Musical Thoughts

[apple_pathways]

evilhippo recommended Josh Ritter's new album So Runs The World Away, and I like it quite a bit. There's this one track, though, called "Lark" that sounds SO MUCH like a Paul Simon track I always have to check my iTunes to make sure I'm still listening to the album. (Oh, and BTW, I just checked the Wikipedia entry for Panel Game and it has not yet reverted back to the original text. I am starting to feel a mite bit guilty!)

Pandora has a new "Indie Rock" station I've been enjoying. It's reminded me of several tracks I used to adore but haven't listened to in recent years. It's also reminded me of my HATRED for certain indie rock darlings, namely Animal Collective and Joanna Newsom. RANDOM SCREECHING SOUNDS ARE NOT MUSIC!

The person who compiled this station also has an unhealthy fixation with Björk. Remember, kids: Björk is fine every once in awhile, but don't overdo it! Moderation is key. Also, be sure to stay hydrated and listen with a buddy.

So what has everyone else been listening to? Any music recs? What were your favorite albums/songs of the year?

Comments

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

I've had the John Tams version of 'Over the hills and far away' stuck in my head for over a week. Just thought I'd mention it.

I have no idea about new music, in a pathetic 'I don't even listen to the radio' way.

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

You must be a Sharpe fan, lol. It plays over the credits, IIRC. I love Tams' rendition of it too.

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

You do indeed recall correctly. Me and mum have been working our way through them since last week, and enjoying ourselves thoroughly.

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

Do you have a favorite? My Sharpe box set has been tormented me from my bookshelf the past few days. Maybe I'll bust it out for the holidays...

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

I like Sharpe's Eagle, personally. That and Sharpe's Regiment minus the 'proposing to Jane' bit.

Actually, I can't remember any I didn't like...

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

I liked all the ones with Theresa, I think. About the only one I didn't like was the one with the mute girl who is magically cured just by Sharpe's amazing sexual prowess, lol.

I never really got the whole Sharpe/Jane thing either. She was a twit, really.

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

You mean literal healing cock doesn't work even in professional fiction? ;)

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

I can stand Animal Collective every now and then.

My cousin turned me on to Maps & Atlases and LCD Soundsystem, so I've been listening to way too much electro stuff for the last few days, lol.

I depend entirely on the hip folks on LJ and my younger cousins for music recs. Otherwise, I just stick to stuff I like, some of which can make other people run far away. ;)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

BAH, I LOVE LCD Soundsystem! (Did you know I saw him in concert a few months ago??? Awesome show!)

If Maps & Atlases are at all similar, I'll have to check them out.

I listen to a lot of internet radio (like Pandora) and troll through The Hype Machine, and tend to find a lot of new stuff that way.

I don't think I would hate Animal Collective as much as I do if I hadn't heard SO DAMN MUCH hype about them a few years ago when they first broke. I had one friend in particular who was INSUFFERABLE about them being the GREATEST BAND EVER. I am nothing if not stubborn, and the best way to get me to hate something is to mention it to me over and over again. :)~

[voltaires-vice.livejournal.com]

The Divine Comedy, always. Their 2010 album is their best yet.

(Parcel there yet?)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, no! I haven't received anything yet.

[voltaires-vice.livejournal.com]

Oh bother. :(

Everything else destined for the US was sent out on the same day as yours and arrived last week.

[jesterjoker.livejournal.com]

I have some spare time. I should snoop for more metal and techno...

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid 'metal' is one of the few music genres I almost universally dislike! Techno, though--it's a label that seems to get thrown around a lot. Depending on what you call 'techno', I do like some of it.

[evilhippo.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're enjoying it! Normally it takes me a while to get into albums like that, but that one kind of grabbed me right away (Rattling Your Locks is probably my favorite song on there).

I, too, have been keeping an eye on the Panel Game page. My friend and I have a theory that if the next editor doesn't take a good look at the original, the bit about scientific documentation will probably get nixed but the "theoretical concept" might just stay, since it sounds like typical wikipedia nonsense. (-;

And be still, my heart! Joanna Newsom and Animal Collective slandered in the same sentence! Is the de-friending amnesty still on? (-; I'm a fan of both, but I acknowledge they're really both the sort of artists people either love or hate. And even I have to be in the right mood for them. I didn't even want to give Joanna Newsom's new album a chance (thanks to all the obnoxious buzz) until I heard her play parts of it live, and I think that's probably the only way you can hear that she doesn't seem to be trying to sound cloyingly sweet... that's just how she sounds. (This... doesn't actually help in most cases, but it does a little to resolve the hipster association problem. (-;) I don't get the ridiculous pretentious vibe from her that some people do, but I don't know anyone else who likes her, and most people I know who dislike her have ridiculous pretentious friends who like her very loudly and I think there may be a connection there. It's certainly the kind of music that appeals to those obnoxious types, and allows them to pat themselves on the back for liking her when no one else "understands". And I won't even get into Animal Collective because, like Modest Mouse, there is only one album of theirs that I would actually qualify as "good", even though rest all contain some great songs. Also if you try to watch any of their videos, or (I strongly recommend against this) ODDSAC, or their bizarre performance at the Guggenheim, it's pretty much going to end in a headache. I can only assume that the trick is to be really high or something.

Totally with you on Björk only in moderation, though.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

but the "theoretical concept" might just stay, since it sounds like typical wikipedia nonsense. (-;

Why thank you! I just so happen to be fluent in nonsense. I'm thinking of putting it on my CV.

You may defriend at will, but I had always thought you above such petty acts of hipster intolerance. ;)

I can imagine Joanna Newsom live being a completely different experience from listening to her album. I love the harp, and some of her songs are very pretty. I just don't like the screechy voice and the insensible lyrics. I could probably tolerate one with the other, but together they're a lethal combo!