Page 16• The Mirada
Music Review
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Karlophone makes sound track for “the movie in your head” Jarett Hartman
On Edge
A7X album memorializes drummer Avenged Sevenfold’s sixth album “Nightmare” is plagued with the overdose of their longstanding drummer and brother. Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan was the core of the band dating all the way back to their high school days. Unfortunately, the band suffered a tragic loss following The Rev’s fatal drug overdose. The album was nearly chosen to remain unreleased but was instead published as a tribute to Jimmy’s life and legend. His favorite drummer, Mike Portnoy, of Dream Theater was selected to record the tracks in loving memory of The Rev. The album has an 11-song track list of melancholy pianos, strings, and orchestral sounds blended with Avenged’s trademarked new metal sound. Although this is not their best album, it is their most diverse and wise yet. It well portrays Jimmy’s intrinsic fear of living for nothing and dying alone. The album has a song called “Fiction,” which was written solely by The Rev. His vocal track was recorded months prior to his passing for practicing purposes and was used on the final production. The most widely acclaimed song on the album is called “God Hates Us” and it contains their first screamed vocals since their ‘02 record, “Waking The Fallen.” Many suspect this to be not only their last album, but also their last tour. As a die-hard A7X fan, I strongly urge all who love their music to buy this piece of musical history and those who are not familiar with this genre to meander out of their comfort zone to experience today’s premier rockers’ final composition. -Keldon Irwin
October 22, 2010
Karl Koch describes himself as the man who makes music to listen to late at night while driving alone. For a little over a decade, Koch has gone by the alias of Karlophone. “I realized I was making music that I would like to try and release around 2000 or so,” Koch said. “Before that, I was recording music, but did not have a solid understanding of a direction or sound that I felt sure about.”
The music is written, played, and recorded solely by Koch, with sampled pieces layered seamlessly with his own recordings. “I gather tons of samples and then I start adding other instruments once I have a structure I like.” Finding records that peak Koch’s interest is instrumental in the creation of Karlophone’s sound and overall feel. Koch, who “buys and listens to old albums constantly,” plays a large part in the creative process for writing and sculpting his songs. “I listen for moments and sounds I can use. I have no rules, but generally older records have the sounds I like.” Koch, who has released two
records as Karlophone, has a third to be released in spring of next year. He saw his debut with 2002’s “Press Any Key To Begin.” “Some of [“Press Any Key”] dates to about 1998, but as I said it wasn’t till about 2000 that I realized I had something coming together as an album. So it was really like two to three years of on and off work.” Work on Karlophone’s second album, “I Must Find This Karlophone…,” began immediately after the debut was released. Work progressed through 2003 and 2004, but due to obligations with rockband Weezer, work came to a halt in 2005. Work on the album was finished in 2006 and released in 2007.
photos courtesy of karl koch
Left: Karl Koch lays down a drum tack for one of his pieces of music. Above: Koch adds layers of synth to his work. Koch plays all instruments on his albums.
For more on Karlophone...
• Samples of Karlophone’s music are available on his MySpace page at myspace.com/karlophone • You can purchase “Press Any Key to Begin” and “I Must Find This Karlophone...” at cdbaby.com, on iTunes, and through www.karlophone.com. • Keep an eye out for more Karlophone releases Spring 2011. Koch considers the album more refined from his debut with less moments of self-proclaimed “embarrassment and musical clumsiness.” Similar to the “I Must Find...” beginnings, work began on Karlophone’s third album in early 2007, shortly after Karlophone’s sophomore release. With his third release, Koch hopes to deliver an album full of new ideas with a familiar feel. “I’m hoping for surprises that don’t break from my overall style and vibe, but also more of some of the ‘usual’ type of stuff on ‘I Must Find…’” Keep an eye out for a new Karlophone release next year.
“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” kind of has an important message Life can make a teenager’s head explode: school, homework, friends, extracurricular activities, and family (mostly parents). Have you ever thought of going to a psychiatric ward? Probably not, but after seeing this movie, “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” it sounds like a good cure for a stressed teenage soul. After Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist) experiences suicidal thoughts spurred by his stressful teenage life, he checks himself into a mental hospital. Upon his arrival, he meets his roommate, Muqtada, who has not left his room in weeks, and realizes that the psychiatric hospital is not for him. His psychiatrist, Dr. Minerva, forces him to stay for the minimum of five days, form-
ing the foundation on which the movie grows. Craig takes a breath of calming (or not so calming) psychiatric air and finds the answers to his problems... well, most of them. His problems: stress-vomiting, depression, suicidal thoughts, and oh yeah! He is in love with his best friend’s girlfriend, Nia. Throughout his admitted stay, he takes calls from Nia. She talks about the everyday teenage problems she has too, making him realize that he is not the only one. Everyone has their ups and downs. Helping each other get back on the right track are the patients and soon-to-be friends, Bobby (Zach Galifianakis, aka Alan from “The Hangover”) and Noelle (Emma Roberts). Bobby faces the feat of trying to pull himself together. He hopes to pass his interview so
he can leave the ward and live at home again. And Noelle tries to sustain from cutting herself. Together, they embrace the insane psychiatric days, while enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Their staged ward-breaks consist of dressing-up as a doctors to escape, breathing fresh air, and playing basketball. In arts and crafts, Craig realizes he has a gift for drawing city landscapes and maps. During music exploration, he faces his fear and sings for patients. With a bond no other than psychiatric patients share, Noelle and Craig’s friendship grows more meaningful with the helpful coaching from Bobby. Toward the end of his admittance, Craig has touched on many patients lives. Although the movie is slow in some parts, Galifianakis adds a touch of humor to the film. I recommend all teens to
Movie Review see “It’s Kind of a Funny Story.” It spreads a universal message that all teens need to remember to enjoy their life: “Sometimes what’s in your head... isn’t as crazy as you think.” -Carly Tyer