For those of you who don't know my college habits that well, I pretty much live at the local coffee shop/bookstore. It has it's perks (hey-oh!); everyone knows me by name, they are extra friendly, i don't even have to tell them my order anymore (which is good, b/c I'm grumpy before I've had my coffee), occasionally i get to taste something for free, etc. But the best thing is all the crazy-friendly people i meet there. Which is where this story comes in...
So, I was sitting there, sketching out the web comic I'm thinking about starting, when these two guys walk up. They were probably in their mid-late 40's. One looked like a teacher. The other
looked like a mix between a lumberjack and a hippie.
The second one looks at me.
guy: You know about the Beatles?
me: huh?
guy: your shirt.
*i look down. I'm wearing a lime green Sgt. Pepper's shirt *
me: yeah.
guy: what'd you think of Across the Universe?
Now, since i had planned a whole series of posts on that subject (which i abandoned for media planning homework), I had my opinions all laid out. So we talked a bit about the movie, it's departure from classic movie-musical formats, it's portrayal of the time-period, the song covers, blah blah blah.
then...
guy: okay, last question. this is a two part-er. 1- If you could name one Beatles' album that everyone should listen to, what would it be? 2- same question, but you get to pick three songs.
Now, this is a good question. so here's my answer...
1) I'd pick Revolver for my album. I really kind of picked it as a reflex. But it really is an excellent choice in my opinion. First off, there's Yellow Submarine. This was the first Beatles' song i can remember hearing. It also represents their earlier stuff and their ability to keep things light. Then, Eleanor Rigby, Doctor Robert, and Taxman all show how they were icons who were aware. In a way that todays pop stars do not, many of their songs had social and political commentary. I also love Taxman because it's one of the few songs written by George (if i remember correctly). Good Day Sunshine, For No One, Got to Get You into my Life, and I Want to Tell You are seem to be their classic songs. They were real crowd pleasers, but somehow more than just pop songs. Then, of course, Love You To and Tomorrow Never Knows show them branching out from pop.
2)
a)And I Love Her- I feel like it's important to showcase one of their early, teeny-bopper songs. But I feel like everyone's heard the classics, you know, Help or Can't Buy Me Love. This song is good because it is so sweet that it effectively shows why the entire female population fell in love with them.
b)Get Back- This was mostly just because I love the songs where they are just talking and goofing around before or after they record (quick, where's this from- I've got blister's on me fingers!!!). It shows how they can tell great stories in four lines, though this particular story makes absolutely no sense. I'm actually just making this shit up, i just love this song.
c)Mother Nature's Son- This is one of their hippie songs, I think there should be one on the list.
I realize none of these songs would be on Rolling Stone/Spin/ whatever's top 20 Beatles songs list. But, that's why I think they are important. They aren't their best songs. They aren't the most well known. But what's the use of making everyone listen to the songs they already know about? Also, I'm not gonna regurgitate whatever music critics/ my father told me. These three songs are the ones that have stuck with me for whatever reason. They're the ones i like, not because someone told me to, but because i can feel it in my gut. So... yeah.
your thoughts? that's what the comments section is for. I heart comments!
Also,
I was super psyched that there's someone else out in the world that likes to make up random questions and quiz people they've just met. Yeah, i have an arsenal of those. They make the conversation more interesting than the typical "what's your major?" crap whilst simultaneously separating the cool people from the people who have nothing to say. I like people with opinions.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Hi Erin!
I haven't seen any movies or listened to anything recently that i particularly want to talk about. But I'm bored, and I did write a poem I want Erin to read. And we're never online at the same time. so...
*** 5.21.08 These poems have been edited a lot since i posted them a while back... They are way better now. The third poem is almost ridiculously different than the poem i wrote originally. By putting it up here I managed to get some really helpful feedback, but I still don't like it. I've replaced it with one that is much better, in my opinion.
*This poem is about my favorite painting from Rembrandt's era. It was painted by an unknown artist (or I can't remember it). I found it in an art book at Webster's Cafe, and then I went back to buy the book the next week and it had been sold. The painting can't be found via googling, so i guess it's somewhat obscure.
Cupid Writes an Oath of Fidelity in the Sand
He writes on
With fervor, eyes cast down, ignoring the heavens.
Lips pursed and brow furrowed,
He searches diligently
For the correct words.
Overhead,
Seagulls bob and weave across the sky,
Forming quick constellations,
Breaking away again.
Even as he writes,
Wind blows lightly and the sand trembles.
Still his hand crosses every "t" with a flourish.
Nodding his head, the last sentence
Is finished.
