Thank you, Richard, for showing me the oddest Deep Purple rendition I’ve ever seen.
Film Review: “Joy Division”
Back when Triple J’s Hottest 100 voters could choose the best music of all time, not just the current year’s releases, Joy Division‘s Love Will Tear Us Apart won top spot for the first two years, 1989 and 1990. Certain floppy-haired boys played me this melancholy pop song endlessly late at night. It was good, sure, but that significant? Having seen Director Grant Gee’s new documentary Joy Division, I now know why. I really know.
This. Is. A. Magnificent. Film.
Just watch the trailer to get a taste.
Weekly Poll: Who’s the ultimate pop princess?
Ask and it shall be done! Who is the ultimate pop princess?
In alphabetical order of first name, we have 9 nominees. As usual, if you disagree with the shortlist you can take it up in the comments.
- Amy Winehouse: “For the kids who don’t like ‘mainstream’ pop,” says the Snarky Platypus. “Never mind the fact Amy is probably more mainstream than Dannii Minogue.” I trust his judgement in these things.
- Anthony Callea: OK, OK, he’s fading fast. But it gives me a chance to make a pathetically gratuitous gay reference and waste 15 minutes looking at his photos. It was either him or Elton John, and there’s only so much my stomach can take.
- Björk: Yes, her music’s bizarre, but she knows how to deal with intrusive journalists.
- Britney Spears: Where to begin? She’s got it all! And it’d be polite to say something nice about her at the moment, she’s had a rough week.
- Dannii Minogue (not pictured): Since she did so well in our poll for Governor-General, she must be included. I didn’t bother with her photo, though. Just look at Kylie, squint and grimace.
- Kylie Minogue: Neighbours and Stock Aitken Waterman to… superstardom. Not even cancer can stop her! She even inspired our new national anthem.
- Madonna: I suppose there’s some life still left in the old hag.
- Melissa Tkautz:
“She is kinda obscure to non-Australians / trash pop culture junkies / E-Street watchers,” warns the Snarky Platypus.“She’s kinda obscure to non-Australians,” warns the Snarky Platypus. “Actually, obscure to most people, except for trash pop culture junkies & E-Street watchers” However this gives us a chance to introduce Melissa to a wider audience. Read my lips! [Beware, there is rap. Sort of.] - Olivia Newton-John: Another oldie, but she’s the closing act for Mardi Gras this year so presumably someone thinks she’s worth it.
- Someone else? Discuss!
As usual, go to the website to vote — scroll down to find the poll on the left-hand side.
Previous results: Most people reckon Australian of the Year is worth keeping, but only if they choose more relevant people. We shall return to this subject in December…
[poll id=”19″]
Pablo Casals plays Bach!
Pablo Casals’ 1950s performances of Johann Sebastian Bach are heaven on a stick. Someone has found archival 35mm footage of the Suite No. 1 for Cello, Part 1 and Part 2. I am a puddle. Hat-tip to 3 quarks daily.
Olivia Newton-John Down Under
And as one final Australia Day tribute before the clock strikes midnight (if I type fast enough), here’s Olivia Newton-John’s Tutta La Vita, the feel-good opening number to her musical tour of Australia called Olivia Newton-John Down Under. Enjoy! The Royal Australian Navy will never be the same.
New national anthem: “I am So an Aussie”
Today cartoonist Michael Leunig challenged us to write a new national anthem. His 54-word limit is a bit too limiting. So the Snarky Platypus and I have penned (well, typed) a new National Anthem for Australia.
Won’t you now sing with us? We know you all know the tune…