Before I forget, Happy New Year and all that jazz. May 2011 be much more pleasant and less confusing than 2010. I don't ask for much. Now, I leave you with what I am declaring as Song of the Year. Remember, I just like sharing. This isn't exhaustive or me standing on a mountain proclaiming the gospel. In fact, it's me saying we should all sit back and have a laugh.
I think this masterpiece fully encapsulates the essence of 2010, and I must admit that I probably sang it more than anything else these past couple months or so. The truth is, this world is full of antagonists and trouble. We better hide our kids and hide our wives. But don't worry: We gon' find 'em, we gon' find 'em. We're putting it back in the hands of the people.
Song: "Bed Intruder Song", Antoine Dodson & the Gregory Brothers & Auto-Tune the News
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
175
I did my Top 10 Albums list a few posts back. In this post, I'd like to point out some albums that were released this year that I wish I had gotten around to (and hopefully will, ASAP), instead of wasting half an hour trying to decipher M.I.A.'s white noise.
Sufjan Stevens, "The Age of Adz"
Joanna Newsom, "Have One on Me"
Blonde Redhead, "Penny Sparkle"
Arcade Fire, "the Suburbs"
ceo, "White Magic"
Loreena McKennitt, "the Wind that Shakes the Barley"
Dead Weather, "Sea of Cowards"
Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp Muhl, "Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger: Acoustic Sessions"
Those are just a few I can currently think of.
Sufjan Stevens, "The Age of Adz"
Joanna Newsom, "Have One on Me"
Blonde Redhead, "Penny Sparkle"
Arcade Fire, "the Suburbs"
ceo, "White Magic"
Loreena McKennitt, "the Wind that Shakes the Barley"
Dead Weather, "Sea of Cowards"
Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp Muhl, "Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger: Acoustic Sessions"
Those are just a few I can currently think of.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
173
(Photo credit: Anonymous)
If you are in Tacoma and need a cupcake and some coffee, I'd suggest Jubilee Cupcakes. The cupcakes are about $2.75 each, which I would be more miffed about if I hadn't accepted that everyone needs to make a living. My favorite is the pink champagne cupcake, which they tend to have on Thursdays and Saturdays and Sundays. It's a dainty little place in the comfy little Proctor District. So, get your groceries and have a nice sandwich from the Metropolitan Market, go to the bookstore, stop by the Cancer Society thrift shop, and then grab a cupcake for the ride home!
And if you're downtown -- say you're hitting the Tacoma Art Museum and urbanXchange -- and want a cupcake, Hello Cupcake is also good. It's about the same as Jubilee, except more popular. I don't think they have the champagne cake, though.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
170
Someone read this on our last day of Intro to Writing Poetry (I read Bukowski, of course):
Another Reason Why I Don't Keep A Gun In The House
Billy Collins
The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
He is barking the same high, rhythmic bark
that he barks every time they leave the house.
They must switch him on on their way out.
The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
I close all the windows in the house
and put on a Beethoven symphony full blast
but I can still hear him muffled under the music,
barking, barking, barking,
and now I can see him sitting in the orchestra,
his head raised confidently as if Beethoven
had included a part for barking dog.
When the record finally ends he is still barking,
sitting there in the oboe section barking,
his eyes fixed on the conductor who is
entreating him with his baton
while the other musicians listen in respectful
silence to the famous barking dog solo,
that endless coda that first established
Beethoven as an innovative genius.
Another Reason Why I Don't Keep A Gun In The House
Billy Collins
The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
He is barking the same high, rhythmic bark
that he barks every time they leave the house.
They must switch him on on their way out.
The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.
I close all the windows in the house
and put on a Beethoven symphony full blast
but I can still hear him muffled under the music,
barking, barking, barking,
and now I can see him sitting in the orchestra,
his head raised confidently as if Beethoven
had included a part for barking dog.
