Me: Lord help me, I'm addicted to that 'Valerie' Glee song.
Her: Switch to Teenage Dream instead. Very addictive too but a little less worm-y.
Me: Teenage Dream sucks, Valerie RULES!
Her: Now now... Valerie does indeed rule but TD is no $2 tranny handjob.
Me: Ooh! I wish I had a red slushie to throw at you right now!
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
What's your 're-enjoy' level?
I've seen a lot of references recently on Twitter to "rewatch" - where you view from start to finish a great classic tv series - such as Farscape, Firefly, Star Trek: TOS, and so on.
I'm conflicted about rewatching. I've probably seen every episode of the first ten years of The Simpsons at least ten or twenty times. At a certain point, I decided that I was 'done' with The Simpsons, and watch it very rarely now. I'd rather move on to something new, something that might have a different perspective, teach me something different or at the very least doesn't contain dialogue I can quote verbatim throughout an episode.
There's a certain safe-at-homeness to rewatching. We're in our comfort zone, and we know we're not going to be disappointed. There can be a certain nostalgia to rewatching as well - I can appreciate that.
During a rewatch, we know what's going to happen, and we don't really need to pay much attention to what's going on. We can miss five or ten minutes and we still understand the plot - at this point, whatever you're watching has become background noise and part of me wonders what's the point?
Wouldn't music be better background noise? At least I could do some writing or something else creative to music. If I have a TV show playing, it's so I can watch it. I was not one of those teenagers who could do homework with MTV running in the background - I'm sure many people can be very productive while they watch TV, but I'm not one of them.
The same thing goes for re-reads of books. I love the Harry Potter books, and have read them all, but the idea of re-reading the whole series doesn't really appeal. It's a huge time commitment, and while yes the books are great... I could be reading something new.
That's not to say I don't re-read books, I do. Waiting a year and re-reading a book I really enjoyed is fun on multiple levels - I've forgotten just enough to enjoy the little details, and maybe I'll discover something new I missed the first time.
It feels as if we gain very little from re-enjoying the same book/TV show/movie over and over - a smart balance seems to be 80% new 20% re-enjoy. Currently, my level is probably 20% new, 80% old, which is depressing - most of what I'm watching isn't necessarily good, it's just a re-run or re-watch. And with Hulu and Netflix streaming, free books from the library - there's really no excuse.
Just think about all the great stuff you could be first-enjoying during your ninth rewatch of something. Maybe something you love even more than Harry Potter.
I'm conflicted about rewatching. I've probably seen every episode of the first ten years of The Simpsons at least ten or twenty times. At a certain point, I decided that I was 'done' with The Simpsons, and watch it very rarely now. I'd rather move on to something new, something that might have a different perspective, teach me something different or at the very least doesn't contain dialogue I can quote verbatim throughout an episode.
There's a certain safe-at-homeness to rewatching. We're in our comfort zone, and we know we're not going to be disappointed. There can be a certain nostalgia to rewatching as well - I can appreciate that.
During a rewatch, we know what's going to happen, and we don't really need to pay much attention to what's going on. We can miss five or ten minutes and we still understand the plot - at this point, whatever you're watching has become background noise and part of me wonders what's the point?
Wouldn't music be better background noise? At least I could do some writing or something else creative to music. If I have a TV show playing, it's so I can watch it. I was not one of those teenagers who could do homework with MTV running in the background - I'm sure many people can be very productive while they watch TV, but I'm not one of them.
The same thing goes for re-reads of books. I love the Harry Potter books, and have read them all, but the idea of re-reading the whole series doesn't really appeal. It's a huge time commitment, and while yes the books are great... I could be reading something new.
That's not to say I don't re-read books, I do. Waiting a year and re-reading a book I really enjoyed is fun on multiple levels - I've forgotten just enough to enjoy the little details, and maybe I'll discover something new I missed the first time.
