Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Friday Night Lights - Renewed Two More Seasons


Directv and NBC have paired up to renew the series Friday Night Lights (FNL) for two more seasons. FNL is the best show on television that nobody talks about and arguably the best show on television period. No show in recent memory combines action, drama, music and characters that you actually care about into such a great package.

The feature film for Friday Night Lights used the works of Austin's Explosions in the Sky (EITS) to power the drama infused football season of Odessa Permian's 1988 bid for a state title. The first time I saw the movie I was familiar with EITS but I never thought that their music could be used in a commercial context. Boy was I wrong as EITS' music is the perfect soundtrack to a football drama as the instrumental rhythm driven music of EITS not only drives the action but highlights the raw emotions of love and loss whether it be on the field or in the players lives.

The producers of FNL the television show took this EITS formula and ran with it using the works of EITS and other current indie artists to set the mood which is so crucial in a drama based show. Any given episode you will hear your favorite indie artists from Explosion in the Sky, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, TV on the Radio, to the The War on Drugs among many others and there is even a great song list tracking the use of music on the show's forums found here.

The first two seasons of the show are good in their own right but I really think the writers have hit their stride in this current 3rd season. The 3rd season has already aired in its entirety on Directv but it is also currently airing Fridays on NBC at 9 pm eastern. DO NOT think this show is primarily about football as you will be truly mistaken. The show gains its viewer's respect through its addressing of social issues and the best character development on television right now. Congratulations to everyone involved with this great show as they truly deserve any acclaim that they get!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Sunset Rubdown's New Album: Dragonslayer

Jagjaguwar has announced the release of Sunset Rubdown's latest album to be titled Dragonslayer which is set to be released June 23... FREAKING AWESOME!!! I am already loving the cover art! Read more here.

The track listing is as follows:

  1. Silver Moons
  2. idiot Heart
  3. Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!
  4. Black Swan
  5. Paper Lace
  6. You Go on Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
  7. Nightingale / December Song
  8. Dragon's Lair