When the record finally ends he is still barking,
sitting there in the oboe section barking,
his eyes fixed on the conductor who is
entreating him with his baton
while the other musicians listen in respectful
silence to the famous barking dog solo,
that endless coda that first established
Beethoven as an innovative genius.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
169
I need to do some serious light reading this break. Here are some books I'm considering:
Ultramarine - poems by Raymond Carver
the Roominghouse Madrigals - early poems of Charles Bukowski
Ulysses - James Joyce
The Disorder of Your Name - Juan Jose Millas, translated to English by Rod Usher
The Angry Earth: Disaster in Anthropological Perspective - ed. by Oliver-Smith, Hoffman
The Growth of the Medieval Icelandic Sagas (1180-1280) - Theodore M. Andersson
The Simple Guide to Hinduism - Venika Mehra Kingsland
Tender is the Night - F. Scott Fitzgerald
the Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
Ultramarine - poems by Raymond Carver
the Roominghouse Madrigals - early poems of Charles Bukowski
Ulysses - James Joyce
The Disorder of Your Name - Juan Jose Millas, translated to English by Rod Usher
The Angry Earth: Disaster in Anthropological Perspective - ed. by Oliver-Smith, Hoffman
The Growth of the Medieval Icelandic Sagas (1180-1280) - Theodore M. Andersson
The Simple Guide to Hinduism - Venika Mehra Kingsland
Tender is the Night - F. Scott Fitzgerald
the Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
168
Christmas Kookies
My little sister decided she and I needed to make Christmas cookies this year. I'm glad we did.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
166
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2010
...Well, top 10 of the ones I managed to get my hands on. These here are the best of the best, in my opinion. The order isn't necessarily legalistic or hugely reliable. Mainly, I just want to point out that these are the ones that I really liked this year. Enjoy!
1. Owen Pallett, "Heartland"
Now, I've been kicking myself for the past few months, trying to figure out who would come out on top in this list (this is my first year committing myself to making such a list, with ranking and all... I'm decidiophobic, btw): Owen or CocoRosie? I'm quite a loyal CocoRosie fan, but I honestly think I listened to this album more. Also, Owen secured his place at the top of the class with a nice extra credit project -- The "A Swedish Love Story" EP. "Heartland" itself is an amazing album. I had seen Owen perform as Final Fantasy, opening for the Mountain Goats, last year. At the time, I thought he was pretty cool, but I for one reason or another didn't really get around to his records. After hearing his name tossed around a little and a recommendation from a friend and watching this video, I finally just ordered the CD. And I was blown away. How to describe it? A surrealist journey? A cross between ballet scores, toned down opera sets, and indie pop existentialism? That surely doesn't do it justice. You'll just have to listen for yourself. Hats off to man of the year.
Key tracks: "The Great Elsewhere", "Oh Heartland, Up Yours!", "Lewis Takes of His Shirt", "E is for Estranged"
2. CocoRosie, "Grey Oceans"
I cannot even begin to explain the excitement I felt when I realized CocoRosie was releasing an album this year. Elation. I've been in love with them since freshman year of high school or so, when "Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn" came out. Also, I saw them live last year. This year, I saw them again. While last year was freaking amazing, this year's performance was even better. This time, for example, they actually seemed like they wanted to be there. And this album is pristine. The atmospheres, especially of songs like "Gallows", are so eerie. It's wonderful. As usual, I am thoroughly impressed by their ability to reach into that dark place of your soul, where your inner child waits, beaten down and nearly forgotten, and touches you in some indescribable way. Their music is always a welcome departure from reality and yet a meander back into a part of it you aren't always aware of. The only reason this wasn't #1 is because I sometimes skip over "Fairy Paradise" and "Hopscotch", because they don't always fit into what I personally need from the album. But that's my own fault.
Key tracks: "Smokey Taboo", "Undertaker", "The Moon Asked the Crow", "Lemonade"
3. Lightspeed Champion, "Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You."
This was a lucky find. I was randomly watching an episode of "Dinner with the Band" on IFC, which had come to my attention via an episode with the Mountain Goats -- in my life, all signs point back to the Mountain Goats. Just after watching the performance of "Madame van Damme", I was hooked. This dude is so prolific, as a text sent to me declared this summer. I managed to snag the album through Interlibrary Loan (thanks, Kansas!), and I was blown away. Listening while shelving books in the middle of a very confusing summer, I found this album to be spot-on. Every song is great, and his lyrics and manner are just fun -- but there is a lot of meaning, relatability, and utmost seriousness where it counts, too. It's just GOOD! Plus, lyrics like "I'm ready to give up on you now / I'm waiting 'til the sun has gone down / I'm waiting for a strand of your / golden locks to sew my stomach shut" are certain to keep it on my iPod and in my heart for a long time to come.
Key tracks: "Dead Head Blues", "Marlene", "Madame van Damme", "Romart"
4. Rufus Wainwright, "All Days are Nights: Songs for Lulu"
I am so incredibly glad this caught my eye when I was at the public library one day, otherwise I wouldn't have known about it. I've listened to a couple other Rufus albums, and they're good. But this one is great. It is exactly what I have wanted from Rufus since day one: An album wholly of just HIM and a PIANO. These songs are so thoughtful and clean and taut. Rufus is a talented man. This is an album I can listen to and sing to, or I can just play in the background while I read a book or clean my room or contemplate my existence. It's very touching, and only overpowering where it really needs to be (ie: "Martha" and "Zebulon" will blow your mind).