In no time,
Some sweet new muse entices him
To forget his silly words and write new, better prose.
Bacchus weakens his resolve
Neptune's high tide washes his old words away.
*This one I wrote a few months ago, but I just love it. I feel like it describes my grandfather fairly well.
Christmas 1994
It occurs to me,
As Pop-Pop descends the staircase
Draped in red and white,
That I’m pretty sure Santa doesn’t wear sneakers
He got the jolly part right.
Though the smell of cigarettes and old spice
Tickles my nose
And the Italian accent amuses my ears.
Underneath a towering, glowing pine,
Amid mountains of shredded wrapping,
Between giggles,
I’ll assure him I still believe.
I really, really wanted presents.
* This one is about being stuck on the side of the shoulder of the highway in February. it sucked.
The Afterlife
The road ahead is a shallow pool of tar
Our used car waded through,
As though determined
Until its pulsing metal heart could go
No further.
Tractor trailers race by,
almost smacking our side mirrors,
Splattering us with rain water and grime.
Each time the wind whips us
Our lemon rocks
Back and forth, scattering droplets
Before settling.
The bright blue sign ahead--
State College
62 miles--
Reveals itself and disappears
Under blinking hazard lights.
To the people who read this crap, I welcome your input. If there's anything i've learned this semester it's this : the sometimes harsh opinions of 15 english majors reading my work will make me upset, but the end result makes it worthwhile. I imagine this extends to the opinions of my many intelligent friends, as well.
*** 5.21.08 These poems have been edited a lot since i posted them a while back... They are way better now. The third poem is almost ridiculously different than the poem i wrote originally. By putting it up here I managed to get some really helpful feedback, but I still don't like it. I've replaced it with one that is much better, in my opinion.
*This poem is about my favorite painting from Rembrandt's era. It was painted by an unknown artist (or I can't remember it). I found it in an art book at Webster's Cafe, and then I went back to buy the book the next week and it had been sold. The painting can't be found via googling, so i guess it's somewhat obscure.
Cupid Writes an Oath of Fidelity in the Sand
He writes on
With fervor, eyes cast down, ignoring the heavens.
Lips pursed and brow furrowed,
He searches diligently
For the correct words.
Overhead,
Seagulls bob and weave across the sky,
Forming quick constellations,
Breaking away again.
Even as he writes,
Wind blows lightly and the sand trembles.
Still his hand crosses every "t" with a flourish.
Nodding his head, the last sentence
Is finished.
In no time,
Some sweet new muse entices him
To forget his silly words and write new, better prose.
Bacchus weakens his resolve
Neptune's high tide washes his old words away.
*This one I wrote a few months ago, but I just love it. I feel like it describes my grandfather fairly well.
Christmas 1994
It occurs to me,
As Pop-Pop descends the staircase
Draped in red and white,
That I’m pretty sure Santa doesn’t wear sneakers
He got the jolly part right.
Though the smell of cigarettes and old spice
Tickles my nose
And the Italian accent amuses my ears.
Underneath a towering, glowing pine,
Amid mountains of shredded wrapping,
Between giggles,
I’ll assure him I still believe.
I really, really wanted presents.
* This one is about being stuck on the side of the shoulder of the highway in February. it sucked.
The Afterlife
The road ahead is a shallow pool of tar
Our used car waded through,
As though determined
Until its pulsing metal heart could go
No further.
Tractor trailers race by,
almost smacking our side mirrors,
Splattering us with rain water and grime.
Each time the wind whips us
Our lemon rocks
Back and forth, scattering droplets
Before settling.
The bright blue sign ahead--
State College
62 miles--
Reveals itself and disappears
Under blinking hazard lights.
To the people who read this crap, I welcome your input. If there's anything i've learned this semester it's this : the sometimes harsh opinions of 15 english majors reading my work will make me upset, but the end result makes it worthwhile. I imagine this extends to the opinions of my many intelligent friends, as well.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
My love of the song "for the girl" probably means I'm a masochist
Seriously. The chorus goes :
"She was into the Stones when/ I was into the Roses/ She was breaking my bones when/I was busting her noses/ She would tell me a secret/ I would lose it the next day/ Young love pleases you easy/ Makes you sick in a bad way"
But that is not where the story begins.
This is...
Hot Fuzz. It's one of my favorite movies of all time. I've loved the soundtrack for a long time, but I never actually took the time to find out if any of the bands have, you know, other songs. Actually, I didn't even know the song's titles and artists, despite listening to the soundtrack on a semi-regular basis.
So there I was last week, despairing over my lack of new music. "Self," I said, "it's time to get off your proverbial ass and do something about this." I finally took a look at the artists. I had already heard of the Kinks, Eels, Adam Ant, and XTC. But The Fratellis and Supergrass I did not know about.
