Oggi ricorrono i 125 anni dalla nascita di Franz Kafka, autore del libro che tante generazioni ha fatto riflettere e del quale avrete senz'altro riconosciuto l'incipit: La metamorfosi, la storia familiare e controversa di un normale signore, Gregor Samsa, che una mattina si sveglia e scopre di essere diventato un insetto. Una trama che mi ha sempre incantato, fatta apposta per stimolare il lettore alla ricerca delle più disparate interpretazioni. Chi non ha cercato di tradurla secondo i propri schemi logici?
Nato a Praga nel 1883, considerato uno dei maggiori del XX secolo, Kafka pubblicò solo qualche racconto durante la sua vita. Scriveva principalmente per se stesso, fu infatti Max Brod, un suo grande amico, che in seguito alla prematura scomparsa dello scrittore fece pubblicare la maggior parte dei suoi lavori letterari. Oltre ai molti racconti come dimenticare Lettera al padre, la lunga confessione verso e sull'uomo che ostacolò la sua grande passione per la scrittura. I romanzi: Il processo, Il castello e l'America, questi ultimi incompiuti, ma non per questo privi dell'irresistibile mistero e fascino che lo scrittore boemo seppe infondere in ogni sua riga.

"Cuando Gregor Samsa se despertó una mañana después de un sueño intranquilo, se encontró sobre su cama convertido en un monstruoso insecto. Estaba tumbado sobre su espalda dura y, al levantar un poco la cabeza, veía un vientre abombado."

Frank se despertó aquella mañana completamente roto; decidió no volver a cenar por las noches y cambiar ese colchón que le estaba destrozando la espalda. Con el sueño todavía pegado en las sábanas se dió media vuelta y volvió a repetir aquella frase que estaba seguro podía ser un buen comienzo.

xdevx's artists of the week der 22. Kalenderwoche 2008! Viel Spaß!

1. Gregor Samsa - Jeroen Van Aken: Erst die dritte Full-Length in sieben Jahren und trotzdem haben sie sich einen Platz im Shoegazing/Post-Olymp verdient..
2. Band of Horses - No one's gonna love you: Nach dem Über-Indie-Hit "Is there a Ghost", reiten die Pferde im Galopp weiter.
3. Weezer - Pork & Beans: DIE Powerpop-Rock-Nerds as its best.
4. Robyn - Be mine (Ocelot Remix): Weil der Song nicht soo richtig auf's Maul haut, knallt das Video halt wenigstens.
5. Ratatat - Mirando: Die erste Single-Auskopplung vom neuen Ratatat-Album "LP3". Das Video ist aus Predator-Schnipseln zusammen geschnitten. Wer sich den Film noch einmal in aller Kürze erklären lassen will, kann das hier tun. [via]

Da wordpress.com (noch) nicht erlaubt, dass man Youtube-Playlists embedden kann, muss die AOTW vorerst ausgelagert werden. Bis auf weiteres findet ihr die Folge der 22. Kalenderwoche 2008 hier!

Do you know who Gregor Samsa is?  Yes you do.  He was in your elementary school class.  He sat in the corner and he looked kinda foreign but actually just lived by that old creepy school on Milne?  He didn’t say much, and when he did it was kind of awkward because his pop culture references were limited entirely to Family Ties and Donahue?  Does that jog the memory?
Well anyway, that kid grew up and made a record.  While 55:12 is certainly an amiable enough effort, and far better than any kind of post-rock experimentation that I could ever come up with, it just drifts along for the most part, more content with sitting in its corner not saying too much than with actually making a statement.  The genre is so wide-open that bands like this have no excuse to not stretch out a bit and attempt to find their own voice.  Hell, maybe this is their voice, but if it is, they need to speak up.  When Gregor (the name of the band, not an actual person as it turns out, though Classmates.com returned a few results) tires of making gurgling noises to itself and actually works up the courage to talk, it has the result of Groundhog’s Day:  it’s not too surprising, but I end up watching it every time around anyway.

Since the Czech Republic is such a small and easily forgotten country, the Czech people are extremely proud of their celebrities. Probably one of the most famous Czechs of all time is the writer, Franz Kafka, whose most famous book is The Metamorphosis. Kafka was born in Prague, but at the time of his birth Prague was in Austria. The Czech Republic didn't exist. By today's boundary lines, however, Kafka is most certainly a Czech. Although he was born in Prague, Kafka spoke German, so The Metamorphosis was originally written in German. It's interesting to note that many of Kafka's themes have to do with dehumanization and isolation. This is probably has a lot to do with the fact that Kafka was raised as a member of Prague's Jewish minority during let turn of the century.

In one of the tucked away corners of Prague, very near to the school I taught at while I was living in Prague, is a bronze statue of Kafka. In my opinion, the artist did a perfect job of capturing all the weirdness of Kafka's personality and work. As you can see in the picture above, Kafka is portrayed as riding on the shoulders of a headless, handless man. I wish I'd brought my camera to school with me more often so that I could have caught a picture during the day, but this is the only one I've got. Still, I think you get the picture. To me, this is a portrayal of Kafka being carried away by his imagination. If you've read his work, I'm sure you can understand why I feel this way.

