Julie Doiron

theme music lately:

Julie Doiron, all of it.


working on relaxing, it's going well.

Thesis Writing Mix

theme songs for thesis writing/editing:

Kanye West, "Love Lockdown"

seriously.  I've never listened to Kanye before the thesis, now I will always associate this song with paleoceanography.




Kanye West, "Runaway"

more Kanye!  this is actually the song that made me a Kanye convert (also endorsed by Pitchfork and NPR).




Daft Punk, "Television Rules the Nation/Crescendolls" remix from Alive 2007; followed by the "Too Long/Steam Machine" remix; then the "Face to Face/Short Circuit" remix

or really, all of Alive 2007.








Wavves, "Wavves"

My Brightest Diamond

Feeling Good, My Brightest Diamond.

The past two months have been... tumultuous, to say the least.  The next two... three... several promise to be equally so.  Large decisions are resting heavily on my shoulders. Life.

Added to the myriad of reasons I have not contributed lately (complete chaos, total lack of privacy, internet connection problems, serving as a sacrificial lamb, you know, the usual) - I haven't listened to anything new (to me) that inspired me to do so. Until last week.

If you're going to attend a concert (Sufjan Stevens) that is heavy on ART INSTALLATION and light on the musical performance, the least the universe can do to compensate is introduce you to this (and by universe I mean Kelsey, this is all her doing)

I bring to you my latest obsession, which Kelsey has probably already introduced, My Brightest Diamond. They don't make voices like Shara Worden's anymore... I'm guessing she's an angel. A dark one. Not in the sense that she's evil, just that she knows far to much to be considered innocent.

She's a dirty, dirty angel!

I have been listening to this at 6:40 am in my car every morning for a week. I'm just saying.

Sufjan Stevens

theme song for the past two days:

Sufjan Stevens, "I Walked"

so.  sufjan.  we need to talk.  because I really only like two of the songs from your new album.  and you decided to play the entire new album at the show I just saw.  not cool.  but this song is fun.  and you're right, it does require slow jam pants.  but still.  let's work on this a little bit, eh?

Perfume Genius

theme song for the afternoon/evening:

Perfume Genius, "Learning"

any song with lyrics that include "blah blah blah", I'm all about.  Plus, it's just an awesome song.  Lab break tomorrow, I'm so looking forward to making playlists for all the non-school activities I want to accomplish:  1) make biscuits.  2) work on jewelry commissions. 3) forget all the school/lab horrors that have been my life for the past two weeks.  4) pet the cat.

yay.

Julie Doiron

theme song for the evening:

Julie Doiron, "Nice To Come Home"

I'm going to go home soon.  It's been one of those working days.  It'll be nice to come home (cheesy).

Mogwai

theme song of the afternoon:

Mogwai, "Auto Rock"

apple crisp. lounging blanket. cool air. mogwai.

The Flaming Lips

theme song for the evening:

The Flaming Lips, "Worm Mountain"

I'm sort of lying... I'm not really listening to this much this evening (no more than usual), but I really wanted to post this video from the concert in columbia this past month.

wicked awesome.

She Keeps Bees

theme song for the evening:

She Keeps Bees, "Gimme"

ok.  I know I posted less than an hour ago.  I haven't gotten anything done since then, except find this exceptional band.  Rawr!

This is going on the stereo at home.  Loud.

Sufjan Stevens

theme song of the afternoon:

Sufjan Stevens, "You Are The Blood"

so I wish his new album was as terrific as the first five minutes as this song. but when you put off releasing a new album for 5 years after the last one was so fucking brilliant, there is bound to be some built up expectations; and this girl is a bit let down with the outcome. check out the whole new Sufjan album over here on NPR.  I do like the first song, so no hating.

too much science time.  my brain is melting.

Balam Acab

theme music for 11:19 pm tonight:

Balam Acab, "Regret Making Mistakes"

wow.  sometimes it's worth it reading Pitchfork's Best New Music (why don't I do this all the time?).  and this guy is 19.  what the hell was I doing when I was 19?  failing chemistry?  shit.

