i guess i haven't been into KARATE for all that long. i had only listened to their self-titled debut a few times before a friend recomended that i get "in place of real insight," the band's second record a couple of months ago. only recently has it started to click with me how great "in place of real insight" is. on this record, KARATE aren't all that far removed from other mid-90's emo bands, like BRAID or THE PROMISE RING; however, their sound is much slower and more refined. their is a noticable jazz influence here, something that the band would further develope on later records. on "in place of real insight" i think that KARATE achieve a really great balance between brooding, jazzy sections and more aggressive and upbeat moments. i still listen to the first KARATE record a bit, which favors the latter style more, and i definitely prefer this.
i guess i don't have a ton more to say about this record. i've been listening to it a lot these days, which i guess speaks to the fact that it's sort of a sad-sounding record. unlike the other examples of 90's emo/indie bands i posted, KARATE aren't really a fun or catchy band. and, though one could certainly compare them to AMERICAN FOOTBALL, another 90's emo band with a slower and more refined take on the genre, there is something darker and less immeadiately appealing here. in the end, i would say that's a good thing though (not that i don't like AF though, i actually probably prefer them). this record rules.
http://www.mediafire.com/?k1tg8h5lt47xmf0
TELEVISION:
i have a problem with tv on dvd; i tend to get pretty obsessed with it. if i find a show that i like that's available for cheap/free, i will spend an inordinate amount of time watching that show. all summer i have been on a massive SOPRANOS binge. i tore through the first three seasons, breaking only for a two-week tour and a brief period of time after that. lately though, i've taken it back up. today for instance, i've been awake for 5 hours and i've spent three of those on THE SOPRANOS. i would feel a bit more pathetic if this show wasn't so fucked up good. the show, which was on hbo from 1999-2007, follows new jersey crime boss tony soprano as he struggles to keep both of his families (wife + kids, mob) successful and under control. this struggle leads to depression and panic attacks, which tony sees a female psychiatrist for. tony is one of those characters that no matter how violent, racist, and unfaithful he is, i still feel sympathetic towards him. i guess that's how he's written.
moments of this show are tense and scary, others are complex and emotional. lots of it has to do with morality and ethics, but it also features its fair share of sex and violence. almost everything is cinema-quality though, and i find myself becoming deeply immersed in the character's storylines and culture. it's really easy to understand why this is one of the most well-received television programs of all-time. i'm about halfway through the fourth season now and, though i'll probably take a break to start school (moving in on friday, fuck!), i fully intend on making it all the way to the end of season six. wish me luck!
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