I don't blog much. When I do, it's usually trivial in nature.

• 2Oct 08

  Hot breath, rough skin...

  ...warm laughs and smiling. The loveliest words, whispered and meant, you like all these things. But though you like all these things...you love a stone. You love a stone, because it's smooth and it's cold, and you'd love most to be told that it's all your own.
  
  You love white veins, you love hard grey, the heaviest weight, the clumsiest shape, the earthiest smell, the hollowest tone. You love a stone.
  
  And I'm found too fast, called too fond of flames, and then I'm phoning my friends, and then I'm shouldering the blame, while you're picking pebbles out of the drain, miles ago.
  You're out singing songs, and I'm down shouting names at the flickerless screen, going ****ing insane. Am I losing my cool, overstating my case? Well, baby what can I say?
  
  You know I never claimed that I was a stone. And you love a stone.
  You love white veins, you love hard grey, the heaviest weight, the clumsiest shape, the earthiest smell, the hollowest tone. You love a stone.
  
  You love a stone, because it's dark and it's old, and if it could start being alive you'd stop living alone.
  And I think I believe that, if stones could dream, they'd dream of being laid side-by-side, piece-by-piece, and turned into a castle for some towering queen they're unable to know.
  
  And when that queen's daughter came of age, I think she'd be lovely and stubborn and brave; and suitors would journey from kingdoms away just to make themselves known.
  
  And I think that I know the bitter dismay of a lover who brought fresh brouquets every day, when she turned him away to remember some knave who once gave just one rose, one day, years ago."

  So you may wonder "Hey, why's lockedge starting a blog post with lyrics? This doesn't usually happen all too often, especially with a full set of lyrics."

  Or, you know, maybe you're not wondering at all.

  Point is, it was posted for a reason, and while I promised this would be a music blog, I will not break that promise. I'll just relate a personal event to this particular song by Okkervil River.

  The event being a friend of mine who I regrettably had to call out on her behaviour. For thepast few months there have been a small number of guys she's been flirting with and leading on, and whatnot, only to totally shut them down at some point down the lineand complaining about either absolutely trivial aspects of them, or that they don't compare to X person she used to know but never dated to begin with, or that they weren't challenging enough.

  And she was complaing and whining to me about how she can't find a "decent guy" even though the traits she likes on a guy changes daily depending on her fantasy lovers in her head. So I linked her to this and just waited. Of course, about 2 minutes later she replied "you're such an ass sometimes" and there was about 40 or so minutes afterwards where I tried to get her to understand that she's just chasing cars, and then setting them on fire once they're caught. She'll never be satisfied, and I think the line...
  
  "and if it could start being alive you'd stop living alone."
  
  ...really states my case here. It's been over 2 years since her last boyfriend, with only these occasional flirtations ever since. I don't know if she really got my point or not, and even if she did I don't know what she could do about it. I just had to say something because she's always complaining about it, and she's never all that happy, and while she's a self-proclaimed "hopeless romantic", she's incredibly picky and stubborn. It'd be nice if she ever gave someone a chance. *shrug*. Thus, this song.

  Aside from that little mini-story, MUSIC BLOG TIEM.

  Early this year was somewhat promising, but the hangover of the awesome 2007 hit HARD and until late summer we really hadn't seen many solid releases.

  ***BLOG CRASHED GUH. I'll continue it tomorrow afternoon. Good thing I save pieces on txt file***

  There are a good number of albums I've yet to try out this year, much like there were last year. It's hard to afford music when you're unemployed .

  From what I've heard lately, 2008 is picking up the slack and while it won't be a 2007, it sure as heck will be a respectable year in its own right instead of a disappointment. I'll highlight 25 releases(not necessarily the BEST 25 so far, but most likely of the top 35) in this blog and my next blog:

  Black Mountain's "In the Future" is highly regarded by me. I can't stop returning to it, and it's almost getting annoying how everytime I start really getting into some other album this year, I stumble upon a BM song in my music player and suddenly that other album kind of pales. It's such a juggernaut of an album. Sure, it's not all muscle all the time, but it's enrapturing.

  Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" was technically released last year, but on an incredibly limited self-release, so I consider it's actual possible release this year in February(come on 2007, share the wealth!). It's an intimate release, for sure, and offers some of the most heartfelt recordings I've heard in the past couple of years. It's been a steady listen since late January, gaining ground with each month up until about May(by then it really had no more to grow). Not to mention Mr. Justin Vernon's escapades covering Okkervil River and helping out Lykke Li.

  Coldplay gets a bad rap in most social circles. They'regenerally sen as weak, corporate, and generic to a tee. I blame all of this on media overexposure and the horrific "X&Y". I don't think Coldplay will recorrect this popular thought process with most folks, but "Viva la Vida" will help set straight anyone willing to listen to it, by harkening back to their "A Rush of Blood To The head" sound, and giving glimpses of 'Parachutes" and the sound of what's to come. Honestly, anyone who didn't feel the least bit impressed by the intro "Life in Technicolor"...well, they're lost cases. If they continue to expand from their safety zone and put out stuff like that, "42", "Strawberry Swing" and "Death and All His Friends", they're certain to become much less maligned, and much more heralded.

  Cut Copy's "In Ghost Colours" has been pretty outstanding this year. With a fun, electro-rock sound, it's hard not togo along for the ride with their 80's tinged sound. It's not too complex: it's a fun album. Maybe not as fun as some other albums this year, but the usage of early 90's and late 80's audio samples, it's obvious they're not serious music. That said, it's hard not to take this album as a serious top 10 candidate this year.

  The Dodo's "Visiter" surprised me this year. Heavily acoustic, but far from a slow, melancholy affair, they bring an upbeat sound and a couple of tricks up their sleeve. The percussion is top-notch and fails to be content with the backseat, bringing an interesting dynamic to the folk-ish guitar. Pretty impressive stuff that I find myself yearning for lately.

  Fleet Foxes' self titled release was ushered in with staggering hype and reviews. After listening to it, I find it hard to say they don't deserve aat least most of that hype. It's an incredibly good folk-y roots release that (for me at least) refuses to go stale. I could listen to the linked song for days on end and still feel that serene feeling I get from it. Such a promising band, I can't wait for their next release.

  Girl Talk's "Feed The Animals" is a polarizing release, much like all of his previous work. Some hate the thought of taking c|assics and adding samples of modern rap on top of it. Others don't mind so long as it's entertaining. I view it as a huge remix album myself, and thus it's a way of literally taking influences and smashing them together into song format. I mean, there's something to be said about the way the above song is mixed together. Whether you feel it's good or not, it takes skill to mash things up so seamlessly.

  Glasvegas' Self titled is seemingly harkening back to when Oasis was any good, and adding a slew of newer elements on top. The result is an instantly familiar and accessible album that carries its own distinct sound regardless of the magnitude of their influences. I don't know where they're going to grow after this album, because while their sound is solid, I'm not certain what they could evolve. Nevertheless, the album is a solid, consistent effort that I somewhat recently just got into.

  Gonzales' "Soft Power" (click on "Slow Down")is an incredible album that shocked me when I learned it'sfar from a debut. I really want a mulligan on no knowing who this guy was prior to August when I heard it at my friend's going away party. It's really retro at times, but at other times he's just silly(during "Apology" and "Singing Something", or in the mood for a piano piece("Modalisa", which is a standout track, "Home Movies", "C Major"), or the more modern sounding 'Unrequited Love" and 'Working Together". All in all, it's a varied package that's definitely a top release this year.

  Hercules & Love Affair's self titled continues the string of dance-ish/retro albums released this year with its Antony graced vocals, and its absolutely energizing beats by newcomer DJ Andy Butler. There's not a whole lot to say other than it's fantastic and fun. I mean, not ALL tracks are "fun", but the ones that aren't are fantastic nonetheless.

