John Legend
Once Again
SONY/BMG





Masih serupa dengan album perdananya, kiprah terbaru musisi dan penyanyi berbakat ini sekali lagi mengolah dramatic storytelling dan redemptive power musik soul, untuk diterapkan di landasan musik hip-hop. Bedanya, kali ini John Legend menampilkan sound yang lebih kaya, mengeksplorasi tema-tema urban dengan matang dan eksperimentasi yang lebih adventurous. Hasilnya? A soulful album, not really funky and brims with spiritual power.

Album ini memang merentang kekayaan bunyi dan gayanya cukup luas. Dari soul hingga hip-hop, dari classic pop hingga alternative. John Legend sendiri menilai album keduanya ini tidak berbeda secara dramatis, melainkan pertumbuhan dan perluasan dari musikalitasnya di album pertama. Di album ini, dia masih berkolaborasi dengan produser dan penulis lagu Kanye West. Selain bekerja sama juga dengan will.i.am, Raphael Saadiq, Craig Street, dan lain-lain.

Lagu-lagu mid-tempo di album ini mungkin sekilas terdengar agak monoton, namun simaklah dengan lebih jernih, lantas biarkan saja nada-nada itu bermain-main dengan mood dan spirit Anda.

George Michael
Twentyfive
SONY/BMG





Ada 2 alasan jika penyanyi mengeluarkan album the best atau greatest hits. Pertama, karir musiknya sudah tamat, atau kedua dia sedang merayakan kelimpahan ilham yang diterimanya selama berkarir di musik. Untuk George Michael, alasan kedua mungkin lebih tepat. Hingga album terakhirnya dua tahun lalu, Patience, George Michael masih diakui sebagai pencetak hits handal yang laris manis dan dilimpahi berbagai award.

Twentyfive, album terbarunya ini adalah perayaan 25 tahun karir musiknya. Album yang dirilis di negeri asalnya sejak November 2006 ini akan mengiringi rangkaian tour “25 Live” yang dimulainya dari Barcelona, sejak 23 September 2006.

Namanya juga greatest hits, maka yang baru dari album ini hanyalah 3 never been released singles. Album ini kebanyakan berisi hits-nya di masa solo karir, namun ada juga 4 lagu dari era Wham! yang dibawakan ulang. Album ini dikemas dalam 2 keping CD, yang masing-masing bertajuk For Living dan For Loving. Jika Anda beruntung mendapatkan limited edition, maka Anda bahkan bisa mendapat ekstra 1 keping CD yang bertajuk For The Loyal. Lumayan juga mengoleksi album semacam ini, bisa berajojing mengenang indahnya tempo doeloe, sambil menimang cucu.

BABEL, The Struggle to Survive




In the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, a rifle shot rings out - detonating a chain of events that will link an American tourist couple’s frantic struggle to survive, two Moroccan boys involved in an accidental crime, a nanny illegally crossing into Mexico with two American children and a Japanese teen rebel whose father is sought by the police in Tokyo.

This is a serious movie overflowing with memorable acting, unforgettable images, searing tragedy, unexpected humor and an eloquent plea for international understanding. And while it's by no stretch of imagination light entertainment, it's fundamentally a more optimistic work than either "Amores Perros" or "21 Grams."

Babel may be the most ambitious movie of the year, tackling towering communication barriers, global politics and cultural divides in a structurally complex and fascinating narrative.The beauty of this film is in its lapidary details, which sparkle with feeling and surprise.

The film looks at relationships, from husband/wife, parent/children, brother/sister and plays around the themes of love in adversity.

All stories are interlinked in a very random way. It seems trying to capture 6 degrees of separation realities in extreme close-ups. The film is set in Morocco, Mexico, Japan and the US, and the director makes full use of the different backdrops to bring the picture alive.

The characters are deep and insightful, each has a problem to face up to and the subtle, naturalistic way their issues play out make for truly emotional cinema. This is not a film about heroes, it's a film about trying to make the right choices when your back is to the wall, and the doubts that go with this.

A Very Great Movie!

