The amazing new album by Mr. OWEN PALLETT of Ontario, Canada is called “HEARTLAND” and is as worthy of your listening time as the previous albums that OWEN released under the name FINAL FANTASY. The respectable web publication PITCHFORK gave it an 8.6 out of 10, and that still seems rather on the low side. OWEN plays violin and sings in a tender and melodic mode. The album opens with “Midnight Directives” which sounds a bit like two songs playing at the same time. And the final 20 seconds of the album – when a song called “What Do You Think Will Happen Next” draws to an end – are among the most beautiful moments in the history of recorded music.
THE DAILY RECOMMENDATIONS
OWEN PALLETT, ONCE KNOWN AS ‘FINAL FANTASY’
THIRD FEBRUARY, TWO THOUSAND AND TEN
THIS WEEK
THE LIBRARY OF PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS
THE MAGAZINE
THE MAGAZINE
N° 14
AUTUMN & WINTER 2011
The new, 14th issue of FANTASTIC MAN features the phenomenal fashion designer Mr. RAF SIMONS on the cover. Photographed at his home in Antwerp, RAF is seen wearing select pieces by RAF SIMONS and JIL SANDER – both brands he designs for. Other interesting men profiled in this issue include: the fabulous magician Mr. DAVID COPPERFIELD, the interior-decorator extraordinaire Mr. RICKY CLIFTON and the hailed London-based chef Mr. YOTAM OTTOLENGHI. Furthermore, FANTASTIC MAN explores new grounds in CHINA through a 37-page fashion reportage inspired by the stylistic characteristics of the men of Beijing. The remainder of the 268-page issue is full of absorbing stories, photographs of some gloriously useless PAPERWEIGHTS, style investigations, tips and tricks for the upcoming Autumn and Winter seasons, and a delightful new format in which we have conducted insightful conversations with three gentlemen of note: KIM JONES, DIRK SCHÖNBERGER and JOHNNY MARR, the famed guitarist of THE SMITHS. This new section is aptly titled ‘THE CONVERSATIONS’. Order now
FANTASTIC EVENTS
A REVISIT OF FABULOUS EVENINGS HOSTED BY FANTASTIC MAN
Periodically, FANTASTIC MAN hosts a marvellous dinner, proper cocktail or a full-out rumbling party. Please find below a small selection of past events that took place at rather exquisite locations around the globe.
An Intimate Cocktail, New York 2011 Disco Dance Party, New York 2011 The Super Show, Berlin 2010 The Super Show, London 2010 Absolut Fantastic, London 2009 No Labels, Stockholm 2009 Fantastic Man Fragnance Launch, Paris 2009 Fantastic Man No. 8 Dinner, London 2008 The Gentleman’s Jeans Launch, Paris 2008 Fantastic Man No. 2, NYC 2005 Fantastic Man No. 2, Paris 2005
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FANTASTIC MAN may be purchased conveniently online. Most recent issue No. 14, for Fall and Winter 2011, features Mr. RAF SIMONS on the cover. A number of back issues are also available, including issues No. 13, No. 12, No. 10, No. 9 and No. 6. All orders are handled by Bruil & van de Staaij and can be delivered worldwide. Order now
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UNDERWEAR
Underwear is generally worn beneath another layer of garments and thus aptly called ‘underwear’. These delicious mesh numbers, seen above on three particularly athletic chaps, are the result of a collaboration between THE WHITE BRIEFS and FANTASTIC MAN. Made from lovely organic cotton the briefs, vest and T-shirt, are available to order from The White Briefs, and are available to purchase in shops round the globe. Whether they are received as presents, or bought for one’s self, they are to be worn – in any case – with utter joy. Order now
SHOPPING TIPS
The fourth edition of THE GENTLEWOMAN features fascinating conversations with women who are masters of their respective crafts, like actress Olivia Williams, author Jennifer Egan, fashion recruitment mogul Floriane de Saint Pierre, CEO Apollonia Poilâne, jewellery designer Gaia Repossi and actress Sofie Gråbøl. On a different note, the BUTT 2012 calendar features 47 hot guys, 3 particularly handsome statues and one suggestive helmet photographed by twelve BUTT friends such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Alasdair McLellan and David Benjamin Sherry. Furthermore, after a two-year hiatus, BUTT 29 is here. The extra thick, double issue is spread out over 144 pink pages. This issue of BUTT is a gay guy's A-to-Z of hot and fascinating homos.
(All orders are handled by our distributor Bruil & van de Staaij, or Vrolijk.nu)
COMMENTS
Adam:
I subscribe wholeheartedly to the views expressed in this recommendation. Well done Mr. Pallett!
For those unfamiliar with his work and are excited by what they hear as a result of this recommendation, may I suggest his back catalogue as Final Fantasy is more than amply augmented by his compositional work for Arcade Fire, the Hidden Cameras, The Last Shadow Puppets and latterly the Pet Shop Boys. A busy, talented, fantastic man!!
ACertainSomeone:
I saw Owen play live in San Francisco a few weeks ago and I couldn’t agree more. He’s a huge talent and definitely worth listening to again and again…
1%:
a profile/interview on the printed edition is next, right?
anyway, owen pallett/heartland=♥. spread the word
Mari V:
A strong contender for the title of Most Talented Man in Canadian Music. O_o
Excellent rec.!
JAMES.:
I have been listening to this for weeks and cannot stop. He is an insane talent. Once you listen to this you may forget every other piece of music you own.
Joshua:
he just wound up retweeting this..
is he that fantastic? he bathes in his vanity more than anyone i know?
Alea:
Yeah I pretty much want to marry him. I was going to see him in Vancouver a few months ago but he was sick, it would’ve been an amazing show though.
deidre:
the most talented man in canadian music was and is glenn gould. this guy is not even close.
Sam Wood:
@James I couldn’t agree more. He is the only performer I have ever seen twice.
@Joshua Isn’t that the point?
chettie:
after checking out his music on this recommendation, i would have to say it is bollocks. the above posts must have been written by owen himself or his PR folks, because the music is as run of the mill as any so-called independent “musician”
Bobby:
I think its great music for people who haven’t yet been blown away by Van Dyke Parks or Arthur Russell.
That being said, it does SOUND incredible. (Production-wise) For that you must give credit to Rusty Santos, singer of the band The Present and Animal Collective producer.
Lucy:
Re; Chettie:
You either don’t know much about music or just like to seem pretentious and act like you’re smarter than people with different tastes than yours. The man tears up the electric violin with speed and technique. He accompanies himself by recording the different parts on a loop pedal, with abstract lyrics and psychadelic influences. He is a one man band all at once playing several parts. Calling him “run of the mill” is completely absurd. It takes an insane amount of talent and originality to do what he does.
If you don’t like it, that’s fair, just say it’s not your thing. I will never understand the impulse of internet trolls to go around seeking out people with different taste than your own, for the specific purpose of telling them their taste is wrong in order to pretend to be the smartest little boy in the room. How tiresome.
Demarcus Kohm:
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