It feels as if we gain very little from re-enjoying the same book/TV show/movie over and over - a smart balance seems to be 80% new 20% re-enjoy. Currently, my level is probably 20% new, 80% old, which is depressing - most of what I'm watching isn't necessarily good, it's just a re-run or re-watch. And with Hulu and Netflix streaming, free books from the library - there's really no excuse.
Just think about all the great stuff you could be first-enjoying during your ninth rewatch of something. Maybe something you love even more than Harry Potter.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Dying since the day they were born
The human brain is an amazing piece of wetware, with a storage and bandwidth capacity that’s difficult to calculate even with current technology.
Something that concerns me about the status of my own bandwidth - earworms.
Songs get stuck in my head constantly – and all I have to do is read a list of titles for it to happen. I was researching songs that were popular in 1993 and 1994 for a flashback scene I was writing.
When I got up the next morning, I was humming ‘Stay’ by Lisa Loeb, even though I did not reference the song in my story – my eye simply skimmed across the title the day before.
Take a good look at these two links/song lists, and let me know if any related earwoms end up attacking you over the next couple of days.
Something that concerns me about the status of my own bandwidth - earworms.
Songs get stuck in my head constantly – and all I have to do is read a list of titles for it to happen. I was researching songs that were popular in 1993 and 1994 for a flashback scene I was writing.
When I got up the next morning, I was humming ‘Stay’ by Lisa Loeb, even though I did not reference the song in my story – my eye simply skimmed across the title the day before.
Take a good look at these two links/song lists, and let me know if any related earwoms end up attacking you over the next couple of days.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I'm easily amused
If they were alive today, which modern musical genre would be the favorites for each of these famous folks?
Franz Mesmer
Trance
Sigmund Freud
Rap
Henry Ford
Garage
Leonidas of Sparta
Minimalist
John Pemberton
Pop
Software Programmers
Glitch
Cave Men
Rock
Check out the popular music genres at Wikipedia!
Franz Mesmer
Trance
Sigmund Freud
Rap
Henry Ford
Garage
Leonidas of Sparta
Minimalist
John Pemberton
Pop
Software Programmers
Glitch
Cave Men
Rock
Check out the popular music genres at Wikipedia!
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Repeatworthy: Melody Gardot
I was shocked, shocked I tell you when I realized I had not already posted a 'Repeatworthy' about Melody Gardot!
There aren't too many singer/songwriters I would gush about these days, but seriously, Melody is amazing.
I don't listen to a lot of Jazz, since most of it seems to be recycled covers of songs written decades ago. Melody uses a bare minimum of covers, which is refreshing.
There's not one forced or false moment in either of her albums - it all rings true and feels sincere. You should definitely check out her music, and her Wikipedia page is worth a read as well.
There aren't too many singer/songwriters I would gush about these days, but seriously, Melody is amazing.
I don't listen to a lot of Jazz, since most of it seems to be recycled covers of songs written decades ago. Melody uses a bare minimum of covers, which is refreshing.
There's not one forced or false moment in either of her albums - it all rings true and feels sincere. You should definitely check out her music, and her Wikipedia page is worth a read as well.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Repeatworthy: Pink Martini
Pink Martini is a great blend of genres (Latin, Lounge, Classical, Jazz) each of which seem to bend effortlessly to the will of these talented musicians, and feels worldly without actually being world music.
The band is originally from Portland Oregon, and they're one of the few groups I would be willing to get on a plane and fly to a different city in order to see live.
Since I'm not a musician, for me the big appeal of the group is the lead singer, China Forbes, who also has a great solo album. China has a great personality and range, and always seems to be giving her all to really sell each song.
The band is originally from Portland Oregon, and they're one of the few groups I would be willing to get on a plane and fly to a different city in order to see live.
