The Awkward Blogger

Birthday Wishlist

2012-02-13T01:59:00.000-08:00

Awww yeaaaaah. My birthday's in a month! As I thought about what I wanted, I realized this is quite an 'grown-up' list for me. Practical things. Not a DVD or even piece of clothing in sight (though there's always my amazon wishlist, which is full of that stuff--be sure to sort by priority. Aaaaand there's the UK one as well). Just stuff for the home, the car, and personal hygiene.

Sonicare Toothbrush Heads.

San Juan Islands Clock.

Clinique Happy Heart

Adobe Photoshop Elements 10. (Or any version.)

Carved Starling Doorstop.

A 'Cargo Cover' for my car trunk.

These olive oil and vinegar cruets.

A Sherwin Williams gift card.

(Ok, ok, I cave. Here's some DVDs I want! Law and Order: UK seasons 1-4)

munchkin.

2012-02-13T01:56:00.000-08:00

Song of the day.

2012-02-10T15:53:00.000-08:00

"Sadness is a Blessing" by Lykke Li.

#266: Some Girls by The Rolling Stones

2012-02-10T14:23:00.000-08:00

Some Girls by The Rolling Stones (1978)

Favorite Track(s): "Miss You" and "Beast of Burden"

Thoughts: Well, well, well. What have we here? A Rolling Stones album. Let's refresh our memories from as long ago as yesterday:

"I've noticed that whenever a Beach Boys or Rolling Stones album comes up on the list, I feel the need to compare them to The Beatles and no matter what, prove why The Beatles are the BEST and the Beach Boys and Stones could never TOUCH their majesty or genius!"

In fact when I saw that this album was called Some Girls, I decided to argue that they had stolen the title from Rod Stewart's song, "Some Guys Have All the Luck" but was bummed because it was from the 80s, so of course they couldn't have been stealing. But then I learned that the song was originally sung by The Persuaders in 1973, and written by Jeff Fortgang. HA! The Rolling Stones are cheats.

Now that's out of the way, let's talk about Some Girls. And what could be more appropriate than to start with the actual song, "Some Girls." The lyrics are FULL of gems:

French girls they want Cartier, Italian girls want cars
American girls want everything in the world you can possibly imagine
English girls they're so prissy, I can't stand them on the telephone
Sometimes I take the receiver off the hook, I don't want them to ever call at all
White girls they're pretty funny, sometimes they drive me mad
Black girls just wanna get fucked all night, I just don't have that much jam
Chinese girls are so gentle, they're really such a tease
You never know quite what they're cookin' inside those silky sleeves

I mean, what is there NOT to like about those lyrics? I can't find a single fucking thing.

The other anecdote is that my mom used to think that Mick sang, "I want to be your pizza burnin'" instead of "Beast of Burden." I prefer her lyrics.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

No.

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#267: The Beach Boys Today! by The Beach Boys

2012-02-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

The Beach Boys Today! by The Beach Boys (1965)

Favorite Track(s): "Help Me, Rhonda" and "Dance, Dance, Dance" and "I'm So Young"

Thoughts: I've noticed that whenever a Beach Boys or Rolling Stones album comes up on the list, I feel the need to compare them to The Beatles and no matter what, prove why The Beatles are the BEST and the Beach Boys and Stones could never TOUCH their majesty or genius!

I'm not sure why that is. In fact, why am I so obsessed with defending the Beatles? They certainly don't need it. And I'm sure they'd all want me to cool off and get a life. Ok, maybe John would say that. The rest of them would be like, "Thanks for being such a dedicated fan, but we actually really like those other bands and there's no need for an imaginary competition." But before I can go any further, let me just make this clear in case there is any doubt or confusion: THE BEATLES ARE BETTER THAN THE BEACH BOYS. (It's immature, I know, but I don't care.)

This album was fun, and reminded me a lot of childhood and listening to Oldies. So...yep. Full disclosure, I didn't actually listen to the whole album. The last track is an interview, "Bull Session with the 'Big Daddy'" was edited down for the release of the album because it's over 20 minutes long. But the 20 minutes long version is the only one on YouTube. I tried to listen to it, but it made me want to punch everyone in the recording. Especially Brian Wilson. I mean, I think the person I disliked the most was Brian. All their voices sounded the same.

Is This Better Than Help!?: NO!

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The song (and quote) of the day.

2012-02-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

"Grey Street" by Dave Matthews Band.

there's an emptiness inside her
and she'd do anything to fill it in
but all the colors mix together--to grey
and it breaks her heart
how she wishes it was different
she prays to God most every night
and though she swears it doesn't listen
there's still a hope in her it might

“I have a lot of faith. But I am also afraid a lot, and have no real certainty about anything. I remembered something Father Tom had told me—that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. Certainty is missing the point entirely. Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns.”

- Anne Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith

#268: Going to a Go-Go by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles

2012-02-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

Going to a Go-Go by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles (1965)

Favorite Track(s): "Tracks of My Tears" and "Ooo Baby Baby" and "All That's Good" and "Let Me Have Some"

Thoughts: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles! I love Motown. I was a little bummed though that my favorite Smokey song, "I Second That Emotion", wasn't on here. But "Tracks of Me Tears" was, which will always remind me of Linda Ronstadt.

This album was really good, but had a lot of just OK songs. I enjoyed listening to it, but I wasn't blown away.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Not to me.

#269: Nightbirds by Labelle (1974)

2012-02-08T20:39:00.000-08:00

Nightbirds by Labelle (1974)

Favorite Track(s): "Lady Marmalade" and "Are You Lonely?" and "It Took a Long Time" and "Nightbird"

Thoughts: Hmm. Well I like Patti Labelle, and I love disco, and good girl groups too. But this album seems to be ranked this high because of one thing: "Lady Marmalade." Yes, it is a fantastic, funky song. But the rest of the album couldn't touch it. None of the other songs, even the ones I liked, could be considered worthy of this ranking. So I think "Lady Marmalade" should be ranked as one of top 500 songs of all time, but Nightbirds didn't deserve to be in the 200s. One stellar song does not make an otherwise good album worthy of 269. Unless it's some epic 9 minute song like "Purple Rain." (Which isn't to say that the rest of Purple Rain isn't so chock-a-block full of incredible songs that our human ears don't even deserve it, because it IS.)

I mean, don't get me wrong, I would listen to this album and this album only for the rest of my life before I would listen to another Eminem album. The production is quality, the singing exceptional, the songs enjoyable. I'm just surprised we're listening to it at this particular point.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Not to me.

#270: Slim Shady LP by Eminem

2012-02-07T20:41:00.000-08:00

Slim Shady LP by Eminem (1999)

Favorite Track(s):

Thoughts: Sigh. Yes, that is a woman in the trunk in that album cover photo (which is part of why I picked such a small size).

I have made clear my feelings about Eminem in previous posts, so I won't bore you with them again here (or will I?). I did actually listen to this album, even though I thought about skipping it. This man and his music should have no more of my attention or energy after this post, as I believe and hope and pray it's the last of him on the List. I thought about hijacking this post with an album that deserves its ranking more, but I just want to spend as little time here as possible.

Rolling Stone voters, you make me not want to live on this planet anymore.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

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#271: Mothership Connection by Parliament

2012-02-07T18:37:00.000-08:00

Mothership Connection by Parliament (1975)

Favorite Track(s): "P. Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)" and "Unfunky UFO" and "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)"

Thoughts: I wants to get funked up! We've had George Clinton's first band Funkadelic, but I think this is our first Parliament album (hopefully not the last!).

This album has perhaps the best funk song of all time, "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)" which is just amazing. I think "P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)" comes in at a close second. This album is just full of delightful sci-funk. It was over too soon for me.

Whenever I think of Parliament and how they got 'the Funk', I think of this ridiculous little story-cartoon from The Mighty Boosh, told to us by Old Gregg:

Is This Better Than Help!?: Oh yeah. Super funky. Makes me wanna dance.

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Song of the day.

2012-02-07T14:50:00.000-08:00

"Sorrow" by The National (I'm loving this band more and more and more and more).

Sorrow found me when I was young
Sorrow waited, sorrow won
Sorrow they put me on the pill
It's in my honey, it's in my milk

Don't leave my hyper heart alone on the water
Cover me in rag and bone sympathy
'Cause I don't wanna get over you
I don't wanna get over you

Currents, February 2012

2012-02-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

Current TV Show: Sludging through The Borgias and Castle, but my heart really belongs to M*A*S*H (season 4), and SNL (season 26). Coming up are Fringe and the British Shameless, hopefully. And in case you hadn't heard, I will NOT be watching Smash. Marilyn Monroe acting like Marilyn Monroe is one thing, but watching other women act like her makes my stomach turn. And the music sucks.

Current Food: My smoothies have been turning out really well recently. Frozen peaches, frozen strawberries, a banana, ice, raspberry yogurt, and pina colada Dole juice.

Current Movie: I re-watched 50/50 the other night and fell apart. Again. Right now I'm itching to see The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011). Again.

Current Wishlist: The City Sailing Dress from modcloth.

Current Music: The National.

Current Book: Re-reading Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott for my book club. Still in love with this passage:

"... I remembered another woman at our church, very old, from the South, tiny and black, who dressed in these ersatz Coco Chanel outfits, polyester sweater sets, dacron pill-box hats...She was always cheerful until she turned 80 and started going blind. She had a great deal of religious faith and everyone assumed that she would adjust and find meaning in her loss, meaning and acceptance and then joy; and we all wanted this because, let's face it, it's so inspiring and such a relief when people bear up to the unbearable. When you can box things up nicely and see that a tiny miracle took place and that love once again turned out to be bigger than fear and death and blindness. But this woman would have none of it. She went into a deep depression, and eventually left the church. People kept taking communion to her, but she wouldn't be in our community anymore. It must have been too annoying for everyone to be secretly trying to manipulate her into being a better sport about being blind than she was capable of being. I always thought that was heroic of her, that it spoke of such integrity to refuse to pretend that you're doing well just to help other people deal with the reality of impossible loss."

Current Worry: My appointment with a prosthodontist on Valentine's Day. Don't worry, last year on Valentine's Day I was told by my landlord I had to move out. So this is all in keeping with tradition.

Current Indulgence: Sleep, like usual.

Current Obsession: Still coloring. And taking pictures with my camera. And weddings. It's hard for me to pick just one!

#306 - #272: Personal Favorites

2012-02-06T23:48:00.000-08:00

It's that time again! If I could recommend any albums from the last 34 I listened to on The List, these would be them! There were quite a few I enjoyed that didn't make this list (and quite a few I despised so much I could barely stand them) but these are really the cream of the crop.

1. Songs for Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra
2. Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
3. Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson
4. I'm Still in Love With You by Al Green
5. Meat is Murder by The Smiths
6. Grace by Jeff Buckley
7. The Basement Tapes by Bob Dylan and the Band
8. Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder
9. Can't Get Enough by Barry White
10. Fear of a Black Planet by Public Enemy

Honorable Mentions: Something Else by The Kinks by The Kinks and Master of Reality by Black Sabbath

#337 - #307
#370 - #338
#401 - #371
#432 - #402
#462 - #433
#500 - #463

Happy listening!

#272: Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson

2012-02-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson (1989)

Favorite Track(s): "Rhythm Nation" and "Miss You Much" and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and "Alright" and "Escapade" and "Black Cat"

Thoughts: Is this our first Jackson family member on the list? I think so! Which had better mean there's a lot more of them to come, ok?

