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March2008:Layout 1.Qxd MATT’S GRAMMY MOMENTS ELLIS FREEBIE: FREAKANGELS by Matt Springer – I understand Sir George Martin waved Ringo Starr in front of him when he went up to get his Grammy for the sound- track to that Weird French Circus Show, Love, but it still felt like Ringo had to upstage Martin…yet again. It seems like the Fabs are constantly downplaying the contribution of George Martin to their sound, their records, and their overall greatness, as if it somehow diminishes their absolute bril- liance that they had a producer. Martin’s gotta be nearing death; it’s time to be gracious and give him the accolades he’s earned. Let the old boy accept a damn Grammy on his own, with his son, and get a standing ovation, by himself, for his work. Jeez. – Jason Bateman introducing the odd “My Grammy Moment” contestants was just unbelievably funny. Of course a cello is “a violin with a thyroid problem.” OF COURSE. – Is it weird that I like the fact that Kanye West is kind of an asshole? He doesn’t seem really apologetic about it, either. I really don’t believe his ego trips are calculated strategy or a “character” he plays; I think he really is that big of a jerk, and by Chris Stewart I’m glad for it. Pop music today needs more unrepentant dick- rather than read) and The Kraken head geniuses. There is a fine line between homage Wakes, in which deep-sea loving extra- and rip-off. Done right, you provide a terrestrials cause the Earth’s oceans to fresh take on a classic idea, which, one – Amy Winehouse. I wasn’t quite prepared for the extent to rise. hopes, will provide new material for which she dominated the evening; it seems a bit late, but I’m old fans and direct new fans to the Admittedly, there is no sign of the glad the USA is finally embracing her as somewhat of a rare original source. aliens, rather he’s just using the idea of talent. I hope she gets her shit together. a flooded London. But the Midwich Recent years have seen some of Eng- Cuckoos reference is strong, with a NERD PICK-UP LINES land’s best take their shot - most no- group of telepathic youths living in http://flickr.com/photos/malisia tably Alan Moore’s League of “The body is made Whitchapel - each born at the exact up of 90% water Extraordinary Gentlemen - at the vast same time. I would even go so far as to and I'm thirsty. archives of British genre fiction. say that he’s touching on some of the There are also trace mental powers found in The Chrysalids. amounts of tung- Now Warren Ellis has waded in with Add a touch of steampunk (a very slight sten. Heh, I said his latest, Freakangels - a free, weekly, one) and you have Freakangels. tongue.” online comic, drawn by artist Paul Duffield. So far the series is a month in - four “Well Princess, it weeks of approximately six pages each looks like you How is it an homage (and yes, it’s a - but already the stage is well set. What managed to keep good homage, and thus far not a rip- caused the end of the world (besides the me here a while off), you ask? flooding, London is very, very empty)? longer.“ Who caused the end of the world? Who John Wyndham. the fuck is Mark and why has this “You remind me of Freakangel gone rogue? someone I once Take a look at the image above and knew. She was... readers of Wyndham will know what I’ll be continuing to read the comic, and Queen of the I’m talking about - in the single open- if you haven’t already, I recommend Netherlands.” ing shot of the book, we instantly spot you catch up on your Wyndham - more the major plot points of Wyndham’s of his work may come into play. For more pick-up lines and great articles, check out the Midwich Cuckoos (or Village of the Spring 08 issue of Grok! Coming Soon! Damned, for those who prefer to watch http://www.freakangels.com.
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