The Kills

theme song this afternoon:

The Kills, "Love Is A Deserter"

Just kidding.  Putting this on repeat (or listening to the album is like listening to this song on repeat) and zoning out for some Ancient Greenhouse Climates homework!

The Breeders

theme song of the day:

The Breeders, "Cannonball" and "No Aloha"

The continuation of my 90's music rediscovery/education.  Sure helps with that depressive attitude I've developed as of late.  Or maybe not.

The Flaming Lips

theme music for today:

The Flaming Lips, "Are You A Hypnotist?"

in honor of the free show I'm seeing tonight. Score.

Four Tet

theme song this afternoon:

Four Tet, "My Angel Rocks Back And Forth"

because it's dreary out.  and all I want to do is snuggle on a couch, watch the rain, drink tea, and listen to this.

Amanda Palmer

theme song for tonight:

Amanda Palmer, "Idioteque"

The powers of the Ukulele and Amanda Palmer never cease to amaze, who knew Radiohead sounded so good sung by a lady with a uke?  And you too can buy this whole album for $0.84.  Go.  Do it.  Now.  It's good for middle of the night musings while your sleepy boyfriend hogs the whole bed after a lovely dinner date.

Gorillaz

theme song for tonight:

Gorillaz, "Rhinestone Eyes"

Chocolatey boozy beverage.  Purple nightgown.  Gorillaz.

Relaaaaaaaaax.

Amanda Palmer

theme song of the afternoon:

Amanda Palmer, "Runs In the Family"

So I downloaded this song last week on a whim, probably at some iTunes/amazon suggestion.  I enjoyed the initial breathless silliness in the lyrics, and then promptly forgot I downloaded it because I was becoming obsessed with this (which requires a whole new post).  Amanda Palmer of Dresden Dolls fame (and also doing a short cameo in this follow up ground breaking video at minute 5:10.  Out of the loop?  Check out the original here.)  is remarkably talented and has crazy eyebrows. 

"Amanda, are your eyebrows tattoos?"
No, I was born this way. I am a specially bred member of the Illuminati and they function sort of like alien bar codes. Every time I travel to the center of the earth I have to press my face up against a large glass cog with laser beams scanning my face to gain admittance. For those of you who want the look, though, I suggest a Mach 3 and Maybelline Liquid Eyeliner in Black or Dark Gray.
--FAQ from The Dresden Doll's Official Site

I think I'm developing a girl crush.

The Smashing Pumpkins

theme song of the moment:

The Smashing Pumpkins, "Mayonaise"

blarg.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

theme song of this morning:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Down Boy"

I leave for Chicago this afternoon to visit an old friend, and I will be riding the bus.  Not "the bus" Greyhound kind of bus, but "The BUS" as in the MegaBus.  With WiFi and power outlets.  And bathrooms.  And bathroom stops.  And it's a double decker.  So no creepy convicts to sit next to, only other hipsters and yuppies like myself to ignore as we will all be on our laptops.

Muse

theme song of the afternoon:

Muse, "Knights of Cydonia"

I'm in the mood for a little epic-ness.  And unicorns.  And lasers.  Who isn't on a Friday afternoon?

Mirah

theme song for now:

Mirah, "100 Knives"




sorry for the weird video.

Mirah

theme music of this week:

Mirah, "La Familia"

I've been listening to a lot of chill-lady music lately.  This is a huge diversion from what I usually listen to, since I generally don't like female singers (this might also be related to my aversion to women in general, they're such bitches.  Not that I would know anything about that).  But this has been nice.  Plus this whole album is about sex.  But in a super cute flirty kind of way.  I can get behind this.

This is such a strange video... it makes me wonder who this woman with the beehive is.  It's probably some damn hipster dressing up for a party though.    

Bat for Lashes

theme song of the day:

Bat for Lashes, "What's a Girl to Do?"

Makes me want to go back in time and start a 60's girl pop band.  And maybe learn how to ride a bike with a rabbit mask on.