Key tracks: "Martha", "Give Me What I Want and Give It to Me Now!", "Zebulon"
5. Twin Shadow, "Forget"
This came to my attention via multiple postings from my friend at Company Pants. Since the day I finally got the album into my iTunes, I have been coming back to it over and over. It's so very 80's, yet so fresh. It's maneuverably structured, but also messy and rough. It's mysterious, in its own way. I really like it. It makes me want to take a walk in the middle of the night, or go swimming in the dark. The videos I picture for the songs are intense, all of them. And the lyric "there is no key to my gate / but you can still come around / lean your ladder against my window / I'll come down" is refreshing and a great way of saying what I've only tried to imply.
Key tracks: "I Can't Wait", "At My Heals", "Tether Beat", "Slow", "Shooting Holes at the Moon"
6. the Extra Lens, "Undercard"
The Extra Lens involves two men, and one of them is John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats. That latter fact is all I needed to know. Anything involving John goes straight to the top of my list of priorities. For example, I pulled tons of strings getting my hands on the Mountain Goats DVD for "Life of the World to Come" that was only available at certain lucky record stores on Record Store Day this spring. That was quite an adventure. The only reason "Undercard" is this far down the list is because I haven't had as much time to listen to it as the others, and it takes time to really immerse in John's work (that's part of what makes it so freaking awesome). Love love love to John. This album is fabulous, as I expected, and takes his work places I haven't yet heard. And their cover of "In Germany Before the War" is jus CHILLING.
Key tracks: "Only Existing Footage", "Programmed Cell Death", "How I Left the Ministry", "In Germany Before the War"
7. Perfume Genius, "Learning"
One song on a mix, and I needed more. Perfume Genius' music feels like a deep, dark secret being revealed. It's so dark and murky. It takes me to a place I wish more music would take me. It's a moist, discomforting place of self-discovery and existentialism and fear and damage. There's something exhilarating about the simplicity and utter intimate quality of all these songs. I doubt Perfume Genius could cater to the mainstream, but his unique sound will definitely take him far. He's got a very Matthew Barney style about him. So arty!
Key tracks: "Learning", "Look Out, Look Out", "Mr. Petersen", "You Won't B Here"
8. Mumford and Sons, "Sigh No More"
I think I'm cheating a little, here. If my calculations are correct, this album came out last year in the UK and this year in the US. It's not 100% 2010, but I don't CARE. I had heard their name around a little, then I saw the video for "Little Lion Man" on Vh1. That clinched it. This banjo-laiden, folk-friendly masterpiece is worth a listen. I'm really sad I didn't get around to it until after they toured through my state. Now I think I would have thoroughly loved seeing them and all their talent live. Oh well, saved me a bunch of money.
Key tracks: "Sigh No More", "White Blank Page", "Little Lion Man"
9. Humble Cub, "Humble Cub"
Local band! Like, so local that I've been at hipster parties with Allan (the lead singer). I'm a huge fan of his previous solo work, which veers more toward the acoustic, so I was a little unsure at first about this move into the rock group sound. I'm so glad I gave in. Just like before, you get Allan's eccentric and -- as aptly called by some website -- "capricious" lyrics, that blend adult concerns with a very child-like curiosity and randomness. But you also get a oceanic and wide atmosphere. Not to mention some whimsical guitar licks. And, FYI, you can download the album for free (click link above). Of course, you can also pick it up at urbanXchange for $5, nicely packaged and all. Support!
Key tracks: "Easier", "Secrets of the Beach", "Awesome Island"
10. Best Coast, "Crazy for You"
I had heard rumblings of this one, but it took a post by my friend at Secret Signs and Lullabies to give this album the listen it deserved. This might sound like a really general statement, but it isn't quite: I really just like the SOUND of this album. Her voice, the echo, the instrumentation, the almost canned quality. And her songs are very relatable. "Boyfriend", for example: What girl hasn't felt that way? "I wish he was my boyfriend" - Me too, girl, me too. Maybe as I listen to this album more and have more experiences akin to those she describes, it will climb further up the list.