My parents owned this album, and I remember its importance (in her career and the music world) whenever I watched Janet Jackson: Behind the Music or some other VH1 show about her that I must have seen a lot as a kid. Later in college I would dance with my dorm floor to the title song in front of the other dorms, much to my embarrassment. But all that is to say, this album is pure gold. IT'S TIME TO GIVE A DAMN LET'S WORK TOGETHER!

I'd take Janet Jackson over Madonna any day for Best Diva (for the 80s and 90s in pop). This album weaves back and forth between social responsibility and sexy fun (like most Jackson family music), and Janet oozing sensuality while flirting with androgyny (like another one of her siblings). But despite the unavoidable similarities to her brother, her music keeps a lightness and playfulness that I would argue Michael had a hard time of capturing in his music from the end of the 80s and onward. That likely had to with his obviously more troubled mind and life, but I think Janet's producers and co-writers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had a lot to do with it too. Janet's songs on this album, at least for me, never become too preachy or cater too much to 'shock factor.'

Rhythm Nation 1814 had 8 singles, 4 of which went to #1.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Oh yeah. In fact, I'm pissed this isn't in the top 200.

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Guess who came out today? Our most beloved star.

2012-02-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

Warm nights and your sweet Magnolia.

#273: Anthology of American Folk Music by Various Artists

2012-02-03T19:17:00.000-08:00

Anthology of American Folk Music by Various Artists (1952)

Favorite Track(s): "Henry Lee" and "The House Carpenter" and "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O" and "John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man" and "Down on Penny's Farm" and "Sail Away Lady" and "Wake Up Jacob" and "La Danseuse" and "Brilliancy Medley" and "Home Sweet Home" and "Newport Blues" and "Rocky Road" and "Present Joys" and "John the Revelator" and "I Woke Up One Morning in May" and "James Alley Blues"

Thoughts: Is this the oldest album we've had yet? It could be. I can't be bothered to check, though. Surely it's some of the oldest recordings.

I know this much: it's 84 songs long. So forgive my absence on the list--I've been busy!

Some of the songs were very fun and cute, like "King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O" by Chubby Parker:

And others seemed so fresh and current that I thought they'd be perfect for a movie score, like "La Danseuse" by Delma Lachney and Blind Undler Gaspard (the first 3 minutes of this video):

Many of my favorites were also sing-alongs between the male singer and a female back-up singer, like "John the Revelator" by Blind Willie Johnson.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Yes.

I am actually insanely angry I only just now discovered this song.

2012-02-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

"A Better Son/Daughter" by Rilo Kiley. It really would have been helpful to listen to in recent years. (Found again at Dooce. Is it bad that I want her to keep posting sad songs?)

...
Then you hang up the phone and feel badly for upsetting things
Crawl back into bed to dream of a time
When your heart was open wide and you loved things just because
Like the sick and the dying

And sometimes when you're on you're really fucking on
And your friends they sing along and they love you
But the lows are so extreme that the good seems fucking cheap
And it teases you for weeks in its absence
But you'll fight and you'll make it through
You'll fake it if you have to
And you'll show up for work with a smile
And you'll be be better, you'll be smarter
More grown up and a better daughter
Or son and a real good friend
And you'll be awake, you'll be alert
You'll be positive though it hurts
And you'll laugh and embrace all your friends
And you'll be a real good listener
You'll be honest, you'll be brave
You'll be handsome and you'll be beautiful
You'll be happy

Maryann's Top 5 Movie Trailers (2-3-2012)

2012-02-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

Top 5 List Disclaimer: This could change tomorrow. So these are my favorites today!

5. Submarine (Richard Ayoade, 2010)

This is one, for me, where the trailer was better than the movie. It gave me a feeling and an experience that the movie as a whole did not. (But I love you, Richard Ayoade, and will watch any movies/TV shows you make!) This trailer is also quite good, but it doesn't have line about being "too good for anyone" and that is my very favorite.

4. TRON:Legacy (Joseph Kosinski, 2010)

I had zero reason to be excited about this movie. I'd never seen the original, and I was following zero buzz about this re-vamp, and big-budget action movies are rarely worth the amount of promotion and cash that are poured into them. But when I saw this trailer in the theaters I became so excited. Who is that dancing Bowie-like man? Why won't they show us more of Jeff Bridges? And the music! It was the perfect teaser and I was totally hooked.

3. The Secret of Roan Inish (John Sayles, 1994)

This trailer was on our family's VHS copy of Little Women (1994), so we saw it all the time. It starts out kinda creepy, and then it becomes sweet and familiar, and finally turns wildly romantic and you think, "Where is this world and when can I live in it?" And I totally own the last song that plays in the trailer, "Return to the Roan Inish, Part 2." It's out-of-this-world wonderful (and available on iTunes with the rest of the soundtrack).

2. Across the Universe (Julie Taymor, 2007)

Even now after having seen the movie again and again, this trailer gives me crazy goosebumps. The timing of the songs is sheer perfection. I love this movie and it's one of my favorites, but when I saw this trailer I was prepared for it to be my favorite movie of all time.

1. Rachel Getting Married (Jonathan Demme, 2008)

My immense love for this trailer is summed up in two things: 1) the words "This is not your family. But this is your family." 2) Rogue Wave's cover of Buddy Holly's "Everyday." This trailer stayed with me for weeks after seeing it (and then the movie too), and even now I think of it every time I play that song. Which is all the time.

What are some of your favorite movie trailers?

#274: Aladdin Sane by David Bowie

2012-01-31T15:14:00.000-08:00

Aladdin Sane by David Bowie (1973)

Favorite Track(s): "Watch That Man" and "Drive-In Saturday" and "Panic in Detroit" and "Time" and "The Prettiest Star" and "Let's Spend the Night Together" and "Jean Genie" and "Lady Grinning Soul"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) Yay! 3rd Bowie album. We didn't love Station to Station, and ChangesOneBowie was technically a compilation album, so really it's more like our 2nd.

I'm excited about this one because I think I love Ziggy Stardust (or this supposed version of him, Aladdin Sane) much better than The Thin White Duke. (And I may have said it before but I will say it again, I owe the birth of my Bowie-appreciation to my ex-roommate Amber--who just had a baby boy!--who showed me Labyrinth.)

(Post-Listening) Yes, this is the classic glam(with a splash of hillbilly)rock I love. The songs are varied, unique, and his voice is so iconic. The album actually rocked harder than I expected (save for "Time" and "Lady Grinning Soul"), but I didn't mind. It was other-worldly without sounding lazy or boring--my favorite kind of Bowie.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Yes.

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#275: The Immaculate Collection by Madonna

2012-01-31T08:12:00.000-08:00

The Immaculate Collection by Madonna (1990)

Favorite Track(s): "Holiday" and "Borderline" and "Like A Virgin" and "Crazy for You" and "Like A Prayer" and "Cherish" and "Vogue"

Thoughts: This is quite an appropriate album to listen to this week since Madonna is doing the Superbowl halftime show on Sunday.

As I've discussed before, Madonna is not my number one diva. When I think of incredible women whose music has touched my life forever, or even the face of music, she wouldn't come up on the list for a good long while. She can be fun for dance parties, karaoke, or celebrity gossip, but I don't take her very seriously as an artist. There's not enough substance to balance out the 'shock' for me.

Anyway, many of these songs were fun and nostalgic. I remember many a late night hearing "Crazy for You" coming on K103fm, 'Soft Rock Favorites.' This collection was fun and a good time.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Because it's a compilation album, yes. If these songs were standing alone on their individual albums, I would think definetely not. 60s/70s songwriters come back....

Song of the day.

2012-01-30T13:38:00.000-08:00

"Fearsome Crowd" by Kat Flint. (Sorry the quality's not better. I couldn't find a studio version video.)

In a sea of eyes that look but never smile we're heading home

so we can all be alone

oh, won't you fight the fearsome crowd?

I am waiting for you

Sweet scanner action

2012-01-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

The scanner makes these things look loads better than me trying to photograph them (always too dark or too washed out). Unfortunately the 11 x 14 sheets don't fit completely in the scanner, so I might only be drawing on 8 x10s from here on out.

Also I got some new pens at Target, but I'm not sure I love them. Sure, they're more varied than my current primary colors, but they bleed like a b*tch and aren't as fine-tipped as I'd like. On the other hand, they make a fun design on the back (the one on the left).

#276: My Life by Mary J. Blige

2012-01-30T09:26:00.000-08:00

My Life by Mary J. Blige (1994)

Favorite Track(s): "I'm Goin' Down"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) The other day one of my co-workers was acting exasperated, and when I asked her what was wrong she said, "Drama, drama, drama." So I said, "You need to be Mary J. Blige, and say, 'no more drama.'" And she said, "Who's Mary J. Blige?" and then I became exasperated too.

Personally, this is my first intentional listen to Mary. I've only ever heard her songs on the radio and seen some of her videos. She once was in a phone commercial and she was wearing this really great sweater. That's about all I've got on Mary J. Blige. To the album!

(Post-Listening) Hmm. I liked it well enough, it's good, quality R&B. Her voice was great, the production sound, the music pleasant. But I'm afraid #276 feels way too generous. I expected the album to more adventurous or surprising or gritty or heart-wrenching. Or maybe it was and that just didn't come across to me? Personally, I think Miseducation of Lauryn Hill should be here instead (if not in the top 100). I found this album very under-whelming.

Is This Better Than Help!?: No. This needed to be much closer to 500.

Review of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo From Person Who's Never Read the Books Or Seen the Swedish Movies. (Bonus: A Review of The Artist)

2012-01-30T01:36:00.000-08:00

(Disclaimer to the Film-Nerds Who Might Read This: If you've read any of my music album reviews, you should know this is not a serious, critical movie review. It's a personal play-by-play of my reaction and experience of the movie. I'm not expecting or trying to write anything earth-shattering here. I'm also not going to give away any plot, so don't worry about that.)

I know many people who've read the books and seen the Swedish movies and lots and lots of people I don't know who have as well. The reviews I heard of the books were mixed: enthralling thrillers, but often confusing or convoluted. Many people thought a U.S. remake of the 2009 Swedish movie was 'too soon!' and 'unnecessary!'

Personally, I planned to read the books eventually, but they sounded disturbing and I tend to prefer fantasy or memoirs. So when I realized I had an extremely strong desire to see the U.S. movie despite my usual rule about engaging pop culture phenomena chronologically (this would mean reading the books, then seeing the Swedish movies, THEN seeing the 2011 version of GWTDT), I pinned it on 3 irresistible pulls: 1) David Fincher (director), 2) a movie full of Daniel Craig sporting woolen knit sweaters (always preferable to a tux in my opinion), and 3) every picture I saw or interview I heard about of Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander intrigued me like no other. What little I surmised of her character seemed to lie somewhere between Noel Fielding/Tim Burton (strange and puzzling but about as dangerous as a sleeping kitten) and Marilyn Manson/Lars von Trier (I'm afraid and the less I know the safer I'll feel.)

So I went and saw it on Friday night at a late 10:35pm showing by myself. And I LOVED it. Yes, there were a few super disturbing scenes, one in particular that (once I own the movie) will always be fast-forwarded through, much like Mufasa's death in The Lion King (only 10 times worse), but I was completely sucked into the story and the lives of the characters, and left the theater with adrenaline and awe rushing through me.

