Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Controversial Book Review: Miguel Santana's "The Marién Revelation"


Mexican author Miguel Santana's third novel "The Marién Revelation" is sure to be among the most talked about in the coming months. Examiner.com has already ranked it among the 100 most anticipated novels of 2010.  I doubt since Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses" or Nikos Kazantzakis' "The Last Temptation of Christ"  (or the 1988 Scorcese film of the same name) has a book courted such controversy.  Below is a a video trailer & review for the book...sounds interesting!  To learn more about the book or author Miguel Santana, click here.

Theodore Jennings

Chicago Theological Seminary and Author of The Man Jesus Loved


The Marién Revelation carried me along in a rush so that I finished it in one day … While focusing on the interwoven stories of Mary the mother of Jesus and Marién, a very modern Mexican American woman, Santana depicts Jesus as the lover of the male “Beloved”, whose portrait is indebted the Gospel of Mark.  The novel is an intricately woven tapestry of ancient wisdom (heavily drawn from the Bible as well as Egyptian and Greek sources), of throbbing sexuality, and of spiritual desolation and exhilaration. The book is bursting with energy and inventiveness.
I very much enjoyed reading the book.  There are a number of very memorable moments in the text and I very much liked the daring splicing of temporal zones. The rhythm of narration was almost like flamenco. It is also quite an accomplishment to make women characters come so vividly to life.
I was engrossed in the book, and extend my appreciation for a remarkable work of art.”

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Music: New Releases & Updates

This just in & I'm really excited because it MUST mean we are closer to actually getting our hands on it! The NEW LCD Soundsystem album finally has a name and cover art:
It's great news but as yet there's nothing more on an official release date for "This Is Happening", rest assured I'll keep you posted as this is one I'm really looking forward to!

Black Francis (aka: Frank Black of the seminal 90's alternative rock band the Pixies)drops a new album today titled "Nonstoperotik". Recorded last year in NYC, L.A. & London (apparently the London studio was haunted) features 10 new, supposedly sexually charged songs, plus a cover of the Flying Burrito Brothers’ “Wheels” thrown in to boot. (Listen to "Six Legged Man" HERE)


Sup Pop Records Dum Dum Girls, formed in late 2008 drop a great album called "I Will Be" with a sound like 60's pop meets post punk girl group...and with songs like "Jail la la" and "Bhang Bhang I'm a Burnout", I had to take notice


I know this is way jumping the gun, but I don't care....one of my favorite bands of the last decade, Keane, are releasing a new 8 track EP titled "Night Train"  Although it's not slated for release until May 11th, I had to mention it as I'm really looking forward to this as much as the LCD Soundsystem!  Get your first listen to the track "Clear Skies" HERE.
UPDATE: Keane JUST released the first video from Night Train called "Stop For A Minute" feat. K'naan here it is:



Lastly, MGMT come back with a follow up to their awesome 2008 debut "Oracular Spectacular"  titled "Congratulations".  Their sophomore disc promises to be a new direction, but a good one, for the band...Soulful and complex, "Congratulations" is a surprising and delightful quantum step forward in MGMT's ongoing pop revolution.  Officially dropped on April 13, the band has acknowledged it's pre-release leak onto the internet.

Just The Tip Tuesday W/ Robert Verdi : Dressing Your Man

Once again the ever fabulous Robert Verdi giving his invaluable advice! This week's tips are for the ladies out there on how to dress your man...so pay close attention...and although Robert doesn't mention it, throw away his pleated pants NOW!

Your OMG!! WTF!?? Of The Week: Big Mouth Strikes Again

Today I bring you this WTF clip from "Pilipinas Got Talent", the same basic premise as "America's Got Talent".  Well, this is just about the most fucked up thing I have ever seen!  The show begins and out comes B.M. (apparently short for Big Mouth~and you'll see why @ the 1:40 mark!~ but I guess no one gave girlfriend the memo that it's short for shit...oh well) who is a drag performer of sorts I guess or really likes wearing Liberace cast offs, it's really anyone's guess.

