Queens of Leon

There are daffodils everywhere I turn these days. Little patches of searing yellow in yards, grass, and even in medians all over town. Seattle is a town of spring flowers growing like weeds. I've now experienced eight of these seasons here, and it still never ceases to amaze me.

I'm also amazed by the new Queens of the Stone Age record. Before I got it I asked Steve what he thought of it. "It sounds like a Queens record," he said. It does, indeed, which is a fine thing. Sexy, sexy music. Raw and refined all at once. Josh Homme and Mark Lanegan on one record is always a treat, their voices being on opposite ends of the buttery vocals continuum. This record doesn't have any cheesy interludes like the last one, and it does show the influence of the Eagles of Death Metal percussive sound. Good stuff. Listen on headphones at least once before dismissing this record.

I love the Kings of Leon CD, too. Every time I hear an obvious send-up to another band the mood shifts, and a new influence emerges. It sounds like a mosaic of influences, but that equals a very distinct, solely Kings of Leon sound. Very upbeat and somehow nostalgic. Makes me want to drink beer in a smoky club (talk about nostalgia).

In other media-related news, I went to see "Downfall" last night. The account of Hitler's waning days, as told by his secretary. It amazes me that there can be a new perspective on the Holocaust. Interestingly, this movie almost wasn't about the Holocaust, but more about one man's power and narcissism. There wasn't even a reference to the Jews until about 2/3 into the film, in fact. How fascinating to see WWII from that perspective - just one man's descent into insanity and darkness, and his amazing ability to pull a whole nation and race into the abyss. This was the first WWII film I've seen which didn't make be bawl like a baby. It was more astonishing and unbelievable than heart wrenching. I kept thinking about all of the wars being fought across the world today, and felt a pit in my heart.

I sped home, felt like shutting down and reading, but ended up on the couch watching another uplifting tale, Diane Sawyer's videography about women's prisons. (I just audibly sighed as I typed that.)

Thank god for Tivo, because after that riveting hour passed, we watched the much-hyped "The Office," featuring Rainn Wilson of Six Feet Under fame. Oh, how I love Rainn. Despite the many hours of bleakness, I was laughing before the opening credits rolled, and I do hope that continues as the show progresses. It was a bit Christopher Guest, but good nonetheless.

We were contemplating going to see "Hotel Rwanda" tonight, but I don't think I can handle any more depictions of suffering, at least until tomorrow.