I've only ever seen Rooney Mara in her short part in The Social Network, and while she was fine in that, I didn't think she had the chops to really handle this character--which was quite arrogant of me considering I knew nothing about her! But oh. my. word. I couldn't keep my eyes off her. She stole every single scene she was in, and I believe because of her performance the film felt like it was it was only 40 minutes long. Shocking, considering it's 2 hours and 38 minutes long. I could tell some other people in the nearly empty theater were groaning about the length, but I was disappointed when the credits rolled! I wanted more.

I raced straight home and had a strong urge to go to the gym--I had loads of physical and mental energy to burn. But it was 1:30am, so I decided to clean my entire bedroom. My mind raced thinking about why I had connected so strongly to Lisbeth, found her so compelling and awesome, and somehow...dear to me. I wanted to know more about her life, see her interact with more people, etc. (Plus, I had a lot more questions about the plot, but knowing me, that might be chocked up to not catching all the pertinent information in the movie.)

I really, really, really wanted to see it again (which worried me a bit, considering how dark and disturbing it is). But with Oscar season coming up I decided I see one of the Best Picture nominations. So the next day I saw The Artist, which should have been right up my alley: old movies! Sweet love story! Charming, cutesy, clever! But guys, I could barely stand it. It was only 1 hour and 40 minutes, and I wished it had been 30 minutes. Scenes and gags and character realizations seemed to take YEARS. I felt like my life was slowly being sucked away by mime and tacky farce (and this from a person who loves and OWNS Mel Brooks' Silent Movie). Yes, the lead actors had appeal. But it wore thin about 20 minutes in and then stretched on in agonizing eternity. I was bored and grumpy and sleepy (the moods, not the dwarves) by the end.

Was my disgust with The Artist a direct result of being sucked into the fierce, dark, twisted, instinctual, gripping world of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? Maybe. I just had such a visceral, physical, and residual imprint from the film that it has affected my mood, the music I listen to, and my aesthetic since seeing it Friday. Tonight at the gym I ran on the treadmill for the first time in EVER. I don't think I've ran for any reason since 2009 unless for the sake of food or punctuality. I ran for about 20 minutes straight with only "Immigrant Song" repeating on my iPod.

So, to sum up, I'm not sure I can recommend this movie to every one. You might see it and hate it or think the Swedish version's better (I still don't know if it is!) or think I'm crazy for liking a movie with such harrowing content. But I can't wait to see it again.

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#277: Folk Singer by Muddy Waters

2012-01-28T11:03:00.000-08:00

Folk Singer by Muddy Waters (1964)

Favorite Track(s): "Good Morning Little School Girl" and "Big Leg Woman"

Thoughts: I like blues, but I can love folk, acoustic blues. However, I think I'm at a place in my life where blues songs still all sound the same, and get boring quickly. I like to imagine there will be a time when I'm older where the blues will seem like the truest form of music and the human condition. But for now, I only appreciate them on a surface level.

Is This Better Than Help!?: In terms of its importance in the history of music, yes, in terms of listen-ability, no.

It looks like a white tribble is feeding on my cat.

2012-01-27T18:42:00.000-08:00

Song of the last few years.

2012-01-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

"Do What's Easy" by Chris Bathgate.

do what's easy
steal every red cent out of the wishing well
smoke cigarettes until your chest rattles like hell
just do what's easy

waste every evening
don't ever read and don't ever write
never leave home and get drunk every night
just do what's easy

hate completely
let every wall feel the force of your fist
forget your debts cause forgiveness exists
just do what's easy

(Originally heard on Dooce.)

Bah, another tumblr blog.

2012-01-26T20:03:00.000-08:00

To add to my list of tumblr blogs, I present one that is wedding-themed:

Brighten My Northern Sky (http://ineverfeltmagicascrazyasthis.tumblr.com/)

Yes, it is named for the Nick Drake song. No, I am not getting married. But I know loads of lovely people who are or will be soon! So I decided to collect some of my favorite images.

Other blogs:

I Choose the Rooms That I Live With Care (home decor)
Tumblr of Love (pop culture/humor/random)
The Awkward Blogger (recently: music/a cat)

#278: Can't Get Enough by Barry White

2012-01-26T16:41:00.000-08:00

Can't Get Enough by Barry White (1974)

Favorite Track(s): "You're My First, My Last, My Everything" and "I Can't Believe You Love Me" and "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe"

Thoughts: Awww yisss. Barry White. Deep, smooth, glorious disco-soul.

It's probably a scientific fact that 1/3 of all babies born between September 1974 and now were conceived to part or all of this album. Seriously.

And "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" is just hands down one of the best songs in the history of ever. You can't listen to it and feel bad.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Yes'm.

#279: The Cars by The Cars

2012-01-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

The Cars by The Cars (1978)

Favorite Track(s): "Let the Good Times Roll" and "My Best Friend's Girl" and "Just What I Needed" and "You're All I Got Tonight" and "Bye Bye Love" and "Moving In Stereo" and "All Mixed Up"

Thoughts: When I first saw this album cover I was like, "There is no way this album is from the 70s. That cover is so 80s!" But the more I looked at it, but more it seemed like maaaaaybe it could have come from the 70s. Maybe. (Fascinating stuff.) The point is: ahead of its time.

I've never spent much time with The Cars beyond hearing them on the radio and on soundtracks. But I really enjoyed this album. Power pop-rock is right up my alley. I was a bit reminded of Roxy Music and Queen, but this album was still original and unique in its own way. And who can believe this was a debut album? Very impressive.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Sure!

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#280: Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake

2012-01-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake (1969)

Favorite Track(s): "Time Has Told Me" and "River Man" and "Way to Blue" and "Cello Song" and "The Thoughts of Mary Jane" and "Man In A Shed" and "Saturday Sun"

Thoughts: YES! More wonderful music. Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums, can we just stay in this 60s/70s songwriter heaven forever? I don't want to leave. Say we can stay. Please.

I usually like my Nick Drake unaccompanied and simple, but the strings in "River Man" and "The Thoughts of Mary Jane" were divine. I mean, the man's music just makes you want to stop and watch the world go by. It creates such a safe space for memory, for silence, for stillness. Or sobbing. Take your pick.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Yes.

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Random thought of the day.

2012-01-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

If I ever have kids, and I have a boy, I want his middle name to be Hawkeye.

Or I will name him directly after Alan Alda. But no, his name will not be Alan. Alan Alda's birth name was Alphonso D'Abruzzo, and Alphonso is one our family names.

So my son would be named Alphonso, but we would call him Alfie. But he would really be named for Alan Alda. And maybe we'd call him Hawkeye too.

Or I will do all of the above with a cat and call it good.

#281: Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder

2012-01-25T18:21:00.000-08:00

Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder (1972)

Favorite Track(s): "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" and "I Love Every Little Thing About You" and "Happier Than the Morning Sun" and "Girl Blue" and "Seems So Long" and "Evil"

Thoughts: I loooooove Stevie Wonder. His songs are like musical sunshine.

It's about time he showed up, but I applaud the List that he's been absent so long because his albums belong so close to #1! My parents instilled my love for Stevie from a young age, and I have inherited many of his vinyl records from their collection. He masters so many instruments, he writes such sweet love songs AND super funky songs, and his voice is one-of-a-kind.

I need to do a post of my top 5 favorite harmonica players, because he is definitely one of them. Well, it would actually have to be top 3, because I think there are really only 3 of them: Wonder, Dylan, Springsteen. There! I did the post.

To the album!

First, the cover is fabulous. Second, if someone ever puts "I Love Every Little Thing About You" or "Happier Than the Morning Sun" on a mix for you or tells you those songs make them think of you, you are a very lucky person. Just sublime.

I mean, I could just bask in this 70s piano/harmonica/female backing vocals/funky bass/organ light forever. FOREVER. So I also need to do a post about my favorite pop piano players. Spoiler alert: it's basically Wonder, Joel, John, McCartney, Lennon, Springsteen, Mitchell--ok, this isn't going to work. Too many.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

Yes.

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#282: I'm Still in Love With You by Al Green

2012-01-24T20:18:00.000-08:00

I'm Still in Love With You by Al Green (1972)

Favorite Track(s): "I'm Glad You're Mine" and "Love and Happiness" and "What A Wonderful Thing Love Is" and "Simply Beautiful" and "For the Good Times" and "One of These Good Old Days"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) So many thoughts and we haven't even heard it yet! First off, we all saw Obama singing some of "Let's Stay Together", right? I know it's not on this album, but it's relevant anyway. And the POTUS did a very good job if you ask me. I was impressed.

Second-of-ly, at the end of the movie Two Weeks Notice when the couple finally gets together, Al's song "Love is A Beautiful Thing" from Don't Look Back is playing, and there's this amazing segment towards the end of the song when Al sings the titles of 6 of his songs, and it's just when Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant are kissing, and he croons, "Let's stay together, let's stay together...'cause I'm still in love with you." It's exactly at the 4:44 mark:

I'm OBSESSED.

Anyway, whenever I hear the name of this album, I think of him singing it exactly like that in the song. But there's a song on this album called "I'm Still in Love With You" and it will probably sound different and replace that version in my mind. To the album!

(Post-Listening) Well, to be honest, I didn't love "I'm Still in Love With You"! I think I'll stick with "Love Is A Beautiful Thing." But that doesn't mean I didn't adore the rest of the album! "Love and Happiness" especially stuck out as pure perfection. The ORGAN! The HORNS! I couldn't get enough. And "Simply Beautiful" was from. another. world. Not of this earth.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

Um, yeah.

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#283: Los Angeles by X

2012-01-24T13:04:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles by X (1980)

Favorite Track(s): "Your Phone's Off the Hook, But You're Not" and "Soul Kitchen" and "Sugarlight" and "Sex and Dying in High Society" and "The World's a Mess; It's in My Kiss"

Thoughts: X totally exceeded my expectations with Wild Gift waaaaay back at #330, so it's no surprise Los Angeles was a treat. Somehow "Soul Kitchen" reminded me of "I Wanna Be Your Man" by The Beatles, and the organ in "The World's A Mess; It's In My Kiss" was brilliant.

Loved it and recommend it.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Sure!

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#284: Anthem of the Sun by the Grateful Dead

2012-01-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Anthem of the Sun by the Grateful Dead (1968)

Favorite Track(s): "Born Cross-Eyed" and parts of "Alligator"?

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) This is my first time with the Dead! I grew up seeing the little rainbow bears on every other car in Oregon. :) I know my dad likes them, but I'm totally--as far as I know--unfamiliar with them. I know Jerry Garcia was a fat bearded man who wore tie-dye, and that he has ice cream named after him. And I completely struggled with this post's title, because I really want to call them the Grateful Dead instead of just 'Anthem of the Sun by Grateful Dead.' That feels wrong. So forgive me if you feel strongly about the matter.

(Post-Listening) Hmm. Well, I didn't hate it by any means, but it was so all over the place (partly due to the mixing I'm led to believe) I couldn't really settle in any of the songs. Which was maybe their intention? But I prefer my musical 'chaos' a bit more ordered than this. "Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)" especially was just...a mess. And not a fun one like a food fight. I mean, can completely sober people enjoy this music on a regular basis? If so, power to you.

The good news is they will for sure turn up again on this list, so I'll have more chances to try them out.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Not to me.

Room

2012-01-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

After it came in like a dark bird
Out of the snow, barely whistling
The notes father, mother, child,
It was hard to say what made us happiest.

Seeing the branches where it had learned
To stir the air? The air that opened
Without fear? Just the branches
And us in a room of wild things?

