Tuesday, October 30, 2007

semi-long day


So that pretty much sums how I feel someti...well, most the time actually. hah!

But we'll start off with more pleasant things, like how "Iceblink Luck" by the Cocteau Twins is one of my new favorite songs! I was looking at Feist's "celeb playlist" on iTunes the other day and she had it listed. It just has really good vocals (or at least I think so) and I like the song. The lyrics don't entirely make sense to me, but that's ok. It might take a couple seconds to load but listen to it...it's a good song, I promise! It just makes you feel happy. (:



However, there are several things I could complain about right now...how today I got stuck behind someone on I-85 going 40 miles an hour which resulted in a semi almost rear-ending me at 70 miles an hour, or, well I'm going to just stop there.

My concern for the month of November is getting tickets to see Tori Amos in Charlotte. I am the only one I know, though, who likes Tori Amos. I wouldn't mind going by myself, but it's Charlotte...at night...by myself. Probably nothing to worry about, but I'd rather not go alone. Oh well. I have loved Tori Amos since at least my freshmen/sophomore-ish year in high school and this is like the fifth time she's been to Charlotte. I think it's finally time I saw her live. Haha...that whole paragraph kind of makes me sound like a loser but really, who else around here likes Tori Amos?? I can't think of anyone. I hate dragging someone along who doesn't really listen to her music, but I'm sure it will work out.

Anyway. I had someone say to me the other day (in regards to me working for my dad), "You didn't go to college for four years to do that." Seriously? Don't tell me what I went to college for. I went to college for a DEGREE. It may have been political science, but I swear at least 90% of the people I ask aren't doing anything that relates to what they actually majored in. That's not to say I won't someday get into politics, but for now, I'm where I want to be. Or at least I think so- but that's beside the point. That was just something that irritated me. Just because I am working for my dad doesn't mean it's a less real job. In no way, shape or form am I saying I want to make some huge career out of working for my dad but for now it is just working out well.

On a higher note, I am excited about CHRISTMAS! This whole season has been great. I basically love October-January. I love all the seasons, but I think fall/winter are my favorites.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Dido live

While I'm up and just hanging out at 3:15am because I drank a pumpkin latte way too late in the evening, here is a fantastic live video of one of my favorite Dido songs. The song is called "See You When You're 40." I guess the reason I like the video is because I love the song. Otherwise, it might not be terribly exciting. If you aren't a fan of Dido, expand your horizons and watch the video. If you fast forward until there's about one minute and 50 seconds left, that's my favorite part. It's an added portion to the song that isn't on the album version. Here's the video:




Notice at the beginning she says,
"I don't usually write songs that are a direct attack on one person...but sometimes I just can't help myself." Haha. I love it.

Dumbledore is not gay.

So umm...Dumbledore is gay?? J.K. Rowling supposedly "outed" him recently when she made some kind of appearance at Carnegie Hall. Uh, really? Seriously? Completely regardless of where you stand on the issue of homosexuality, that is the most retarded thing ever. It would be different if she had really hinted at it throughout the series, or said it earlier before the books were finished. But after it's all said and done, books have been written, movies have been made...and she's like, "Oh, by the way, Dumbledore, that major wizard character in my books- yeah, he's gay." Either she is telling the truth and he really was a gay character, or it's a publicity stunt. I'm leaning towards the latter. Like I said, it would be different if had it been something she gradually brought into the series or announced before she was finished with series. But all the sudden she decides he's gay? It would be like a Disney writer going back and saying Captain Hook was a cross dresser. It just doesn't make sense. I do not believe for a second that J.K. Rowling went into the HP series with intentions of having Dumbledore be a gay character. But obviously, I am not her. I think it's just something she all the sudden decided after writing the series. Makes no sense to me. Now I'm going to get back to watching The Chamber of Secrets. I'm attempting to pick up any hints from Dumbledore's character that would imply he was gay, and so far I'm getting none.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Robyn resurfacing

So I'm sure you all remember Robyn..."Show Me Love," and "Do You Know (What It Takes)" were two of her more popular singles that hit the charts. Well quite a while ago, in my completely random searching for music, I happened upon Sweden's iTunes music store. I then stumbled across her newer self-titled album which was released last April. Not quite "new music" but I think the album is kind of evolving with new songs being released, so it is in a sense "new." and SO good! I don't know why she fell off the face of the earth (or the face of America, rather) but this album certainly improves on Robyn is Here (the one that was popular here in the states). At least that's my humble opinion. I think the music on her newer album definitely could compete with pop songs that are on the charts right now. She has a voice that you can easily identify, and her music on the airwaves would be a nice break from Rihanna, Ciara, Kelis, etc. Don't get me wrong, I listen those artists, but I'm always up for something a little different. I think her music is a little more techno-laden than most of what we are currently hearing from pop artists in the United States.

I might be the only one thinking all this, because you can't even get the newer album on iTunes (in the U.S. store). For that matter, you can't even get Robyn is Here in it's entirety. Oh well. You can still check out her myspace (see below).

Today's recommended listening: Robyn <-- click to go to her myspace page
Recommended tunes:
"With Every Heartbeat" (the regular version and the Live Lounge piano version is also great)
"Be Mine" (you might be able to find it at Project Playlist)

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Good music makes the world go 'round.

I am VERY excited because the Alison Krauss + Robert Plant collaboration album entitled Raising Sand was released today!!! Buy it on iTunes or go out and get a copy. I have really been looking forward to this; in recent years I have developed a huge love of classic rock (specifically Led Zeppelin, as of late). I have always been a big Alison Krauss fan, so what could be better? Alison Krauss has an amazing voice, and Robert Plant is...well...Robert Plant. Judging from some of the clips I heard on the promo video (from songs "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)," and "Please Read the Letter"), the album should be fabulous. I don't think anyone would hesitate to say it's an odd combination, but from what I've heard it's a very good one.

I was also very privileged to see/hear PJ Harvey live the other night on Jay Leno. She performed "Grow Grow Grow" off her recently released album entitled White Chalk. Despite the fact that I am a big fan of quirky artists like Tori Amos and Björk
, I haven't listened to any PJ Harvey before. The album is very unique and I like the sound, which evidently is different from most of what she's done before. This review of White Chalk from amazon.com describes my thoughts entirely:

"There's a minor key, folksy feel to it, from the acoustic instruments to the restrained, whispery sound of PJ's matchless voice, the lyrics suggesting old murder ballads and overheard confessions. It's autumnal, just right for this time of year, spooky and haunting, a suite of sepia toned chamber music in the key of regret, nostalgia and dread. The same way a whisper makes you listen more actively than a shout,the quiet complexity of White Chalk remains intriguing -- there's something to it, something that moves and engages, shaded rather than hid, making the whole profound and real in a world that so often prefers sameness and plastic pretension." -James Agnew

Like that guy said, it's a perfect album for the fall season (which happens to be my favorite season second only to Christmas). So in conclusion, I am enjoying the pumpkin season along with some very good music. I recommend you spend the next few minutes giving these albums a listen online or wherever you choose to listen to clips from new albums. And here's the promo video for Raising Sand...a short insight into the making of the album.