Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Zorch.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Imported From Detroit
As a Michigander with family roots in the auto industry - my grandfather was rank-and-file UAW who knew Walter Reuther and one of my uncles was a long-time Chrysler worker - I'm captivated by the new Chrysler "Imported from Detroit" ad campaign, which premiered during the Super Bowl.
I get sucked in every time I see the ad, even though I know I shouldn't. It strikes a perfect note of midwestern ethos - fierce pride in the face of a hardscrabble existence and a belief that the final product is all the better for its humble origins. Detroit native Eminem provides the soundtrack for the ad via his biographical song, "Lose Yourself," suggesting that, like himself, Detroit is in Recovery.
The ad is a fascinating combination of social history and pop culture, gospel and rap, blight and luxury, all effectively combined to reinforce a deluded belief in the "American Dream," convince people that the economic recovery is real, and promote consumerism. The ad is so compelling that I want to believe it, I want to buy in to its message. No worries: I have no desire to buy a Chrysler. But I do want to buy the ad's faux populist message. I can't even remember the last time I was so drawn in by an ad campaign.
I get sucked in every time I see the ad, even though I know I shouldn't. It strikes a perfect note of midwestern ethos - fierce pride in the face of a hardscrabble existence and a belief that the final product is all the better for its humble origins. Detroit native Eminem provides the soundtrack for the ad via his biographical song, "Lose Yourself," suggesting that, like himself, Detroit is in Recovery.
The ad is a fascinating combination of social history and pop culture, gospel and rap, blight and luxury, all effectively combined to reinforce a deluded belief in the "American Dream," convince people that the economic recovery is real, and promote consumerism. The ad is so compelling that I want to believe it, I want to buy in to its message. No worries: I have no desire to buy a Chrysler. But I do want to buy the ad's faux populist message. I can't even remember the last time I was so drawn in by an ad campaign.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Damn These Vampires
No, I'm not referring to the recent spate of vampire-themed movies, books, and tv shows. (Readers of this blog will know that I am in fact obsessed with said trend.) I'm referring instead to the excellent new single, on the soon-to-be-released album All Eternals Deck by The Mountain Goats. You can get a free download of "Damn These Vampires" here. I love way the lyrics and music combine to deliver a song that is at once witty and serious. When John Darnielle sings "God damn these vampires/for what they've done to me," he seems to be both recounting an apocalyptic western fantasy and delivering a damning statement on popular culture.
Bonus: Mountain Goats' frontman Darnielle recently posted a version of the classic "Power in a Union" in support of the current struggle in Wisconsin.
Power In A Union from JD on Vimeo.
Bonus: Mountain Goats' frontman Darnielle recently posted a version of the classic "Power in a Union" in support of the current struggle in Wisconsin.
Power In A Union from JD on Vimeo.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
RIP Mike Starr
Alice in Chains bassist and, more recently, Celebrity Rehab participant. Another needless addiction death.
Friday, March 04, 2011
I've just got to let you know
...about the funniest flyer ever!
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| Ah, how I used to love me some Lionel Richie! |
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