Like a shapeless flame, it flew
A dozen times around the room.
And, in a wink, a dozen more.
Into the wall, the window, the door.

You said the world turns to parts.
You said the parts are cunning spheres.
You said you always love the face of sin.
You said it's here, the lips and eyes and skin.

Outside the snow deepened
With heaves of discontent.
Inside, the tremor of our life
Flew in and in and in.

- David Biespiel

From Poetry, February 2012.

It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives

2012-01-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

I grew up with Currier and Ives placemats that my parents passed along to me when they moved. Well, they were going to get rid of them and I was like, "Noooo!" Sort of like passing them along.

First snow at my condo.

2012-01-18T23:28:00.000-08:00

We were pretty excited to wake up to this view this morning. I kept waiting all last night, doubtful it would ever come. But it did!

I went out and watched sledders on some of the very steep (closed) streets.

And have been enjoying eating some of my favorite 'winter' foods, like soup with grilled cheese (on the adorable tv trays my mom got me that I'm OBSESSED with).

Oz has been struggling with the boredom that comes from having me around so much, so I told him to build a fort. 4 hours later, this was what he had come up with:

So what I have I done with virtually a week off work (tomorrow as well!)? My cabin fever has taken shape in two ways. First, coloring.

And two, contending for the Guiness Book of World Records for 'Most Pictures Taken of One Cat, EVER.'

My camera loves him.

When you live on the side of a very steep hill, snow means you get to spend a lot of time at home.

2012-01-15T23:32:00.000-08:00

And I LOVE it. I'm totally out of cheddar cheese, but I don't even care! I've got loads of firewood and pasta and rum. I'm set.

So Oz and I have been catching up on sleep.

Watched vigilantly for snowfall.

Surfed the web.

Rearranged home decor.

And I drew and drew (or colored and colored?)! Here are some of my latest:

Here's hoping for a few more snow days!

This is unlike the story it was written to be; I was riding its back when it used to ride me.

2012-01-15T00:46:00.000-08:00

I have been completely entranced by Joanna Newsom's "Peach, Plum, Pear" and this video of it for the last 72 hours. I saw it awhile ago on my friend David's blog, and when I listened to it I didn't care for it. But he posted it again (elsewhere) and this time when I heard/saw it I was blown away. I've since downloaded 3 different versions of it, and plan to get even more live ones. Her voice could be obnoxious to some, I understand, but then so could Joni Mitchell's to certain ears.

Basically, if you get a mix CD from me in the next few months, expect this to be on it. Maybe twice.

David's description of the video sums it up perfectly:

"I love the unwieldy-ness of her harp, the way it obscures part of her face as it stands between the artist and the audience. It seems so appropriate given the way her confessional lyrics crash up against their vagueness.

Then in the bridge, an admission that often seems impossibly difficult to say so simply: “i was blue / and unwell”.

And at the end, I swear, she’s on the verge of tears. She looks away, regains her composure, finishes the song, demurely thanks the audience, and leaves the stage to wild applause.

I’m hypnotized by the sequence of events every time I watch it."

#285: Something Else by The Kinks by The Kinks

2012-01-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

Something Else by The Kinks by The Kinks (1967)

Favorite Track(s): "David Watts" and "Death of a Clown" and "Two Sisters" and "Situation Vacant" and "Love Me Till the Sun Shines" and "Waterloo Sunset"

Thoughts: Is this the first time we've listened to The Kinks? I think it is. I can't hardly keep track anymore. But I am excited about The Kinks! Great band name, great album name, and fabulous album. I love 60s mod-rock--it's fun and colorful and playful and makes me want to take walks in a beret, pea coat, and ballet flats.

"Death of a Clown" reminded me of Dylan, "No Return" reminded me of The Beatles. And I can't get enough harpiscord in my pop.

"Waterloo Sunset" was on my London 2011 playlist.

Is This Better Than Help!?: It's a tough call. They are definitely equals.

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#286: Call Me by Al Green

2012-01-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

Call Me by Al Green (1973)

Favorite Track(s): "Call Me (Come Back Home)" and "Have You Been Making Out O.K." and "Stand Up" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "You Ought to Be With Me" and "Jesus is Waiting"

Thoughts: So on the list I'm checking off each album on, it just lists the album title and then the artist, so when this one showed up, I thought it said "Call Me Al"! HA! Little Paul Simon humor for you there.

But seriously, I was so excited that this was the first album I got to listen to today. Al Green is such a balm to the ears and soul. The production is sublime, the voice one-of-a-kind, and the music as fresh today as it was I'm sure it was in '73.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Yes.

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Song (and major touch*) of the day.

2012-01-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

"Lights Are On But Nobody's Home" by Tom Rosenthal, featuring adorable and hilarious comedian Josie Long, who I know from her guest panel spots on Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

*In college I heard somewhere that we're supposed to get 7 major touches every day. A major touch counts as a hug, kiss, back rub, hand-hold, etc.

#287: Talking Heads: 77 by Talking Heads

2012-01-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

Talking Heads: 77 by Talking Heads

Favorite Track(s): "Tentative Decisions" and "Who Is It?" and "Don't Worry About the Government" and "Psycho Killer" and "Love → Building on Fire"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) Harrumph. We've had Talking Heads on the list twice already, and neither album did anything for me. My only hope is that this one must be better, consider its ranking.

(Post-Listening) Well, as a non-New Wave uber enthusiast, it sounded like a lot of the same song over and over, but as you can see from my favorite tracks a few stood out as memorable or catchy. Still not my bag, but not painful to listen to by any means.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Sorry, no.

My Top 5 Songs About Sex Love in Cars

2012-01-09T20:03:00.000-08:00

As with all my top 5 lists, I will remember 10 more songs after I click 'publish' and immediately want to reorder the list. So this is my Top 5 list of songs about love in cars as of January 9th, 8:03pm.

1) "Fire" by Bruce Springsteen

Disclaimer: I have to turn off my feminism when I listen to this song--I do not condone the behavior Bruce exhibits here. That being said, I love this song to BITS. Yes, the Pointer Sisters covered it. But I only listen to Bruce's version. The live version is full of killer anticipation, but I decided to post the studio version, which has a slightly faster tempo.

I'm driving in my car, I turn on the radio
I'm pulling you close, you just say no
You say you don't like it, but girl I know you're a liar
'cause when we kiss....fire

The seconds between 'kiss' and 'fire' in the song are obscene. OBSCENE.

2) "Paradise By the Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf

This song is so inappropriate, and teenagers should not be allowed to listen to it.

I can easily be found driving around screaming, there ain't no doubt about it, we were doubly blessed, 'cause we were barely seventeen, and we were barely dressed! This is a song about 'parking' and--obviously--seeing 'paradise by the dashboard light.' There's even a spoken interlude with a sports announcer giving a 'play-by-play' of what's happening, full of baseball references. The song's like a movie, there are so many acts and scenes and varied moments. There's a duet in the second part (incredible) and it's ends hilariously with Meat Loaf promising to love his woman til the end of time, only to then pray for the end of time so he can end his time with her. Just listen to it, ok? You'll be belting it was long ago and it was far away and it was so much better than it is today for the rest of the week.

Actually, this whole list could be Meat Loaf songs. All Jim Steinem seemed to write about was having sex in cars! Or on motorcycles.

3) "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman

This song quite deviates from our theme so far. Tracy is not some adolescent looking for action on a Saturday night. This is a song for adults if there ever was one--caring for your aging parents, dissatisfaction with your dead-end job, etc. The car represents the ability to escape with someone you love, now or never, to make a better life for yourselves. How many of us haven't been in a car late at night with someone we liked, with the 'city lights lay [lain? laid? whatever] out before us' and feeling like we belonged? That's definitely my favorite part of the song:

I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
the speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
city lights lay out before us
and your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
and I had a feeling that I belonged
and I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

4) "Passenger Seat" by Death Cab for Cutie

Ah, and I now can't get away from the 'sweet-sensitive-songs-in-cars' and get back to the 'illegal-behavior-in-cars.' Oh well. Did I tell you I saw Death Cab last month? But it was at this massive arena festival and they were just awful. Didn't interact with the crowd, had numerous technical issues, and they didn't play one slow song, which would have been wonderful. Like this one for instance! But I digress.

If a song has ever captured the feeling of driving country roads at night with a lover/loved one, it's this one. You feel like stars are rushing past you, and yet you're in a quiet, safe stillness. But you're moving. But you're still. It's magnificent.

Then looking upwards
I strain my eyes and try
to tell the difference between shooting stars and satellites
from the passenger seat as you are driving me home.
"Do they collide?" I ask and you smile.
With my feet on the dash
the world doesn't matter.

5) "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen

I'm sorry, ok? I can't get away with this kind of playlist having only ONE Bruce song. It's ridiculous.

This song actually combines the two themes we had very well, as it's at once about teenage escape and then at the same time about growing up and deciding what you really want. Or at least that's what it's about to me. It's arguably Bruce's greatest song he ever wrote. It's unique in its 'car-ness' to the other songs, because it's all about getting that special someone to actually get in the car with you in the first place.

Well now I'm no hero that's understood
all the redemption I can offer, girl, is beneath this dirty hood
with a chance to make it through somehow
hey, what else can we do now
except roll down the window and let the wind roll back your hair
well the night's busting open these two lanes will take us anywhere
we got one last chance to make it real
to trade in these wings on some wheels
climb in back
heaven's waiting on down the tracks

All I can think about when I listen to this song narrative-ly is "Mary, GET YOUR ASS IN THAT FUCKING CAR!"

Unf. Car love songs.

What are some of your favorites?

#288: The Basement Tapes by Bob Dylan and The Band

2012-01-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

The Basement Tapes by Bob Dylan and The Band (1975)

Favorite Track(s): "Odds and Ends" and "Million Dollar Bash" and "Bessie Smith" and "Too Much of Nothing" and "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" and "This Wheel's On Fire"

Thoughts: Famously recorded back in 1967 after Dylan's motorcycle accident, this is my first exposure to The Band. And it's about time, because I've had my friend's copy of The Last Waltz for a YEAR, just waiting until some of The Band showed up on this list so I would at least have some context going into one of the greatest concert films of all time.

I was confused for a long time about who The Band actually was. Part of the problem is their name. I have the same frustration with publishers/organizations that name their publications The Journal. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. You are not that special. Fortunately for the band, they are very special, so we're going to let it go. This time.

My favorite of the 4 sides was the fourth, namely for the presence of "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" and "This Wheel's On Fire." The first is one of my favorite songs ever--I try to put the Swell Season's cover of it on all my playlists. Are we gonna fly...down into the easy chair. Amazing. And "This Wheel's On Fire" makes me think of Absolutely Fabulous (the show's theme), and it's just a monster of a song.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

It definitely deserves its ranking on the list.

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I once was born to be bad.

2012-01-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

My favorite part of "Light My Candle" is when Adam Pascal sings that line.

GPOYC. (Gratuitous picture of your Yankee Candle.)

Spring Awakening at the Balagan Theatre

2012-01-06T11:43:00.001-08:00

I don't know if I'll make it to a performance, but I love this musical and I love this POSTER! Amazing.

We're reluctant to take down our Christmas decorations.