I scoped the bands out and found they are both pretty fantastic, so I trekked down to city lights. First I had a quick chat with the proprietor about the soul sucking force that is itunes and how cd's are better if only for the feeling I get when I can hold something tangible in my hands. I'm sure if i was born five years ago I'd have a massive record collection, if only because it would make me feel even more like a music elitist. After impressing myself with my own pseudo-intellectual babble, I scrounged around for a bit.
Turns out Supergrass wasn't in stock, but there was a copy of the Fratellis' debut album, "Costello Music." The title itself appealed to me because of the possible reference to Elvis Costello. I snatched that up real quick. Since then it's been scrambling up my last.fm "top artists" chart with the all the swagger of Jack Sparrow.
Swagger really is the best word for it. It's all liquor and women. Each song is a story; Stealing a woman from her husband here, sex with a hippy in a van there. Most likely, the Scottish band rocketed to success so quickly (the band formed 3 years ago) because they sound exactly like the british alt rock sound that is oh-so-popular right now. But I am certainly not complaining. That sound may be over-done (if you look into it as much as I do), but there are only two bands around that pull it off with excellence. The premier band is of course the Arctic Monkeys (if you've spent more than an hour talking to me you probably know of my obsession). However, the Fratellis will also punch you in the face with their 20-something, liquor-fueled stories. I think, being underage and socially awkward I live vicariously through this type of infectious and rowdy alt-rock. Though it's misogynistic at times, it's exciting (much like my last boyfriend, hey-oh!). I can't be that crazy, but my music can be and that's why I love it.
Some songs you should look up:
1- Vince the Loveable Stoner- easily the funniest song on the album
2- Whistle for the Choir- their mellowest ditty
3- Creepin up the back stairs- my favorite
last.fm has a bunch of full-tracks to listen to (though not creepin up) and videos as well
or the songs are all available to stream on freenapster.com
I still don't know what "costello music" means... but that's not really important.
"She was into the Stones when/ I was into the Roses/ She was breaking my bones when/I was busting her noses/ She would tell me a secret/ I would lose it the next day/ Young love pleases you easy/ Makes you sick in a bad way"
But that is not where the story begins.
This is...
Hot Fuzz. It's one of my favorite movies of all time. I've loved the soundtrack for a long time, but I never actually took the time to find out if any of the bands have, you know, other songs. Actually, I didn't even know the song's titles and artists, despite listening to the soundtrack on a semi-regular basis.
So there I was last week, despairing over my lack of new music. "Self," I said, "it's time to get off your proverbial ass and do something about this." I finally took a look at the artists. I had already heard of the Kinks, Eels, Adam Ant, and XTC. But The Fratellis and Supergrass I did not know about.
I scoped the bands out and found they are both pretty fantastic, so I trekked down to city lights. First I had a quick chat with the proprietor about the soul sucking force that is itunes and how cd's are better if only for the feeling I get when I can hold something tangible in my hands. I'm sure if i was born five years ago I'd have a massive record collection, if only because it would make me feel even more like a music elitist. After impressing myself with my own pseudo-intellectual babble, I scrounged around for a bit.
Turns out Supergrass wasn't in stock, but there was a copy of the Fratellis' debut album, "Costello Music." The title itself appealed to me because of the possible reference to Elvis Costello. I snatched that up real quick. Since then it's been scrambling up my last.fm "top artists" chart with the all the swagger of Jack Sparrow.
Swagger really is the best word for it. It's all liquor and women. Each song is a story; Stealing a woman from her husband here, sex with a hippy in a van there. Most likely, the Scottish band rocketed to success so quickly (the band formed 3 years ago) because they sound exactly like the british alt rock sound that is oh-so-popular right now. But I am certainly not complaining. That sound may be over-done (if you look into it as much as I do), but there are only two bands around that pull it off with excellence. The premier band is of course the Arctic Monkeys (if you've spent more than an hour talking to me you probably know of my obsession). However, the Fratellis will also punch you in the face with their 20-something, liquor-fueled stories. I think, being underage and socially awkward I live vicariously through this type of infectious and rowdy alt-rock. Though it's misogynistic at times, it's exciting (much like my last boyfriend, hey-oh!). I can't be that crazy, but my music can be and that's why I love it.
Some songs you should look up:
1- Vince the Loveable Stoner- easily the funniest song on the album
2- Whistle for the Choir- their mellowest ditty
3- Creepin up the back stairs- my favorite
last.fm has a bunch of full-tracks to listen to (though not creepin up) and videos as well
or the songs are all available to stream on freenapster.com
I still don't know what "costello music" means... but that's not really important.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The secret's out.
