Crib Notes

Mainstream media’s reaction to Gnarls Barkley’s second CD, The Odd Couple, has been rather, well, odd — in a way that’s so typical of the times. Without a first single to match the hysteria of the iPod smash “Crazy” from the duo’s debut St. Elsewhere, the follow-up hasn’t garnered half as much attention — or album sales.

But Sunday’s New York Times ran a good story on the Georgia boys and their stunning sophomore release, featuring Danger Mouse’s dark, hypnotic palette of ’60s rock references and Cee-lo’s surreal songwriting.

Generation iPod might not get it yet, but history will prove that this album is actually an improvement upon the first.

Hopefully Gnarls Barkley won’t wait for the world to catch up.

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By Curt Holman

With Shine a Light opening today, I thought about doing one of those articles that listed the top five or 10 concert films ever made. Then I realized, however, that there aren’t that many examples of the genre that deserve inclusion. The best concert films ever made comprise a “Top Two” list, which seems to barely meet the definition of the word “list.” I’m open to suggestions, but as far as I’m concerned, the only great concert films are:

Find out on PopSmart.

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Creative Loafing Atlanta is looking for a visual arts writer with the knowledge, wit and point-of-view to become Atlanta’s next great arts critic.

Check out PopSmart for more info.

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Once the word gets out, T.I.’s fans will surely flock to Easter service as if it’s the Second Coming.

A federal magistrate judge ruled today that multi-platinum rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris will be allowed to attend New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s Easter service this Sunday, despite his ongoing house arrest status.

Harris, who still faces weapons charges after being arrested on the day of the BET Awards in Atlanta last October, will be allowed to leave his residence from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to attend the service presided over by New Birth Bishop Eddie Long.

He will be accompanied at all times by a court-appointed monitor and one of his attorneys.

Today’s ruling proves that prosecutors may be softening their stance on the rapper. Back in November, T.I.’s lawyers rescinded their request to allow their client to host a Thanksgiving dinner at home with 95 potential guests after prosecutors accused the defendant of seeking special treatment.

New Birth, a south Dekalb County megachurch, typically holds its huge Easter service at the Georgia Dome, but it’s not clear whether or not the recent damage caused by last weekend’s tornado will prevent the congregation from doing so this year.

Wherever the service is held, it could be the first to attract ticket scalpers.

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The tornado that struck downtown Atlanta Friday night left the Tabernacle with significant roof damage and water damage inside.

The venerable concert facility owned by Live Nation has no shows scheduled until March 29. The company expects to learn the full extent of the damage on Friday.

“Structural engineers are looking at the building,” Molly Sandman, a spokeswoman for Live Nation, says. “There is damage to the roof, but we don’t know the extent of it. There’s also water damage. But we’ll get it all fixed up.”

A press release issued today by Live Nation described the damage as “significant.”

Finish reading about the Tabernacle’s damage control in the Fresh Loaf post.

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Twenty-nine years ago, Ray Charles performed “Georgia On My Mind” at the Georgia General Assembly after Georgia declared it the official state song.

Random fact: The songwriter, Stuart Gorell, wrote it to musician Hoagy Carmichael’s sister, who coincidentally happened to be named Georgia.

Years later, Atlanta rapper Ludacris used a sample of Ray Charles’ version of the song in the hook for his own song, “Georgia.”

Since you can trace both anthems back to Carmichael’s sister, does that mean she was the ultimate Georgia peach?

Thank Secretary of State Karen C. Handel for the historical tidbit.

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Illustrator Richard Krolewicz, aka boyshapedbox, has started a Flickr group devoted to famous songs rendered as charts or graphs. It’s open to the public.

The contributions are hit-and-miss, but when they hit, they’re hilarious.

For example (click to enlarge):

and

The Evita one is my new desktop.

I had some free time yesterday, so I made my own, too:

If you contribute any, let me know.

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Urban Living, CL’s monthly “Shelter from bland living” section, is back, and looking for a few cool homes. Apartments, lofts and condos are also eligible. If you live in a neighborhood where CL is available and your place is unique somehow — interesting-looking, history-filled or funky fun — leave a comment below with a description, or e-mail chante.lagon@creativeloafing.com.

Maybe your love of film noir has turned your pad into a virtual movie set. Or maybe you’ve painstakingly renovated the original 19th-century wood design. Commercial kitchen in the basement? Secret hallways? Panic rooms? That’s all cool stuff.

Once you leave a comment, we’ll follow up and ask for a photo or two. Just keep in mind that if we feature your home in Urban Living this spring, you’ll be opening up your home to CL readers … so tidy up already.

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(Photo taken from IGN.com)

Next month, Andre 3000 will issue … a new OutKast album? No, it’s another Hollywood confection. If you thought Four Brothers was frothy, check out Semi-Pro, a Will Farrell movie that parodies the American Basketball Association league of the ’70s. Andre Benjamin plays Clarence Coffee Black, a baller of Julius Erving proportions. The screenplay comes from Scot Armstrong, who wrote the popcorn classic Old School. Semi-Pro hits theaters on Feb. 29. Check out the trailer below.

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(Photo courtesy http://duetonline.net)

We’re pleased to announce more reasons for folks to come check out our annual Fiction Contest party at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, at Eyedrum. Not only were we blessed with a record number of submissions this year, but we’ve also got some cool sponsors (Café Intermezzo, Chattahoochee Review) and cool judges (David Fulmer, Joshilyn Jackson, Fiona Zedde).

Now we’re a bit geeked to have confirmed one of the more mood-enhancing musical acts in town in the form of Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel. Featuring Scott Burland (pictured, at right) on theremin and Frank Schultz on lap steel, this duet is often described as experimental, ambient and minimalist — their music seems to come more in surges and streaks, strains and swoops, with stops and starts thrown in for good measure. You might call it sonic! It’s intoxicating stuff that stands on its own or as a heady soundtrack behind the winning entries, which will be read by the winners at the end of the evening.

Check out this U.K. appearance …

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