Friday, February 24, 2012

My 2 cents is free

So I have been struggling with going to the gym, because I need it but I hate it. I am just not one of those people who love working out. If someone could work out for me, and I could read all their books for them (or write all their papers), I would consider it a perfect trade. But alas, it doesn't work that way, so off I dutifully and regularly go to sweat and toil (to sadly little result).

But I am not here to complain - I am here to discuss what music helps! This is, of course, highly personal and ever changing. You have to have the right music for the mood. And in some situations, you can't hear your own music (like in my spin class, for example), so you are stuck with what other people choose. I could write several rants about what I am forced to spin through... seriously, instructors make really odd choices (and they all have their own weird tastes to begin with (I cannot exercise to country, I'm sorry, I love it, but no), and often-grating favorites that they repeat).

But recently my one old man (old and very very very fit) instructor has eased off of his weird trance crap (that made me want to stab people) and blah pop songs, and incorporated some Eminem. To which I say: HALLELUJAH.

Because I love the rage. Eminem's bitter rage about his life - that is how I feel about having to go the gym (or do anything I don't like). Both of our feelings are often overblown, cleverly worded (he really does have a way with words), white-hot, scathing, and profanity laden. Bless him and his endearing straight served anger and arrogance; and the fact that he loves his kids. Also I think he's super hot (when he's not too thugged out or making crazy-eyes, like when he goes to court).


"Till I Collapse" - Eminem ft. Nate Dogg - the thought of not giving up 'till my legs give out' is very fitting, and I find it is possibly my favorite song right now to spin/run to. The video is not an official one - but it doesn't look like there is one (just ones with the video to Lose Yourself)





I also like his recent collaboration with Rihanna - "Love the Way You Lie" - "You don't get another chance, life is no Nintendo game." (Favorite YT comment? Has to be - "2:40 showing her the way to Mordor" - Genius.)





"Not Afraid" is also good for a motivational song - very "uplifting" which comes across in the Superman-esque video. If he didn't end up flying, it would be a pretty boring video. But he pulls it off. Along with "Without Me" (see below) you might surmise he has some superhero issues. And that is just fine, it really works for him.

Favorite line?  (LOL)
"So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof, like my daughters -
and raise it..."





Funny to think how he's come a long, long way since he first appeared. The much more controversial days of the earlier 2000s, and various legal problems and etc. No recent feuds, right? Haven't even heard any recent outrage over any of his lyrics in a while. With age comes wisdom! (And increased hotness, seriously, how good does he look in Not Afraid??!) And the videos have changed as well, from the less-polished but let's face it - far more entertaining - older videos for My Name Is, and The Real Slim Shady to much more mellow (and daresay, serious??) things like Not Afraid; and singing with Rihanna in a fancy pop video with actors. He's all clean and sober and grown up.

Personally, I still really enjoy the goofier side seen in (the Batman-inspired, complete with glorious graphic novel sound effect words) "Without Me" - how can one not like a video that references so much (Batman, Elvis, bad TV shows, Osama Bin Laden, etc). Who doesn't love a man with both anger issues AND a clearly dorky sense of humor? I hope he doesn't completely lose the sense of humor, it softens him and makes for memorable videos.









I will probably have many more gym music rants and picks (not all angry, I promise). In the comments, feel free to contribute your own current motivational, keep-moving-those-jelly-legs gym gems - angry or not.



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I want you for mine

Don't you miss the glorious alt rock of the 90s? I do. This song is super rapey/serial-killer-y (as evidenced by the 'ominous' clips in the video) and makes for amazing comments and theories (always my favorite: vampire!), but once you hear that guitar... It just sweeps you up. I also probably love it so strongly (besides it simply being a great classic 90s piece) because it makes me feel those early thrills of being something like 12, and illicitly listening to music I would get in serious trouble for listening to (AKA the joy of conservative parents who don't take kindly to that sort of thing).

If you hear it young, it never lets you go. And I am so happy for that. Also, if you are female and you hear the song that young, you are instinctively skeptical of long walks around dark lakes late at night from then on. So that's helpful!

Gold stars for my friend J for referencing this song once when we were by a lake at night as teenagers - 'tis also a thrill, of kinship, when you find someone thinking of the exact same song out of a sea of boring people who don't know anything. Fond memories.

"Possum Kingdom" - The Toadies  Fun fact - Possum Kingdom is a lake in Texas! I think the video is good, because really, with a song that tells a story about long walks, a lake, and centers heavily on promising not to be a gentleman and features shouts of "do you want to die" - you don't have a lot of room to go in too many other directions with the video. I think the only other option (which wasn't as trendy then) would be the vampire route, which would probably look even worse and much more dated (now) had it been done then. So, I think they did alright with what they had. Kept a little menacing tension, lots of hair whipping by the crowd, not bad.

Favorite YT comment on this video is the one asking something like, "is the drummer 50?"




How would you have done the video, given the lyrical content? Good old fashioned serial killer? Or vampire? Completely unrelated video? Feminist empowerment where he gets her out to the lake but then she whips out her .45 and shoots him behind the boathouse when he tries to murder her? (The lake is in Texas, after all.) I kinda like that one, LOL.
Please describe your remake in the comments!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Our aspirations are wrapped up in books

Is there anything hotter than being well-read? I think not. This video by the obviously quite literate (fantastic lyrics in addition to solid indie dream pop) Belle & Sebastian features cute people in the best of locations - a bookstore or library; with the hottest of accessories - books. And a book chair. And a bed of books. And glasses. No need to hide your inclinations in looks, my friends...

"Wrapped Up in Books" - Belle & Sebastian

I will always love you

Pajiba had this in one of their posts, and it is too good to pass by. Chris Cornell's voice is a soothing growly river with just the right hint of a soulful wail (and I love his 90s hair, which is exactly as wavy and frizzy as mine).  And it's also kind of a nice departure to hear this song done by a man. It is much, much, smaller sounding than the iconic version we are used to, but as an homage, at this time, the quiet-yet-simmering stripped-down-ness seems very appropriate.

"I Will Always Love You" 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Needs more saw

I love musical saw. That haunting whine is lovely.

This song is beautiful - "Viola"  - Sakita Hajime



And I know it's no longer Christmastime, but "Silent Night" with Saw and Cello (which you know I also love) done by Stjepan Hauser (seen before on this blog in a previous post just shredddding the cello) & Austin Blackburn is also quite nice.




And then there's this - the Love Theme from Cinema Paradiso - which is amazinggg on the saw.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Early Valentine's for some of you =)

I will be back to posting normally soon, I hope. Getting over being deathly ill. It's always something! January was so rough. Very happy that it's February.


In the meantime - enjoy the latest from The Magnetic Fields - "Andrew in Drag" - NSFW for some mild nudity of people getting in/out of drag. The title should be enough to warn off people who are offended by the idea, but just in case you're at work or have grandma around or something, be aware! Catchy song, very striking video. The people, the very deliberate getting dressed, the colors, all very nicely staged. I am just happy that they made an official video! More videos, please! I always want to share their music and more videos would be awesome. (I hope for some more, and for some that are indeed safe for work and those with delicate sensibilities.) 

For more discussion of the song, it premiered on NPR's All Songs Considered and they discuss it and quote Merritt on the story and etc. Check it out!





Thoughts?

And I didn't tweet it as a new post, cause it's a comedy video, but my last post got a TON of views, LOL, I almost had a heart-attack when I saw the stats. So check it out as well if you missed it, it is hilarious.