Key tracks: "Boyfriend", "Crazy for You", "Goodbye", "I Want To"
...Well, top 10 of the ones I managed to get my hands on. These here are the best of the best, in my opinion. The order isn't necessarily legalistic or hugely reliable. Mainly, I just want to point out that these are the ones that I really liked this year. Enjoy!
1. Owen Pallett, "Heartland"
Now, I've been kicking myself for the past few months, trying to figure out who would come out on top in this list (this is my first year committing myself to making such a list, with ranking and all... I'm decidiophobic, btw): Owen or CocoRosie? I'm quite a loyal CocoRosie fan, but I honestly think I listened to this album more. Also, Owen secured his place at the top of the class with a nice extra credit project -- The "A Swedish Love Story" EP. "Heartland" itself is an amazing album. I had seen Owen perform as Final Fantasy, opening for the Mountain Goats, last year. At the time, I thought he was pretty cool, but I for one reason or another didn't really get around to his records. After hearing his name tossed around a little and a recommendation from a friend and watching this video, I finally just ordered the CD. And I was blown away. How to describe it? A surrealist journey? A cross between ballet scores, toned down opera sets, and indie pop existentialism? That surely doesn't do it justice. You'll just have to listen for yourself. Hats off to man of the year.
Key tracks: "The Great Elsewhere", "Oh Heartland, Up Yours!", "Lewis Takes of His Shirt", "E is for Estranged"
2. CocoRosie, "Grey Oceans"
I cannot even begin to explain the excitement I felt when I realized CocoRosie was releasing an album this year. Elation. I've been in love with them since freshman year of high school or so, when "Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn" came out. Also, I saw them live last year. This year, I saw them again. While last year was freaking amazing, this year's performance was even better. This time, for example, they actually seemed like they wanted to be there. And this album is pristine. The atmospheres, especially of songs like "Gallows", are so eerie. It's wonderful. As usual, I am thoroughly impressed by their ability to reach into that dark place of your soul, where your inner child waits, beaten down and nearly forgotten, and touches you in some indescribable way. Their music is always a welcome departure from reality and yet a meander back into a part of it you aren't always aware of. The only reason this wasn't #1 is because I sometimes skip over "Fairy Paradise" and "Hopscotch", because they don't always fit into what I personally need from the album. But that's my own fault.
Key tracks: "Smokey Taboo", "Undertaker", "The Moon Asked the Crow", "Lemonade"
3. Lightspeed Champion, "Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You."
This was a lucky find. I was randomly watching an episode of "Dinner with the Band" on IFC, which had come to my attention via an episode with the Mountain Goats -- in my life, all signs point back to the Mountain Goats. Just after watching the performance of "Madame van Damme", I was hooked. This dude is so prolific, as a text sent to me declared this summer. I managed to snag the album through Interlibrary Loan (thanks, Kansas!), and I was blown away. Listening while shelving books in the middle of a very confusing summer, I found this album to be spot-on. Every song is great, and his lyrics and manner are just fun -- but there is a lot of meaning, relatability, and utmost seriousness where it counts, too. It's just GOOD! Plus, lyrics like "I'm ready to give up on you now / I'm waiting 'til the sun has gone down / I'm waiting for a strand of your / golden locks to sew my stomach shut" are certain to keep it on my iPod and in my heart for a long time to come.
Key tracks: "Dead Head Blues", "Marlene", "Madame van Damme", "Romart"
4. Rufus Wainwright, "All Days are Nights: Songs for Lulu"
I am so incredibly glad this caught my eye when I was at the public library one day, otherwise I wouldn't have known about it. I've listened to a couple other Rufus albums, and they're good. But this one is great. It is exactly what I have wanted from Rufus since day one: An album wholly of just HIM and a PIANO. These songs are so thoughtful and clean and taut. Rufus is a talented man. This is an album I can listen to and sing to, or I can just play in the background while I read a book or clean my room or contemplate my existence. It's very touching, and only overpowering where it really needs to be (ie: "Martha" and "Zebulon" will blow your mind).
Key tracks: "Martha", "Give Me What I Want and Give It to Me Now!", "Zebulon"
5. Twin Shadow, "Forget"
This came to my attention via multiple postings from my friend at Company Pants. Since the day I finally got the album into my iTunes, I have been coming back to it over and over. It's so very 80's, yet so fresh. It's maneuverably structured, but also messy and rough. It's mysterious, in its own way. I really like it. It makes me want to take a walk in the middle of the night, or go swimming in the dark. The videos I picture for the songs are intense, all of them. And the lyric "there is no key to my gate / but you can still come around / lean your ladder against my window / I'll come down" is refreshing and a great way of saying what I've only tried to imply.
