The Name of the New Eco Book

Umberto Eco’s new book, "Turning Back the Clock: Hot Wars and Media Populism," is a series of essays which first appeared in the Italian press. Eco discusses basically anything and everything of cultural relevance.

Some of the topics he analyzes are the European Union, TV ads, cultural globalization, the hype behind Harry Potter, and of course, "The Da Vinci Code."

What marks Eco, I find, is his ability to deal with popular culture as comfortably as he does with his own research areas in the Middle Ages.

Most importantly, he views popular culture as significant and worthy of a close, academic look.

Definitely, a must-read.


graph per B&N

New Music to Look Forward to: Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura's work is not to be found in the mainstream in the United States quite yet. Be that as it may, they are a good indie pop group. They hail from Scottland and their sound is informed, solid, and quietly paced. What really sets them apart, however, is their penchant for literary lyrics.

Camera Obscura's new single "Tears for Affairs" will come out on the 27th of November and it has already received interesting reviews in Europe.

Previous work from the Scottish outfit to check out would be their 2006 project "Let's Get Out of This Country" and the 2004 "Underachievers Please Try Harder."

Their successful single, "Lloyd, I'm Ready to be Heartbroken," is a response to Lloyd Cole's song "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken." An enhanced alternate video of this song will be featured in the upcoming "Tears for Affairs" single release.


graphs per amazon.com

Modest Mouse

There are a lot of reasons to like the well-established punk rock band Modest Mouse. The reason why I have been a fan for years is because of their unique sound and unconventional lyrics. They stand out and don't sound like 'stuff' one's heard before.

Their new 2007 album "We Were There Before the Ship Ever Sank," the band's fifth complete album, is unequivocally Modest Mouse at their best. Even though this time around they've added the former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr's post-punk sound, the listeners still feels like they are listening to old friends singing new material.

Other performers who contribute to this album are the Shins' James Mercer whose wonderful vocals can be heard in the track "Florida."

The best track of the album, in my view, is the typically Mouse "Parting Of The Sensory." Isaac Brock's voice has a haunting presence and it begs for full attention.

Those of you who enjoyed the commercially successful 2004 album "Good News for People Who Love Bad News," will react positively to this 2007 project.
It's Modest Mouse at their best. They're unapologetically unique, uninterested in commercial interest, and polished yet raw, at the same time.

Previous albums by the band are:

1) This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About
2) Building Nothing out of Something
3) Everywhere and His Nasty Parlor Tricks
4) Good News for People Who Love Bad News


graph per amazon