Well, then B.M. starts in on her (?) rendition of "Banal Na Aso" and then bitch gets possessed by the demon spirit of Mr. Ed...you have to hear this shit to believe it! Ok, this is freaking my shit out! I can't stop watching but I'm scared as hell and think I've lost a piece of my soul to the horse demon...somebody HELP!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Retro Remix of the Week: Chris & Cosey

The Retro Remix this week (listen on the left) is an old favorite of mine from electronic pioneers Chris & Cosey (formerly of Throbbing Gristle).  "October (Love Song)" near as I can find, was originally released somewhere between 1982-1983 although I know it from their 1986 EP "Take 5" and while there are a total of 4 versions, this is the one I'm most familiar with (the 12" or Long Vocal Mix) the others are "Short Vocal Mix", "Instrumental" and "Dance Mix"

This was probably one of the first tracks of theirs I heard and instantly fell in love with it...it probably ended up on every mix tape I ever made for someone I had a crush on from the late 80's through the mid 90's.  It's a very beautiful song and certainly the closest thing to pop the band ever did.  I still love it...hope you enjoy it too! Here's the first track I ever heard from C & C thanks to my friend Sarah : "Manic Melody (Hairy Beary)"  Can you say acid trip?!

This Week in Holy Crimes: Via Joe.My.God

Over the last seven days...

Texas: Pastor Dean Richard Tarkington found guilty of possession of child porn.

Kentucky: Pastor Alonzo Bradley arrested for torturing his wife by "beating and burning her with implements."

West Virginia: Pastor Johnny Ray Dempsey pleads guilty to incest and sexual abuse by a parent.

Florida: Rev. John C. Spinks charged with possession and distribution of child porn.

Maryland: Father Thomas Bevan to face September trial for multiple counts of child molestation.
Connecticut: Youth Pastor David Esarey convicted of sexual assault on a minor and possession of child porn.

Ireland: Father Francis Markey charged with rape of 15 year-old boy forty years ago. Markey had been suspended at least three times for sexual misconduct but was always allowed to go back to "work."

Vienna: An unnamed priest has resigned after confessing to sex with a boy. Two other priests in the same diocese have been suspended.

Arizona: Rabbi Bryan Bramley charged with rape of 7 year-old girl.

California: Pastor Matthew Davis charged with multiple felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavor and indecent exposure to children.

New Zealand: Pastor Donald Tarnaki charged with sexual assault of 13 year-old girl.

Florida: Music worship teacher David Lanham charged with 16 felony counts of sexual abuse of four children ages 5-11.

Ontario: Pastor James Sinclair charged with three counts of sexual assault.

This Week's Winner-
New York: At his Palm Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, today Archbishop Timothy Dolan defended the Pope against charges of complicity in the ever-widening child molestation scandal, comparing the Pope to Christ and saying that Ill Papa is "being daily crowned with thorns by groundless innuendo." Dolan claims that the Catholic Church is being "unfairly singled-out" for their kiddie-fuckers because child molestation happens in other religions too. Dolan, of course, made no mention of the inconvenient fact that other religions don't have an ongoing (and until recently, very successful) global system of shielding their child molesters from prosecution.

(Via Joe.My.God)

Friday, March 26, 2010

This Week In Fashion: Xanadon't!

The outfit is a little skimpy, but shim's legs ARE fierce!  The accessories are working ok ~I'm always partial to oversized sunglasses & the chunky bangles are a nice juxtaposition~ but the turban is SO 1950's and the white clutch...really?  And honestly, I'm hating the shoe color too, but I must say what really kills the look is the Amish beard...therefore I declare this a fashion Xanadon't! (it's my new word, dig it?)
 (pic via Poorly Dressed)

Music Matters: Kate Bush

Here is a little animated bio of the incomparable  Kate Bush (side note: this blog LOVES Kate and is named after a lyric in her song "Them Heavy People")

Found via Music Matters website.... Music Matters is a collective of people across the music industry, including artists, retailers, songwriters, labels and managers, formed to remind listeners of the significance and value of music.

