Fred, I happened across a lovely alternate version of "Henry the 8th" off a German oldies collection that I included in the recent Frankenmix. I can YSI it to you if you like!

Speaking of music and visuals, I got another disc from the Director's Label. I already had the Spike Jonez compilation and I just got Mark Romanek's.

I mostly wanted to get the "Hurt" video by Johnny Cash, but as I looked over the list I realized Romanek's done a lot of my favorite videos, though mostly for musicians I don't follow that closely. He's got a gorgeous eye for fantasy and science fiction scenarios and did "Scream" (the Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson in space video. He got MJ perfect by emphasizing he was a freaky silver androgynous alien, and Janet's goth and in fetish wear. Plus pong!). He did my favorite Madonna video, the utterly dreamlike "Bedtime Stories" (where she gives birth to doves and the stylish dervishes spin in air) and he did the Waterworld vid for No Doubt and, of course "Closer" for NIN and "The Perfect Drug" (which the commentary reveals as being inspired by Edward Gorey, hence it's the Most Goth Thing Ever. It's got vultures, Edwardian wear, hedge mazes, absinthe and obsession. Plus pretty).

Also Jay Z's "99 Problems," Beck - "Devil's Haircut," kd lang's "Constant Craving" (with the pretty Victorian stage set), Eels "Novacaine for the Soul," Fiona Apple's "Criminal," R.E.M's "Strange Currencies," En Vogue's "Free Your Mind" (the models on the runway).

Serious serious eye candy.

Oh, incidentally, still looking for "Hello Hello" by the Sopwith Camel.

I don't have that on my computer, Theo. Sorry.

The only Directors' Label collection I have is the Michel Gondry one, but I'd like the Spike Jonze one, too. Don't know if I'd go for the Romanek the way you have, though, David. I liked the "Hurt" video, but it's a little too painful to rewatch.

The only Directors' Label collection I have is the Michel Gondry one, but I'd like the Spike Jonze one, too. Don't know if I'd go for the Romanek the way you have, though, David. I liked the "Hurt" video, but it's a little too painful to rewatch.

I'll probably get the Gondry one next. As for Romanek, I spent a good chunk of my time in Boston going to see Bladerunner at various rep houses there just because I loved being immersed in that world. Same for the Burton Batman movies. Romanek has that gift of amazing art direction and fully realized otherworlds that are transporting.

But the commentary is interesting too because he's got a wide range of reference. Beck's "Devil's Haircut" video was inspired by Midnight Cowboy and the freeze frame at the end of 400 Blows. Incidentally, Romanek thinks Gwen Stefani is the most talented performer he's worked with in knowing how to play to the camera. He compared her to a 30s movie star in her ability to just turn on the charisma as necessary.

And how appropriate is it that Hec is buying something with "Devil's Haircut" on it?

Eels "Novacaine for the Soul,

Shoot! I always wanted to direct the video for that. Of course, that 'always wanted to' lives in a reality that bends to my wishes but I'm not one for minutiae. I'm pretty sure I devised a visual accompaniment for the first minute or so in my head.

Damn, Corwood, that's a kickass issue of High Hat.

I haven't even read it all, but Stig's Inferno! Nutty on Baseball! The Fascist Aesthetics of Wes Anderson! Still have to read about Profit and the Carnivale diss.

Damn, Corwood, that's a kickass issue of High Hat.

Thanks! Yeah, there's some great stuff in there, and we've unfortunately been sitting on it since early last Fall when our art director quit. Our new guy stepped in just a week or two ago and turned that work of beauty out in record time. I should point out that Leonard Pierce is editor-in-chief this time around because that's a title that should be shared among our phenomenal editorial staff.

Damn, Corwood, that's a kickass issue of High Hat.

Gonna concur with Hec here. I've just started in on it and am enjoying it immensely. Love your bit on the Rolling Stone Record Guide. I always wanted to slap Marsh around for some of his reviews (His takes on Lou Reed, X and Steely Dan's weird mid-period were astoundingly wrong-headed, and he definitely displayed a huge US-centricism wrt rock music - or perhaps it was more a pronounced Anglo-phobia post-invasion).