2012-01-05T18:27:00.001-08:00

#290: Kick Out the Jams by MC5

2012-01-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

Kick Out the Jams by MC5 (1969)

Favorite Track(s): "Ramblin' Rose" and "Rocket Reducer No. 62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa)" and "Motor City is Burning" and "I Want You Right Now" and "Starship"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) Way back in February of 2011 MC5 popped up on the list and I wasn't happy about it. I'd never heard of them! But then they totally brought the classic rock, and all was forgiven. Kick Out the Jams, a live album recorded over Devil's Night and Halloween in 1968. It's a good 153 spots closer to number 1, so I am excited to see what it has to offer.

(Post-Listening) As we all might have guessed, it rocked super hard and super loud. And I loved it. I don't know that I need to own it and listen to it all the time, but it's definitely a force of musical nature.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Sure!

#291: Meat is Murder by The Smiths

2012-01-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

Meat is Murder by The Smiths (1985)

Favorite Track(s): "The Headmaster Ritual" and "I Want the One That I Can't Have" and "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" and "Nowhere Fast" and "Well I Wonder"

Thoughts:

And when I'm lying in my bed
I think about life
and I think about death
and neither one particularly appeals to me
and if the day came when I felt a
natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably lie
in the middle of the street and die
I'd lie down and die

I think that says it all, really.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

Yes.

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#292: We're Only In It For the Money by The Mothers of Invention

2012-01-03T17:04:00.000-08:00

We're Only In It For the Money by The Mothers of Invention (1968)

Favorite Track(s): "Concentration Moon" and "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?" and "Absolutely Free" and "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance" and "Mother People"

Thoughts: I've been wanting to get into Frank Zappa for a while now, mostly because I hear about him all the time, and the guys from MST3K adored him. So he was in the Mothers of Invention! I wasn't aware.

This album was definitely 'out there' but I didn't dislike it. It was creative and strange in an intriguing, fun way that made me curious to hear more from them. Still, it lacked something. I think I expected more 'meat'? Anyway, I hope we see more of the Mothers on this list.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Not to me, but I could see how it would be for other people. (People who do drugs. Kidding!)

I wonder if Sufjan Stevens will use these some day to influence an album.

2012-01-03T01:45:00.000-08:00

I've started drawing again! The bottom left and top right (my favorite) drawings have been up on my wall for a year or two now, but the other two were done on New Year's Eve. Does anyone know what you would call this kind of art, where it's symmetric from the center? A spectro-something? Just curious.

(I saw Sufjan in 2010 when he was touring for Age of Adz, and he talked about how he was inspired by artist Royal Robertson.)

Song for 2012 (Let's hope)

2011-12-31T23:57:00.000-08:00

The past few 'song[s] of the year' haven't been too hopeful (more like this than anything). Maybe this one will stick.

I'm always dragging that horse around...tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground.

(Though to be honest, I don't love the line: it's always darkest before the dawn. I prefer the The Mountain Goats' line in "No Children": Our friends say it's darkest before the sun rises, we're pretty sure they're all wrong.)

Anyway, happy 2012.

This SNL monologue makes me weep openly.

2011-12-30T02:59:00.001-08:00

Since I'm going through one of the greatest shows ever in chronological order (M*A*S*H), it feels right to make my way through Cheers as well. Both shows had 11 seasons! It's kismet.

Oz's Christmas Duties

2011-12-29T01:01:00.000-08:00

Oz had a lot on his plate this Christmas.

First, he had some spying to do on the family dog, Bubba.

He made sure the plants were properly watered.

And that the couch was structurally sound.

He tested out the softness of the tree skirt.

And searched for cobwebs in the high corners of the family room.

He spent HOURS checking in with the fish.

And preparing new hiding places from which to watch the dog's every move.

He overlooked the smoking of the turkey (from indoors).

And paused with my dad for a few moments to contemplate the meaning of life.

After all this hard work, he took several well-deserved naps.

This post is dedicated to Lisa, whose sister Laura told me she wanted more posts of my cat! Always happy to oblige.

I hope you guys like my cat.

2011-12-28T22:24:00.000-08:00

Because I got a new camera for Christmas, and he will be my main subject.

This was the very first shot I took! More to come soon. (Thanks so much to my dad for bringing me into the world of SLR cameras!)

My favorite Christmas song for 2011.

2011-12-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

My Christmas was fanstastic--one of the best I've had in years and years. This song kept coming up on my iPod, and it's a new favorite, by local Oregon band Misty River, "Don't Take Down the Mistletoe."

I hope your Christmas was especially merry.

Song of the day.

2011-12-23T18:52:00.000-08:00

"Gospel" by The National.

Hang your holiday rainbow lights in the garden.

First Miracle

2011-12-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

Her body like a pomegranate torn
Wide open, somehow bears what must be born,

The irony where a stranger small enough
To bed down in the ox-tongue-polished trough

Erupts into the world and breaks the spell
Of the ancient, numbered hours with his yell.

Now her breasts ache and weep and soak her shirt
Whenever she hears his hunger or his hurt;

She can't change water into wine; instead
She fashions sweet milk out of her own blood.

- A.E. Stallings

from Poetry, December 2011

#293: Weezer by Weezer

2011-12-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

Weezer by Weezer (1994)

Favorite Track(s): "My Name Is Jonas" and the first 9 seconds of "In the Garage" and "Holiday"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) I've only ever heard Weezer on the radio or in movies/TV shows, so this will be my first intentional listen. So it's nice that we're starting (and ending? Who knows if we'll see them again?) with their debut album (self-titled of course). I have to say though that what little I have heard of Weezer, I'm not a huge fan of. I could really take or leave it. Let's see if I've been missing out all this time.

(Post-Listening) Yeah, I didn't loathe it, but I think I still associate this kind of alt rock with Blink 182 and teenage boys. That's not a bad thing, it's just not music I take easily too. Listening to it felt like looking in from the outside to the world of an adolescent in the 90s, rather than actually transporting me there in first-person. I'd probably like it better the more I listened to it, but the chance of that happening is slim.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Nope.

All I ever really want to know is how other people are making it through life

2011-12-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

— where do they put their body, hour by hour, and how do they cope inside of it.

- Miranda July, It Chooses You

#294: Master of Reality by Black Sabbath

2011-12-22T15:32:00.000-08:00

Master of Reality by Black Sabbath (1971)

Favorite Track(s): "Sweet Leaf" and "Children of the Grave" and "Orchid" and "Solitude"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) Another 1971 album! It's a good day. True confession: I used to confuse Meat Loaf with Ozzie Osbourne. I think it had to do with bats. Ozzie bit the head off one (right?) but Meat Loaf's album was Bat Out of Hell. Plus, they both had long hair. But I'm confused no more! I adore Meat Loaf. Let's see if Ozzie can match him. This is my first intentional listen to Black Sabbath, ever!

(Post-Listening) Well, if this is heavy metal, I guess I'm into it! The guitar solo halfway through "Sweet Leaf" was more than enough to convince me.

The lyrics to "After Forever" were quite surprising!

Have you ever thought about your soul - can it be saved?
Or perhaps you think that when you're dead you just stay in your grave
Is God just a thought within your head or is he a part of you?
Is Christ just a name that you read in a book when you were in school?

When you think about death do you lose your breath or do you keep your cool?
Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope - do you think he's a fool?
Well I have seen the truth, yes I've seen the light and I've changed my ways
And I'll be prepared when you're lonely and scared at the end of our days

Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say
If they knew you believe in God above?
They should realize before they criticize
that God is the only way to love

Is your mind so small that you have to fall
In with the pack wherever they run
Will you still sneer when death is near
And say they may as well worship the sun?

I think it was true it was people like you that crucified Christ
I think it is sad the opinion you had was the only one voiced
Will you be so sure when your day is near, say you don't believe?
You had the chance but you turned it down, now you can't retrieve

Perhaps you'll think before you say that God is dead and gone
Open your eyes, just realize that he's the one
The only one who can save you now from all this sin and hate
Or will you still jeer at all you hear? Yes! I think it's too late.

Right? I mean, I don't personally agree with all the theology there, but wow! Black Sabbath! If only more 'Christian music' sounded like this.

"Children of the Grave" rocks soooo hard. "Orchid" is gorgeous and would work as a wedding processional. All in all, a fantastic album. I'm now a Black Sabbath fan!

Is This Better Than Help!?:

Yes!

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#295: Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton

2011-12-22T14:39:00.000-08:00

Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton (1971)

Favorite Track(s): "Coat of Many Colors" and "My Blue Tears" and "Early Mornin' Breeze" and "Here I Am"

Thoughts: Yesssssss. I love Dolly Parton, and I hope this isn't the last we see of her on this list. I almost don't think of her as a classic country artist because her songs are all so different...unlike many classic country artists...is that rude? Oh well, I don't care. Give me Dolly over Conway, Merle, Hank, or dare I say it, even Johnny and June.

Obviously she's at the tail end of the classic era anyway, so I guess that makes sense, given my preference for folk-country over straight-up country. Wow, this got boring really fast!

Anyway, wonderful stuff. The album was over too soon.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Just as good, in my opinion!

#296: Fear of a Black Planet by Public Enemy

2011-12-21T19:39:00.000-08:00

Fear of a Black Planet by Public Enemy (1990)

Favorite Track(s): "Contract on the World Love Jam" and "911 Is a Joke" and "Welcome to the Terrordome" and "Pollywanacraka" and "Burn Hollywood Burn" and "Who Stole the Soul" and "Revolutionary Generation" and "Fight the Power"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) Well, I really enjoyed Yo! Bum Rush the Show so since this is a whopping 193 spots closer to #1, I think I'm in for a treat. Unless of course by this point the group decided to go in a drastically different direction (which is their right). The album cover's a great start!

(Post-Listening) With samples from James Brown, Prince, Sly & the Family Stone, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Parliament, The Time, The Beatles, Hall & Oates, Bob Marley, and--people of all people--Esther Williams, how could I not love this album? It's just happening.

Clever, thought-provoking, fresh, creative, infectious, varied, and angry without being hateful. And "Fight the Power" is of course, a force of nature. I think I first heard it when I saw Do the Right Thing in my high school film class.

This album will be around forever.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

Just as good to me!

(image)

Forget the covers. All of them.

2011-12-21T16:35:00.000-08:00

Song of the ~~day~~ season.

I'm so hard to handle, I'm selfish and I'm sad.

#297: John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan

2011-12-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan (1967)

Favorite Track(s): "John Wesley Harding" and "As I Went Out One Morning" and "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" and "All Along the Watchtower" and "I Am A Lonesome Hobo" and "Down Along the Cove" and "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"

Thoughts: Thank God for Bob Dylan. And thank God for the harmonica. Why aren't harmonicas in more music? Someday I will do a post of my favorite artists who use harmonicas. (It's not going to be a very surprising list.)

We should all own this album.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Yes!

Laurence Olivier should have been in more musicals.

2011-12-19T14:17:00.001-08:00

Even without singing, he can charm your pants off. Or...some other item of clothing if that's too graphic for you.

Gloria Swanson sings "I Love You So Much That I Hate You" From Perfect Understanding (1933).

"You're frightening the fishes!"

In case you were wondering what scene of 50/50 made me lose my sh*t.

2011-12-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

It was this one:

(Just replace the greyhound with an orange cat and Joseph Gordon-Levitt with a sobbing pre-surgeries me, and the scene is identical to real life.

Did I tell you my new therapist went to see this movie specifically after I told her it had meant a lot to me? And she said this scene made her think of me the most.)

