May 8th, 2009

You could call Spike Lee the basketball auteur. Not only a huge basketball fan, he’s filmed some of the most famous Nike commercials ever with Michael Jordan; shot a full length feature called “He Got Game,” in 1998 starring Celtics superstar Ray Allen; and is currently working on a documentary feature of Jordan’s last 2 NBA seasons.

His latest hoops project to hit the airwaves is a behind-the-scenes look into the NBA life of Lakers star, Kobe Bryant. The project, entitled “Kobe Doin’ Work,” is a documentary of Kobe’s game vs. The San Antonio Spurs on April 13, 2008. Spike used 30 cameras to captures Kobe’s every move in the game. The film was inspired by the 2006 documentary about soccer star, Zidane, entitled “Zidane: A 21^st Century Portrait.”

Bryant later recorded a commentary for the Lee film, describing his thought process behind every screen, shot, and pass. As it happened, Kobe laid down the commentary just hours after annihilating Spike’s beloved New York Knicks with a 61 point performance. The film airs at 8PM Eastern on ESPN, May 16.

Depeche Mode, the trifecta hailing from Basildon known for their eerily romantic and idiosyncratic sound, released Sounds of the Universe on April 21st. Upon first listen, I found the album a bit disappointing. Certainly nothing that carried the melodious resonance reminiscent of Violator. However, after a few rounds of listening, I found quite a few gems among the compilation that I first believed would be more appropriately titled, Sounds of Mediocrity.

In Chains

Song I: Enter passion, electric guitar, and metronome.

“In Chains” is one of my favorite songs on the album, second only to “In Sympathy”. It explores one’s submissive nature to the hypnotic allure of graceful physical movement. The potent lyrics extend over a tantalizing musical arrangement that utilizes intensifying synthesizer riffs pulsating amicably alongside the steady cry of Martin Gore’s guitar.

David Gahan’s smooth voice assuages the musical composition, creating a universally harmonious sound. Appropriately so…for the album’s welcoming number.

Little Soul

“Little Soul” is something of a spiritual revelation; a spiritual revelation that communicates itself in a docile, yet imprinting manner. The electro-dominant melody provides a calm compulsion to hark on Gahan’s liberating testimony.

“I’m channeling the universe

It’s focusing its love inside of me

A singularity”

Note: Listen for an extraterrestrial contribution from the creature from Alien that accompanies the chorus with a mysteriously effervescent transmission.

Jezebel

This song sounds like a compulsory opportunity to moralize the vocation of the one they call Jezebel.

The flirtatious beat tap dances around melancholy imbued lyrics, further dramatized by heavy synthesizer riff raff. The song explores the emotional appeal that underlies the coarse semblance of a curious harlot.

In Sympathy

“I’m watching your serenity…the way your soul transcends”

Gahan’s crooning voice lends words of optimism that lull the listener into a state of repose. This waft of optimism compliments a delightful industrial framework to solidify itself as the most powerful song on the album.

Spacewalker

An interesting choice for Sounds of the Universe, this 2-minute instrumental awakens memories of the disturbingly somber organ play of the hermetic Cimmerians that dwell in my nightmares. What’s that…you hear them too?

Despite any alleged shortcomings, Sounds of the Universe is a sound album for any DM fan.