The Metamorphosis is about a young man named Gregor Samsa who works to support his family. One morning, however, Gregor wakes up to discover that his body has changed overnight and he is no longer a human, he's a giant cockroach. The book follows the days of Gregor's life as a bug and chronicles his family's reaction to his change. His father is cruel and locks him in his room, but his mother and sister take care of him by bringing him food and cleaning his room when he knocks things over. After the food stops coming, Gregor begins to starve to death. He gets weaker and weaker until finally, he dies. Only he doesn't really die. Gregor wakes up after dying as a bug to discover that he's a man again. No worries, if you think this story sounds weird, you're right. It really is. But that's just Kafka.

Being the self-proclaming book geek that I am, I was so proud that I'd saved The Metamorphosis (one of the books on a fairly long reading list I've made for myself) to read while I was in Kafka's homeland. It's a short book, so it only took me a few rides on the metro to have the entire thing finished, but the thrill of knowing that I was getting the full Kafka experience was unbeatable. I can't expect that any of you readers will be as overwhelmingly nerd prone as I am, but I will recommend highly that you pick up a copy of The Metamorphosis and read it during the breaks life throws your way. You won't need many. An average speed reader could have this book finished in one sitting, definitely. Even if you don't have the opportunity to read Kafka while strolling his native streets, I still think every one would enjoy reading his work.

• Bauhaus -- Go Away White
• Heaven And -- Sweeter As the Years Roll By
• Cursed -- III: Architects of Troubled Sleep
• For Against -- Shade Side Sunny Side
• Velvet Night -- Velvet Night
• Gregor Samsa -- Rest
• Cafeneon -- Cafeneon
• Bobby and Blumm -- Everybody Loves...
• Far Cry -- Far Cry
• Palodine -- Garden of Deceit
• Uke of Spaces Corner County -- So Far On the Way
• George Elliott -- Wild in the Streets
• Ow -- Moon Tan
• Rudy Trouve Septet -- Songs and Stuff Recorded Between 2003 and 2007
• Pattern is Movement -- All Together
• The Dreamscapes Project -- Pity in a Heartbeat
• Black Fortress of Opium -- Black Fortress of Opium
• Mason Brothers -- The Sun, the Moon and the Sea

i must say it's a lot more mellow than i expected. not a bad thing by any means... just unexpected. this album is a kind of abstract affair, with minimalistic piano hooks and eerie vocals. listeners (like myself) who loved the crescendos and climaxes of their earlier work will probably take a while to appreciate 'rest'. but those of us that persist are sure to be rewarded for our efforts. there are some beautiful moments and after only two listens i can't wait to discover more!

btw i just heard another of death cab for cutie's songs from their upcoming album. the track is called 'pity and fear'. not a bad track... not a great track either. regardless i'm looking forward to hearing the new album.

• 'kaizers orchestra'. über die muss man glaub ich wirklich nix mehr sagn...am 10.4. in der arena
• 'danko jones' am 13.4. auch in der arena...blame canada!
• 'polite sleeper' im fluc (nicht wanne) am 17.4. ...nieder mit den nicht-schnarchern!...anarchie im bett!
• 'delbo' aus berlin am 19.4. in der wanne...an dieser stelle leider kein sinnloses ego-raus-hängen-lassen-mit-hilfe-von-aneinander-gereihten-wörtern, weil die mir auch nicht mehr sagen, aber hört sich auf alle fälle mal vielversprechend an...richtung hamburger schule...
• 'kristofer aström'...schon viel gehört von diesem jungen herrn aus dem hohen norden, doch noch nie ernsthaft mit seinen kreative ausgüssen beschäftigt...muss ich wohl ändern. vielleicht am 21.4. im chelsea
• 'adam green' am 26.4. im wuk...ehrlichgesagt nicht so mein ding, aber erwähnt gehört er auf alle fälle an dieser stelle (ach...ich sollte schriftsteller werden...was für ein megareim...)
• 'clueso' am 27.4. im flex...muss ich leider auch passen...->myspace
• bei 'girls in hawai' muss ich auch auf den besten freund des menschen, das internet, verweisen...oder einfach am 28.4. ins chelsea schaun...
• so...dann absoluter pflichttermin wieder: 'the notwist' im rkh...wenns 'normale' tickets geben wird: schnell sein...aber ich glaub eher, dass wird wieder per gewinnspiel bei fm4 gemacht...aber was ich mir sagen hab lassen, kommt man oft auch so rein...einfach am abend hinkommen und entweder heulkrampf vortäuschen oder kleine schwester mit wässrigen augen mitnehmen...am 28.4. übrigens...
• tags darauf im flex: 'get well soon'...bin ich auch nicht so der experte...
• 14.5. in der stadthalle...das eigentlich highlight des jahres! 'kylie minogue'...und an dieser stelle muss ich mich mal outen: die neue single/sonst was find ich auf alle fälle hörbar, wenn nicht sogar mehr als nur das...und einer meiner lieblingsvideos, nützt als musikalische berahmung auch eine produktion, wo ihr name drauf steht...wobei ich hier wohl eher an herrn gondry verweisen muss...
• am selbigen abend im chelsea: 'gregor samsa'...tja...ähmmm....selber nachschaun...
• am 19.5. in der arena: 'escapado'...ebenfalls von buchis menu...bitte den chefkoch selber fragen...
• am 20.5. im b72: 'kevin devine' -> chefkoch...
• am 26.5. im chelsea: 'audrey' -> chefkoch...
• am 30.5. in der szene: 'eagle seagull' -> chefkoch...
• am 27.7. in der arena: 'converge' und 'integrity' -> chefkoch...

