‘The Blinkumentary’ Has Album Docs By Metallica And Wilco To Live Up To
Of all the rock albums coming out in 2010 that can be considered hotly anticipated, the new record from the recently-reunited Blink-182 might be tops on the list.
When it finally drops, hardcore fans will be able to experience the making of their new masterpiece first hand, as the band announced they are going to capture the recording experience first-hand as part of a making-of doc they're calling "The Blinkumentary."
While there have been plenty of documentaries that have tracked tours or specific shows, there have only been a handful of films that have really broken into the creation of great albums. But the ones that do exist are particularly amazing. If "The Blinkumentary" reveals the sorts of things that the following flicks do, then we're in for a classic.
"Some Kind of Monster"
Metallica originally just wanted to capture the energy of their 2003 album St. Anger, but following James Hetfield's resurgent substance abuse problems and the dismissal of bassist Jason Newsted, "Some Kind of Monster" morphed into a jaw-dropping psychodrama about the nature of friendship and the process of aging as a band.
Key Scene: Tied between the moment when Lars Ulrich rejects every riff as "stock" and the moment where the therapist decides he can write metal lyrics.
"I Am Trying to Break Your Heart"
Wilco were always a good band who were always on the verge of being great, and "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" captures the incredible process the group went through to produce their masterpiece Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Along the way, they lost founding band member Jay Bennett, got dropped by their label and fought through frontman Jeff Tweedy's migraines.
Key Scene: While in the studio, Tweedy gets stressed out, gets a headache and goes into the bathroom to vomit ... and the camera follows him!
"Come Feel Me Tremble"
Paul Westerberg redefined indie rock in the '80s as the primary force behind Minneapolis' the Replacements, and since that band broke up he has been quietly toiling as a solo artist.
"Come Feel Me Tremble" follows Westerberg around his strange life and focuses on his incredibly low-fi recording process during the making of the songs that would make up the double album Stereo/Mono.
Key Scene: Westerberg sits in his barren-looking home studio trying to work through an acoustic demo of "Wild & Lethal." It's fascinating, agonizing and somewhat heartbreaking.
"Watch Me Jumpstart"
Guided by Voices — or rather, frontman Robert Pollard and whoever surrounded him at the time — were one of the most polarizing bands in all of indie rock, and while this doc focuses mostly on Pollard explaining the group's early days banging around Dayton, Ohio, the footage of Pollard recording fully-formed songs in seconds is pretty amazing and true to the GBV aesthetic.
Key Scene: Watching Pollard plug into the cheapest-looking recording equipment possible and somehow birthing a sugary-sweet gem.
"Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile"
The esoteric, troubled Wilson spent 37 years on an album called Smile, which began as a Beach Boys project and was eventually released as a solo album back in 2004. There aren't a whole lot of scenes of Wilson in the studio, but the story of the album coming together is nothing short of staggering.
Key Scene: Watching Wilson discuss just about anything is both sad and inspiring.
"The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years"
It's not about making an album (or even about a particular band), but not only is it awesome, but it also shows exactly the sort of science that went into recording stunners like Poison's Look What the Cat Dragged In and Faster Pussycat's self-titled debut.
Key Scene: Uh, this one.
Jay-Z, Wilco And The Yeah Yeah Yeahs: 10 In 2009
2009 is coming to a close, which means that it's time to check in on what the favorite albums, artists, songs and moments were among the fine folks in the MTV Newsroom. Be sure to check out James Montgomery's definitive year-end list for 2009, and enjoy the "10 In 2009" series that will be running over the next two weeks.
By Rya Backer
I listened to a lot of good albums this year, and there were a lot of great songs on them. So I'll make like a girlfriend and give to you, the readers, my 2009 in song. The title of this mixtape? I'mma Let You Finish, But These Are My Favorite Songs of 2009. I'm hilarious?
Side A
Jay-Z, "On to the Next One"
I kept hearing this song in clubs and I really liked it, so I finally Googled "Somebody bring me back some money please." Now I cut a rug to it in the comfort of my own home.
Lightning Bolt, "Funny Farm"
I get that people think all their songs sound alike, but those people just don't get it. When you listen to this on full blast on the subway, you'll quickly find yourself with ample elbow room.
Suckers, "It Gets Your Body Movin'"
I knew this was special when I saw them live and during the big crescendo my friend (hi, Andy!) and I turned to each other and high-fived.
No Age, "You're a Target"
Apart from the fact that Dean is a true Hannukah Hottie, I really like the bigger sound. If I made skate videos, I'd probably use this song all the time.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Zero"
Their drummer, Brian Chase, is a very important Hannukah Hottie as well.
Wilco, "Bull Black Nova"
This is the stoniest, Nels Cline-iest track on their new album. Thus, I enjoy it the most.
Tanlines, "Bejan"
First of all, you really need to see the video for this song, because it's hilarious. Then you need to see them live.
Bat for Lashes, "Daniel"
I want this song to be my intro music before I walk into any room, and have it accompanied by smoke machines, wind machines, fog machines and lasers.
Not to readers: This is the part where the first side of a cassette tape is finished, so you have to take it out of the player and flip it over, put it back in the player, close it and press "play" again. Complicated, right?
Side B
Grizzly Bear featuring Michael McDonald, "While You Wait for the Others" If you don't like this great version of an already great song, I don't know what to tell you. You're crazy and hate a soulful baritone.
Dinosaur, Jr., "Ocean in the Way" I think this song is really beautiful and drone-y, and I like Mascis' sleepy vocals. I really grew up in the '90s, didn't I?
The Flaming Lips, "Aquarius Sabotage" Embryonic is so good! I like the juxtaposition of all the sounds on this track: Pretty meoldy next to harsh noise and whatnot. And seriously, in 2009, we saw Wayne's Coyne.
Sonic Youth, "What We Know"
This is my favorite song off of The Eternal to hear live, because I like Lee's voice a lot and I enjoy how it harmonizes with Kim's.
Franz Ferdinand, "What She Came For"
Seriously, this album is really good. You can really get into this song's chorus.
Tyondai Braxton, "Uffe's Woodshop"
If you close your eyes while you listen to this song, I'm pretty sure you'll see magical things like ducks playing string instruments, the monopoly man playing the kazoo and the iTunes visualizer.
JEFF the Brotherhood, "U Got the Look"
Fun and summerjam-y. My niece and nephew really enjoy dancing to this.
Animal Collective, "Summertime Clothes"
This is easily my favorite song of the 2009. The lyrics are really illustrative. I went on vacation by myself this summer (it was empowering, not lonely) and I'm pretty sure I spent a good six days walking around London listening to this track on repeat.
And my favorite album of the year was Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 1 by the Beastie Boys (all three songs I've heard of it). Glad you're doing well, MCA!