Bloody Brilliant!


I’ve been waiting to see this movie since Warner Bros. announced this project about a year ago. I was lucky enough to get a pass on an advance screening of The Departed last week in Setiabudi 21. I love the original version with Tony Leung and Andy Lau. But I think a little Scorsese’s touch will be very good.

Apparently, The Departed very much its own movie. Scorsese only kept the main story as the basic structure of the film. He added up some sub-plots - layered stories that is not formulaic - in a very subtle way, which make this Hollywood version is even more beautiful and better than the original. The screenplay is simply brilliant. Feelings flow like molten lava. The dialogue overflows with edgy wit and acidulous arias of imprecation.

The next best thing about this film is the superb acting on top of a brilliant story. All casts give excellent performances, especially Leo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson. They build a strong chemistry and share the screen charisma together. Nicholson creates another classic role to add to his already sparkling resume. And DiCaprio, after became Scorsese's next "muse”, he's finally put boyhood behind him and always delivers outstanding acts.

The Departed is rude, bleak, brutal, violent, gory, thrilling and gritty crime drama. Master class in suspense, but purely enjoyable. At its core, "The Departed" is a well-crafted, well-written, and well-acted film. In an age where style usually triumphs over the narrative quality, it surpasses the challenge and become an insightful story about life and value.

YOUNG & FAMOUS, What Could Have Been Better?


One of the best new shows in the last few years. Entourage brings the lifestyle of the young and famous in a likable sharply written and easy to take in way.

The key to this show is the writing, always witty and hard hitting. The writers don't tame it down, it makes us easy to believe that these are real people and gets you connected to the cast quickly. The realism of the series and the great guest stars they get is also a wonderful treat (Sara Foster, Scarlett Johanson, Jaime Presley, Ali Larter, Luke Wilson, Ralph Macchio to name a few). Ari Gold the super-agent is rapidly becoming one the most recognizable characters on HBO series with his hilarious lines and over the top antics.

The show has been nominated for 8 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes since originally airing on July 18, 2004. So, don't miss this TV show! A lifestyle is a terrible thing to waste.

Jualan Transformasi a la Ratu Kembang Api

Tak ada yang meragukan eksistensi Syaharani sebagai fenomena musikal. Sulit tidak jatuh cinta pada suara berat 2,5 oktafnya yang khas dan diolah sangat indah. Syaharani mencuat lewat beberapa kolaborasi musisi Jazz lokal medio 1990-an. Kehadirannya diperhitungkan setelah jadi guest star konser Al Jarreau di Indonesia tahun 2000. Empat album solo ditelurkannya. Album terbaru, Buat Kamu, tampil dengan label Syaharani and The Queenfireworks dan didukung musisi andal seperti Ahmad “Didit” Fareed, Donni Suhendra dan lainnya. Entah kenapa Syaharani memilih kembang api jadi personifikasi jatidiri.

Kendati dikenal sebagai penyanyi Jazz, Syaharani berusaha memoles karakter musikalnya dengan pengaruh musik lain yang disebutnya sebagai crossover. Hasilnya jazz yang menerabas batas dan “Syaharani banget”.

Mengamati empat album solonya, hobi bereksperimen tampak menonjol. Setelah menghadirkan interpretasi lagu hits Jazz mainstream di album Tersiksa Lagi a.k.a. Love (2000), di album Magma (2002), Syaharani bertualang dengan warna triphop/psydhedelic. Dalam Syaharani-Syaharani (2004), dia memaksimalisasi eksplorasi natural Jazz talent-nya. Album keempatnya menampilkan komposisi yang light dan cheerful, eksotis, tanpa beban dan tidak njelimet. Mengingatkan kita pada Tania Maria, Basia atau Sade Adu. Discography yang menampilkan transformasi tanpa henti dari bakat si kembang api ini.