so...danke an den netten herrn...

was noch zu sagen gibt: vorschau auf herbst: 'bohren und der club of gore' in der szene am 27.10. ...gibts dann später genaueres (weil ihr vergessts des ja bloß alles wieder bis dahin...)

und nächsten freitag sind wir ja alle im planetarium (ja genau...was war da nochmal...ein bisschen runter scrollen...), aber im sinne von fairplay und so, weil ja bald em ist: 'texta' sind am selben abend im wuk für 3€ im vvk...'rodney hunter' schaut auch vorbei...

Gregor Samsa is a post rock band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's short story The Metamorphosis.

The band's sound, although rooted in the post-rock genre, differs from that of other bands in the genre in that it employs dual vocals by Bennett and Nikki King, a feature which relates them to the shoegazing and slowcore genres. Gregor Samsa has stated on its website that "the early history of the group has been lost in a wash of noise, strange beeps, and outright lies”.

In support of its latest release, the band played twenty-one eastern US venues in March before then venturing a 23-date tour of the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, and Germany during April. Historically, the band has chosen to tour and perform along side a wide array bands and genres including Spokane, Kayo Dot, Barzin, Part Chimp, Calla, Engine Down, Isis, Pelican, Explosions in the Sky, Interpol, and many others

Download: REST , 55 12

Web: Myspace Page , Website

xdevx's artists of the week der 11. Kalenderwoche 2008! Viel Spaß!

1. Love in October - An average idea: Was man nicht alles auf den Videoportal vimeo findet. Dadapunkalicious.
2. Heartsrevolution - C.Y.O.A: Die New Yorker Elektrasher haben einen Icecream-Truck umgebaut um damit die USA zu betouren. Sehr einfallsreich, wie das Video.
3. The Kills - Cheap and beautiful: So cool, dass es schmerzt. Ob sie mit ihrer neuen CD auch jenseits der Journalistencrowd neue Sympathien gewinnen können?
4. Gregor Samsa - Trailer zum neuen Album: >20-Mann Slowcore aus, not again, New York.
5. Sigur Rós - Heima: Das ganze Ding ist online auf youtube, ist das nicht großartig?

Da wordpress.com (noch) nicht erlaubt, dass man Youtube-Playlists embedden kann, muss die AOTW vorerst ausgelagert werden. Bis auf weiteres findet ihr die Folge der 11. Kalenderwoche 2008 in der Sidebar oder hier!

Mientras permanecía allí, abstraído, Joe se me acercó por detrás. “¿No te da pena?” le dije, “No”, respondió mientras se frotaba las cuatro patitas delanteras, “Muchos de estos imbéciles habían tratado de pisarme”, se dio la vuelta y se marchó de nuevo hacia el cercano contenedor de basura, se paró un instante, se giró y me dijo “ Vamos Gregor, vente, las ratas han dejado excrementos frescos”.
Me quedé allí un rato, admirando aquel sobrecogedor paisaje, después sentí algo de apetito y me dirigí a saborear aquellas sabrosas defecaciones. La vida aún tenía cosas que ofrecerme.

While the wind twists and dances through the palm trees in the greenbelt outside my open bedroom door, a cool breeze trickles through the room, playing havoc with the twirling rings of smoke rising from the Marlboro 100 smoldering in my ashtray. I'm listening to the opera Le Damnation du Faust, a tad on the histrionic side, on Nevada Public Radio and reading Lance Olsen's Anxious Pleasures: A Novel After Kafka, a reanimation of Kafka's Metamorphosis through the vantage points of those who surrounded Gregor Samsa during his plight. A compelling deconstruction actually. Booklist says of the slim narrative: The essential twist in Olsen's interpretation is that Gregor never actually changes into anything except his birthday suit. He merely goes mad, hallucinating his insectile transformation.

The wind

The book

The opera

The burning cigarette

And I have a half-finished bottle of Vista Point Merlot 2005 within my reach, upon the little table next to my desk.

While my lady sleeps soundly in the bed behind me.

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