(image, image)

Great Choices I've Made in the Last 48 Hours

2011-12-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

- I decided I could make an important phone call regarding a bill that needed paying while I drove through the car wash

- I left the cap off my toothpaste, and left it right next to the almost identical cap for my prescription-strength rash cream

- I bought some super-strongly-scented bath salts along with food items and left them in a bag together

#298: The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem (AKA The Post I Hijacked In the Name of Meat Loaf and Goodness)

2011-12-14T16:27:00.000-08:00

The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem (2000)

Favorite Track(s): No favorite songs, but I did have some favorite lyrics that I think will be relevant for years to come: "I'm not Mr. NSYNC" and then in another song, "And by the way, NSYNC, why do they sing?"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) No, no, no, no, no, no. We JUST had an Eminem album. And it was tortuous. My heart is crying. My heart is crying. My heart. Is crying. I REJECT EMINEM AND ALL HIS WORKS.

(Post-Listening) Eminem's music and career thrives on negative attention and how much he thinks people hate him (and I don't hate him, I just don't think about him, period). I could get nitty-gritty into all the issues I have with Eminem's music, but I don't want to waste that energy on him. So you know what I'd rather talk about? MEAT LOAF. I just got his albums Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell and Dead Ringer. And even though I should be listening to Christmas music, I'm driving around in my car screaming "A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age!" and "Come on, come on, and there'll be no turning back/ You were only killing time and it can kill you right back!" Or this gem of a bridge:

Somebody bless all the girls in the sand on the beach
They're dreamin' of boys and staying just out of reach
Bless all the cheerleaders down on the track
They're glistening like diamonds with sweat on their backs
Bless all the girls in the gangs on the street
They're looking for danger and they're holding their peace
Bless all the girls staying late after school
They're playing with fire and oh they're playing it cool
And bless all the shy girls who're learning to dance
They stare in the mirror and they conjure romance
Bless all the girls who are always alone
They kneel down in prayer and they wait up by the phone
Bless all the homecoming queens of the night
They're looking for magic in gymnasium lights
And bless all the girls who know what love is about
They try not to cry and then they try to put out

I mean, COME ON. And don't even get me started on "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)." It's currently on non-stop repeat in my car and on my iPod.

Jim Steinem wrote the songs for both the albums and Bat Out of Hell and the man's a twisted, poetic, talented genius. But Meat Loaf's voice is the main event. His voice, his voice, his voice. I think he must have been John the Baptist in a former life, because his is a voice crying out in the wilderness (is that sentence uber blasphemous or just kind of?). I want to cry this music is so full and alive and epic and gorgeous. The piano! The backing choirs! The changing tempos! It's theatrical rock.

So I'm PISSED OFF that there isn't more Meat Loaf on the Rolling Stone 500 list. And that every Eminem album IS. So to Meat Loaf and Jim Steinem I say, your work makes me do this:

And this:

And it's a fucking travesty that more people didn't vote the rest of your albums on the list.

To Eminem, I say this: people are always telling me that you're so talented and influential. That you can rap like nobody else. So if everyone thinks you deserve a round of applause for that despite your violent, misogynistic, homophobic, hateful lyrics, here you go:

Is This Better Than Help!?:

(image, image, image, image)

My Christmas Wishlist (And Not the Grown-Up Kind, Amy Grant)

2011-12-13T11:28:00.000-08:00

For all those millionaires out there DYING to buy me stuff. You're welcome.

1) This Anthropologie rug. (It's on sale!)

2) Anything from the Euroquest Polish Pottery DU70 line:

3) The Mighty Boosh on DVD (since Netflix refuses to stream it! And because I love it and too many people in my life haven't seen it.)

4) Some metal TV trays! (This lady only uses her dining table for clutter.)

5) Fireplace Accessories (to replace the hammer I currently use)

Geez-Louise, I'm a homeowner!

Oh Lord, am I good enough, when this world spins as hard as it does? We both know how it shakes some people up...

2011-12-11T15:55:00.000-08:00

So how did you decide to give me so much love?

So I already said some things I love about staying at my parents' house, but here are some things I love about them staying at my place.

1) They love Oz as much as I do. They play with him, baby-talk him, and are always fascinated by the inane things I have to say about him. "He's been sleeping on a new chair this week! WILL WONDERS NEVER CEASE?"

2) They let me show them random British TV shows. Sometimes they don't go over super well (Absolutely Fabulous is not their bag) and sometimes they love them, like this week when I showed them 5 episodes of The IT Crowd!

3) My mom does my laundry even though I tell her not to.

4) My dad tries very hard to teach me how to cook. (And my mom just stocks my fridge with what she knows I'll eat.)

5) They comment on how strong the candles smell (though I'm not sure it's always a compliment!).

6) My mom wakes me up in the morning with crepes. CREPES. I'd never be late for work if this was a regular occurrence.

I love 'em.

(The post title is from the song "Lorraine" by Lori McKenna which makes me think of my family.)

There'll be no value in the strength of walls that I have grown, there'll be no comfort in the shade of the shadows thrown

2011-12-10T00:11:00.000-08:00

But I'll be yours if you'll be mine.

In case you haven't seen it yet, this is the picture I sent out in my Christmas cards this year:

It's amazing how quickly let's-take-a-hilarious-ironic-photo-of-me-with-my-cat-that-will-poke-fun-at-the-'single-person-and-cat'-trope turns into I-MUST-FIND-US-MATCHING-SCARVES and WHERE-ON-EARTH-CAN-I-FIND-A-MINIATURE-PERIOD-APPROPRIATE-CRUTCH?

I don't take myself too seriously, but I do take seriously how much I love my cat. He deserves many awards and fees for the amount of love and joy he gives the mess of a person who's come home to him each night for the last 2 years. (I swear this was going to be a funny post originally...)

Here's the funny part. So about a month ago my dad was staying with me, and I thought "yes, now is the time to take the picture, so I can have a helper to actually operate the camera." (Last year Oz was miserable as I tried to move between him and the tripod to snap a photo of us merely posed--this year involved uncomfortable and restrictive costumes!).

I had dinner with a friend, and then rushed home to my dad to get ready for the photo. But then I remembered I had therapy the next day, and that I had wanted to burn some playlists I'd made for my therapist onto blank CDs. (Ok, six. I made six separate playlists for my therapist. I know. I have a problem.) But I was out of blank CDs! So I went to the store and bought stuff. But then got home and realized I forgot the CDs--my original reason for going! So, angry, I left my dad to set up the camera, and headed back to Fred Meyer's, around 10:40pm. There, the following took place.

Picture me wandering around the blank CD section of the Electronics department at Freddie's. I'm holding in my arms two bags of shredded cheddar cheese (another item I'd forgotten earlier). Then I hear from behind me:

"Excuse me, miss? Excuse me?"

I assume that I've been mistaken for a Fred Meyer's employee. Again. So I turn around and see a young man with a shopping cart. "Yes?" I ask helpfully, knowing that chances are I know where to direct him despite my lack of official credentials.

Young Man: "I'm sorry, but you are so beautiful. I just have to ask, are you single?"

I had no words. My main experience with being propositioned by men is when they are a) over 60 and/or b) simultaneously exposing themselves in public. Well, when I was in London a young man holding a beer said 'hello' to me. Not sure if that counts.

Anyway, here's what I could have said to him, and it would have been the God's honest truth:

"Why yes, I am single. I'm just about to go home and cross-dress with my cat for our Christmas card. And then I'm going to make six CDs for my therapist in an attempt to describe all my FEELINGS to her. And you might not be able to tell, but earlier today my stomach felt weird, so I am currently wearing an adult diaper. Would you like my phone number?"

But due to the fact that he didn't make eye contact with me, and we were in the Electronics Department of Fred Meyer's at 10:45pm, I decided to go with: "Sorry, I'm not single." And he moved on after exclaiming what a pity that was.

And I worried he would be waiting for me in the parking lot. So if that was my one shot at true love...it pretty much went the way of most things in my life. 1) Shock, 2) Denial, 3) Go Home to Cat and Write About It in the Blog With the Aid of Alcohol.

Maryann's Top 5 Most Satisfying Uses of the F-Word in Folk Rock*

2011-12-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

Last night I got to see Mumford & Sons for the second time, and one of their songs uses the f-word so well, that I remembered I had been wanting to make this post for ages. It's time.

1.) "Little Lion Man" by Mumford & Sons

The line: But it was not your fault, but mine and it was your heart on the line, I really fucked it up this time, didn't I, my dear?

The f-word use in this song is so satisfying because it's sung in a bitterly angry and bitterly regretful way. The juxtaposition of the f-word with calling someone 'my dear' is very appealing. And the fact that Mumford uses very little swearing in their songs makes it feel more 'special.' The song is, as you might imagine, very cathartic live.

2.) "Bloody Motherfucking Asshole" by Martha Wainwright

The line: You bloody motherfucking asshole.

Oh, this song. All the lyrics are actually quite wonderful (poetry has no place for a heart that's a whore--ZING!), and this song is perfect for when you're feeling pissed off but would like to express it without using the music of a crazy, ignorant hateful person (*cough*Eminem*cough*). One time my mom and I were packing up my dorm room and this song came on. "This is a nice song!" she said. I responded, "Wait 'til it gets to the chorus." She was a bit shocked.

3.) "Come Pick Me Up" by Ryan Adams

The line: Come pick me up, take me out, fuck me up, steal my records

THIS SONG. To quote The Weakerthans, this song gave me new words for old desires. Ryan's 'fuck me up' line is so full of surrender and acceptance at the prospect of a broken heart, it's bordering on self-destructive.

4.) "Untouchable Face" by Ani DeFranco

The line: So fuck you and your untouchable face, and fuck you for existing in the first place

I'll let Tom McRae say why this is one of the best: "Not many songs can utilise the word 'fuck' convincingly, but this has to be one of the best. It's such a beautiful, lilting song with such a vicious refrain." This is--hands down--one of the top 5 best 'unrequited love' songs EVER. And it lets you be angry AND sad about it.

5.) "Keep Yourself Warm" by Frightened Rabbit

The line: It takes more than fucking someone you don't know to keep warm

This song is, to borrow a different curse word, THE SHIT. Soooooo good. And the message is a great one: just sleeping with random people isn't enough to 'keep yourself warm'--physically or emotionally. Or, as they put it even more succinctly (and graphically), you won't find love in a hole.

Honorable Mention (Because a Top 6 list doesn't have the same ring to it): "Have You Forgotten?" by Red House Painters

The line: Shut out what they say, 'cause your friends are fucked up anyway

This version of the song, the original, not the weird Vanilla Sky version, is a soft blanket of comfort and reassurance and self-protection. It feels like it goes on forever, and you want it to. The use of the f-word is surprising in such a sweet, cozy song, but it totally works.

What are some of your favorite uses of the f-word (or any other curse word) in folk rock?

* These are my favorites as of December 8th, 2011. My top 5 lists change constantly because I always remember more songs AFTER I've made them.

I'm taking the day off work to be topless in my condo.

2011-12-08T11:18:00.000-08:00

Because I have an aggressive upper body rash that developed thanks to some Nivea tanning lotion.

It's itchy and unsightly and I'm going to try to do whatever I can to get rid of it without going near a doctor's office.

Step 1) Stop using the lotion. Done!

"Happy songs are rubbish. All of them."

2011-12-04T22:59:00.000-08:00

"True happiness can only be experienced by small children, dogs, and the insane. For the rest of us there are the songs of Patty Griffin. She understands."

- Tom McRae

Patty Griffin, the 'rest of us' need you to release a Christmas album, stat.

Murmuration

2011-12-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Saw this on Moorea's blog and I just had to share. It gave me chills!

