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Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated No Time To Die by Billie Eilish in Music
Mar 3, 2020 (Updated Aug 6, 2020)
Congratulations to The Wasteland’s favourite new artist for sweeping 5 awards at yesterday’s Grammy’s. I hate to say I told you so, but I kinda did, a long way out. It just makes sense to me, that if you have a musical ear, this is the best pop music that has been made for 20 years.
Best new artist, best song (Bad Guy), record of the year, best pop vocal album of the year, and the cherry, best album of the year, for the extraordinary When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go. Oh, and her brother won one for best producer… so, not a terrible night out!
Not only is she now the youngest person ever to win a Grammy, beating Taylor Swift to that, mostly meaningless, accolade, but more significantly she is the the first artist to sweep the big 4 awards since Christopher Cross in 1981. That is 39 years ago!
From the few acceptance clips I have seen, you can see how genuinely stunned and thrilled she is to win, which is refreshing after a generation of too cool for school egos that were more persona than person, often holding their emotions in check for the sake of image.
I think there is a long, long way to go before talking about Billie Eilish as a great artist – she has to keep it up! But, for sure the music industry wants to make a point that this is the real deal, and have paved the path for an unlimited potential. What these awards do, is create the stamp on her being a superstar. What she and Finneas do with that now is up to them. I have a feeling they are not going to blow it; it just doesn’t feel like this story ends badly.
Billie’s Bond Theme
In the interest of this blog not turning into the Billie Eilish appreciation society, I am adding on my thoughts about the new release of her theme tune for the new 007 movie, No Time To Die. We all have a favourite Bond song from the years past, so how does this one size up?
Working in conjunction with Oscar winning composer, Hans Zimmer can’t be all bad when you just turned 18, and it certainly helps with this sombre, slow building song, utilising full orchestra and a bundle of small motifs that make it seem 100% Bond. Make no mistake, it is a Billie Eilish song, her moody vibe is all over it, but I love how faithful to the brand she has been, avoiding the temptation to do something too weird with the gig.
The first time I heard it was enough for me to be able to say “cast-iron hit!” And I haven’t changed my mind 20 listens later. It is just mind-blowing how the ball of success keeps rolling for her and Finneas. Having the honour of singing the in memoriam song at the Academy awards, with an emotional rendition of the Beatles’ Yesterday would be enough attention for one week for any ordinary superstar, but no, here’s the best Bond theme for 20 years for you too! Astonishing.
It even has folk that were a bit cautious at first saying, actually that is a great tune. Just yesterday I was listening to a radio interview where Billie talked about how she gets fan mail from all demographics, including 80 year old grandfathers! I find that not only reassuring, but apt. This is an artist of universal appeal wrapped up in the media hype of a teenage pop-idol, but doing a great job of denying that narrow image and idea.
What can I say? Just carry on, Billie. It’s going quite well!
Best new artist, best song (Bad Guy), record of the year, best pop vocal album of the year, and the cherry, best album of the year, for the extraordinary When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go. Oh, and her brother won one for best producer… so, not a terrible night out!
Not only is she now the youngest person ever to win a Grammy, beating Taylor Swift to that, mostly meaningless, accolade, but more significantly she is the the first artist to sweep the big 4 awards since Christopher Cross in 1981. That is 39 years ago!
From the few acceptance clips I have seen, you can see how genuinely stunned and thrilled she is to win, which is refreshing after a generation of too cool for school egos that were more persona than person, often holding their emotions in check for the sake of image.
I think there is a long, long way to go before talking about Billie Eilish as a great artist – she has to keep it up! But, for sure the music industry wants to make a point that this is the real deal, and have paved the path for an unlimited potential. What these awards do, is create the stamp on her being a superstar. What she and Finneas do with that now is up to them. I have a feeling they are not going to blow it; it just doesn’t feel like this story ends badly.
Billie’s Bond Theme
In the interest of this blog not turning into the Billie Eilish appreciation society, I am adding on my thoughts about the new release of her theme tune for the new 007 movie, No Time To Die. We all have a favourite Bond song from the years past, so how does this one size up?
Working in conjunction with Oscar winning composer, Hans Zimmer can’t be all bad when you just turned 18, and it certainly helps with this sombre, slow building song, utilising full orchestra and a bundle of small motifs that make it seem 100% Bond. Make no mistake, it is a Billie Eilish song, her moody vibe is all over it, but I love how faithful to the brand she has been, avoiding the temptation to do something too weird with the gig.
The first time I heard it was enough for me to be able to say “cast-iron hit!” And I haven’t changed my mind 20 listens later. It is just mind-blowing how the ball of success keeps rolling for her and Finneas. Having the honour of singing the in memoriam song at the Academy awards, with an emotional rendition of the Beatles’ Yesterday would be enough attention for one week for any ordinary superstar, but no, here’s the best Bond theme for 20 years for you too! Astonishing.
It even has folk that were a bit cautious at first saying, actually that is a great tune. Just yesterday I was listening to a radio interview where Billie talked about how she gets fan mail from all demographics, including 80 year old grandfathers! I find that not only reassuring, but apt. This is an artist of universal appeal wrapped up in the media hype of a teenage pop-idol, but doing a great job of denying that narrow image and idea.
What can I say? Just carry on, Billie. It’s going quite well!

