"And from that day forward told you to go out and spread my word through music: sweet, pretty, country acid house music..."
Known in the US mainly for the infectious theme to HBO's The Sopranos, A3 has been a high-number fixture on United Kingdom chats for over a decade and appeared in the soundtracks of many BBC series. The idea for the band's sound came when Londoners Jake Black and Rob Spragg decided that country and acid house music could co-exits together; a lion lying down with a lamb. Country music is not without its own sub-genres and the style chosen for the pairing was possibly the most dissimilar from acid house: folk/gospel. The combination lends itself to irony. Similar to ICP and Zug Izland, the members of A3 each have an on-stage persona. Indeed, at times the band itself seems to aspire to a tent revivalist alter-ego.
Known outside the United States as Alabama 3, the band modified its name to avoid legal conflicts with the straight-up country band Alabama. Unfortunately, internet search engines doesn't treat the shorter name kindly. A3 is currently touring and working on a album that promises to be rights-friendly to third party input. Current albums are readily available through online retailers.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Television: Probe
Before CSI (2000) debunked and solved crimes with science and House M.D. (2004) disparaged humanity, there was Austin James and Probe. Debuting as a mid-season replacement on ABC in 1988, Probe followed many of the cliches of 80s crimes dramas: a bickering duo solving mysteries with the usual number of pre-commercial cliff-hangers, car chases, and a synthesized score. What set it apart for its time was the clever use of science and Sherlockian logic to unravel the storylines.
Parker Stevenson (pre-Baywatch) starred as misanthropic genius, Austin James, the founder of and expatriate from a massive tech corporation. Ashley Crow, playing secretary Mickey, provided the common sense foil for James's overbearing and manic brilliance.
Co-created by Isaac Asimov, the show had distinctly a skeptical slant. It relied on more reality-based science fiction concepts, eschewing the supernatural as an explanation for phenomena. Many of the plots were based around James's tech company, poking at the notion of corporate mismanagement. Some plot devices are far-fetched, but this is science *fiction* after all.
Introduction to Mickey, Serendip and Austin James:
Ratings were never high during its half season run and Probe wasn't renewed after its initial six episodes. Regardless, the show still maintains a small devoted following. Since it is not currently available in any video format, I have no compunction about linking to the YouTube clips. YouTube user thunderwolf429 has made all the episodes available and they can also be found at Probe Resurrected.
Parker Stevenson (pre-Baywatch) starred as misanthropic genius, Austin James, the founder of and expatriate from a massive tech corporation. Ashley Crow, playing secretary Mickey, provided the common sense foil for James's overbearing and manic brilliance.
Co-created by Isaac Asimov, the show had distinctly a skeptical slant. It relied on more reality-based science fiction concepts, eschewing the supernatural as an explanation for phenomena. Many of the plots were based around James's tech company, poking at the notion of corporate mismanagement. Some plot devices are far-fetched, but this is science *fiction* after all.
Introduction to Mickey, Serendip and Austin James:
Ratings were never high during its half season run and Probe wasn't renewed after its initial six episodes. Regardless, the show still maintains a small devoted following. Since it is not currently available in any video format, I have no compunction about linking to the YouTube clips. YouTube user thunderwolf429 has made all the episodes available and they can also be found at Probe Resurrected.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)