Caribou

theme song of the moment:

Caribou, "Sundialing"

I just stumbled across this (thanks iTunes!  sometimes I think you understand me better than most men I've dated- same goes for Netflix).  This song makes me happy and not loath being in the lab on a bright sunny Monday afternoon.

Outkast

song of the moment:

Outkast, "Git up, Git out"

How Outkast emerged with this at a time when, as a nation, our style consisted of hypercolor clothing, slouch socks over leggings, starter jackets, and track suits confounds me.

Not only is this still completely listen-able, it somehow sounds new. Genius.

Plus, how can anyone not like an album called Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik?

Exactly.

(this is, unfortunately,missing my favorite verse by cee-lo aka. gnarls barkley. such a shame)

The Flaming Lips

song of this moment:

The Flaming Lips, "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1"

I have been a very bad contributor as of late. My apologies, dearest of all my blogs (well, really, you are the only one. Or maybe I say that to all of my blogs. who can say?).

(sidenote: I really hate the word blog. BLOG. say it with me. see?)

This is the forth day of my very tiny person being much more sick than I am comfortable with.

This is comforting.

Janelle Monae

Theme song of right now:

Janelle Monae, Tightrope

Normally I prefer to post the official videos, but you should watch this clip because it's live.  I can't express that enough.  This is a live video.  No dubbing.  Plus it's making my feet do funny things under my desk.

Ladytron

Theme song of the day:

Ladytron, "Seventeen" and "Burning Up"

thesis writing.  ladytron listening.  coffee drinking.

repeat.

The Proclaimers

song of this day:

The Proclaimers, "500 miles"

I love this song so much more than my internet connection has been loving me lately. deal with it.

The Unicorns

Theme song of the day (all last week):

The Unicorns, "I Was Born (A Unicorn)"

Hipster Alert!  Hipster Alert!  I like this version "I Was Born (A Unicorn)" from "Unicorns Are People Too" than the one on "Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?".  Reason?  This version has the following lyrics:

...lena horne is not a unicorn
(but she's got a great voice)...

we're paper scissors rock (we're crackle pop!)
we want one-ups (not bran flakes!)
we don't got stirrups (we got the shakes!)

i was born a unicorn
and we'll die with wings

we're the unicorns and we read eunuch porn
we're the unicorns and we're people too

don't you stop believing in me!

(quartz crystals put 'em under your pillow)

I like silly and quirky things.  A song that includes people yelling, "paper scissors rock (crackle pop!)" is always a win in my book.

Gogol Bordello

Theme song on the evening:

Gogol Bordello, "Baro Foro"

These guys are insane.  And keep me awake.  I like both of those things.

Peter Bjorn and John

song of this moment:

Peter Bjorn and John, "Nothing to Worry About"

home again, home again.

driving. chocolate peanut butter. music. documentaries.

life is pretty delicious.

so is this.

Animal Collective

Theme song of the day:

Animal Collective, "Brother Sport"

I'm having some weird feeling that I've posted this before... but I'm pretty sure I haven't.  It could be the paint fumes still lingering in my office (I've moved my office three times now since starting grad school- I finally nailed the best one) from its makeover.

This song pretty much is the musical version of what goes on in my head when I snatch up a great thrift store find.  Which, incidentally, happened this afternoon.

Jim White

Theme song of the day:

Jim White, "Pieces of Heaven"

I first got ahold of some Jim White from my friend Steve.  So listening to Jim White always reminds me of Steve, and coffee.  And grading.  And more coffee.  And a little bit more Steve.  But mostly coffee.

And how can you not like an artist that names him albums "Wrong-Eyed Jesus!", "Transnormal Skiperoo", and my personal favorite, "Drill a hole in that substrate and tell me what you see".  And how can you not immediately be friends with someone that listens to brilliant stuff like that?

I think I'm going to get some coffee Steve.  See ya at Coffee Zone in a couple weeks.

Of course, youtube does not have "Pieces of Heaven" and I'm not about to be that girl that loads videos on youtube.  I do too much already.  So enjoy "Static on the Radio" instead.



Oh just kidding! Watch this one! This is great!