This post is dedicated to my good friend J.A.M. wherever he may be (middle of nowhere pa making lasers like the super-genius he is). Well anyway, if he ever actually reads this, we may get in a fight.
So, I was on my way back from my habitat from humanity gig, when the song that J hates more than any other popped up on my iPod. The name of this song, you ask? Sir Duke. It's by Stevie wonder and the first blast of the trumpet makes J's face (and his brother's) turn redder than a wrestler going through serious roid-rage. The gears in his head start turning with fury and he waxes poetically about Mr. Wonder's many faults as a songwriter. I'd like it to be known that this particular friend of mine has unmatched disputation skills, so I just let him go on (for fear of looking like a fool).
However, there is one small fact I've managed to hide from Mr. M since we met my freshman year of college. I do not hate this song. In fact, I kind of like Sir Duke. I never put the song on purposely, but I won't skip it either. Most importantly, every time I hear it my toes tap and I start humming along. And you know what? I'm tired of hiding it!
I don't care if it's a "bad" song. I realize that the lyrics are banal at best. I can hear the song's almost complete lack of true originality. I just don't care. It makes me happy and I will no longer be ashamed. Stephen King said (in a column somewhere) that there should be no such thing as a guilty pleasure. He was speaking about movies, i believe, but the statement rings true with just about any type of art. Yet critics still chatter on about comic books versus painting, pop music versus the great concertos, and blah blah blah blah blah.
Art, no matter how trivial, is made because the artist has something that needs to get out. Hopefully, that art resonates with someone else in the world. Now, I will readily admit that 99.9% (maybe even all) of the poems I've written are complete and total crap. But that does not mean they are not art. Likewise, Sir Duke may be a "bad" song, according to some people's standards, but it is still music. And I like it. No guilt.
Yes, I realize that this whole entry goes against the notion that music should even be critiqued, thereby making all previous and future blog entries futile. But it's my blog, and I reserve the right to be a complete and total hypocrite. So put that in your pipe and smoke it, internet.
So, I was on my way back from my habitat from humanity gig, when the song that J hates more than any other popped up on my iPod. The name of this song, you ask? Sir Duke. It's by Stevie wonder and the first blast of the trumpet makes J's face (and his brother's) turn redder than a wrestler going through serious roid-rage. The gears in his head start turning with fury and he waxes poetically about Mr. Wonder's many faults as a songwriter. I'd like it to be known that this particular friend of mine has unmatched disputation skills, so I just let him go on (for fear of looking like a fool).
However, there is one small fact I've managed to hide from Mr. M since we met my freshman year of college. I do not hate this song. In fact, I kind of like Sir Duke. I never put the song on purposely, but I won't skip it either. Most importantly, every time I hear it my toes tap and I start humming along. And you know what? I'm tired of hiding it!
I don't care if it's a "bad" song. I realize that the lyrics are banal at best. I can hear the song's almost complete lack of true originality. I just don't care. It makes me happy and I will no longer be ashamed. Stephen King said (in a column somewhere) that there should be no such thing as a guilty pleasure. He was speaking about movies, i believe, but the statement rings true with just about any type of art. Yet critics still chatter on about comic books versus painting, pop music versus the great concertos, and blah blah blah blah blah.
Art, no matter how trivial, is made because the artist has something that needs to get out. Hopefully, that art resonates with someone else in the world. Now, I will readily admit that 99.9% (maybe even all) of the poems I've written are complete and total crap. But that does not mean they are not art. Likewise, Sir Duke may be a "bad" song, according to some people's standards, but it is still music. And I like it. No guilt.
Yes, I realize that this whole entry goes against the notion that music should even be critiqued, thereby making all previous and future blog entries futile. But it's my blog, and I reserve the right to be a complete and total hypocrite. So put that in your pipe and smoke it, internet.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
I'm freaking out man...
So, apparently god/zeus/ the great spaghetti monster doesn't want me to have fun on friday nights as evident in the weather, me driving to the wrong movie theater, and the numerous planning/scheduling conflicts I've experienced in the past couple of weeks. But I showed him. In the face of mounting hurdles on the road to fun, my friend and I decided to just pack it in and rent a movie. Our choice, you ask? Across the Universe. It was quite... trippy.
Now, I will make absolutely no attempt to review that movie. It was unlike any movie I've ever seen, I'm very conflicted about whether or not I actually like it, and I readily admit that I do not have the wealth of knowledge to dissect it in any way that is at all satisfactory. So instead, I'm offering up my opinion on the musical stylings of Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, and the various artists that made this movie what it was.