Namun sisi advertising dan promosinya tampak tak secemerlang bakatnya. Meskipun tidak jeblok, penjualannya juga tidak menghasilkan greget luar biasa. Padahal jelas bukan karena kurang bakat. Tampaknya Syaharani masih terjebak dalam stigma pemasaran Jazz yang sempat lekat hingga era 1990-an. Ketika itu banyak yang menyangka Jazz adalah ceruk pemasaran yang sempit. Padahal, sekarang kita lihat Jazz ternyata memiliki lapisan penggemar cukup luas dengan daya beli tinggi. Simaklah Jakarta International Jazz Festival setiap tahun yang banjir pengunjung dan meraup untung tak sedikit.

Ujung-ujungnya promosi, begitulah pekerja industri musik menyebutnya. Semua menuntut campaign strategy yang solid. Promosi cara lama memang banyak makan biaya, maka harus diakali dengan upaya lebih untuk mengeksplorasi kemungkinan through the line campaign. Upaya ini dibuktikan keampuhannya oleh indie rock bands seperti PAS Band, The Brandals, Seringai dan The Upstairs yang menjual album lewat distro dan pensi. Tapi segmennya kan berbeda? Tentu, makanya dibutuhkan upaya lebih. Lebih berpikir dan bernegosiasi. Dengan bakat besar begini, tentu kita tak ingin Ratu Kembang Api ini hanya berpendar sebentar lantas padam.

Syaharani and The Queenfireworks, Buat Kamu (2006) RPM E-Motion Prod. Rp. 50.000,-
12 tracks. Bisa didapatkan di toko CD reguler, detikcom atau show-show Syaharani.

Summer Blockuster VS. Local Next Generation

Bulan Juli 2006, summer blockbuster masih menghantam layar perak kita. Setelah sempat tertunda beberapa waktu, Lucky Number Slevin akan tayang Juli ini. Thriller besutan Paul McGuigan ini menawarkan cara bertutur yang unik, permainan peran yang keren dan plot twist penuh kejutan. Sekilas gayanya tampak seperti film-film karya Quentin Tarrantino. Sayang sekali jika dilewatkan.

Sebuah film penting lagi yang patut dicatat jadwal tayangnya adalah Pirates of Carribean: Dead Man’s Chest. Film ini masih menggunakan the winning formula-nya yaitu sutradara Gore Verbinsky dan trio aktor Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom. Kali ini mereka harus menghadapi Davy Jones and the Flying Dutchman. Davy Jones diperankan aktor gaek Bill Nighy. Akankah film ini memberikan nominasi Oscar ketiga untuk Johnny Depp? Makanya harus kita saksikan bersama-sama.

Dari khazanah film nasional, bulan ini Art Cinema TIM menampilkan karya 3 sutradara muda. Impian Kemarau karya Ravi L. Bharwanie ini menceritakan romantika sebuah desa di musim kemarau. Film ini penting ditonton karena sebelumnya sukses didapuk sebagai Best Film untuk kategori Asian New Talent Award dalam The 8th Shanghai International Film Festival Juni 2005 lalu. Cocok sekali ditonton di pertengahan summer seperti kali ini bukan?

100% Sari dibesut Cassandra Massardi serta dibintangi Oky, Tipi Jabrik dan Sujiwo Tejo. Drama serius dengan dialog yang humoris namun cerdas ini berlatar budaya Bali masa kini. Tapi tak usah berharap menonton bule-bule menentang RUU PP di Pantai Kuta atau Sanur. Kisahnya sendiri tentang perubahan dalam kehidupan rutin gadis Bali bernama Wayan Sari, setelah dia bertemu seorang DJ terkenal. Cassandra dengan cerdas menampilkan pergeseran-pergeseran kultural di Pulau Dewata tersebut dari kacamata si gadis dan orang-orang di sekitarnya.

Terakhir, Paris Dreams karya Dhani Agustinus. Film Dokumenter Indonesia ber-setting kota Paris ini mengisahkan pengalaman pahit seorang waria Indonesia di negeri orang. Sebagai pensiunan Waria Tuna Susila di jalanan kota Paris, kini Wulandari berharap bisa hidup normal dengan menjadi istri seorang Tunisia. Tapi ternyata itupun bukan jalan yang mudah.