The White Stripes

Song of the near death experience:

The White Stripes, " Hello Operator"

I'm finally home after several memorable days that included:

roughly 800 miles of driving

museum date in which we went to the museum three times but never actually saw it

empress chicken

two pitchers of beer

spontaneous 10pm viewing of sculpture garden

tortilla soup dinner with friends at midnight

car sleep in church parking lot

one tiny dog

hour upon hour of chatter

playing, and ignoring, at least 4 movies

observation of late night shakespeare in the park rehearsal

but the award for most memorable must go to driving alone at 2am on the empty, black turnpike, deer in the headlights, swerving, completely losing control of car, spinning in slow motion toward certain death, car screeching backwards to halt just before the ditch, jumping from car to vomit while inhaling burning rubber, all while listening to this.

this will be really funny when the sick feeling goes away.

Alice In Chains

Theme song of the day:

Alice In Chains, "Heaven Beside You"

So I've been going through some serious '90's love for about a week or two now.  It started with Jay and I spending an evening of internetting together (so hot) and playing songs/music videos as we chatted.  That's how I remembered that Garbage existed, and like 5,000 other bands I used to be rabid about.  The thing is, I'm really too young for this music.  Most of that terrific grunge rock came out when I was about 7, jumping rope and forcing my cat into a doll buggy, and I caught on about 7 years later when I realized that there was other music that existed beyond my parent's music collection.  Gasp.

During those formative teen years I listened to a great alternative rock radio station where the DJ's didn't really like playing the alt rock of the late '90's and '00's, and clung to the music of the early to mid '90's like a life raft.  From what I understand, this station is now a Clear Channel station and of course, sucks.  Those old DJ's are probably working at Wal-Mart or playing Jonas Brothers music on their new Clear Channel stations.  What happens to old DJ's anyway?  Do they have a retirement home or something?

But I am re-discovering the awesomeness.  And sharing it with you.  It's sort of nice to remember that I wasn't always such a fucking hipster.

Of Montreal

Theme song of the day:

Of Montreal, "Oslo in the Summertime"

I cannot get enough of this song.  It's been on repeat for four hours while I've been writing my thesis.  I'm thinking that if I were to read what I've written in the past four hours, it will only be lyrics to this song.  I'm okay with that.

Apostle of Hustle

Theme song of the day:

Apostle of Hustle, "Song for Lorca"

I have been a bad daily blogger.  A very very very bad daily blogger.  And when I "come back", I open with a song that doesn't even have a video on the youtube.  Bummer.  That's sort of how this day went too... just a strange series of mishaps and good intentions that resulted in getting odd things done, but not what I had planned.  I have been humming this song all day and finally listened to it about 20 minutes ago.... and hot damn Apostle of Hustle makes a good album.  Now I'm lost in a post dinner-doing-laundry-tired-happy time, and Apostle of Hustle is perfect.  I almost feel like I can see this song when I close my eyes.

But no video!  So here's another Apostle of Hustle song instead.

Or not.  youtube doesn't have "Xerses" either.

Or "Folkloric Feel" (the live video of this song isn't going to cut it)

Ok.  Fine.  Here's "Kings and Queens"  But seriously, go download their album "Folkloric Feel", or at the very least iTunes preview it.

No Doubt

song of the moment (and the entire year of 1997):

No Doubt, "Sunday Morning"

I owe this post to Kelsey's Garbage post and the resulting jog of my memory.

In 1997 my sister had an acquaintance - I cannot remember his name - that would regale her with tales of what I was wearing and listening to, daily (but never interact with me). Public transportation was king in my home town and I rode the bus to cosmetology school. I also listened to my portable cd player (yeah, really missing those) loud, apparently. Tragic Kingdom all day every day. This song is still one of my favorites - were I to do a vh1 style countdown this would certainly rank in the top 40. maybe.

Oh, and it turned out that the kid was obsessed with me because of a resemblance to Shirley Manson.... "with boobs". Score!