  High Places follow suit with the self-titled release pattern, relaying to the public a low-fi, hazy, catchy album. The amount of great music coming from New York lately gives me deja vu of the early 2000 strokes-era.This may not be the most acclaimed release, but it's quite good if you're into this kind of music.

  The Hold Steady are a good way to finish this blog off on a positive note. Get it? "Stay Positive" is thier album's name. Heh. Radical. Anyways, some have criticized the band for not shifting their sound far enough away from "Boys & Girls in America", but I think they shifted just the right amount. It's not as poppy or accessible as their last effort, but it's more varied in sound and the songwriting is probably just as good as last time around. If you're a drinker, this is the kind of music you want to hear at the bar. Or at least, that's how it's become around here(credit to my neighbour and his cousins who normally have questionable music taste, but they've really popularized the band around here during their parties). Stay Positive is a really solid album that's fun to listen to, not stale in the least.

  I'll continue with the rest of the 25 next blog. Have an awesome day folks!

  • Posted Oct 2, 2008 1:02 am GMT
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• 25Sep 08

  Back from NYC

  Had a fairly good time. Watched a lot of CSI:NY with my cousin.

  It was a good time, if a little depressing, because both of my cousin's pets are probably dying. Her cat is old and something's wrong with her. Her other cat just died recently. Her dog, Elvis, might have cancer and was taken to the vet today and they'll have results tomorrow. I really hope good ol Elvis doesn't. He's sick though. We all know that much, so he has something. Hopefully nothing lethal. Such an awesome dog, and her cat is pretty rad too.

  I wanted to stop by the music store nearby, but I kept forgetting to make time for it, and opted out in the end. I figure I had 70-something USD and I may as well keep it around for when I need to use it, not when I CAN use it. I also learned my brother is in $11,000 debt, not including his car payment, so that also spurred me to be safer with my money. Not that I'm not, but I tend to spend a pence or two too much on music.

  My job search thus far has failed to grant me a single interview. I'm beginning to wonder if I should revisit my freshly crafted resume/cover letter to see if I did something wrong. upon first glance, everything's intact. I guess maybe businesses are more cautious about hiring people with the economic downturn? Waiting until after the elections? Who knows. I don't. I need a job though, because I don't have money to do anything. I can't do anything transitional with what I have, so I need a job. My parents are always checking in to see if I'm bluffing that I spend 2 hours a day searching for work. They're skeptical, and think I'm just relaxing up here doing nothing. Right. Like I WANT to delay this transition. I WANT a job BAD. Within recent weeks I cut my salary restrictions and started looking around the 25k p/a area, which is downright SHAMEFUL, but if it'll get me something, then I'll take it. UGH.

  I'll have a cover song for you guys next week. I caught my aunt's cold over the past few days, and my voice is shot. I can barely talk. :S Fortunately, while colds tend to linger for weeks with me, the whole vocal rampage is over within a day or two usually. I'm hoping for as much at least. All the while I'll keep writing away.

  I realize I haven't made a music-only post in a very long time. I shall do this next blog. I don't know about what though.

  It'll be soon. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not.

  • Posted Sep 25, 2008 12:02 am GMT
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• 8Sep 08

  When I'm at the pearly gates...

  ...this'll be on my videotape (right click, save as plz)

  I did all the piano-y jazz and was pretty happy with how it turned out(after a few takes, that is...I still made occasional mistakes and my hands fumbled a bit, but my timing was near friggin perfect. Of course, it was quickly quantized to be that way XD It still missed a spot or two, but whatever), but it felt empty so I blessed it with my atrocious vocals XD

  Well, they'd be less atrocious if I had a decent mic/pre-amp/mixer setup. I don't. My mixer sucks crap, my mic is ok(but is dynamic instead of the preferred Condenser), but the only amps I have are software(guh) and my mixer's (double guh), and I lack a pop filter. So it, along with a highly untrained voice(and a one take vocal run), both fill the mix up and somewhat detract from it. Oh wells. Enjoy, mateys

  I'm off to do some stuff now. Mostly laundry and such.

  • Posted Sep 8, 2008 12:59 pm GMT
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