Good, Bad and Otherwise (2024)

The Other Side of the Underneath dir. Jane Arden

Good

Eyedress

Eyedress is a newer discovery for me in the music world. I used to be a lot more on top of it (with it as the kids say) when it came to music. But as I have aged and my tastes have become a lot more solidified, I can’t say I venture out looking for the deep cuts or obscurities that occupied my time when I was younger. I just don’t have much time for it anymore with the amount of creative projects I am undertaking and life in general. However, sometimes I find a new artist that I think is genuinely worth talking about. Eyedress is one such artist. I don’t know much about him. Honestly, at first I assumed he was another bad Mac DeMarco ripoff (remember those days in indie) but I was pleased to find he is extremely solid. He seems to mix in some bedroom pop, hypnagogia and straight-forward DeMarcoisms into an aurally pleasing blend. I quite enjoy his collab with John Maus, their styles complement one another well. Overall, between the name and the art style, what I assumed would be mediocre zoomer-rock ended up being one of my favorite newer discoveries. I am sure I am late to the Eyedress party, but I do not care, the party seems to still be raging and I am just happy to be there.

Cindy Lee- Diamond Jubilee

Ah yes, the album that may be one of the most hyped to have released as of late, and for good reason. This is by far my favorite Cindy Lee album. Flegel’s earlier work was a lot noisier and harsher on the ears than Diamond Jubilee. As a washed-up noisehead who really can’t be bothered with harsh music aside from a few artists, I did enjoy Cindy Lee’s ability to mix with abrasive with the accessible. The material was still deeply abrasive and was never stuff I could just listen to on a drive or hanging out at home. However, Diamond Jubilee is music that I can and do put on when I am driving and hanging out. Flegel expertly mixes girl group, psychedelia and pop to fantastic results. This album is pure ear candy, poppy and fun but with incredibly haunting lyricism. There are not many records I would call a true “opus,” especially a record that is super recent and hasn’t gone through the aging process, but Diamond Jubilee may be one of the rare examples. I think that this is one that I will be listening to for a long time to come.

The Other Side of the Underneath dir. Jane Arden

Remember when I said I don’t really have time to seek out obscure music anymore? Well, film is a different beast. It helps to have a trusted film expert, looking at you Alden from Nut Hole, as a close friend to get recommendations from as opposed to having to sift through the opinions of randos on the internet when it comes to music. He has helped me find some fantastic films. My journey to seeing this particular film, The Other Side of the Underneath, begins at Stories books in Echo Park. Stories is fantastic and one of my absolute favorite shops. Easily one of the best curated shops (great coffee too). A little while ago I picked up a book there called House of Psychotic Women: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films by Kier-La Janisse. The book is striking and beautiful with some fantastic films discussed. I found out about The Other Side of the Underneath from this book and after reading what it was about, decided to watch it. The film is nightmarish, beautiful and deeply distressing. Think Wiseman’s Titticut Follies mixed with The Wicker Man. I can say without a doubt this is the most terrifying film I have seen. Jane Arden is a deeply interesting and tragic figure in film. I feel like opining about her personal life is borderline offensive and obscene, so you should read about her if you are so inclined. Her work however, I cannot say enough good things about. A playwright, filmmaker and writer, she was one of the most brilliant minds and artists who lived. The Other Side of the Underneath is a film I will be thinking about for a long time. It has become one of my absolute favorites and needs to be seen by anyone who considers themselves a film lover. A terrifying, dreamy and psychedelic experience that will leave you shaken and questioning the nature and abstractions of mental illness.

Pictureplane-Velvet Lies (Metallic Garden)

Pictureplane is one of the best artists that has been at it for a long time. A true trendsetter in every sense, this single sees him shift into a far more gothy sound. This is just a fantastic song. Vocals, production, everything here is top notch and sexy. I am excited to see what he has in store for fans with this new direction he is taking.

Bad

Love Lies Bleeding dir. Rose Glass

I like some of Rose Glass’s work, which is why this film felt so disappointing to me. The film dabbles in the tired A24isms that I have come to despise when it comes to film. Surface level “arthouse” crap that relies on moody electronic music, empty visuals and atmosphere that concerns itself with the idea of atmosphere rather than adding anything substantial to the film. This film felt like it was a decent idea trying to break free from the self-imposed constraints of a filmmaker who is more concerned with indulging in arthouse-for the mainstream.

Maxxxine dir. Ti West

Another terrible entry in West’s mediocre trilogy. I feel like I wanted to enjoy this film going into it. It had everything that should work for me. Giallo stylings, sleaze and a bit of Noir. However, what I got was a middling film draping itself in its influences with nothing new to say whatsoever.

NAILS- Give Me The Painkiller

God this f*cking sucks. NAILS is a brutal hardcore/powerviolence band that had a level of critical acclaim their peers usually do not receive. I like some of NAILS’ earlier stuff. I can’t be bothered to listen to it much anymore but for what it was, it was fine. This song f*cking sucks. Meathead brocore for knuckle draggers that mixes in ridiculous NWOBHM guitar riffs to create a brew of pure slop. Honestly, this song has no redeemable qualities to it. I f*cking hate this so much. Absolute garbage in every sense of the word.

Otherwise

Sillyboy by Peter Vack

I have not finished this book yet but figured I would write out my thoughts on it so far as it seems to be taking certain sections of social media by storm. Peter is someone whose work I am really not too familiar with. I know he is a filmmaker, actor, and now writer. I haven’t seen any of his films yet and hear mixed things. Many criticisms I hear about him stem from his association with some controversial figures like the girls from Red Scare. If I see one of his films, then I will make up my mind regarding if I like his work or not, but for now, I can only judge his writing. Again, I have not finished this book yet so this will be my thoughts as they sit now. Sillyboy is good. I think it is funny, irreverent and enjoyable. I don’t think this is necessarily some lofty piece of high literature that needs to be added to college syllabi (syllabi, sillyboy, see what I did there). This is a fun read that will be fun to talk about. I think Vack has the right amount of self-awareness and egotism that makes for good alt-lit. I look forward to finishing this book and seeing what other literary projects Peter has in store.