Garbage

Theme song of the day:

Garbage, "Vow"

I'm having a really hard time here people.  I have rediscovered Garbage and I can't pick which song I'm liking more at the moment.  But after much youtubing, I was finally able to pick one.  "Vow" was their first single, before "Only Happy When It Rains" came out and they sort of exploded.  But holy shit, this is some great lab music.  I cleaned out the entire fume hood with Garbage on shuffle and hardly noticed that an hour and a half had past (it was a very dirty fume hood).

I'm having quite the High Fidelity moment listening to Garbage and feel like organizing my music autobiographically.  Shirley and the boys fit most prominently in the 1999-2004 range for me, where all I did was drive to dance classes, college, and go through boys like Kleenex.

Bowerbirds

song of the moment:

Bowerbirds, "In Our Talons"

I wish that this video, or any recorded version I've heard, did this any justice.

There I was at the Jackpot Saloon in Lawrence, Ks... waiting. I had listened to the Mountain Goats obsessively for the previous year (maybe more?) and was going to witness this magic live. Excitement, palpable. Observed both sound check and Mr. Darnielle playing video poker. I was on the edge of my seat. Just had to make it through the opening act (under normal circumstances I'd be excited to see anything performed live but I. could. not. wait. ) and, then... this.

delicious gypsy angels.

mountain what?

of course Mountain Goats did = amazing, astounding, ohmywow.

but for about an hour I was completely captivated by this.

The Decemberists

Theme song of the day:

The Decemberists, "O Valencia"

So let me tell you a story.  I was single this time last year.  Then I decided to not be single, and post a personal on the trailer park of online dating sites (like all young professionals these days).  My screen name was "O Valencia", because I was going through a major thing with The Decemberists.  If I could have dated them, I would have.  So I had lots of scary replies from not very interesting guys, and only a couple knew the reference that my screen name was making.  Not that screen name recognition was a prerequisite for dating me, but it certainly helped.

Then this guy, this wacky guy sent me a snarky comment about my music taste, and asked if I had ever listened to Nickelback.  This then led to a conversation about the Nickelback sex tape.  Then we went out a short time later, in hopes of preventing a build up of expectations.

The expectations were indeed crushed.  Smashed.  Obliterated.

We're still dating.



It's been pretty damn good.

Radiohead

song of all/the moments:

Radiohead, "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"

If forced, by threat of taking my hearing away - a fate surely worse than death, I am certain, to name my favorite song of all time this would be it. It just does something to me. If I make a musical anthology, this will be song number 7 ( the highest honor in my mixed tape making methods). If I could only hear one song for the remainder of eternity it would have to be this. I have discovered I'm not alone, either. This crystallizes my thoughts:

jordanevolz(youtube): The chord progression-key progression-mode progression that they use in this freaking blows my mind. Absolutely brilliant! I want to touch myself right now... bad... just because of how ridiculous this song is. I wish I could eat this song and make it part of me... or make shoes that play this song out little speakers everytime I walk around. Wow, talk about an eargasm. If I could produce music like this, I would be in constant bliss.

that.

Of Montreal

Theme song of yesterday, last night, and today:

Of Montreal, "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games"

So I saw these guys last night at a free concert, because my city is cool like that.  And the concert was good I guess, but what I enjoyed the most was listening to them all day yesterday; I do my concert homework.  This also involved reading their Wikipedia page and looking up lyrics.

I mostly enjoy this song because of the lyric "We'll be Tristan and Isolde, but make sure I see white sails".  For those of you that don't know, Tristan and Isolde (and Isolde's husband, King Mark) predate the King Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot love triangle, and in my opinion is way sexier because Tristan and Isolde actually get it on- but because of a love potion (so that makes the adultery okay)!  The white sails part is in reference to a portion of the story where a friend of Tristan's is trying to bring Isolde to him by a ship, and it was agreed that if he had Isolde with him he would put up white sails, and if she was not with him, he would put up black sails.  Tristan's jealous snake of a wife (thinking that Tris and Isolde were going to hook up again-duh) lies and says the ship has black sails.  Tristan, decides in Romeo fashion that it would be better to off himself.  So Isolde sees her dead Tristan, and dies as well.

How romantic.  And how silly to hear in a poppy upbeat song.  But I love smart lyrics, and these are a win for me.

