Beatles cartoons for lazy 80s kids
by 
|This cartoon brings back so many memories of camping out in front of the tele as a music obsessed kid, listening intently to the Liverpudian accents of the animated Fab Four and singing along a little too loudly to their many timeless hits. Back then it was all about undercooked pancakes and sweet, sweet Popper juices and the ever-present sound of Saturday morning crickets chirping the break of dawn amidst the smell of lazy pre-pubescent hedonism. Take me back! The Beatles’ cartoons were a staple of every weekend morning. And they stand now as a reflection on just how much the music industry has changed in the decades since. Somehow I doubt they’ll be rushing out to cobble together a Coldplay version for the kids of today.
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If slapstick, violence and sex get you off, you’re going to love this. It’s not so much a social critique as social terrorism, with every viewpoint and ideology attacked. Highlights are plentiful and spoofs of old cartoon series’, like He-Man, the Smurfs and Voltron, are standouts. Also watch for when Saved by the Bell is combined with Jigsaw from the Saw movie series. Forget plot, recurring characters and political correctness, this is sketch comedy starring plasticine figures and stop-motion photography, so anything goes, including sex, murder and suicide. Each ten-minute episode covers extensive ground, keeping the laugh quotient high and making this ideal viewing while devouring a burger or kebab after a big night out.
After a long day of tapping the keys, there’s nothing quite like unwinding on the sofa with a glass of New Zealand white and an episode, or two, of Home Movies. Brendan Cannon from Broken Social Scene first put us onto it, and now it’s become an addiction. This episode is probably my favourite. Read more
More manic madness from Salad Fingers creator, David Firth. In Firth’s own words, Pulch is ‘about a giant Pulch that grows in order to cheer people up’. But of course, like all of his animations, it comes with a dark twist. Or three.
Also by ZOLTON
Maths explains the origin of superhero characters
I love the colours and simple reasoning in this clever series by Scottish illustrator Matt Cowen, which uses basic maths equations to explain how certain pop culture icons came to be. Read more
Star Wars Uncut: a fully crowdsourced version of Episode IV
The project of creative technologist, Casey Pugh, this full length version of the George Lucas masterpiece was created from multiple 15 second segments recreated from the original movie and submitted by thousands of Star Wars fans, which were then spliced together by editor Aaron Valdez to form the final product. Genius, as both a commentary on contemporary pop culture trends (there are references to LEGO, stop motion, memes and the like) and on the power of tapping your audience for quality material.
Filmmaker creates LEGO stop motion to propose to girlfriend
Now, this is one for the ages: back in 2010, Atlanta film-maker Walter Thompson created a jaw-dropping LEGO stop motion to propose to Nealey Dozier, his girlfriend of four years. The video took 22 hours of shooting and some 2,600 pictures to splice together, a small sacrifice to pay for years of happiness together. Right? Right! Oh, and she said yes. Bonus.
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The Aussie Design Federation is calling for submissions for their first, The Federation Annual. Read more
Yann Gross’ photos of tattooed bikers, cowboys, drag races, and Confederate-flag-adorned trailer homes are unnerving documents of the American experience. But his subjects aren’t American, they’re residents of the Rhone Valley in Gross’ native Switzerland. Judging from his photos, Europeans don’t necessarily look down their noses at the U S of A. Some of them actually celebrate it, blemishes and all.
Peter Nalitch is Russia’s answer to Manu Chao. His video for the song Guitar is a Borat-like jab at low-budget, post-Soviet awkwardness — absurd English lyrics, Eurotrash earnestness, bad wipes, and cheap subtitles. But its tongue-in-cheekness is quite apparent, and the song is disarmingly catchy and romantic.
If words like twentieth century, architecture, salvage, furniture and hodgepodge turn you on, then Retrouvius will enter into The Hall of Fame when it comes to showing off your new digs. I am quite partial to the Central Line Tube Table, being that I take the line everyday. ’Dining on’ instead of ‘schlepping in’ could expand relations with the city. You also might enjoy poking through their project page for home inspirations.
In the wake of America’s historic presidential election, nearly two years of divisive campaigning, and eight years of a controversial administration, the nation is in desperate need of healing. Beloved Internet personality Ze Frank started From 58 to 42 with Love where contributors use their webcams to post messages reaching out to the side of the country that didn’t vote for their guy. It’s saccharine at times, and there are one or two borderline nasty posts from people that don’t seem completely onboard with the project’s objective. But overall, it’s pretty effective and moving. I’ll admit I needed a couple tissues while reading it.
I’m kinda obsessed with this track by Kansas City hipsters, Republic Tigers. Maybe it’s the Phil Spector-ish wall of sound harmonies or perhaps it’s the thumping bass riff, which drives the ear worm melody. Whatever. In these times of throwaway pop, it’s the well crafted and subtely produced songs that are truly memorable, and these guys have it in spades, as reflected right across their brilliant debut album, Keep Color.
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These Stephanie Simek designed rabbit’s foot-like charms made from pussy willow buds dangle from the ears by strands of thin chains like silent wind chimes. The earrings are approximately 3 inches long plus ear wire and available for US$125.
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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
Nerd-attack! Man, this TARDIS zipper robe is so much cooler than any Star Wars crap people are hawking this days. This is for the true gangsta nerd.
Benjamin Edminston’s psychedelic heads seem to have some fearful wisdom behind their blissed-out eyes. Read more
Christoph Niemann illustrates a nightmare flight
New York Times illustrator Christoph Niemann has created a brilliant visual diary outlining the peril and pitfalls that beset the everyday passenger based on his recent experience flying from New York to his home town of Berlin. Read more
Here are a couple awesome pieces by Matt Leines that were recently on display in the Doubting Thomases exhibit at Nudashank gallery in Baltimore. Gives me ideas for Halloween. Read more
Danot has created a stunning line of new illustrated tanks and tees, featuring our latest obsession, the Forlorn tanktop. Is it a bird? Or a face? Or all of the above? Dive into this graphic and decide for yourself. While you’re there, check out the other great new Danot pieces in the Lost At E Minor store
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Roni said | 27 January, 2009
Love it! I’d watch a Kanye cartoon.