#Heroin has to sass Sam

[super-hero-confessions]

So this confessor saw this crossover idea, so here’s this confessor’s take on it but with a new character (which will also not be written).  Starring Mandy from Totally Spies (here a witch with the sass), Jean Grey (a good natured telekinetic heroine), and Azula (a crazy psycho). 

Setting is that all 3 characters at first got pulled from their worlds (in Azula’s case, she got frozen in ice and slept for millions of years) and find themselves on other realms and somehow they first meet just like Sora, Donald, and Goofy fighting a huge monster. With no other options (Mandy doesn’t have a full grasp of her powers, Jean Grey may not have yet met the X-Men yet, Azula’s all alone) they decide to team up and do their thing.  This crossover AU would be more of a comedy AU that plays on dynamics. The team is a bit dysfunctional: Mandy is too vain and a bit of a jerk (though not that much), Jean Grey is too stuck-up and (like the Bendis comics) has an annoying tendency to use her psychic powers inappropriately, and Azula… she’s just nuts! Her love of violence, inflicting fear to anybody, and overall psychopathy (however she never turns evil here) puts Mandy and Jean on edge… when they’re not having the hots for it. Yes Jean and Mandy are gay (Azula is straight or ace however). Despite all this, the fellowship remains intact throughout and their dynamic would be the source of most of the gags and jokes here.   Along the way they come across many villains from different media. Some villains would be the source of black humor; such as Freddy Krueger, a nightmare demon who uses his reality warping powers to go on many hilariously dark stunts (for example, he raids the North Pole to eat all its sweets and become a murderous Santa Claus), and Mystique, a shapeshifter who harasses the trio just for the hell of it and also acts like Hades from Disney’s Hercules for some reason*. Other villains would be more of “general” comedy, such as Loki (a trickster god who’s just a little shit here) and some of the more goofier Flash villains (with the gimmick being their failure to be a legitimate threat to anybody). If this was more serious there would probably be a “Legion of Doom” arc helmed by Doctor Doom, he’s a badass and a genius.   Later the trio eventually return to Earth (or in Azula’s case, immigrates there) and attend a college in New York. Sam from Totally Spies (also a redhead benevolent lady with the brains) happens to attend this college as well and there would be a love triangle between Sam and Mandy or Mandy and Jean.   *In case you’re wondering why not just use the actual Disney!Hades, that would mean bringing James Woods back and he’s a bitch.

#confession #totally spies #x-men

[stevenvenn]

Steven's Nifty 50 of 2017 - #10 - #1

Here are my favourite albums 10 - 1 (of 50). These are in no particular order just how I saw them relating to each other. Doing a true countdown would be too nerve-wracking. You can listen to my favourite cuts from each of the albums on Spotify and watch them on YouTube (links below). You can also read my thoughts on the albums below the links broken into 5 posts counting down by 10s. Enjoy and feel free to comment.

Spotify playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/user/stevenvenn/playlist/7qSpcgdwXuoLtIStRQeRto?si=k2-fQcaNS8-ox0abedMa6Q

YouTube playlist:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqUMf7mP_mnMOmDl94VCPIJPFliPf62a5

NOTES

1. Spoon – Hot Thoughts (Matador Records)

Britt Daniel and crew are back again in 2017 with the extremely catchy and inventive Hot Thoughts with producer extraordinaire Dave Fridmann on the board this time around. Sounding more jaunty and dark as well with the addition of more keyboards and synthesizer textures (courtesy of newer member Alex Fischel), Hot Thoughts demonstrates the progression of a band that knows it’s unique place in indie rock and does it very well, always trying new things. Daniel once again is the man of action with his energetic vocals over very sophisticated musical creations. Big drums and percussion programming from Jim Eno once again demonstrate the true backbone of any Spoon album and he’s incredibly accomplished here on this their 9th studio album! A lot more dancey and groovy than some of their earlier works, Hot Thoughts is in constant motion. Hands down one of my go-to bands of all time, I always enjoy all of their sonic explorations and this release is no exception.

2. Death Bells – Standing at the Edge of the World (Funeral Party Records)

The full length debut lp from Sydney, Australia’s Death Bells fits neatly into the category of recent indie rock bands from Interpol on down who have found inspiration in the post-punk era. You can hear the tradition of bands like Killing Joke, Chameleons, Joy Division, and early Cure informing their sound, but they are still creating something unique and genuine. Death Bells tend to lean more on the big beat/bass-heavy sounds of that time in British music. Standing at the Edge of the World doesn’t have a lot of reflective quiet moments with the band opting more for a big sound clad in a black leather jacket. “Only You” is easily the standout track that just kicks. Their live shows must be incredible based on the energy and muscle found on what they’ve committed to record.