We'll start with Evan Rachel Wood. The first two songs she sung (Hold me tight and It won't be long) gave her room to belt and that was pretty impressive. However, I was slightly disappointed in her covers of "If I Fell" and "Blackbird". While it's clear the girl can hold a note, a feat that is impressive compared to the crap "artists" disney shells out, the songs dragged on like funeral marches. "If I fell" seemed even worse since it came after T.V. Carpio's cover of "I want to Hold Your Hand." Carpio instilled her own style into her song, revitalizing it a bit. "If I fell," however, just was completely uninspired.
The other lead character was Jim Sturgis' Character (Jude, of course). Now I have a weak spot in my heart for good looking brits, so I may be a tad biased. But I thought he was pretty good. I actually thought they had hired a singer to dub the songs until I looked it up on the internet. "All my lovin" was incredibly faithful to the original. My favorite songs were probably "Across the Universe" and "Revolution." The first song has a sweeping orchestra at times, and a chorus at others. The second is all Sturgis and angry guitars. It was refreshing to me that he could succeed at both the slow songs and the rock songs. He wasn't perfect, but he was at least not notably weak at any point.
Well, I've got a life to get on with... but next time, I'll probably write about the other two notable singers from the movie. Dana Fuchs played Sexy Sadie and Martin Luther played JoJo. Luther's songs were easily the best, but I'll save that for another time.
Now, I will make absolutely no attempt to review that movie. It was unlike any movie I've ever seen, I'm very conflicted about whether or not I actually like it, and I readily admit that I do not have the wealth of knowledge to dissect it in any way that is at all satisfactory. So instead, I'm offering up my opinion on the musical stylings of Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, and the various artists that made this movie what it was.
We'll start with Evan Rachel Wood. The first two songs she sung (Hold me tight and It won't be long) gave her room to belt and that was pretty impressive. However, I was slightly disappointed in her covers of "If I Fell" and "Blackbird". While it's clear the girl can hold a note, a feat that is impressive compared to the crap "artists" disney shells out, the songs dragged on like funeral marches. "If I fell" seemed even worse since it came after T.V. Carpio's cover of "I want to Hold Your Hand." Carpio instilled her own style into her song, revitalizing it a bit. "If I fell," however, just was completely uninspired.
The other lead character was Jim Sturgis' Character (Jude, of course). Now I have a weak spot in my heart for good looking brits, so I may be a tad biased. But I thought he was pretty good. I actually thought they had hired a singer to dub the songs until I looked it up on the internet. "All my lovin" was incredibly faithful to the original. My favorite songs were probably "Across the Universe" and "Revolution." The first song has a sweeping orchestra at times, and a chorus at others. The second is all Sturgis and angry guitars. It was refreshing to me that he could succeed at both the slow songs and the rock songs. He wasn't perfect, but he was at least not notably weak at any point.
Well, I've got a life to get on with... but next time, I'll probably write about the other two notable singers from the movie. Dana Fuchs played Sexy Sadie and Martin Luther played JoJo. Luther's songs were easily the best, but I'll save that for another time.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
New music
So, there I was, on last.fm radio listening to iron & wine's similar artists. Out of nowhere (well, out of someone's shuffle mode) came this amazing, amazing man. His name is Jose Gonzalez, and the song was killing for love. It has this driving beat, but his voice is so mellow. So I looked him up. The song Storm is another one I love. It reminds me of a mix between iron and wine and ani difranco when she's not rocking out too hard. I love it.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
There will be blood.
There certainly was... There will be blood was a character study that basically showed how the same characteristics that can create a business man can lead to his downfall as well. Daniel-day Lewis and Paul Dano were superb, but the movie did have it's flaws. I was a little confused about Dano's character for about half the movie, until I realized he was actually playing two characters. This is just one instance where the plot was not delved into enough to make things clear. The soundtrack was awesome, but at some points the music built up to... nothing.
But it was still a really good movie, and worth seeing. I wish I had more to write, but I saw it last week. I should have written then, but I was busy. I'm really interested to see where Paul Dano will go. Every time I see him he's awesome, and he seems just as good at comedy as he is at drama. Anyway, I hope he makes tons more movies, so I can hype him up a whole lot.
But it was still a really good movie, and worth seeing. I wish I had more to write, but I saw it last week. I should have written then, but I was busy. I'm really interested to see where Paul Dano will go. Every time I see him he's awesome, and he seems just as good at comedy as he is at drama. Anyway, I hope he makes tons more movies, so I can hype him up a whole lot.
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