The Capricious Ways of Humanity in Love

I'm a sucker for flings. Every week or so, I do this thing where I get completely enthralled in a new song or album. Like crazy obsessed. I'm sure y'all do it, too. That one silly piece of music is all I think about for a pretty solid amount of time, which varies in length per individual. It's what gets stuck in my head in the shower, what I play every hour or so at work, and what bids me goodnight and into my slumber at night. Ahhh, the unscathed fascination with a new song or album in the honeymoon stage. Nothing is sweeter.

And then, in a fit of being swept away by another, just a week later, I find a new beau. I leave my former love unfazed and have found a new metaphorical (as well as lyrical and musical) shoulder to rest my head on. I am thrown into the young love spiral from square one again--butterflies, a constant need for a listen, a desire to find the very core of the song--it's all oh-so romantic. It's typical for a girl like me. But then a thought crosses my mind... what happens to my old flame? Although the novelty, that initial allure of this old obsession has faded into oblivion, the song or albums remains, does it not? In my fluffy and naive mind, I like to think what happens is that the song runs right out of my brain into the unassuming mind of another almost instantaneously. As it enters their ears, they, too, become obsessed, thinking to themselves, "how did I ever survive without this song?" I don't know my musical protege, I just don't know. Mainly because I felt the exact same thing just last week and I'll feel the same about another probably tomorrow.

However, I am not discouraged by my musical flakiness. I eventually find the former album/song again a few months later, but the feeling it inspires at that time is nothing more than a pin prick compared to the knife wound it seemed to call for at its inception. Meh, oh well, right? Yeah.

"As human beings, we are meant to be flighty and capricious without offering a valid explanation. And for this quality, I suggest you ride out this current love for as long as want, drop it when you grow tired of it, cutting the ties cleanly and without regret, and then, find an even more alluring interest to keep the beautiful feeling of discovery and growth alive." -K.E. Larson

When you find something you truly love, it challenges your thoughts and dreams and passions. It changes your outlook on life and makes you do crazy things. I am talking about musical love and no other type of love AT ALL. Obviously.

But once again, none of this is really relevant. To get back to the current obsession.... It is an album with one song in particular.

The band: Porcelain Raft

The album: Strange Weekend

The song: Drifting In And Out

 

Featured in the Celeste and Jesse Forever trailer. AHHHH!

A New Book and Random Ramblings

Hey sugar faces. I've been like the least loyal and most shitty blogger, if I can even call myself that anymore, the past few months. It's just that this "work" thing keeps happening. Every day. Behind my dreary desk, I often find myself in a deep daydream, like a daydream within a daydream, playing out this horror scene in my mind where I go brilliantly mad at the office. It's an out of body moment where I stand up, punch my fist in the air for no apparent reason, and prepare the people for a rash announcement while I storm towards the door. As the officemates follow me toward the freedom, I give a speech (duh). 

"Guys," I hold the power and speak accordingly. "I'm going to take the next few days, maybe more, off. To just chill." Gasps of disbelief. "Today, maybe I'll go to the city, drink coffee for a few hours, browse tumblr with some free wi-fi, go shopping, grab a vodka rocks with my cousin and fall asleep while watching Netflix and drinking half a bottle of wine at some bro's apartment. We'll see. I haven't thought it through. Now who's with me?!" My eyes flutter down the line of tired faces. The last face--Paul. He's weak.

"Pauly boy. You know you want to join," I say convincingly. "What do you say, sunshine?" His eyes avoid mine, cheeks redden. But the next thing I know, we're rolling toward the city, top down on Paul's dad's convertible. Straight out of Ferris Bueller, I swear. So while those chumps back at the office sit at their cubicles and "stay on task" for the "sake of being productive," me and Paul drink gin and tonics in the afternoon and go to the zoo.

In this scenario, I win. But this won't happen. There's no one named Paul at my office, plus I'd like to stay in good favor with my employer. So, instead, I'll spend my day writing for as long my attention allows while periodically, yet cautiously, switching back and forth between my *not so acceptable* tabs and my email tab as my tired and bored co-workers creep up behind me, clearly taking a gander at my extracurricular browsing with dismay and disapproval. Whatever, dude. My cube, my rules.

Anywho, absolutely none of this is relevant. But I do want to share a little something with you all. A little book I ordered from the INTERNET. It's called "Music Listography." Here is a photo of the book:

It's an awesome book. It will undoubtedly inspire many posts in the future. So that's exciting. Listen to this in the meantime. 

Cover Lover: Bob/Jimi and Bowie/Nirvana

A couple covers today. First is Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" with a cover by Jimi Hendrix. Both versions are obviously amazing. Followed by one of my favorite songs, David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World," covered by Nirvana. ENJOY. 