3. The Courtneys – Courtneys II (Flying Nun Records)

The second album from this all-girl trio from Vancouver, BC have all the makings of that slacker band you were totally into in college back in the day. The band who sang about crushes, breakups, waking up at noon, going to shows, road trips and living the good life in your early 20s. The fuzzy power pop of this trio is both sweet and ferocious as well. It’s no surprise that they’ve found a home on New Zealand label Flying Nun that has a long tradition of scrappy but amazing indie rock bands that swing a little punk at times (The Bats, The Clean). They remind me of spunky Pacific Northwest bands like Bratmobile and Sleater-Kinney in their early days, with The Courtneys’ awesome rock licks and power. Also how often do you have indie rock bands with a singing drummer like Jen Twynne Payne? Levon Helm eat your heart out.

4. Cherry Glazerr – Apocalipstick (Secretly Canadian)

Speaking of scrappy, L.A.’s Cherry Glazerr kick a lot of ass in a furious and groovy way. There’s so much raw power buoying up their sexual politics and social commentary. Clementine Creevy can sound at times like a sweet 90s ethereal shoegazey singer in the mold of Lush’s Miki Berenyi. But like Berenyi there is also a certain amount of sass with a bit of a wink and nod to rock chix that were badass and uncompromising. Cherry Glazerr’s dancey moments are often offset with aggressive rock jags that would make Joan Jett jealous. Beauty and the beast.

5. Diet Cig – Swear I’m Good at This (Frenchkiss Records)

If you are a member of a drums and guitar duo you have to really make things count because there’s nowhere to hide. No layered guitars and synths, multiple singers, just the electric guitar, your vocals, and tight drumming. Diet Cig manage to kick out the garage pop jams in an incredible way with so little at their disposal. There’s an emotional reactivity and rawness to Alex Luciano’s singing that gives her tales of awkwardness, broken hearts, anxiety, and frustration an incredible power and immediacy. There’s a new confidence in the millennial generation to take on the world on its own terms without any compromises.

6. Alex Lahey – Love You Like a Brother (Dead Oceans)

Ever met a girl in a bar or at a party that just owns the room with her personality and ferocity? That girl is Melbourne, Australia’s Alex Lahey to me when her debut full length kicks off. This power pop lady is one firecracker. She doesn’t care about prissy drinks and quaint tunes. She’s got stuff to say! You feel like she’d chug a Fosters with the dudes, then jump on stage and take the mic away from the singer and steal their guitar. This is a true RAWK affair with touching songs of awkward relationships, dead-beat dudes, and overindulgence. There’s also a ragged surf touch to the title track that just makes your head bob uncontrollably. I think that there are big things ahead for Alex Lahey. One of the most underrated talents to debut in 2017.

7. Lorde – Melodrama (Universal Records)

Pure Heroine was a pretty and intimate debut from New Zealand’s Ella Yelich-O'Connor who goes by the name Lorde. But since that minor masterpiece she has grown older and more confident both in her ideas and in her singing voice which now has a power that puts her into the league of an artist of like Lady Gaga. Where Pure Heroine had minimal hits like Royals, under the hand of Bleachers’ Jack Antonoff Melodrama is a multi-coloured, cathartic, epic of a sophomore album. It also has an almost light concept album feel of one’s identity emerging from the life of the “party”. There’s a confidence and power that promises that Lorde will continue to be one of the most important pop artists of her generation.

8. Jay Som - Everybody Works (Polyvinyl Records)

San Francisco’s Melina Duterte’s sophomore release Everybody Works combines a lot of interesting multi-instrumental styles but it all works. There’s jazzy grooves like “One More Time Please” and the slick soul pop of “Baybee” matched with raveups that J. Mascis of Dino Jr. would have loved in “1 Billion Dogs” that cranks along. Like her touring contemporaries Mitski and Japanese Breakfast, there’s a lot of intimate experimentation with different styles and arrangements that serve each song’s character. When we get to songs like “Bedhead” and “For Light” there’s a middle of the night confusion when one is between nightmare and wakefulness in the dark wondering “where the hell things are going” with a touch of the existential and melancholic. Everybody Works is a unique and diverse collection of instruments and textures that coheres into one interesting and surprising work.

9. Future Islands – The Far Field (4AD Records)

The groovy mix of synthpop, slinky bass, and heartbeat rhythms would seem to paint Future Islands as all sweetness and light at first glance. Pop that seems to float along without too much concern for being too precious or pretty. But the secret of Future Islands success is the contrast that comes from Sam Herring’s vocal style and intense lyrics of love and loss. This combination of the two ensure that Future Islands are in a unique position to both entertain and engage the listener on many levels. We’re watching the world fall apart but we gotta dance to the melodic groove.

10. Fazerdaze – Morningside (Flying Nun)

Auckland, New Zealand’s Amelia Murray has crafted a beautiful debut that delivers on the promise of her early self-titled dreampop ep. This is pretty much a solo bedroom pop affair for Murray that’s sunkissed on songs like “Lucky Girl” and infectiously fuzzy on songs “Misread” and “Little Uneasy.” There’s a breeziness and seeming effortlessness on Morningside that just charms my ear. There’s also a nod at times to the 90s sound of Pixies and feminist rockers like Liz Phair and Veruca Salt at the same time. There’s a definite intimacy to Murray’s dreaminess that really shows the musical talent of a young artist who already seems pretty wise beyond her years.

#nifty50of2017 #bestof2017 #stevenvenn #music