Since I'm not a musician, for me the big appeal of the group is the lead singer, China Forbes, who also has a great solo album. China has a great personality and range, and always seems to be giving her all to really sell each song.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Repeatworthy: Bitter:Sweet
Bitter:Sweet is a group that’s supposedly ‘Trip Hop’, even through I don’t really agree - it doesn't really seem minimal enough.
Portishead's (el primo Trip Hop) latest work isn't exactly minimal - I’m not a music expert, so it's tricky to say what qualifies as Trip Hop these days.
Whatever the classification, Bitter:Sweet is worth checking out if you haven't yet had the pleasure. It's a cross of big-bandy jazz and sultry conspiratorially-whispered lyrics that's refreshingly ear-catching.
Portishead's (el primo Trip Hop) latest work isn't exactly minimal - I’m not a music expert, so it's tricky to say what qualifies as Trip Hop these days.
Whatever the classification, Bitter:Sweet is worth checking out if you haven't yet had the pleasure. It's a cross of big-bandy jazz and sultry conspiratorially-whispered lyrics that's refreshingly ear-catching.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Repeatworthy: Ingrid Michaelson
Ingrid Michaelson is upbeat even when the subject matter isn't, when the song isn't - even in a slow song there's a definite sound of hope.
My favorite song is probably 'Be OK', which always cheers me up even though I can't put my finger on exactly why.
She's 29 and already has 4 albums out - I applaud that kind of focus.
My favorite song is probably 'Be OK', which always cheers me up even though I can't put my finger on exactly why.
She's 29 and already has 4 albums out - I applaud that kind of focus.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Just Say No
I've been using Pandora for years now, but recently I started using it in a new way.
Once I discover a new song I like, I'll buy the song from iTunes, use the song to 'Add Variety' to the Pandora station I'm listening to, and then I give the song the thumbs down.
For all I know, this confuses the hell out of the Pandora database that's trying to calculate my likes and dislikes, but it's proven to be good way to find new music and minimize repetition.
Once I discover a new song I like, I'll buy the song from iTunes, use the song to 'Add Variety' to the Pandora station I'm listening to, and then I give the song the thumbs down.
For all I know, this confuses the hell out of the Pandora database that's trying to calculate my likes and dislikes, but it's proven to be good way to find new music and minimize repetition.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Repeatworthy: Metisse
Metisse is more of that soothing-solace stuff I've been listening to a lot lately.
I thought the group was from Africa when I first heard it - turns out they're based in Ireland. It feels like 'World Music'.
The most popular song is 'Boom Boom Ba' which you may be familiar with from a great TV show called 'Dead Like Me'.
The African sound or influence makes sense once you know that lead singer Aïda is from the Ivory Coast.
I thought the group was from Africa when I first heard it - turns out they're based in Ireland. It feels like 'World Music'.
The most popular song is 'Boom Boom Ba' which you may be familiar with from a great TV show called 'Dead Like Me'.
The African sound or influence makes sense once you know that lead singer Aïda is from the Ivory Coast.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Repeatworthy: The Wailin Jennys
Remember that fun Bluegrass music from 'O Brother, Where Art Thou'? The Wailin Jennys fit right in to that crowd, high quality, well-harmonized music that is folky without being whiny.
Check out The Wailin Jennys.
I've been listening to a lot of soothing, solace-giving music lately. Do I need soothing? Do I need solace? I guess so, cause this stuff hits the spot.
Check out The Wailin Jennys.
I've been listening to a lot of soothing, solace-giving music lately. Do I need soothing? Do I need solace? I guess so, cause this stuff hits the spot.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Repeatworthy: The Weepies
Deb Talan and Steve Tannen had solo musical acts, then they met, got married, had a wee one, and became The Weepies.
It's mellow, well written, and has a good variety of instrumentation. The laid-back vibe never gets boring or tiresome. They don't take themselves too seriously, always a good trait in my book.
Check out this video.
It's mellow, well written, and has a good variety of instrumentation. The laid-back vibe never gets boring or tiresome. They don't take themselves too seriously, always a good trait in my book.