Currents, December 2011

2011-12-02T15:42:00.000-08:00

Current Food: I've reaaaaaaally wanted crepes. For days. Haven't had any, but I really want them.
Current Achievement: Replacing my toilet seat. In my home. As I am a home-owner, and so I make my home decisions. I used a screwdriver and everything. I also bought a cushy seat like my grandparents used to have, as I currently plan to age in my home until I die.
Current Song: Still "White Wine in the Sun" by Tim Minchin, but also my favorite Christmas song, "Christmas for Cowboys" by John Denver
Current Obsession: My Christmas decorations.
Current TV Show: Spy, a British comedy featuring the incredible Mathew Baynton (on Hulu). Seriously, it's like Chuck, but consistently good. (Burn!)
Current Grievance: my fake tooth--which the dentist re-glued for me--fell out again today. While I was eating a bagel of all things. I'm glad I didn't swallow it. But my dentist isn't in on Fridays, so I've got to have a missing tooth until at least Monday. I'm nervous about it.
Current Wishlist: These preposterously priced curtains for my bedroom. Also snow.

#299: Grace by Jeff Buckley

2011-12-01T18:06:00.000-08:00

Grace by Jeff Buckley (1994)

Favorite Track(s): "Mojo Pin" and "Grace" and "Last Goodbye" and "Hallelujah" and "Lover, You Should've Come Over" and "Corpus Christi Carol" and "Dream Brother"

Thoughts: Hey! We made it to the 200s! Remember when I thought that I would finish the list by New Year's 2012? HA! I haven't even made it halfway! I'm not worried about it though. There were some albums on the list that FORCED me to take a hiatus here and there. But let's get to Grace.

It is a truth ~~universally~~ acknowledged that Jeff Buckley's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is the best version ever recorded, with Rufus Wainwright's as a close second. And I didn't know he covered "Lilac Wine"! I've only ever heard Nina Simone's version, but Jeff's topped hers, in my opinion. DIVINE.

Jeff's voice often reminded me of Robert Plant, and oh how I wish more music that came out of the 90s had sounded like this album. I mean, the lyrics alone are incredible (from "Love, You Should've Come Over"):

It's never over, my kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder
It's never over, all my riches for her smiles when i slept so soft against her
It's never over, all my blood for the sweetness of her laughter
It's never over, she's the tear that hangs inside my soul forever

UNF. And don't get me started on the beauty of "Corpus Christi Carol." This whole album is so worth the hype--definitely recommended.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Yes.

(source)

#300: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams

2011-11-30T17:00:00.000-08:00

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams (1998)

Favorite Track(s): "Right in Time" and "I Lost It" and "Greenville" and "Jackson"

Thoughts: First of all, Lucinda wins all the awards for the album name. BRILLIANT. Evokes, at least for me, a very particular place and aural experience. And the cover art! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Well, the album starts right off with "Right in Time" which let's just say is a very sexy song. Good lord. But from there, the album sort of got disappointing to me. I mean, it's good music, but I expected more from it. I expected it to be more like Emmylou or Patty Griffin or Linda Ronstadt, and it just sort of felt...forced or cliched or contrived. I guess my expectations were too high, or just on the wrong track. My favorite Lucinda Williams' songs are "Minneapolis" (apparently I like her 'city songs' since my two favorites off this album were "Jackson" and Greenville") and "Are You Alright?" so I was probably expecting a chiller collection of songs on Car Wheels.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Not to me, but I can see why it would be to others.

#301: Odelay by Beck

2011-11-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

Odelay by Beck (1996)

Favorite Track(s): "New Pollution" and "Jack-Ass" and "High 5"

Thoughts: Nope, nope, nope. I totally preferred Sea Change. The parts that I liked of this album were the country bits, and to hear that I could have just listened to Lynrd Skynrd. And I'm sorry youtube commenters, but the fact that there are so many 'great songs to get stoned to' on the album really isn't enough for me.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

If it is,

(source)

#302: Songs for Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra

2011-11-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

Songs for Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra (1956)

Favorite Track(s): "You Make Me Feel So Young" and "It Happened in Monterey" and "You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me" and "Too Marvelous for Words" and "Old Devil Moon" and "Pennies from Heaven" and "Love is Here to Stay" (or "Our Love is Here to Stay" as I, and supposedly Ira Gershwin as well, prefer it to call it) and "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Makin' Whoopee" and "Anything Goes" and "How About You"

Thoughts: I don't know, I think Frank Sinatra is kind of overrated.

Ha! Just kidding. That's impossible, of course. He's Ol' Blue Eyes! The Chairman of the Board! The Voice! To know Sinatra is to love him.

Well, except that back in 2009 I read a semi-decent fiction book called The Song is You by Arthur Phillips, and at one point the narrator's 'dream-girl' says: “...I will say that people like me think he wasn’t any good as a jazz singer—he couldn’t swing. And he wasn’t any good as a pop singer—he couldn’t arouse. He was a court minstrel for thugs. He could scarcely carry a tune. A visual artist, not a singer.” After reading that, I knew I could neither trust the music opinions of the character, nor the author, for the rest of the book, for they were clearly deaf to one of the best voices the world will ever hear.

I LOVE Sinatra. Did you know? In the 90s (maybe 1995 when he died?) I had a 365 Days of Frank Sinatra calendar. I own 8 of his movies and have seen 15 (which isn't that impressive, because we all know he did a lot of acting). When I was in Vegas my mom and I saw a Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra impersonation act (a woman in the front row sobbed uncontrollably through "My Way"). His life/persona--while often troubling--is fascinating to me. Little things like the knowledge that he was Bing Crosby's biggest fan, and so even though he no longer wanted to make musicals, he starred in High Society (1956) just so they could work together. But ultimately, I think I have exactly 150 songs* (not that impressive either) of his on my iPod because God lives in his vocal chords.

Needless to say, when I saw that this was the next album on the list, I was a little excited.

In the Survey of Popular Music class I took in college our professor talked about Sinatra's musical genius; how he would take a piece of music and give it his own touches and changes that made it his alone. This album is--in short--perfection. So many unbeatable American songbook standards sung with a voice that is so rich and full and commanding but easy and light as well. GUSH GUSH GUSH GUSH GUSH GUSH GUSH.

Props should be given to arranger Nelson Riddle (the music is at once tight AND lush), but this album proves that Michael Buble and Harry Connick, Jr. can try all they want, but we'll never hear the likes of this again. I mean, doesn't it make you want to put on a pair of heels and an apron and dance with someone in a kitchen while you make dinner? Or walk the streets of Paris at night with a stranger you randomly met in a museum? Or glide across a ballroom floor in a flowing gown, dizzy from the music and champagne? OR JUST FALL ON YOUR KNEES AND THANK GOD FOR FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA?

I will be sad if this is his only album on the list, but still pleased as punch that at least some voters remembered him and got this one to be at 302. You could listen to this album for the rest of your life and never be disappointed.

Is This Better Than Help!?: That's a yes from me.

*Gawd almighty, how are you still reading this gushy, un-ending post? I asterisked the 150 songs in case you were somehow possibly maybe interested in my favorite song of all 150. It's a hard question to answer. I have to split it up 3 ways: by film songs, live songs, and studio songs.

Favorite Film Song: a tie between his duet with Betty Garrett in On the Town, "You're Awful", his duet with Kathryn Grayson in It Happened in Brooklyn, "La Ci Darem La Mano", and his duet with Celeste Holm in High Society, "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" (that last of which, yes, inspired the name of the game show)

Favorite Live Song: hands down, "One For My Baby" from '57 in Concert

Favorite Studio Song: It's a tie between "All the Way" and "Young at Heart" and "Lost in the Stars" and "If I Loved You" and "I Concentrate on You" and of course "The Way You Look Tonight" and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" and "Come Fly With Me" and sheesh this got out of hand.

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#303: Avalon by Roxy Music

2011-11-28T17:04:00.000-08:00

Avalon by Roxy Music (1982)

Favorite Track(s): "More Than This" and "The Main Thing" and "To Turn You On"

Thoughts: Things Maryann was not aware of: 1) that there was any more Roxy Music on the list (score!) 2) that they sang "More Than This" and "Avalon"! I would never have guessed these were songs written/sung by glam rockers. But I guess it was the 80s.

I love the album cover art. It looks like it belongs in an epic 80s fantasy film (of which we know there were many). Large quantities of the music made me think of Bowie, circa the same year, so maybe it's just the 80s rock vibe.

Also, there was a song called "While My Heart is Still Beating" which was just ok, but kept making me think of "Bat Out of Hell" when Meatloaf sings, "And the last thing I see is my heart, still beating." The End. Great story, I know.

Is This Better Than Help!?: You know, I'm not 100% clear on why of all the Roxy Music albums, this one is so high on the list. Is it because more of the songs were bigger hits? I just didn't feel it. And I kept waiting for Stranded to be on the list because of the utter genius that is "Mother of Pearl." So as much as I love you, Roxy Music, I was not that impressed by this album, and therefore have to say 'no, you are not as good as Help!."

Happy Turkey Day!

2011-11-24T06:07:00.000-08:00

I mean, Thanksgiving.

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#304: The Sun Records Collection by Various Artists

2011-11-23T18:35:00.000-08:00

The Sun Records Collection by Various Artists (1994)

Favorite Track(s): "Rocket 88" and "How Many More Years" and "There's A Man in Jerusalem" and "Just Walkin' in the Rain" and "Make Room in the Life Boat for Me" and "The Gospel Train" and "That's Alright" and "Baby Let's Play House" and "Someday You Will Pay" and "Let the Jukebox Keep On Playing" and "I Walk the Line" and "Dixie Fried" and "Down by the Riverside" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" and "Red Cadillac and a Black Mustache" and "Raunchy" and "Great Balls of Fire"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) Yes, there are 74 tracks on this compilation album. And I am ready for THEM ALL. It's time for some musical healing after 306 and 305.

(Post-Listening) Ok, in retrospect, 74 tracks is a lot to listen to, especially when a large majority of them are very similar. And some were highly disturbing, for instance: "I'm Gonna Murder My Baby" by Pat Hare. I think that title says it all. But then we got to Elvis, and that was glorious. Until he sang things like, "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than see another man with you." SO MUCH MISOGYNY.

But the main point is, there are so many of the greats here: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and B.B. King to name a few. PLUS, the song "Raunchy" by Bill Justis was supposedly played by George Harrison to John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1958 on the top deck of a bus, and he played it so perfectly that Lennon let him into their band despite the fact he was only 15.

Is This Better Than Help!?: "My Kind of Carryin' On"--especially the intro--sounded so similar to "Act Naturally." The Beatles would never have become the world's greatest band without hearing artists like these first, so yes!

Susan Blackwell is my new favorite person.

2011-11-22T14:48:00.000-08:00

Best. Interviews. Ever.

#305: Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction

2011-11-21T06:27:00.000-08:00

Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction (1988)

Favorite Track(s): "Standing in the Shower...Thinking" (it was catchy) and "Thank You Boys" (because it sounded NOTHING like the rest of the album)

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) Who can guess on a scale of 1 to 10--1 being ready for death and 10 being stoked--how excited I am to listen to this album? I think it's cruel for the list to have this right after Red Hot Chili Peppers. I feel like my resolve to finish this list is being tested. I even picked a small image size for the album cover so I could fit this massive gif that describes my mood about listening to this (also because that cover's creepy):

(Post-Listening) It's over. I'm moving on.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

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She flossed so hard, her tooth fell out!*

2011-11-21T06:01:00.000-08:00

Tonight (this morning? I never fell asleep...) while flossing my fake tooth popped out. I've had it since...high school? I can't even remember. My immediate thought was, "Oh hell no--I CANNOT go to a hospital right now!" And then I remembered I could just go to my dentist. Which is scary in its own right, because I'm afraid of the bill.

