Bouderalt’s Timelapse ‘The City Limits’ feat. Zimmer’s ‘Time’ – Review

12/30/2012 by AIDY

TIMELAPSE CITY LIMITS

City in motion.

Dominic Bouderault‘s Timelapse ‘The City Limits’ showcases the contrast between the hustle and bustle of the big city compared to the slower and quieter pace of rural areas. Five different major cities in the United States and Canada were chosen to be used in the footage, with a relaxing classical music track “Time” by famous film composer Hans Zimmer. Bouderault’s time lapse presentation is so stunning it was even featured in MSNBC‘s photo blog in 2011 bringing together a majestic point of view of city sights and musical harmony.

During the night, cities light up with life, literally. Cars buzz down busy streets trying to rush to the latest restaurant or nightclub, buildings turn on all of their lights and together with the streetlights of the city is washed with a golden glow. Time is a nice paradox to the speed of the activity occurring in the footage; it allows the viewer to witness a previously undetected majesty and beauty in the pace of the city. Meanwhile, the rural landscape remains undisturbed and co-exists in perfect harmony with the starry heavens above. The city and the outskirts are quite different from each other–the city being loud and hurried, the outskirts quiet and pure. Zimmer’s Time, with its masterful and peaceful melody showcase the differences of both landscapes while unifying them using the display of their unique and beautiful qualities.

Both the video footage and the accompanying music track display something simply unique–two dissimilar mediums can coexist peacefully, whether or not they inhabit the same geographical area. Each may have their advantages and disadvantages, but in the grander scheme, while paired are lovely.

Think of both the Bouderalt’s photography and Zimmer’s Time as puzzle pieces: they are not the same shape, but fit together to create an overall astonishing portfolio.

Recommended.

Source Dominic Bouderalt

Ivan Villafuerte ‘Passenger’ – Review

10/19/2012 by AIDY

Ivan Villafuerte, Passenger

“Time goes faster the more hollow it is. Lives with no meaning go straight past you, like trains that don’t stop at your station.” Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Ivan Villafuerte‘s Passenger is an engaging visual experience complete with a calming quiet storm of ambient harmony. The featured track “At a Loss” by Brian McBride is a classical music fusion paired with cinematic footage of a man enjoying his quiet train ride in rumination. Villafuerte uses what may be traditional modes of transportation to symbolize an individual journey of awakening–engaged observations through a widow on the train of the environment outside. Engaging the silence, in wonder of all there is to see. The 5-minute short also involves the other trains that pass along the tracks–as people do. Those poignant moments in passing, and in observing the uninteresting.

McBride’s At A Loss is an endearing and wandering tone are superbly paired with the barely audible tone from the train. The music acts as a balancer, a tone that cradles slightly, just enough to take away the jarring movements of the train. The same experience can be applied to your own quiet commute by taking a moment, tuning in to your favorite music station–or not. Just sit in the peace of any quiet moment you can create. Quieting busy thoughts and appreciate the hollow moments. Taking an opportunity to focus on what makes like more meaningful. In other words, life is a series of experiences, destinations, and every one of them worthwhile.

Wherever the destinations may be, is entirely up to you.

Source Vimeo

Tom Werber’s ‘Losers: Flush’

09/16/2012 by AIDY

Dir Tom Werber, Dan Hillier Losers, FLUSH - Riz MC and Envy

Fantastical amazement.

Losers: Flush is an aesthetically pleasing music video that makes use of artwork by Steampunk artist Dan Hillier, Tom Werber directed and animated a visually stunning music video for British rappers Riz MC and Envy featuring cut out animation teeming with monochrome images of Victorian London as its setting. The animated couple is seen expressing their feelings of disgust for each other via a catchy juxtaposition remix of Victorian art and 20th century rap music. If that seems unusual, check out how the animated woman lower body turns into tentacles that are Hillier’s combined fascination for combining animal attributes with human elements, sort of like creating a hybrid human and vice versa.

Soon the couple duke it out in giant monster movie fashion with all of central London being fair game as a battle arena–with bystanders and buildings available as projectiles to the musical beats and flow of Riz MC and Envy lyrics. The revised designs of the Victorian cut outs are a feast for the eyes as the relationship battle rages on. The couple are absolute “monsters” to each other, and it is entertaining to see these 19th century people engaging in a Godzilla vs. Mothra’esq battle. The title of the song, Flush, cleverly woven lyrics to term the end of a relationship–to that of flushing of a toilet.

Werber is a graduate of video and film of the London College of Communication where he developed a great interest in the industry because of the work of filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, and Andrei Tarkovsky. After college, he became an editor, working on several commercials, short films and music videos.

