03.15.10 My Top Ten RIGHT NOW

1. LOCATION Las Vegas

Disgusting, overly opulent, excessive and quite possibly the best damn two and half days in recent memory.  Whether wondering from overdone hotel to insanely themed hotel, beverage always in hand, sunning ourselves at the pool, losing money on penny slots and video roulette (one experience at an actual table was too horrifying to continue down that path) or eating at the overpriced but amazing restaurants, this place is pure ridiculousness and thus pure fun.  I can’t imagine spending more than a couple days without going insane, but it was such an overwhelming feast for the senses and a social experiment unlike any other that I’d happily return…after I’ve recovered… A

2. ALBUM Have One On Me Joanna Newsom

I honestly don’t know how to write about this epic, three disc set of indie songs with a harp as the main instrument from one of the most interesting current recording artists.  Her sound is totally unique with flecks of Bjork thrown in but remains accessible, more so in this grouping than ever before.  The songs are long (although relatively short compared to her previous release Ys), meandering with melodies that morph and undulate and lyrics that are beyond erudite.  I simply must leave it at you have to listen, and listen and listen one more time before you can even comprehend how intimate and yet expansive this creation truly is… A

3. BOOK The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

After so many glowing reviews, I had to find out for myself that this book completely lives up to the hype.  Bouncing back and forth in time, an amazing story of one woman’s unknown contribution to science inspires and horrifies all while illuminating a spectacular debate about what constitutes property, who has rights over human cells and forces the question why can’t we all just get along in the name of science and curing deadly disease.  Of course, where there’s money to be made in legal battles and patents, progress seems to be the ultimate loser and in turn terminally ill humanity.  But all this in turn makes you wonder about the author and her intent, forging a caring relationship with the descendents of Henrietta and now reaping benefit from the book’s popularity… A

4. SHOW Ka

Unlike many Cirque shows, this has a distinct and slightly complex narrative as a backbone rather than the slight cohesive spectacle of so many others.  All that’s not to say this isn’t a spectacle because it’s a constant feast for the eyes.  The hydraulic platform at the center is so malleable that it seamlessly transitions from a sandy beach to a mountain face to a glacier.  As usual, the music is transporting, boosted by speakers in each individual seat.  The show was a bit slow to start, but by the time the stage has become a massive jungle with oversized bugs crawling along bamboo shoots, I was totally sold.  A truly magnificent entry in a long line of solid work from Cirque… B+

5. ALBUM Sweet Heart Rodeo Dawn Landes

Excellent tune crafting is what this artist is all about, be it on upbeat hook-laden tunes or bouncy romantic riffs that float easily out of the speakers.  Just listen to “Romeo” with its swinging beat and sweet vocal, playfully tuneful but not so airy as to pass you by.  Even on odd fare like “Clown” with a backing track that sounds like it came from my Casio Keyboard, Landes is sublime, making a little ditty into something of an addictive spectacle.  “Wandering Eye” is my favorite track with a guitar and harmonica heavy orchestration turning this shuffle into perfection.  Another excellent set of tunes from Landes… A-

6. FOOD Malo Cantina Suavecita in LA

Start with the soft tortilla chips and salsa and you might not even make it to your main course, they’re just that addictive.  If you do have the stomach to last, sample some of the excellent tacos, there’s even a burger taco of ground beef, pickle and a sprinkling of cheese.  The enchiladas smothered in salsa verde will delight.  But my pick has to be the floutas, basically because they have all the excellent ingredients of tacos and enchiladas but they’re also fried, and everything is better when it’s fried.  Add a salted rim margarita to the meal and you’re set for an excellent evening of dining… B

7. ALBUM Divide & Conquer Vandaveer

This band fantastically combines male and female vocals like the excellent work of Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Dean & Britta and She & Him.  The sexy suave cool of “Fistful of Swoon” will seep into your soul like a Tom Waits classic.  On more rocking tunes like “A Mighty Leviathan of Old,” Mark Charles Heidinger sounds amazing, like a male Brandi Carlile (yes, that’s a huge compliment from me).  My favorite has to be the groove of “Turpentine,” slowly building into a towering sound of mournful splendor.  Pay attention to this band, you will be hearing from them… A

8. ALBUM Odd Blood Yeasayer

This is an awesome album of noise. Hits and bings slowly turn into the awesome and accessible “Ambling Alp.”  “Madder Red” has a bit of the sound that Vampire Weekend has capitalized on, only here it’s done a little less cloying with a greater focus on musicality.  My favorite, “I Remember,” sounds like something that ELO left behind and Yeasayer recorded a new vocal track over.  And with elements of Animal Collective, “Rome” plays splendidly.  It’s an odd batch of songs but such an excellent album, and one that requires listening from beginning to end as a complete album… B+

9. BUILDING Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall

I’ve never written about a building for this column, but after spending a good thirty minutes touring the structure with a group of aspiring architects, I feel compelled to commend what is both amazing and in other ways a failure.  The undulating structure is both romantic in its curves but harsh in its execution.  Every corner you turn seems to offer a new and beautiful perspective on the leaves and sections of the building.  But on closer inspection, and this might be a bit due to the group I was with, the actual construction seemed unfinished.  Edges aren’t quite sealed, water stains plague the metal at various parts, sometimes causing interesting patterns, other times causing the interruption of the overall aesthetic.  It’s a fascinating piece, one that I hope to return to and actually step inside for a concert, but I’m hoping by then the carpet will have been changed (seriously, the ugliest carpet I’ve ever seen on a structure of this nature)… B

10. MOVIE The Addams Family (1991)

After being traumatized by the pre-Broadway run of the musical version of this haunted family, I needed to return to happier memories of the brood in this excellent Barry Sonnenfeld helmed film version of the comics.  Anjelica Huston embodies Morticia so fantastically, all floating grace and that film noir lighting hitting just her eyes in every shot.  And nothing compares to the dearly departed Raul Julia making Gomez both ridiculous and enthralling in the same breath.  The dark twisted humor actually generates laughs here as opposed to that heap of crap that graced the stage in Chicago.  I can only hope that the massive amounts of money that have been funneled into rewrites bring it closer to the humor and intelligence of this film… A-