Oh, and they used the song (edited) in an Outback commercial.  Ridiculous.


Here's the actual song, with cute little violent animals.

Cold War Kids

Song of this (and many recent) moment(s):

Cold War Kids, "Rubidoux"

How do I love thee, Cold War Kids? In all the ways.

I can't think of a situation that wouldn't be made more pleasant by CWK. Even my angry post- roller-derby-tail-bone agrees. As much as it can. For a tail bone. An angry tail bone.

also, I've had this conversation twice (with the same person):

me: blah blah blah cold war kids blah blah

her: cold orchids? wha???

didn't even lose my patience. such is the joy CWK brings to me.

Fiona Apple

Theme song of the evening:

Fiona Apple, "Waltz (Better Than Fine)"

I have always had a love affair with Fiona Apple.  I love all of her songs.  All of them.  I know all the lyrics.  All of them.

And she's like a pair of pearl earrings.  She goes with everything.  Or a hot guy.  Hot guys go with everything too.

Appleseed Cast

song of this moment:

Appleseed Cast, "Poseidon"

It's raining. There's a cool breeze. The air is filled with an electric charge. Everything feels fresh.

I had big plans for getting things done today. did nothing. I needed that.

I'm not sure of how I found this, I'm just glad I did.

Beirut

Theme artist of the day:

Beirut, "A Sunday Smile", "The Shrew", "Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)"

Today's blog post, presented to you in three acts (I listen to This American Life too much these days).  I too took a much needed recoup day in therms of blog writing.  I'm glad that Holly and I both take the same day without talking to each other.  We can just read each other's mind.  You know you want to be friends with us, based on that alone.

So today is hot.  And breezy.  And lazy.  And perfect Beirut weather.

Act One:
A Sunday Smile



Act Two:
The Shrew



Act Three:
Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)

Dandy Warhols

Song of the moment:

Dandy Warhols, "Bohemian Like You"

I took an epiphany break yesterday. It was delicious.

I am currently being pursued/perused by someone that:

a. has mad metaphor mixing skills.

b. makes pie charts for my amusement.

c. strings words together like such: " another blurry post donut stress syndrome morning, where we are safely post donut apocalypse but still shaken to our core, our faith in humanity consumed in the fray like a french cruller. "

d. has a giant tattoo of Buddha eating a bucket of KFC on his back.

I am thoroughly entertained.

Crushes = $0

Clever crushes that make you laugh = still $0. but funny. and that has to be worth something.

(shame I can't use the real video. it's funny)

Zee Avi

Song of the moment:

Zee Avi, "Is This The End"

I love Zee (LOVE). And I love this. And I especially love when a song captures everything you wont/can't/shouldn't say with such precision that even though you can't/wont bring yourself to say it, you know someone, somewhere, gets it. Even if the person who should never will.

love/love/love

Crystal Castles and Robyn

Theme song for yesterday:

Crystal Castles, "Vanished"

I like lab work.  Really, I do.  But sometimes I just need a.... boost.  All those chemicals, me running around with protective eye wear and gloves (not to mention the lab coat 3 sizes too big), and the hours and hours and hours of doing the same task over and over and over again; really starts to wear on you without the proper musical motivation.  So I listen to this, after I get sick of listening to Ira Glass ("Act One of our program") and Dan Savage ("Go lift someone's luggage tonight") on their respective podcasts.  This song was an addiction of mine this past December and reminds me of finals, baking cookies, and it being fucking cold in my house.  Now it reminds me of tetrabromoethane, acetic acid and my quest for understanding what delta 18O data really means.  Charming.




Theme song of the afternoon:

Robyn, "Fembot"

Go ahead.  Judge me.  I'm pumped for this album to come out.  Anyone that writes lyrics like "Fembots have feelings too", gets an automatic win in my book.  And she's Swedish.  Ok, so I am envious of her of makeup techniques.

Team Sleep

song of the moment:

Team Sleep, "Ever"

I know, I know. I said I'd cover my starting run song.

I also know that this isn't my kind of thing.