Music Matters - Kate Bush (23-3-10) from Music Matters on Vimeo.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Today In Humor: That's Gay

"That's Gay" is a very funny segment Bryan Safi does on Current TV's weekly 1/2 hour show Infomania.


There are several but this one is called "That's Gay: No Homo" and is about the current use of this phrase in rap music and now being adopted into the pop lexicon...it's ridiculous & offensive, but as always, Bryan puts a hysterical spin on the situation!

Remix Of The Week: "The Phoenix Alive" by Monarchy

Apparently somewhat of a mystery as their identities are as yet unknown (insofar as I can tell...I can't even locate the groups website!)  But the London duo's infectious new tune "The Phoenix Lives" gets the spot for remix of the week (listen on the left)
I am sure we'll be hearing lot's more in the near future! It reminds me of many other bands I'm really into as of late such as LCD Sound System, Miike Snow, MGMT, etc... Hope you enjoy! (Sorry, this post was a bit rushed...I'll try to find out more on Monarchy or feel free to pass on anything you might know!)

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

This Week In Fashion: Engrish Is The New Black!

Dolce&Gabbana? Tom Ford for Gucci?  Prada?  Hells no!  This spring it's all about the Engrish!  Check out this fierce hoodie from Korea:

(Pic via Engrishfunny.com)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Just The Tip: Staying Fit & Skinny As Sh*t

Fashion Stylist/Interior Designer & T.V. personality Robert Verdi has a hysterical new show on LOGO called (what else?) "The Robert Verdi Show Starring Robert Verdi"


Here's one of his webisode spin offs called "Just The Tip from Robert Verdi".  He definitely has a wicked sense of humor...something we share ;)  Hope you enjoy!

A Good RTB~ Day: Facebook Fans

Well, this morning I decided to create a Facebook Fan Pg. for Rolling The Ball~ and sent out requests to most all on my "Friends" list (if you're reading this now that probably means you were one of them ;)

Much to my surprise and delight I have, in one day on Facebook, gotten nearly double the "Fans" than actual blog "followers" since last September. This has given me renewed hope that perhaps I can continue writing and sharing with people and that, in fact, it may actually be read!

So, here's hoping (fingers crossed!) that it's not a fluke, that people go beyond clicking a button on a social networking site simply because it's so easy, and actually value my point of view, my humor and the time spent to share it with whoever so chooses to take the time to visit and read the blog.

I know a lot of what I post tends to be heavy on the music side...either video's, new release info, news, etc... but music is my greatest passion in life aside from my children and nothing brings me greater joy than sharing a new discovery I've made or exposing people to what I think is great music.

I would love to get more feedback, comments, etc... so i can better gauge what works, what doesn't, what people find interesting, informative, humorous or of value, so PLEASE, if you like something (or don't), if you agree with a point of view or wish to share your own, take a few moments and leave a comment, send an email or post on the Rolling The Ball~ discussion board of the Facebook Fan Page!

Also, please use the newly added share feature to share posts you like to your Facebook, Twitter, Google, etc & pass along the blog & or Facebook Page to your friends!

Thanks to those of you who joined as fans & made my day!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Quote of the Day

This was once posted as my Facebook status and I'm fully expecting it to be as ignored here...which just further proves the quote itself.  People just don't understand & sadly just don't care to.  This will be my last post of the day if not of the blog as a whole.  Thanks to the 2 or 3 people who actually ever read it....