Check out this video.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Repeatworthy: Neko Case
I've been listening to a lot of what I consider seems like 'old-fashioned country' which from my perspective is the 1970's, which I suppose is more like folk music than country music.
It's not about pickup trucks, cowboy hats, horses, and so it - it's about people. The lyrics, instruments and style are very accessible, and though they may have been powerfully engineered, rigorously produced and then thoroughly digitized, the songs do not feel that way. The songs feel "real".
Check out Neko Case, won't you? I don't love all her stuff, but the songs I do like, I like a lot:
Magpie to the Morning
Things That Scare Me
We've Never Met
Furnace Room Lullaby
Wayfaring Stranger
It's not about pickup trucks, cowboy hats, horses, and so it - it's about people. The lyrics, instruments and style are very accessible, and though they may have been powerfully engineered, rigorously produced and then thoroughly digitized, the songs do not feel that way. The songs feel "real".
Check out Neko Case, won't you? I don't love all her stuff, but the songs I do like, I like a lot:
Magpie to the Morning
Things That Scare Me
We've Never Met
Furnace Room Lullaby
Wayfaring Stranger
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Repeatworthy: Kris Delmhorst
"With a name like 'Delmhorst', you know it must be good!"
She sneakily, conspiratorially insinuates her emotional goal into your psyche. It's a bit unnerving at first, but soon you come to like it, need it, DEMAND IT.
The current song I love to repeat by Kris is 'If Not for Love'. Check it out. It's best on headphones, it feels as if she's whispering just to you personally.
She sneakily, conspiratorially insinuates her emotional goal into your psyche. It's a bit unnerving at first, but soon you come to like it, need it, DEMAND IT.
The current song I love to repeat by Kris is 'If Not for Love'. Check it out. It's best on headphones, it feels as if she's whispering just to you personally.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Humans are So Damn Cool
Humans get a bad rap for:
a) Warming the planet (don't worry, the planet will be just fine - we humans might not be)
b) Polluting the planet (the microbes that live on toxic sludge and radioactivity say 'Yum!' and might just evolve into the latest, kick-ass world-dominating life form)
c) A few thousand other things.
But humans are still pretty damn cool. If we survive long enough to grow up, we'll fix our mistakes, I have no doubt.
Here's a good example why HaSDC.
a) Warming the planet (don't worry, the planet will be just fine - we humans might not be)
b) Polluting the planet (the microbes that live on toxic sludge and radioactivity say 'Yum!' and might just evolve into the latest, kick-ass world-dominating life form)
c) A few thousand other things.
But humans are still pretty damn cool. If we survive long enough to grow up, we'll fix our mistakes, I have no doubt.
Here's a good example why HaSDC.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Repeatworthy: Cowboy Junkies
'Sweet Jane' just played on my Pandora, reminding me what sweet background noise is 'Cowboy Junkies'
They sound like something out of the more distant past than they are - and I mean that in a good way. If you like Natalie Merchant, you'll probably like CB. If not, what'samatta you?
Check em out.
They sound like something out of the more distant past than they are - and I mean that in a good way. If you like Natalie Merchant, you'll probably like CB. If not, what'samatta you?
Check em out.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Repeatworthy: The Be Good Tanyas
A good indication of music I'm enjoying is a song that ends up on repeat for an hour or more. I have a high tolerance for repetition, which is good in some ways (coping with daily BS) and bad in others (lack of motivation to change myself/situation for the better).
Lately I have found 'The Be Good Tanyas' very repeatable - I'm especially enjoying a cover of 'When Doves Cry' (yes, the one by Prince) and 'In My Time of Dying', which apparently is also not an original song, but it's 'new to me'.
Check 'em out!
Lately I have found 'The Be Good Tanyas' very repeatable - I'm especially enjoying a cover of 'When Doves Cry' (yes, the one by Prince) and 'In My Time of Dying', which apparently is also not an original song, but it's 'new to me'.