The thing is that today was rainy. and dark. and my pants were too long and thus wet at the cuff. and I spent a good deal of time getting all emotional (gross.) over a situation that will never change yet I keep hoping it will (definition of insanity, right? doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results).

so, I found this cd at the dollar tree a few days back and, like most things music, I found it just when I needed it. today.

wet pant legs. tears. clammy, damp skin. warming car. driving.

cold and soft, that's how I'd sum it up.

The National

Theme song of the day:

The National, "Slow Show"

Sigh.

The Prodigy

song of the moment:

The Prodigy, "Hot Ride"

While I love/worship/adore Pearl (best running shoes EVER. in my limited experience) Izumi's new motto "Run Like An Animal", we do disagree on this:

Real runners don't listen to music.

Nay. Nay, I say.

While I do try out new running music regularly there are two constants: the first and last song. My first song is a tried and true masterpiece that never fails to make my awkward muscles and limbs synchronize - that, I will cover tomorrow.

This is my favorite of three last songs (I switch them up. novelty. mood. yeah.) the last song marks the end of my run, energizes me, and - in the case of this one - simultaneously shoves me while choking me up at 3:56.

It's just that good.

The Black Keys

Guest Author: Luke from Dose of Truth fame

Theme song from Luke:
The Black Keys, "Just Couldn't Tie Me Down"

Greetings loyal readers! As you may, or may not be aware of, Kelsey has asked me to write a guest blog entry for your enjoyment! SO without further adieu, lets get started.

The number one issue facing bloggers on the internet today is easily credibility. In an effort to establish myself as a credible music listener, I will now share an anecdote of my own personal music “awakening.”

When I was maybe 12 or 13 I found an abandoned 78rpm record. The Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits 1974-78. This record is what first introduced me to classic rock and blues. I must have listened to it dozens of times on a rediscovered record player (this one has a good needle!) before moving into the 21st century and purchasing it on CD. What followed was years of classic rock fandom, and a fond appreciation for extremely talented guitarists.

Now, I'm not purely living my musical life in the 1970's. Not only that, but my musical taste has been greatly broadened over time. A quick peruse through my iPod could uncover such back to back tracks as Eric Church and Rage Against The Machine, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Cat Stevens, or Bedouin Soundclash and (the protagonist of this post) The Black Keys. Given my musical roots, which I've done the best to offer you the reader the Readers Digest version of, you'll understand why I enjoy them.

I feel its difficult to pick one song that will adequately summarize them, so I will just offer up one of my personal favorites. I hope you enjoy it, and as always, thanks for reading.

Citizen Cope

Theme song of the day (my life):

Citizen Cope, "Sideways"

Ok.  So let's be frank.  Every single woman I have had "the sex talk" with has agreed that there just isn't enough of that happening.  Apparently we (yes, we) make up a contingent of women that don't say "no, thanks" to amorous affection.  Too bad for you boys that haven't found us, and too bad for you boys that have.

This song is perfect for that thing that's just not happening (enough) for anyone.

Damian Rice

Theme song this moment:

Damien Rice, "Delicate"

I feel kind of dirty posting this. In the bad way.

I can't help imagining that being above such sentiments would make me exponentially more appealing to the opposite sex. I care just enough to listen in secret while plotting your undoing*. Cheers!

*much like a cat, minus the listening.

Nina Simone and Songs: Ohia

Theme song of yesterday:

Nina Simone, "Be My Husband"

After scouting around My Brightest Diamond videos on the youtube, I ran across this, then remembered that Nina Simone kicks so much ass and why wasn't I listeningtoherallthetime.





Theme song of this morning at 3 AM:

Songs: Ohia, "Blue Chicago Moon"

This entry makes me sad.  Because it was at this time, that I realized that I would have to kill my boyfriend at some point in the not too distant future.  I was awake at 3 in the morning because I never fell asleep.  Because someone was snoring.  I was not snoring.  The cat was not snoring.  .....

So I took out my earplugs and put in some earbuds and cranked the iPod to dangerous levels and drowned out as much snoring as possible with soothing Songs: Ohia.  I ended up listening to all of the Songs: Ohia I have before I fell asleep for 2.4534 minutes, then the phone rang (not my phone).  And then it rang again a few hours later (again, not my phone).