 

May Music

Well. This is incredibly late, but I went to some damn good concerts in May, so I figured I should talk about them. Better late than never, yeah? Check out these bands--cool dudes who put out some swell tunes. SHIMMY SHIMMY YA. 

Phantom Balance and Soulcrate Music at 18th Amendment in Sioux Falls, SD--May 18th 

Phantom Balance, Sapient, Botzy, and Soulcrate Music at 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN--May 26th

Phantom Balance

Botzy

Sapient

SOUNDSET--May 27th

Birthday Boy: Steven Patrick Morrissey

Today is Steven Patrick Morrissey's 53rd birthday. Ahhh, what a man. Let's spend today loving on The Smiths and Morrissey's solo career. What do you say?

LATER BABE$

New Later Babes Mixtape. LISA. Check it.

http://LaterBabes.com/

Blunderbuss

My latest obsession is Jack White's latest album Blunderbuss. It's almost stupid how alive it makes me feel. Everyone should snag a copy. So so so worth your time. I don't know how Jack White got so cool, but I am literally 100% positive no one in the world will ever amount to the level of awesome that he has reached with the release of this beauty of a record. 

Finals Playlist II

Another Finals Playlist coming your way kiddos. I hope you're being productive, studious, and above all, not taking this this week too seriously. My advice is simple. Just follow these steps: 

1. Start this playlist.

2. Minimize window.

3. Open respective book and/or notebook.

4. Study your little heart out.

That's all it takes pal. This playlist will inspire your best work. I guarantee it. Good luck owning your finals, yo. And you're welcome ;)

Lady Love

Let's love on some leading ladies. Here's who I'm into lately. It's a bit all over the place, but that makes it fun, yeah?

K.flay

Lana Del Rey

Marina and The Diamonds

Feist

M.I.A.

Birdy

Katie Costello

Tuesday Finds

Here's some stuff I've been into today. Mostly videos, but some school (WHAT) related junk too... Pick it up and take it like a vitamin.

This video is amazing. And this band is crazy cool.

Normally, I couldn't label a Jake and Amir video as "music related," but this time, it's definitely close enough. Plus Hoodie Allen (the rap teacher) has the #1 album All American on iTunes right now.

Brace yourself for poetry. I swear you'll like it. Philip Larkin. British post-modernism. 

I discovered this gem of a show long ago, but this song will never get old. It's stuck in my head 80% of the time, and hopefully, from this point on, the same will happen to you.

Birdy

I discovered this little British lady recently with her AMAZING cover of Bon Iver's Skinny Love. Such an alluring sound--her voice has a certain innocence and depth that is seriously heart-melting. And she's got a song in The Hunger Games, so she's getting the attention she deserves on an awesome soundtrack. Her debut self-titled album was released a few months ago and features covers of Phoenix, James Taylor, Fleet Foxes, The Postal Service and more. Go get it! But first, watch a couple videos--one is super long, but bear with me, I assure you it's delightful. And then start the playlist. Lay back and listen. Covers and originals--this girl has got it. You're welcome.

Happy 311 Day!

"I bet you're feeling famished for a 311 sandwich!"

311 was one of the first bands that really shaped the way I listen to music. My first concert was one of their shows (with thee Snoop Dogg haha), and although my musical tastes have evolved greatly since those days, it always feels good to go back and have a listen. Below are some songs, pictures, and videos that span a gap of 10 years. It's time to throw down in the name of 311!

"Music is what I need to keep my sanity..."

Opening Songs

TV and movies play a very big role in how I successfully waste my precious time on a daily basis. And in my extensive watching, I have found a select number of titles that begin with the perfect song for the shot sequence or storyline. Music has the ability to play a huge role in film, and most of the time, a solid soundtrack truly makes a movie. I thought about my favorite opening scenes to movies and shows, and below is a comprehensive list to some of my favorite movie/memorable songs that set the mood right for the rest of the film. Listen. And then go watch the movies. Well, that should do it. ENJOY my pretties. 

Feel It All Around- Washed Out- Portlandia
Underdog-Spoon- Horrible Bosses
Shimmy Shimmy Ya- Ol' Dirty Bastard- Knocked Up

Ball and Biscuit- The White Stripes- Social Network

Sweet Emotion- Aerosmith- Dazed and Confused
A-Punk- Vampire Weekend- Step Brothers
Us- Regina Spektor- (500) Days of Summer

Passing Me By- Pharcyde- Big Daddy
Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin- The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
We're Going to Be Friends- The White Stripes- Napoleon Dynamite
God Only Knows- Beach Boys- Big Love
I'm All Right- Kenny Loggins- Caddyshack
Sound of Silence- Simon and Garfunkel- The Graduate

Video Appreciation

In light of Culture Cry Wolf's latest video for "Romeo" released recently, I have decided to share some of their other stellar videos. So, like, here ya go. You're welcome.

2012 Grammy Awards Y'all