Check 'em out!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Am I the only one?
Sometimes I feel guilty when skipping a song on my ipod or Pandora - as if somewhere, Skip Statistics are being tracked, and it's ruining an artist's day.
"Sure, he paid 99 cents for the song, but he only listened to it twice, and then skipped past it the next ten times. Why?? WHYYY?? What did I do wrong? Why didn't Mommy love me??"
I just wasn't in the mood for that song right then, ok? It's a wonderful song, and clearly I like it or I wouldn't have purchased it. I just need to be in right mode to enjoy it. Um, it's not you, it's me?
"Sure, he paid 99 cents for the song, but he only listened to it twice, and then skipped past it the next ten times. Why?? WHYYY?? What did I do wrong? Why didn't Mommy love me??"
I just wasn't in the mood for that song right then, ok? It's a wonderful song, and clearly I like it or I wouldn't have purchased it. I just need to be in right mode to enjoy it. Um, it's not you, it's me?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Eclectic, or Random?
Happy Nation (remix) -- Ace Of Base
Uninvited -- Alanis Morissette
I'll Fly Away -- Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch
You Know I'm No Good -- Amy Winehouse
Yakety Sax (Benny Hill Theme) -- André Rieu
Bach (JS): Lute Suite in E Minor, BWV 996 - Sarabande -- Andrés Segovia
Moon River -- Andy Williams
Suffocate Me -- Angelfish
Song For A Future Generation -- The B-52's
Another Postcard -- Barenaked Ladies
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) -- Big & Rich
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) -- Billy Joel
The Bad Touch -- Bloodhound Gang
Witchcraft -- Book Of Love
Ain't No Other Man -- Christina Aguilera
Nil Se'n La -- Clannad
Tomorrow, Wendy (Live) -- Concrete Blonde
Be My Producer -- Dani Siciliano
16 Candles -- Danielle Dax
The Dreaming Tree -- Dave Matthews Band
This Can't Be Love -- Diana Krall
Hooray For Hollywood -- Doris Day
Mercy -- Duffy
Lyin' Eyes -- The Eagles
Can't Get It Out of My Head -- Electric Light Orchestra
Queer -- Garbage
The Thunder Rolls -- Garth Brooks
Ooh La La -- Goldfrapp
Sally Go Round the Roses (live) -- Great Society
2 Wicky -- Hooverphonic
At Seventeen -- Janis Ian
Standing Still -- Jewel
He'll Have to Go -- Jim Reeves
In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening -- Rosemary Clooney
Mama He's Crazy -- The Judds
Jesus Walks -- Kanye West
Milkshake -- Kelis
Since U Been Gone -- Kelly Clarkson
Virus (Pestilence Mix) -- KMFDM
Pretend We're Dead -- L7
Out Comes The Evil -- Lords Of Acid
Tango To Evora -- Loreena McKennitt
Won't Go Home Without You -- Maroon 5
Devil Woman -- Marty Robbins
Angel -- Massive Attack
Worrisome Heart -- Melody Gardot
Thieves -- Ministry
Gossip Folks -- Missy Elliott
A Girl Doesn't Get Killed by a Make-Believe Lover -Thrill Kill Kult
Exotica -- Mychael Danna
When They Ring The Golden Bells -- Natalie Merchant
Cracklin' Rosie -- Neil Diamond
Feeling Good -- Nina Simone
Terrible Lie -- Nine Inch Nails
Control I'm Here -- Nitzer Ebb
Too Drunk to Fuck -- Nouvelle Vague
Carmen -- Paula Cole
You Make Me Sick -- Pink
Let's Never Stop Falling In Love -- Pink Martini
Angry Johnny -- Poe
Undenied -- Portishead
Machine Gun -- Portishead
Tommy The Cat -- Primus
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (From Company B) -- The Puppini Sisters
The Child (Inside) -- Qkumba Zoo
Shiny Happy People -- R.E.M.