Banyak pilihan bagus untuk ditonton bulan ini. Jadi mari nonton bersama!

Dimuat di Ad-Diction #04

How to Get Ideas
Jack Foster and Larry Corby
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 1996

There is never been a time in all history, when ideas were so needed or so valuable. That’s because of several significant reasons. First, idea is the wheel of progress. Without them, stagnation reigns. Secondly, our computerized world are doing so much of the mundane work that we used to do, thereby, freeing us up and requiring us to do creative work which those systems cannot do. Third, in this information era, we can easily have the tools to get many things better. It comes only we combine the information to form new things, that we called idea.

This book is written by Jack Foster, a man who has been working as an advertiser for 40 years. He also has won dozens of advertising awards, including being named as Creative Person of The Year and a very respectable lecturer on advertising in The University of Southern California. So, when it comes to bring a discourse about ideas, he’s simply the most reliable source.

Foster starts it with a really simple question. When an editor writes on 20 different subjects or an advertiser write 20 different commercials, how do they get the ideas. Many experts on communications, even philosophers through the centuries have described several methods to generating ideas. They are pretty much similar with one another. Foster summarizes it in five steps; define the problem, gathered the information, search for the idea, forget about it (or in other ways waiting for an inspiration) and put the idea into action.

But, even though, they all generally agree on the steps that we must take to get an idea, none of them actually talks much about the condition we must be in to climb those steps. And if we are not in condition, it doesn’t make any difference if you know the steps, you will never get the ideas that you are capable of getting. So, what condition that we need to produce a new idea?

Foster emphasizes his book on this subject. Aside of defining what is idea and the steps to produce ideas, he also describes how we create such a situation that can help us generating ideas. He tells us how to condition our minds, so we are become ready to generate ideas. There are 8 ways; have fun, become idea prone, set our minds on goals, be more like a child, screw up our courage, rethink our thinking, and learn how to combine. And if we are pretty much in these situations, we only need to take the steps.

In the last part, Foster reminds us of one last small thing that we shouldn’t forget. It may not seem part of the process of getting an idea. But it truly is. An idea is never an idea until something happens with it. When we have done this small thing, we can look back an amazing how something new has been created.

Cutting Edge Advertising II
Jim Aitchison
Prentice Hall, 2003

We live in what so-called Information Age. That’s because we have reached an understanding that information has values. Aside from helping us understand things better, information is tools to solve problems, help people, save and fix and create thing, make things better, cheaper and more useful, and the most important one; sell something! This age demands a constant stream of information. One of the most recognizable kinds of information that we accept day by day in this age is advertising. Therefore, we can also call this age as The Age of Advertising. They are simply everywhere.

Advertising is one of the success key of marketing. But, since there are so many advertising nowadays, things are getting harder and harder. We are demanded to come up with something with the stopping point, insight and persuasion in one interesting advertising package. We have to add something to the ordinary, so we can present something that extraordinary. So, public will actually stop and buy the things, or at least create a brand awareness and brand experience in their minds.

This book gives us first step-by-step guide to creating cutting edge print ads. A hip but not trendy guide to the many angles involved in the creation of print ads. It covered everything from how advertising works, how brand-building methodologies are changing, how to get an idea, and how copy and art should be crafted. Dozens of new cutting edge print advertisements have been included from the US, UK, Australia and Asia. But that’s not all. For the first time, readers will get to see the latest work from the Philippines, South Africa, China and Eastern Europe. The ads are bigger, clearer and bolder.

Virtually every ad is shown on a page of its own, making the text easier to read. In addition, new creative voices have been added to the main text, following the success of the first edition. It demystifies the advertising creative process, with page after page of practical, inspiring and often controversial advice from such masters. Over 200 print ads and case histories reveal the creative processes at work in many world famous agencies in the US, UK, Asia and Australia.


Jim Aitchison has won over 600 advertising awards. He was creative director of The Ball Partnership, Singapore, and executive creative director of Batey Ads, Singapore. He has judged The One Show, America's leading awards show, and the London International Advertising Awards.