Category Archive: Pop

Give Bindi a break

Posted by Mike Klassen on January 8, 2008

As a parent from a household of animal lovers, I had pretty good exposure to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin over the years. There was a lot of sadness around here at his untimely demise, and what it would mean for his young family. They were financially secure of course. Daughter Bindi would never have to work a day of her life if someone managed Steve's legacy of TV, print and film properties well enough.

...I can't name one child who has grown up in the public spotlight that wasn't completely dysfunctional as a grown-up

I find it troubling that 9-year old Bindi Irwin was thrown into the limelight, continuing to create programming around her father's fame, and her own budding personality. Her mother Terri obviously feels that her little girl can handle the public attention. But I can't name one child who has grown up in the public spotlight that wasn't completely dysfunctional as a grown-up.

Just a cursory glance of the Australia Zoo website indicates the whole operation turned on a dime to promote Bindi around Steve's legacy. In a creepy twist, Steve Irwin's bio on the website doesn't even bother to mention that he's dead.

I hope for the girl's sake she can get away from the limelight soon and lead a child's normal life (albeit one of extreme privilege). I suspect however an enterprise is in place that relies on her, and those who profit from it will not allow this to happen.

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Ever been to Bruges?

Posted by Mike Klassen on December 15, 2007

It's been 22 years since I was there, but I still smile at the good times had in the idyllic Belgian town of Bruges. It's a place you never forget, not only for evenings in the Eiermarkt, or Egg Market, coiffing fine Belgian ales.

Some clever buggers have decided to set an action movie there and judging by the trailer, it's going to be a hoot. Warning: lots of cussing in this so send the kids to the other room!

Tagged: bruges

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Mother of Pete, this is good stuff

Posted by Mike Klassen on October 3, 2007

Nothing compares to the rock produced by these English lads in tight trousers during the 70s. Ladies and gentlemen, The Sweet.

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Modernettes: Barbra

Posted by Mike Klassen on August 29, 2007

Clip below courtesy of The New Music, the classic Citytv program. Watching this video can there be any doubt that Vancouver's (under-appreciated) '78-'83 punk/pop scene was one of the great moments of modern music? I think it's arguably Vancouver's greatest cultural achievement after being mellow and skipping work to go snowboarding.

Tagged: vancouver history, vancouver music, vancouver punk

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Get Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Posted by Mike Klassen on August 24, 2007

I love Spoon. Have done for a few years. Very happy to hear them on radio now, but it wouldn't matter if they weren't. These guys are fantastic, and their new record Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is a must own.

Here's the single The Underdog.

Tagged: ga ga ga ga ga, spoon, summer music

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OK, cinephiles, this one's for you

Posted by Mike Klassen on August 12, 2007

I've always thought that face-morphing technology was pretty cool, if a bit overused. The video below captures a pretty amazing cross-section of leading ladies from the dawn of cinema to today. A similar video featuring Women in Art, also produced by Phillip Scott Johnson, is also a very compelling work. How many of the movie stars featured in this film can you name?

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My music of summer

Posted by Mike Klassen on July 13, 2007

With 10,000 songs shuffling all the time (thank you, Airtunes) its hard to pick out the standout tracks for me right now, but there are a few records I must give a big shout-out to. Run, don't walk to get these on your iPod.

Continue reading "My music of summer" »

Tagged: favourite, my playlist, summer music

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Whaa? Avril doesn't write her songs!?

Posted by Mike Klassen on July 5, 2007

What a drag it is to learn that the lovely yet moody young Ontarian, Avril Lavigne, is being accused of of not writing one of her songs. Bummer.

Nettwerk CEO Terry McBride, Lavigne's manager, has been here before. His other big act is Sarah McLachlan, who went to court to fight a former session musician/collaborator for songwriting credits and won.

I know the financial stakes are high, but what's wrong in admitting that your young divas need help writing tunes? Does anyone think that any of the Four Tops or the Supremes would take credit for a Holland-Dozier-Holland classic? Or Elvis penned a Lieber-Stoller great?

Outsourcing the song composition worked well in previous generations, and performers are successful in large part for how they look. Today the job descriptions are usually blurred, and visually pleasing performers are expected to be clever or emotionally interesting composers.

Maybe I'm too much of a skeptic, and the Avrils of the world are really profound. But I can't listen to today's pop music without wondering if style has completely crushed the life out of good songwriting.

Tagged: bubble gum music, pop divas

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