A few extra 20 dollar bills = unecessary spulrging on art supplies.
Unecessary splurging on art supplies = New art shtuffs!
Where did the idea for the folds in her face come from?
When I'm bored in Church every Sunday, I find myself always in the same postion: slouched uncomfortably in the pew with my head resting upon my father's shoulder, concentrating on the folds in the fabric of whoever's sitting/standing/kneeling in front of me. Today, the particular victim's shirt was beyond wrinkled, and so I found myself amazed. I had so much to do before the hour was done with. My eyes found themselves following each layer, thinking and concentrating and admiring the depths of the folds in the fabric. My head refused to let me look away. I wanted so desperately to yell at that man for doing such a thing to me. It was a long-ass fabric study.
-------------------------------
This is the last sunday of December! And because I have missed a few Sunday Music Recommendations, I've decided to do something rather special!
This is a countdown of my top 10 favorite albums of the year.
10. Of Montreal, Skeletal Lamping
Kevin Barnes gets weirder and weirder with each release ( that’s a good thing, the more fun this band’s albums become). Here, he is having a bit of a personality crisis: his alter-ego Georgie Fruit, a black transsexual male in his late 40s who is addicted to sex, has mostly taken over. The result is a continuous flow of sexual, peculiar, and catchy songs with hints of psychedelic glam-rock that keep begging for you to dance along.
Download: “Id Engager”, “For Our Elegant Caste”, “Plastis Wafers”
9. Lykke Li, Youth Novels
She may not be as notorious as Amy Winehouse, and her rise may not have been as quick as Duffy’s, but Lykke Li definitely does NOT get lost in the shuffle of sudden female singers coming from the UK. Originally from Sweden, her music sets her apart. Its so danceable, but besides that, its fucking good.
Download: "I’m Good, I’m Gone", "Little Bit", "Let it Fall"
8. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
Vampire weekend’s debut is confident, precise, mature, and clever. This is a solid effort that captures continuous melodies, memorable hooks and plenty of toe-tapping moments. These songs show that this band really is smart (Columbia University aluni!), but they are also fun. This is a good-times album that celebrates the positive sides of the world.
Download: “Oxford Comma”, "The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance”, “Walcott”
7. She & Him, Volume 1
An unlikely duo between actress, Zooey Deschanel, indie-musician, M. Ward. The result is a collection of gently, dreamy, folksy original songs and covers reminiscent of the 60s. Zooey’s voice is charming and sweet, and M. Ward manages to add his own magical touch with his music without risking the album’s sincerity. This album found itself on repeat for a long time, with me wishing for more.
Download: "You Really Got a Hold on Me", "Change is Hard", "Why Do you Let Me Stay Here"
6. Duffy, Rockferry
I surprised myself with how much I LOVED this album, considering the excessive welcome of big voices coming from the U.K. She's no Amy Winehouse, and thats a good thing (there's only room for one of those). Duffy is a contemporary pop recording artist with a 60's-esque voice that is reminiscent of the classics, but it doesn't resort to imitating them. This is a stellar album, and I play I find myself playing it all the time.
Download: "Delayed Devotion", "Warwick Avenue", "Mercy"
5. Atmosphere, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
First and foremost, where were Ant’s beats?! Slug’s words and Ant’s beats were a beautiful match made in heaven, but those beloved beats were nowhere to be found. Instead, Slug lays out his painful narratives over Ant’s new-found layout of live-instrumentation. And eventually, I realize that it is a good move, it shows how much Atmosphere has grown and progressed over the years, slightly lifting Atmosphere further out of indie-rap territory (which can either be a good or bad thing). This is a completely solid album; every song is enticing and emotional, filled with tales of the trials of parenthood and everyday tragedies. While it is not better than some of their previous releases (God Loves Ugly and Lucy Ford, to be precise), it was worth every penny.
Download: "In Her Music Box", "Painting", "Guarantees"
4. MGMT, Oracular Spectacular
This band has been there for me through every waking moment of 2008. Whether I was exulted, upset, faded, or just kicking it with my homies, this was my go-to album. With words that seemed completely irrelevant to any given situation, and contagious, carefully-constructed beats, I found myself dancing along. Each oracular experience has been astounding; an acid-tinged daydream that seemed to hold more answers for me than questions. Oracular Spectacular may be a complex effort, but the verdict is simple--it's brilliant.
Download: "Kids", "Electric Feel", "The Handshake", THE ENTIRE ALBUM.
3. Conor Oberst, Conor Oberst
Conor’s been making music since his early teens under the name Bright Eyes (of which I am a HUGE fan), yet this is his first album released under his own name. Upon first hearing this, I was beyond ecstatic. I impatiently waited the very day of its release, and when that day finally arrived it, I unhesitatingly bought it and immediately stuck it in my old,dusty cd-player for a listen. To be honest, I did not like it very much at first. Upset, I set the cd aside underneath a pile of mix cds I had received from friends. It was not the same conor that I had grown to love, I missed the angsty-teenage Conor, and it upset me that I would probably never get to hear any new angry Conor stuff. But I had to realize this: Oberst is now 28. He is no longer and angry teenager; he is a grown man. And so, I placed the d back into the player, hit play one more time, and pushed away my own selfish reasons for refusing to give it an honest listen. Like always, his words grew on me. “There’s nothin’ that the road cannot heal.”
Download: “Moab”, “Cape Canaveral”, “Sausalito”
2. Fleet foxes, Fleet Foxes
This is what the world of pop has been seeking for so long: rich melodies, harmonies, and instrumentations. They are able to create a beautiful contrast between the ecstatic and the sensitive melodies. Commonly compared to the Beach Boys, I’d like to think otherwise (they are more like a lower-dosage of Animal Collective). Fleet Foxes has a different appeal. While Feet Foxes has the ability to take the listener back to “the roots”, it also creates a new fantastical experience, each song a mini-epic.
Download: "White Winter Hymnal", "Blue Ridge Mountains", "Ragged Wood"
1. Brian Eno & David Bryne, Everything that Happens Will Happen Today
11 SONGS OF PURE BRILLIANCE. Finely crafted, and somewhat unexpected. Not too eno-experimental. This is a rare gem that I find myself constantly dying to share with anyone. The collaboration between these two relies on Eno for the music, and bryne for the vocals and words: perfectly matched. perfectly balanced. Perfect.
Download: "Strange Overtones", "I feel My Stuff", "Everything that Happens"
So, with that, I'd like you to listen to any of these albums right NOW. do it do it do it.
Good night.
-
-
mkp.
P.S. I'm currently unable to text/receive text messages. Sorry!