“One who shows signs of mental aberration is, inevitably, perhaps, but cruelly, shut off from familiar, thoughtful intercourse, partly excommunicated; his isolation is unwittingly proclaimed to him on every countenance by curiosity, indifference, aversion, or pity, and in so far as he is human enough to need free and equal communication and feel the lack of it, he suffers pain and loss of a kind and degree which others can only faintly imagine, and for the most part ignore.” Charles Horton Cooley

--

Hot Look of the Day: Elza Soares

It's as if baby Jesus answered our prayers and sent this gorgeous Brazilian angel down from heaven to bestow us with her magnificence!  Not since Jocelyn Wildenstein and Donatella Versace has such fierce beauty been bestowed upon us....and so crispy fried too!  I'm just loving the 'fell asleep in my tanning bed slathered in crisco for a decade after my 7th facelift' look...memaw is rockin' it!  And who knew the pubic hair afro would come back in style so soon? Stunning!
[Photo via Dlisted]

This Week in Holy Crimes: Via Joe.My.God

Ok, I need to preface this by saying that while this IS the latest "This Week in Holy Crimes" posting from JMG blogger Joe Jervis, it is in fact from March 8th....so while it's not the MOST up to date I'd be remiss if I failed to post.  Rest assured as soon as there's a new one I will post it here.

Over the last seven days...

Pennsylvania: Pastor Thomas Croyle charged with embezzling $83K from church charity.

Florida: Youth Pastor Eric Spandorf busted for selling child pornography.

Alabama: Pastor William Curtin busted in prostitution sting.

Nebraska: Youth Pastor Mark Hild arrested for sexual assault on 11 year-old girl.

Colorado: Pastor Loren Ankarlo arrested in $750K securities fraud scheme.


New York: Rabbi Baruch Lebovits begins trial on multiple charges of child molestation.

Florida: Youth Pastor Joel Price confesses to possession of massive child porn collection.

Spain: Father Samuel Martin busted for prostituting himself to "women and couples."


Texas: Pastor Hezekiah Stallworth accused by two more victims after arrest for molesting 7 year-old girl.

California: Pastor Anthony Garduno pleads guilty to four felony counts of meth dealing.

This Week's Winner-
Germany: Echoes of Ireland. A widening child molestation scandal at several Catholic schools now includes a boys choir once headed by Pope Ratzinger's brother, Georg. More than 170 alumni from the schools have charged that they were molested by priests and school employees. The Vatican says they are sending an investigator to "look into" the situation.

Italo Disco Earthquake: Hard Ton

I recently discovered this "little" Italo Disco gem via World of Wonder blog the other day but had posted too much already and decided to drop the disco bomb at the beginning of a new week.  So here ya go!  Behold, self proclaimed "The Biggest Disco Queen of the XXI Century"!  The song is FAB but the visual reminds me of our dearly departed Aunt Ida (Edith Massey) from THE best John Waters film "Female Trouble"
So, close your eyes and shake your groove thing to the fierce beats of "Earthquake" by Hard Ton!

Explained: The Catholic Church **NSFW**

Well, it finally all gets explained by Father Ike McCreedy of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York....it's all making sense now! (Apologies that the vid is slightly cropped, it is the smallest version available for this particular vid)

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Christian Boycott: Feminine Products

Via the ever fabulous Mrs. Betty Bowers ~America's Best Christian~ Comes this hysterical pic....I laughed so hard!! I just love Betty!

Awesome Animal FAILS!

A great way to start my Saturday morning...I laughed and laughed at some of these brilliant animal FAILS!






Posted by Picasa

Saturday Night: Fever

Here's a great clip of Rita Moreno & Animal from the Muppet Show performing "Fever".  Enjoy!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Gobsmacking: Teabaggers

This is just insane! These people have no fucking clue what they're even protesting! I am speechless. (sorry the vid is cropped on the right slightly, it's the smallest this will go)

Spring is here!

I went for a brief walk today to get some fresh air, brought my new camera and snapped these pix of spring's first flowers to emerge...enjoy!

Psychic Drawing FAIL


via Failblog.org

You Should Be Watching: The Robert Verdi Show!