Boyfriend rolls over, "Thanks for not smothering me last night".

I'm not promising anything, boyfriend.  But keep me in a constant supply of humorous online videos and I'll see if I can put off your smothering date.

PJ Harvey

Theme song this day:

PJ Harvey, "Man Size"

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to post more Cold War Kids but that seems like cheating.

This is an everyday theme song. I never tire of it. It's just that good.

M.I.A.

Theme song this (yester)day:

M.I.A., "10 Dollar"

Maybe it was the gratuitous trips to ethnic markets (Asian Market and Al Noor), maybe it was the paneer paratha, seaweed salad, banana chips, red bean mochi ice cream balls, or the rahaat loukhoum, maybe it was the security guard insistent on my smoking his hookah. Maybe it was falling asleep to that documentary about Attila.

Please! It tastes like peach!

if I had a dollar... or 10.

The xx and My Brightest Diamond

Theme song of yesterday:

The xx, "Crystalised"

Spiking a fever and feeling like crap.  Music seems like a bad idea with the headache.  But this isn't music, this is The xx.  Totally different.






Theme song of the day:

My Brightest Diamond, "Gone Away"

Still sick.  Don't bother me.

Zee Avi

Theme song this day:

Zee Avi, "First of the Gang"

I had very large martinis at a very small jewelry "party". Need I say more?

Presidents of the United States of America

Theme song this day:

Presidents of the United States of America, "Candy"

stupid misplaced loyalty.

Gogol Bordello

Theme song of the day:

Gogol Bordello, "Wonderlust King"

It's amazing... the time I spend procrastinating greatly outweighs the time it actually takes me to work.  And the work always seems so damn painful and horrible, but it's really only an hour or two of actual work.  I always forget this.

If I was a dude I would not procrastinate growing a 'stash like this guy.  I would also never wear a shirt. And speaking of guys, since when does it smell like Hot Guy in my office...?

sweetafton23

Theme song this day:

sweetafton23, "Toxic"

I will not make out with the art guy. will not. will not. will not.

I shouldn't make out with the art guy.

I'm gonna make out with the art guy, aren't I?

ah damm.

Röyksopp

Theme song of the day:

Royksopp, "The Girl And The Robot"

Okay.  It's a rainy shitty day.  And you are grumpy.  And tired.  And not wanting to work.  And need a back rub.  Clearly the only answer is Norwegian synth pop, complete with guest Swedish lead singer, Robyn!  Productivity immediately soars to 73.2837%.  Congratulations, sir.




Please feel free to also check out the official video here.  For obvious reasons, the Norwegian's don't want this video getting out and about too much and have disabled embedding.  If viewed too much by too many people, I would expect a global aneurysm.

Cold War Kids

Theme song this (yester)day:

Cold War Kids, "Saint John"

ob·ses·sion

1 : a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling; broadly : compelling motivation
2 : something that causes an obsession

I have a confession to make. Well, two, actually.

1. I fell asleep while watching a movie last night (Waitress) and did not rise until this morning, hence the not-so-sexy-non-post action yesterday.

2. I have never really gotten the Beatles.

I know. I know. Flame me. Hate me. Create elaborate dolls in my likeness and do unspeakably horrible things to them.

I'm not saying I think they suck, I don't. I'm not saying I look down upon those who GET them, I don't. (Though I am suspicious of some of you.) I'm not saying I don't enjoy some of their stuff, I do. I'm not saying they weren't pretty. I'm not saying they weren't clever. Please don't kill me.

What I am saying is that I have never understood the whole OMGBEATLES mania. Until now. Sort of.

I am well aware that Cold War Kids are not the Beatles, I'm not comparing the two. As I was watching this video for the 3,564th time it occurred to me that maybe the Beatles make some people's neck hairs stand in a similar fashion. And - just like that - I got it.

(this video is not for those prone to motion sickness, if that is the case just close your eyes and listen. and repeat repeat repeat)