A Song of Ice and Fire
A couple of years ago, I decided that I would try and hunt down some current fantasy novels. Little did I know how difficult it would be to find anything interesting, intelligent, or containing any literary merit. I read thousands of wasted pages. Eventually I stumbled upon a few works worth noting. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin is one of them. It’s very gritty and occasionally brutal, with tasteful allusions to the supernatural. [see also Aldous Huxley's The Doors of Perception]
Also by TOBY NATHANIEL
I’m a video game addict and one of my all time favorite PC games was Diablo 2. So I was pleased to discover Hellgate: London, the latest offering from Flagship Studios, the makers of Diablo 2. To game involves killing lots of demons who’ve invaded London — building stats and upgrading equipment in the process. It seems to be a good formula. I’m hooked. [play also Submarine Zero: Ancient Adventure]
When you’re a musician, people like to ask you who your influences are. If I were asked to choose only one, it would be the Soviet composer Alfred Schnittke. I generally tend to like a few specific pieces from each composer, but not their entire catalogue of work. Schnittke is the only exception. His music is very soulful and listenable on the surface, yet supremely complex upon closer examination. He incorporates ideas from pretty much every genre of music and does it with class and taste. [see also the part-operatic, part vaudeville performances of Coco Rosie]
Coroner was one of the best, and most under-appreciated, thrash metal bands of all time. A three-piece outfit from Switzerland with a relatively short life span (’87-’95), the band were technically proficient and experimental but always operated tastefully, adept at hopping between time signatures whilst keeping the groove throughout. [see also Finntroll]
YOU'RE SAYING (3)
Tom Wade said | 13 December, 2007
Susanna Clarke’s ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell’ is one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time, fantasy or otherwise. It comes highly recommended from Neil Gaiman (nb. check out Neverwhere) with one of the most spot on comments on the cover: ‘my only regret is that it’s not twice as long’. At over 800 pages, that’s saying something. It’s about the resurgance of magic in 19th C England; so a bit more modern than most fantasies but worth a peak even for die-hard Tolkien/Brooks/E. Fiest-ians.
holly said | 9 January, 2012
That art is AHH-MAAZING… who did it?
HAVE YOUR SAY
I think this is Zachary Cale’s third album, but this one and its creator are new to me. Folk-rock with some meat and licks and swagger. Probably the best songwriter record I’ve heard in a year or so.
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Yes, we’ve featured him a lot on Lost At E Minor, but how could we not? New York-based artist Sam Weber’s work is amazing, tapping into dreams, visions, and fantasies from every wayward mind. [more about Sam Weber]
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a reminder of why the medium of film is so special. It features first rate visuals, performances, direction and acting, all of which fits together into one of the most insightful, powerful and touching pieces of cinema ever. Read more
Stunning Japanese minimalism by Alphaville, who designed the interior of the New Kyoto Town House. Elegant use of geometric shapes amongst light wood. Read more
We’ve invited some of our favorite creative peeps — including Ben Lee and artist Sam Weber — to write posts for Lost At E Minor over the past few months about their favorite cultural things and people right now. Read more
Named after the first openly gay politician in US history, Harvey Milk make some rather testosterone-heavy tunes. While appealing mostly to the stoner-rock and indie-metal set, the quintet from Athens, Georgia, aren’t afraid of a little melody, as the almost pop track Motown on their latest album, Life … the Best Game in Town, proves. But more often than not, the band gets down and dirty with some knuckle-dragging sludge rock. Amid the haze of searing guitar squeals, menacing power chords, and seismic bass rumbling, though, are some almost math-rock flourishes that hint at the brains behind the brawn.
One Last Ounce is an experimental project exploring surreal imagery on an abstract cut. Says designer Jake Jelicich on his creative rationale: ‘I wanted to make thin, unique, comfortable tees that flowed and moved with the night. And I wanted the art to be dark, but sarcastic, mystical and inspiring, all in the same glance. These shirts are about long nights with good friends, being spontaneous, and letting the street lights guide you home’. Read more
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
Cookie Boy’s creative cookie designs
I don’t eat cookies, so good thing Cookie Boy’s cookies are little pieces of art too pretty and cute to eat. Read more
Benjamin Edminston’s psychedelic heads seem to have some fearful wisdom behind their blissed-out eyes. Read more
Pencils made from recycled newspaper
The problem with awesome things like these pencils made out of recycled newspaper is that you almost don’t want to use them.
The return of the Brionvega rr226
Italian brand Brionvega has resurrected the classy Radiofonografio piece first created in 1965. The updated version is just like the original turntable/radio unit, but also has a CD/DVD player.
Never ever, ever, ever, ever park here
Some friendly advice for the neighbours, who simply don’t get it, or street art? You decide which one it is.
The Illuminated Sea Cookie Pin by Stephanie Simek mixes underwater wonders and light to add a little sparkle to your wardrobe. The sea cookie, a member of the sand dollar family, is back lit by a white LED. When turned on, the light illuminates all of the creature’s natural patterns and intricacies. Read more
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Design Dyke said | 12 December, 2007
Robert Jordan (RIP) is my favourite fantasy author – have you read the Wheel of Time series?