Fidelity -- Regina Spektor
Story of Us -- Sarah Fimm
The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance -- Sinéad O'Connor
I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow -- The Soggy Bottom Boys
I'm Free -- The Soup Dragons
What I Got (Reprise) -- Sublime
If I Were a Weapon -- Suzanne Vega
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) -- They Might Be Giants
No Scrubs -- TLC
Wordless May -- Venus Hum
America -- The Youngs
In The Waiting Line -- Zero 7
Uninvited -- Alanis Morissette
I'll Fly Away -- Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch
You Know I'm No Good -- Amy Winehouse
Yakety Sax (Benny Hill Theme) -- André Rieu
Bach (JS): Lute Suite in E Minor, BWV 996 - Sarabande -- Andrés Segovia
Moon River -- Andy Williams
Suffocate Me -- Angelfish
Song For A Future Generation -- The B-52's
Another Postcard -- Barenaked Ladies
Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) -- Big & Rich
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) -- Billy Joel
The Bad Touch -- Bloodhound Gang
Witchcraft -- Book Of Love
Ain't No Other Man -- Christina Aguilera
Nil Se'n La -- Clannad
Tomorrow, Wendy (Live) -- Concrete Blonde
Be My Producer -- Dani Siciliano
16 Candles -- Danielle Dax
The Dreaming Tree -- Dave Matthews Band
This Can't Be Love -- Diana Krall
Hooray For Hollywood -- Doris Day
Mercy -- Duffy
Lyin' Eyes -- The Eagles
Can't Get It Out of My Head -- Electric Light Orchestra
Queer -- Garbage
The Thunder Rolls -- Garth Brooks
Ooh La La -- Goldfrapp
Sally Go Round the Roses (live) -- Great Society
2 Wicky -- Hooverphonic
At Seventeen -- Janis Ian
Standing Still -- Jewel
He'll Have to Go -- Jim Reeves
In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening -- Rosemary Clooney
Mama He's Crazy -- The Judds
Jesus Walks -- Kanye West
Milkshake -- Kelis
Since U Been Gone -- Kelly Clarkson
Virus (Pestilence Mix) -- KMFDM
Pretend We're Dead -- L7
Out Comes The Evil -- Lords Of Acid
Tango To Evora -- Loreena McKennitt
Won't Go Home Without You -- Maroon 5
Devil Woman -- Marty Robbins
Angel -- Massive Attack
Worrisome Heart -- Melody Gardot
Thieves -- Ministry
Gossip Folks -- Missy Elliott
A Girl Doesn't Get Killed by a Make-Believe Lover -Thrill Kill Kult
Exotica -- Mychael Danna
When They Ring The Golden Bells -- Natalie Merchant
Cracklin' Rosie -- Neil Diamond
Feeling Good -- Nina Simone
Terrible Lie -- Nine Inch Nails
Control I'm Here -- Nitzer Ebb
Too Drunk to Fuck -- Nouvelle Vague
Carmen -- Paula Cole
You Make Me Sick -- Pink
Let's Never Stop Falling In Love -- Pink Martini
Angry Johnny -- Poe
Undenied -- Portishead
Machine Gun -- Portishead
Tommy The Cat -- Primus
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (From Company B) -- The Puppini Sisters
The Child (Inside) -- Qkumba Zoo
Shiny Happy People -- R.E.M.
Fidelity -- Regina Spektor
Story of Us -- Sarah Fimm
The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance -- Sinéad O'Connor
I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow -- The Soggy Bottom Boys
I'm Free -- The Soup Dragons
What I Got (Reprise) -- Sublime
If I Were a Weapon -- Suzanne Vega
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) -- They Might Be Giants
No Scrubs -- TLC
Wordless May -- Venus Hum
America -- The Youngs
In The Waiting Line -- Zero 7
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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