Key tracks: "I Can't Wait", "At My Heals", "Tether Beat", "Slow", "Shooting Holes at the Moon"
6. the Extra Lens, "Undercard"
The Extra Lens involves two men, and one of them is John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats. That latter fact is all I needed to know. Anything involving John goes straight to the top of my list of priorities. For example, I pulled tons of strings getting my hands on the Mountain Goats DVD for "Life of the World to Come" that was only available at certain lucky record stores on Record Store Day this spring. That was quite an adventure. The only reason "Undercard" is this far down the list is because I haven't had as much time to listen to it as the others, and it takes time to really immerse in John's work (that's part of what makes it so freaking awesome). Love love love to John. This album is fabulous, as I expected, and takes his work places I haven't yet heard. And their cover of "In Germany Before the War" is jus CHILLING.
Key tracks: "Only Existing Footage", "Programmed Cell Death", "How I Left the Ministry", "In Germany Before the War"
7. Perfume Genius, "Learning"
One song on a mix, and I needed more. Perfume Genius' music feels like a deep, dark secret being revealed. It's so dark and murky. It takes me to a place I wish more music would take me. It's a moist, discomforting place of self-discovery and existentialism and fear and damage. There's something exhilarating about the simplicity and utter intimate quality of all these songs. I doubt Perfume Genius could cater to the mainstream, but his unique sound will definitely take him far. He's got a very Matthew Barney style about him. So arty!
Key tracks: "Learning", "Look Out, Look Out", "Mr. Petersen", "You Won't B Here"
8. Mumford and Sons, "Sigh No More"
I think I'm cheating a little, here. If my calculations are correct, this album came out last year in the UK and this year in the US. It's not 100% 2010, but I don't CARE. I had heard their name around a little, then I saw the video for "Little Lion Man" on Vh1. That clinched it. This banjo-laiden, folk-friendly masterpiece is worth a listen. I'm really sad I didn't get around to it until after they toured through my state. Now I think I would have thoroughly loved seeing them and all their talent live. Oh well, saved me a bunch of money.
Key tracks: "Sigh No More", "White Blank Page", "Little Lion Man"
9. Humble Cub, "Humble Cub"
Local band! Like, so local that I've been at hipster parties with Allan (the lead singer). I'm a huge fan of his previous solo work, which veers more toward the acoustic, so I was a little unsure at first about this move into the rock group sound. I'm so glad I gave in. Just like before, you get Allan's eccentric and -- as aptly called by some website -- "capricious" lyrics, that blend adult concerns with a very child-like curiosity and randomness. But you also get a oceanic and wide atmosphere. Not to mention some whimsical guitar licks. And, FYI, you can download the album for free (click link above). Of course, you can also pick it up at urbanXchange for $5, nicely packaged and all. Support!
Key tracks: "Easier", "Secrets of the Beach", "Awesome Island"
10. Best Coast, "Crazy for You"
I had heard rumblings of this one, but it took a post by my friend at Secret Signs and Lullabies to give this album the listen it deserved. This might sound like a really general statement, but it isn't quite: I really just like the SOUND of this album. Her voice, the echo, the instrumentation, the almost canned quality. And her songs are very relatable. "Boyfriend", for example: What girl hasn't felt that way? "I wish he was my boyfriend" - Me too, girl, me too. Maybe as I listen to this album more and have more experiences akin to those she describes, it will climb further up the list.
Key tracks: "Boyfriend", "Crazy for You", "Goodbye", "I Want To"
165
This song describes my day today.
1. My morning went smoothly.
2. Some guy needed to use up his meal points, so he paid for my lunch at school.
3. Caught up on my reading, studied, no huge stressin'.
4. Reassurance when it counted: "You'll do great."
5. I had my final final (haha) for the semester for Literature and the Environment, and it went fabulous. No stress, knew what to write, felt pretty smart, AAAAND --> no migraine afterwards! This is something extremely new. I also am now quite sad the class is over.
6. Leftover, delicious muffins bestowed unto me.
7. Went to my little sister's choir concert, which was surprisingly delightful. Sang with her (and all them other kids) when the alumni song came. Joy.
8. Had a nice, late dinner with my sister and grandparents at Sharis. Had some deep conversations, and also some silly ones.
9. Came home to listen to Gaga and finally do the cleaning I've been having to put off due to busy busy busy schoolwork.
10. Looking back on all that and the semester I've just finished. Content.
I like this feeling.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
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