, Charles Wright, Darrell Banks, Delfonics, Etta James, Fairfield Four, Gene Chandler, Ike & Tina Turner, Jerry Butler, Nina Simone, Terence Trent D’Arby, The Dramatics, The Radio Four, The Six Teens, The Tymes, Tina Turner
Jack Silbert, curator