High Fidelity

We have a new flatmate...

... and I am completely in love with him.

So far he has only spun The National, Neil Young and Miles Davis (along with some records friends brought round for Wine and Vinyl Night #1). But I love that music has become an event in our house, rather than just background tinkling emanating from my itunes.

Just like my six-year-old self on my parent's floor, I sit gazing at him, wondering how on earth those little holes can make that incredible sound (although now, at 31, I'm less enamoured with the "chipmunk" speed setting). Sure, give me your science talk of needles and grooves but I'm pretty sure it comes down to magic. Much like how airplanes stay up in the sky.

I am also certain that Groover here is responsible for helping me grow to appreciate The National's High Violet. I can't believe how many instruments are buried in the layers of this album. Incredible. You're right Adam, they are masters of the Grower.

Idle hours at work are now spent compiling vinyl wish-lists and anticipating my return home to sit by Groover's side. Opting for a collection of nostalgic oldies and new favourites. First on the list: Mogwai's Young Team, and The Stranglers' La Folie.

Just one more reason to move back to the city that houses Bleecker St Records.

Any and all recommendations are, as always, most welcome...

And if you've ever wondered what a record looks like when it's magnified 1000 times, here's a little treat from Petapixel:

Scott Pilgrim vs The World (Or: Michael vs Jesse)

Oooh. Someone's got a new look. Who's a pretty blog, then?

I finally saw "Scott Pilgrm vs The World" last week, after months of anticipation, and it has stayed in my mind for much longer than I thought it would. My favourite moments were:

• The first Evil Ex (as seen in the trailer) - "What's up? How's Life? He seems nice".

and

• The getting-ready-to-take-action montage that pauses for Scott to tie his shoelaces in real-time.

(Giggling as I type! Editing gags get me every time.)

Edgar Wright has got to be one of the most likeable filmmakers around and how could anyone not adore the doe-eyed and perennially confused Michael Cera?

Although...

I know the original story is Canadian, but I couldn't help think this film would have packed more of a punch (pardon the pun) if it had a British cast. The Brits just know how to give things the edge they need, a darkness and irony so dry that it would cut like paper if it wasn't soothed over by the humour... the film opted for cute over sharp and something was missing for me.

If it wanted to go darker but still needed to be North American, maybe Michael Cera's evil twin, Jesse Eisenberg, would have been better casting? (audacious suggestion from an upstart whose comic-reading comprises Mad magazine but still... he's more convincing as the kind of guy that sidles up to girls at parties while obliviously leaving behind a trail of broken-hearted destruction) .

Mick and Jesse must get so sick of running into each other in audition rooms.

Finally, I thought the ending was a little flat and I left the theatre with a bit of a "hmmm" feeling. Probably because I didn't buy that there was a strong enough connection between Scott and Ramona to warrant the struggle (damn this chick demands a lot from a film! I know. But it's twenty bucks and two hours of my life. I'm yours to lose, Movie. Make me love you like I want to.)

This film is niche but aspired to blockbuster. Disappointingly, it's relatively small box-office takings suggest its audience remained fairly niche. This is sad firstly because of the years of work that clearly went into crafting the film and, secondly, because it probably could have pushed the envelope a little more without jeopardising its potential audience.

All that aside, I really dig the metaphor at the centre of this film.

I haven't read the comic books so it was only while watching the film that the significance of Scott "defeating" the Exs dawned on me. We all have to do that in order to be with the one we want. But we usually have to do it without violence, cool graphics and by pretty much being ourselves and hoping for the best.

Conversely we all have a Gideon - the one that stays in your head long after you wish they'd leave.

"He has a way of getting into my head. No. Literally..."

* shows button on back of head*

"...He has a way of getting into my head"

Gee. Life is so straight-forward in comic books.