Fabulous Fashion Stylist/Interior Designer/T.V. Personality Robert Verdi is starring in his very own show on the LOGO Network. It's a weekly 1/2 hour of Robert running amok with his crazy ideas and tasking his group of personal bitches assistants to make it happen....What ensues is kitsch hilarity with Robert never being satisfied and his visions never really coming to fruition.  It's a great way to spend a half hour and is sure to make you laugh!  Here's the most recent episode (catch the first 4 at logotv.com) "Robert Wants A Shopping Mall"

Hero's of the day: Lt. Dan Choi & Capt. Jim Pietrangelo

Yesterday afternoon after the HRC rally to repeal the antiquated DADT policy, a group of protesters including out Army Lt. Dan Choi went to the White House to protest. Lt. Choi and outed Army Capt. Jim Pietrangelo proceeded to handcuff themselves to the gate outside the White House lawns in a brave show of quiet disobedient protest to the policy that has killed their military careers after years of loyal service of protecting the very nation that refuses them equal rights under the law.
 Lt. Choi & Capt. Pietrangelo were arrested without incident but were held overnight, denied bail and apparently even a phone call.  Lt. Choi is being charged with "failure to obey a lawful order" which apparently does not jive with being held like he is as usually you are allowed to post bail and get out pretty quickly.  It is unclear what the charges against Capt. Pietrangelo are but it would be safe to assume they are the same.  Below is a clip of Lt. Choi's statement to the crowd.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Top Model FAIL!

I just love a gut busting laugh at someone else's misfortune ~I know, I know, I'm going to hell!~ and people falling seem to get me really going. Well, last night's episode from Cycle 14 of ANTM did NOT disappoint! This has to go down as one of the funniest scenes from this show, EVER! Sadly, after the laughter of this colossal runway fuck up, my favorite contestant and pick to win was eliminated from the show...damn you Tyra!

WTF!?: Nirvana gets Rick Rolled

While mining the interweb for the latest in all things music I came across this fucking tragedy of a Mashup...."Never Gonna Give Your Teen Spirit UP" and I cry "FAIL"! What meth-head scumbag would even dream of defiling Nirvana in such a way? Now, I'm all for a good mashup, in fact I usually feature one (like this weeks "Dance is The Drug" by David Bowie/Roxy Music) and I'm all for using two artists or songs you might never have thought should or could work together...but the secret is IT'S GOTTA WORK, and this for me doesn't come close! Not to mention it's been used to death in the mashup scene and maybe some songs/artists should just be left alone unless you're really going to blow us away. Anyway, here it is for your listening displeasure!

Wet pussy...

Here's a vid of a swimming cat from Rosebud, Victoria, Australia.....poor pussy! What they DON'T show is how the fuck the cat got IN the pool to begin with and she seems to want out kinda bad yet receives no help from her douchebag owners who are too busy trying to claim their 15 min. of fame by video taping the poor feline.

More music news: new/upcoming releases

I am currently listening to & very much enjoying a (pre-release) copy of the much anticipated Goldfrapp album "Head First", whose lead single "Rocket" has had me grooving on it's 80's Xanadu vibe for weeks!(listen to the Penguin Prison Remix of "Rocket" on the left of this page under the search function)  The album officially gets dropped next Tuesday, March 23rd

File under "It's about fucking time!" Sarah McLachlan has finally announced her first new release of all new material in over 7 years!  " The Laws Of Illusion"  will be released on June 15th

Also looking forward to the new LCD Soundsystem (as yet to be titled) album which according to the bands website will be released this May, although no official date has been set.

Natalie Merchant also breaks her nearly decade long silence with her 2-disc Nonesuch Records debut titled "Leave Your Sleep" on April 13th
Says the former 10,000 Maniacs singer"This album captures so many magical moments, the best times I've ever had as a musician"  She's adapted 19th and 20th century British and American poetry - well-known and obscure works, anonymous rhymes, children's lullabies, all of it timeless....here's hoping!