Also, I have weird missing-tooth issues. I currently can't keep my tongue from sticking out, and I've got an advanced lisp paired with a high, childlike voice. Add to that the fact that I'm wearing my mouth-guard all day to distract me.

I'm realizing I have deep prejudices against people with missing teeth, as I am now horrified that someone will notice one of mine is missing.

(In case you're someone who's super-into dental stuff, it was technically a fake tooth that was part of a Marilyn bridge.)

*Reference to Alec Baldwin as Charles Nelson Riley at Inside the Actor's studio (SNL sketch) where he's telling a story about Betty White where she "laughed so hard, her boob fell out!"

Song of the day.

2011-11-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

"White Wine in the Sun" by Tim Minchin.

#306: Blood Sugar Sex Magik by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

2011-11-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991)

Favorite Track(s): "Under the Bridge"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) I am crying on the inside AND outside that I have to listen to this album. No. No. No. Red Hot Chili Peppers, I REJECT YOU AND ALL YOUR WORKS. And 17 tracks? For the love of Zeus! Do. Not. Want.

(Post-Listening) I was bored or annoyed for most of it--and there was definitely TOO MUCH of it. Give it away, give it away, give it away, indeed--GIVE THIS ALBUM AWAY. Actual words I said to my co-worker: "I'm listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and I want to die." We're at 306. This is unacceptable.

Is This Better Than Help!?:

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When I'm at work and I miss my cat, I look at this.

2011-11-17T17:28:00.000-08:00

And then I miss him more.

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#337 - #307: Personal Favorites

2011-11-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

The next two albums on the list are Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction. So to maintain my sanity, it seemed like time to do a 'best of' post! Because that sh*t can wait.

1. Help! by the Beatles
2. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill
3. The Very Best of Linda Ronstadt by Linda Ronstadt
4. Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair
5. The Velvet Underground by The Velvet Underground
6. Damn the Torpedoes by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
7. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
8. Sail Away by Randy Newman
9. Wild Gift by X
10. Play by Moby

Honorable mentions: Pink Moon by Nick Drake and Burnin' by The Wailers

#370 - #338
#401 - #371
#432 - #402
#462 - #433
#500 - #463

Happy listening!

That time Oz lost his head over a Christmas tree. Not literally.

2011-11-16T01:03:00.000-08:00

Usually Oz purchases his Christmas trees from Boy Scout troop 100. And by usually, I mean since he began living alone in 2008. But this year, he was feeling the need for the tree earlier than usual. December is going to be a hectic month for him, so he wanted the tree now while things were slower, and he could enjoy it. Plus, he has this weird thing where he needs to have the tree up before he feels like he can put up other decorations, and boy, was he ready to put up other decorations. It's his first time decorating his new condo! It's a special time where everything is beautiful and nothing hurts.

So over the weekend he used his little paws to look online to see if any stores were selling Christmas trees yet, but none were. However, on Monday night he left the gym, and stopped by Fred Meyer's to buy a few groceries. And with a waft of noble fir filling his tiny nostrils, he saw the rows and rows of Christmas trees lined up in the Garden Center. And he went to them. And he smelled them. And then he asked Customer Service if they were for sale yet, and THEY WERE.

So he called Maryann's mom to see if it would be crazy to get a tree this early. And she was very helpful, and said, "Maybe you should wait til the weekend, but do whatever you want!" (Paraphrasing). So Oz bought a 5/6 ft. noble fir, a new tree stand, and went home to decorate, full of hope and positivity.

But he forgot that when he went to the boy scout troop lot, it may have cost more money, but they would cut a ring off the trunk for you, AND put on the tree stand. So after making a MASSIVE mess in the condo sawing off parts of the tree, scattering sawdust and needles and dirt on every surface, he somehow managed to get the 75-100 lb. tree into the new tree stand. Which is impressive for a cat. OR A SINGLE HUMAN.

And he should have gone to sleep, but noooo he went forward and strung the lights, and then a garland on the tree, and then finally got to put on the ornaments! And Maryann was no help at all, the whole time trying to bat off ornaments and drink from the tree stand when Oz wasn't looking. But they had fun, and it was beautiful, so they went to bed, feeling like their little world was that much more magical.

The next day, Oz left work to get a coat because the library was freezing and when he got home, he noticed the tree was...listing a bit. So he was like, "Hey! I'll just fix it real fast before I head back to work!" AND THAT'S WHEN IT ALL FELL APART.

He adjusted the tree stand too much this way or that, until it couldn't stand up on its own anymore, and had to be leaned against a chair. And Maryann was super not helpful, getting right in his face and trying to nap under the tree while Oz was moving it. So Oz put her in the bathroom, because he was frustrated. And the tree would. not. go. back. into the upright position. But it was all done up with it's lights and ornaments! And it couldn't stay up on its own anymore!

And from the bathroom Maryann cried and cried, and Oz yelled, "I DON'T CARE!" Water got spilled from the tree stand onto the living room carpet, and Oz sobbed, "Why am I a homeowner? Why do I own this carpet? I'm too domestically impaired to not rent!"

So the ornaments came off the tree, and it was laid onto the carpet over a blanket, with the plan to move it to the old tree stand. But no matter how hard Oz tried, it wouldn't go on because of the number of branches. So it just laid there. On the floor.

After inventing 3 new curse word combinations, Oz slunk to his bedroom and sat on the floor in the dark. This is a sampler of his thoughts:

- "I should really call someone to come help me. But then that would mean needing someone for something. I CAN'T."
- "This is why no one believes when you say 'living alone is great!' Mom is TOTALLY gonna make me get roommates."
- "This is why my doctor prescribed online dating for me. She knew I would need someone to help hold my Christmas tree for me."
- "Just chuck the thing down a hillside, lights and all, drive your red-eyed, wet face to Target, and buy a fake tree. Then you'll really never need anyone. Never."

After these thoughts, Oz called Maryann's parents on every phone line they have, and reached her dad who said, "Put it out on the porch. I'm coming up on Thursday, we'll deal with it then."

And Oz did put that light-covered tree out on the porch. And put all the ornaments back in their boxes. And sopped up the wet carpet, and vacuumed all the needles. And made a smoothie. And felt much, much better.

(If you weren't aware, this post is entirely fictional. Oz couldn't do all those things. Well, one of these things did happen: Maryann cried and cried.)

Hilarious parts omitted for the sake of brevity:

- Oz lugging the tree from his condo parking space into his condo all by himself
- Oz inventing the term "f**kmuncher" and usually it repeatedly
- Oz trying to cut a ring off the tree trunk with a whittling knife

Town of Unspeakable Things

2011-11-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

Then there was the time I looked directly into the face
of the life I thought I was missing,

of love. I used to think to be not alone meant
never having to walk through the high wheat

or struggle in the water. Not having to decide not
to fling from some height.

Once, the two of us rode one bicycle.
I wore a straw hat and perched on the handlebars

and beside us the sea oats swayed like skirts
and I heard trilling in the crabgrass.

The sidewalks were bleached as Grecian stone
as we rode past the fish shop smelling of morning--
salt, bread, limes, men.

Riding in front, it was such that
I could not be heard always, at least not the first time

for you pedaled into the wind
and my hair was a ribbon in your eyes.

I said I thought bougainvillea was a stoic plant
and then had to say twice, no, stoic! and then
no, the bougainvillea! and then you said easily

it was nothing like that at all.

But our future was clear enough when I asked if you saw
the clean aprons of those men

(how much longer you think until they clean the fish?
did you see how white those aprons were? did you see?)

To which you said
How much is it, then, you think you need?

- Allison Seay

Poetry, November 2011

#307: MTV Unplugged in New York by Nirvana

2011-11-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

MTV Unplugged in New York by Nirvana (1994)

Favorite Track(s): "About A Girl" and "Come As You Are" and "Jesus Doesn't Want Me For a Sunbeam" and "The Man Who Sold the World" and "Polly" and "Oh, Me" and "All Apologies"

Thoughts: (Pre-Listening) Me when I realized this was the next album on the list:

It's no secret that I am no fan of Nirvana, despite my--well, not my best efforts, but my totally decent efforts. Though if I have any chance of liking Nirvana, it's probably the most likely with an unplugged album, so I'm not put off by the grunge.

(Post-Listening) I wouldn't say this is how Nirvana deserves to be heard, but I would say this is how Maryann needs to hear them (well, and they need to do more covers). Instead of reminding me of grunge, many of the songs made me think of 60s classic rock.

I don't think I'll be rushing to add this to my music library, but I would listen to it again. I mean, I didn't love EVERY song, i.e. "Something in the Way" felt so bland and boring in world where "Something" by the Beatles and "Something in the Way She Moves" by James Taylor exist.

Is This Better Than Help!?: Not to me, but still so much better than I expected.

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Song of the day.

2011-11-15T12:28:00.001-08:00

"Heavy Hours" by Crooked Fingers. Yes, I heard it on last night's How I Met Your Mother.

What I Wore Today November - May

2011-11-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

Friends, I've reached full Warmfort. You know, that magical combination of warmth and comfort. The weather is now cold and wet enough for me to live in my sleeping bag coat for the rest of Fall, all of Winter, and most of Spring.

Last year when it got super icy all I had for my footums were my Fuggs (fake Uggs) that had nonexistent traction, and rain boots, which had zero warmth. So I decided to combine the best of both and find some sleeping bag boots to match my sleeping bag coat, and never wear anything else until the temperature reaches at least 70 degrees outside.

Close-up of the boots. (North Face, FTW.)

I love being heated and cushy.

Whole lot goin' on.

2011-11-13T01:54:00.000-08:00

a) Trying to write Christmas cards early (there will be ZERO time for me to do so in December itself) and watching While You Were Sleeping To Get Me in the Mood. (I'm not sure all of that was supposed to be capitalized and italicized, but I'm leaving it.) It's one of the best rom-coms ever. Hopefully none of you will receive Christmas cards with random lines of dialog from the movie, but I'm not saying it's impossible. If you can't tell, I have been enjoying some "Bubbly Moscato" courtesy of Sutter Homes (cue father's disapproval at cheap, sugary wine and then mother's for blogging after drinking some). And that may or may not have led to me loudly yell obscenities at the TV whenever Bill Pullman did something especially sexy, like make prolonged eye contact or walk Lucy (Sandra Bullock) home.

But then WYWSTGMINTM and I tried to sit through The Bells of St. Mary's and man, it was reallllllllly long. Now I'm watching childhood favorite Thumbelina, with a plan to weep openly/sing along to "Let Me Be Your Wings", which, if you didn't know, is the greatest love song ever written since 1994. It kicks "A Whole New World"'s ass. Is it because it reminds me of Doctor Who? You decide.

b) Late night visitors for Oz:

He was excited.*

*read: made ungodly noises and swiped at the windows.

I was a bit scared myself. They just kind of stared at us, fearless. I was worried they could somehow get through my living room windows. They're crafty bastards.

c) I bought another yankee candle today. But it's small! And it was on sale! Christmas Wreath.

It smells like Christmas in Sunriver, Oregon. Juniper trees. DIVINE.