Losers: Flush is conceptually unique and brilliant music video.

Image and video source Vimeo

The Magic Continues: Golden Records Celebrity Series – Review

09/05/2012 by AIDY

Golden Records- The Magic Continues - Celebrity Series, Vol 1

Reimagined for the child in all of us.

Golden Records, one of the most successful children’s record labels in America, Grammy-Award© winning music producer Tony Shimkin, son of the late Arthur Shirmkin, brings Golden Records: The Magic Continues Celebrity Series Vol. 1, and is set to become one of the most sought after collection of songs and stories conveniently on a single compact disc. The Golden Records collection features voice recordings of the beloved classic children tales read by some of Hollywood’s leading actors and actresses.

Back by popular demand, Golden Records returns to release a series of highly anticipated albums, launching a series of instant classics and remastered original recordings to come. Award winning music producer Tony Shimkin, son of Golden Records creator, Arthur Shimkin, have carried on his father’s legacy, producing each of the releases, reimagined for the child in all of us!

Listening to the entire CD was a nostalgic trip–I am not old enough to remember the original “golden records,” so it is quite entertaining to listen to some of my favorite childhood stories conveniently on a single disc. “Little Red Riding Hood” is delightfully read by actress Alicia Silverstone. Each classic story read features creative musical themes which made for a truly engaging set of recordings. The other tales are read by well known celebrities: Edward Asner (Mary Tyler Moore Show), Didi Conn (Grease), Busy Philipps (Couger Town TV series), Susan Sarandon (Robot & Frank), Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO), and Constance Marie (George Lopez TV Show) provide an entrancing story telling experience.

Golden Records

In addition to the “Golden Theme” and “Pop Goes The Weasel” instrumentals by The Golden Orchestra were two of my favorites, well, pretty much the entire CD is really fun to listen to, and it is of no surprise that The Magic Continues is a fantastic, welcoming addition to any children music collection already at home. Or, if you want to build your children music library, this CD would be a great starter! I imagine that it would be the choice of music for those long car trips, or for that perfect bedtime story–readily available to pop in your favorite music player for any child can comfortably enjoy.

There is a total of 21 tracks that include a fond “See You Next Time” from Alicia Silverstone and is a perfect farewell ending to a truly fun an entertaining compilation.

Recapturing the values, quality and timeless innocence of golden Records, this highly anticipated album is the perfect blend of then and now, launching a series of instant classics.

For more, feel free to visit the Golden Records Facebook page for a free music download just for stopping by. Want to sample a 1:30 clip of each track? Check it out here on iTunes! Also, you can follow Golden Records on Twitter and Pintererst so to be sure that you do not miss any updates on future releases.

Timeless one of a kind sound.

Golden Records: The Magic Continues Celebrity Series Vol. 1 was received as a courtesy for review from the Verse Music Group. The above review reflects the sole opinion of the reviewer.

‘Candela’ by Ivan Villafuerte – Review

07/13/2012 by AIDY

Ivan Villafuerte‘s Candela could be reminiscent of a dream, the cars the embodiment of the owners who abandoned them. See the cars as people who are able to travel freely and dream; area other dreamers are not as fortunate. A beautiful metaphor set to the musical quiet storm set Cloister, by Loscil, a one man band of Scott Morgan. Loscil is the combination of the words “looping oscillator,” a function within the “Csound” music language program. Morgan has been active in the electronic/ambient scene since 1998, releasing seven albums, multiple EPs, and tracks that have been featured on compilation CDs, as well as documentary soundtracks.

Let’s take the music video by Villafuerte, and view the cars and the travelers within them as a metaphor for a dream and the lonely roads represent highways. As nightfall approaches, the world goes to sleep. The cars travel the highway carrying a dreamer to their chosen destination. Just as each car is different, so too, are dreams. The voyage is only as reflective and as different as the subconscious. What of the abandoned and battered cars? Do they represent abandoned dreams–or nightmares? The beauty of the short film Cloister allows the viewer to become mesmerized by the glow of the streetlights as candles are there to light the way of the dreamer. The soft brown hue illuminating the darkness and, with song, sheltering the soul. Therein lies a purpose; to pursue your dreams and quite possibly, elevating your conscious.

Candela could stand as a powerful metaphor for living life and dreaming. A reminder to leave the mind open to allow for creativity; as an encouragement to continue to chase our dreams, and to revel in the power of imagination. For the abandoned, a testament to found silence or as an acknowledgement and satisfaction of reaching capacity; or contentment.