Lastly something I found of interest in the covers dept.  The Bird & The Bee is releasing an album of Hall & Oates covers titled " Interpreting the Masters, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates" (Phew! that's a mouthful, eh?) This drops next Tuesday as well and promises to be a fun reminder of how great a song writing duo H&O were.....certainly not as good as the originals, but a pop tribute perfect for summer.










Highly Anticipated: Brendan Perry "Ark"

Perhaps none will be as excited as I am or awaiting this album as with as much anticipation, but I HAD to share this nonetheless.

Former Dead Can Dance member Brendan Perry ~perhaps my favorite male vocalist of all time~ is finally set to release his first solo album in over a decade!  His first solo effort "Eye of the Hunter" from 1999 remains one of my favorite albums.  I have been awaiting the release of "Ark" for well over a year since first learning of it's impending release via Brendan's myspace page.  It's release was already delayed at least once due to Brendan's perfectionism but has been promised for an "early 2010" release date which I believe must be true as he has already begun touring in Europe.  Here is a brief documentary about the new album and the exciting new direction Brendan is taking...I cannot wait!!


Listen to "Winter Sun" from Ark.
>

R.I.P. Alex Chilton

In celebrity death news: Rock guitarist and singer Alex Chilton, known for his work with bands the Box Tops and Big Star, died Wednesday.  He was only 59.


Via CNN: Chilton was having heart problems and died in an emergency room in New Orleans, Louisiana, said longtime friend and business associate John Fry.


Chilton started in music as a teen in the 1960s, as vocalist for the psychedelic soul group the Box Tops, Fry said. They were known for the No. 1 hit "'The Letter" and songs such as "Neon Rainbow" and "Cry Like a Baby."

After that group disbanded in 1970, Chilton formed the Memphis rock group Big Star. Though that band had a short life, breaking up in 1974, its music catapulted the group and Chilton to cult status.

"While Big Star struggled with success commercially, their early '70s, power-pop sound is often cited as directly influencing bands like Cheap Trick, R.E.M. and the Replacements," Billboard magazine said in its biography of Chilton's group. The evidence of that: a song the Replacements released in 1987, called "Alex Chilton."
Part of the chorus of that song is "Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round. They sing, I'm in love."

In the 1990s, Big Star got back together.
Chilton and the band were scheduled to perform at the South by Southwest music festival in Texas this weekend.

And...the return of Boy George...?

Well, apparently this slipped out there into cyberspace in late Jan. without catching my attention til now.  Official release however is slated for March 22nd.

A BRAND NEW track from none other than the once and future queen & former Culture Club frontranny frontman Boy George!  Fresh (ok, it's been nearly a year) from the assault and false imprisonment of a male escort which landed the Boy in the clink for 4 months, George is finally back with a new single.  Titled "Amazing Grace" this is one of the few solo works to get released in the 2000's aside from some very limited edition singles under various pseudonyms such as "The Twin"

I'm loving the visuals, if not the song, and think George looks great as a floating head ala Jambi!




One does wonder though if part of his deal w/ the male escort he roughed up was to include the guy in his next video....hmmmmm???

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The return of RTB....

I just really need to vent about some shit and I don't think Facebook is the place...not that it matters much as either way it's sure to be ignored, so I'm looking at this as more of a journal entry than anything else.

Firstly, why the fuck do people send "friend" requests on Facebook when they have no intention of EVER communicating with you!??  I have accepted several requests in good faith thinking these people have a genuine interest in catching up and or keeping up to date on the goings on (or lack there of) in my life...and not once have they sent a message, commented on any post or responded to comments I've made on theirs....I just don't get it.  I'm not into simply boosting my "friends" numbers for the hell of it....perhaps I'm looking at this whole social networking thing in the wrong way and need to play along, adding everyone I've ever gone to school with from kindergarten through high school & everyone I ever worked with or dated and all their friends too!

I guess I just have a very out of date, old school definition of "friend" that needs to be reevaluated.....and that to me is a sad, sad thing.

I am indeed a rock...