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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone in Books
Sep 25, 2017
Hauntingly poignant, such a great exploration into loneliness
Such a fabulously enticing book exploring the 1970's and 1980's New York scene while revealing the writer's own issues of dealing with loneliness. From the introvert but flamboyant Andy Warhol, to the artist David Wojnarowicz's AIDS activism, Olivia Laing brings to light the spaces between people and the things that draw them together.
The chapters on painter Edward Hopper and Henry Darger are particularly poignant, especially as Darger was practically invisible, and only known after his death as his paintings were discovered in his accommodation. The author's own story remains mysterious. The book epitomises loneliness, despite the bright lights of the big city.
The chapters on painter Edward Hopper and Henry Darger are particularly poignant, especially as Darger was practically invisible, and only known after his death as his paintings were discovered in his accommodation. The author's own story remains mysterious. The book epitomises loneliness, despite the bright lights of the big city.

Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Disaster Artist (2017) in Movies
Dec 10, 2017
Hilarious yet defies belief
I’ve never seen The Room, although I’ve seen enough clips from it to be able to appreciate this film.
The Disaster Artist is a truly hilarious true life tale, it had me laughing all the way through. James Franco’s performance as Toomy Wiseau is fantastic, he really resembles the real man and is definitely the star of the show. It has a great supporting cast too, and from watching this you get the sense they had a cracking time filming it. My only concern was is this guy for real? Tommy is so bonkers that it really makes you wonder if everything is for real. But it does make for great comedy.
The Disaster Artist is a truly hilarious true life tale, it had me laughing all the way through. James Franco’s performance as Toomy Wiseau is fantastic, he really resembles the real man and is definitely the star of the show. It has a great supporting cast too, and from watching this you get the sense they had a cracking time filming it. My only concern was is this guy for real? Tommy is so bonkers that it really makes you wonder if everything is for real. But it does make for great comedy.

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Just Kids in Books
Aug 17, 2017
Mesmerising memoir of the 1970s art scene
I was worried that this was another overhyped autobiography of another self-congratulating artist. But I was proved totally wrong. Patti Smith is truly unique and interesting, having had a life of hardship living on the streets to living with a partner equally mixed up, to engaging in a world that was the founding of America's modern art scene. More than the meandering, wonderful, dark tales is her liquid prose. She's not only an inspired poet but a fantastic all-round writer. She was known for all of her relationships with famous men, but this is about the one man who mattered the most. Well worth all of the awards.

b.Young (97 KP) rated Creeker by Ryan Upchurch in Music
May 2, 2018
One great song after another!!!
Ryan Upchurch is a Rap Country artist with amazing talent!
He can literally perform every genre. While typically known for his Rap Country hits, he decided to branch out and explore the Grunge/Rock genre and has turned the genre on it's ear.
This album dropped 4/20/2018 and, in less than an hour, was sitting pretty at #3 on the US iTunes Rock charts!
Within 3 days, it was sitting in the Top 10 iTunes Rock charts in Australia and Canada.
As of last week, it was Trending in iTunes at #3, whilst Cardi B sat at #7.
Everyone needs to check this guy out!
He can literally perform every genre. While typically known for his Rap Country hits, he decided to branch out and explore the Grunge/Rock genre and has turned the genre on it's ear.
This album dropped 4/20/2018 and, in less than an hour, was sitting pretty at #3 on the US iTunes Rock charts!
Within 3 days, it was sitting in the Top 10 iTunes Rock charts in Australia and Canada.
As of last week, it was Trending in iTunes at #3, whilst Cardi B sat at #7.
Everyone needs to check this guy out!

Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated FYM (ft. Wiz Khalifa) - Single by Elohim in Music
Jun 6, 2019
Elohim is an artist and producer based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released a new version of her “F*ck Your Money” single, entitled, “FYM (Rock Mafia Remix)”, featuring rapper Wiz Khalifa.
‘FYM (Rock Mafia Remix)’ contains a relatable storyline, harmonious vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with electro-pop and hip-hop elements.
The likable tune follows last week’s release of Elohim’s new EP, entitled, “BRAINDEAD”.
The 7-track project explores Elohim’s courageous struggle with mental health, a centerpiece of her artistry and songwriting since day one.
The release of “BRAINDEAD” is timed with the month of May in support of Mental Health Awareness Month.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/elohim-fym-wiz-khalifa/
‘FYM (Rock Mafia Remix)’ contains a relatable storyline, harmonious vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with electro-pop and hip-hop elements.
The likable tune follows last week’s release of Elohim’s new EP, entitled, “BRAINDEAD”.
The 7-track project explores Elohim’s courageous struggle with mental health, a centerpiece of her artistry and songwriting since day one.
The release of “BRAINDEAD” is timed with the month of May in support of Mental Health Awareness Month.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/elohim-fym-wiz-khalifa/

gayga (2128 KP) rated What A Time To Be Alive by Tom Walker in Music
Jul 5, 2019
Having won this in a Smashbomb Giveaway (whoop whoop!) I was a bit dubious as I’ve so lost touch with music the last few years and hadn’t heard of Tom Walker. I put it on and was pleasantly surprised.
I can’t compare him to any other singers as he sounds unique. I knew Leave A Light on as soon as it came on, probably subconsciously heard it on the radio. Being a retro fart of 51 I didn’t think it would be so good. Definitely one that I’ll play regularly from now on. Thanks Smashbomb for introducing me to an artist I probably wouldn’t have heard of otherwise!
I can’t compare him to any other singers as he sounds unique. I knew Leave A Light on as soon as it came on, probably subconsciously heard it on the radio. Being a retro fart of 51 I didn’t think it would be so good. Definitely one that I’ll play regularly from now on. Thanks Smashbomb for introducing me to an artist I probably wouldn’t have heard of otherwise!

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