Happy Halloween!

I'm actually not a big Halloween person (no costumes here), but I do love candy and seeing other people's outfits. I blame my unfun parents. And the fact that most of my friends don't really do anything for it either, other than drink. Also I am getting old. On the other hand, I really dig Neil Gaiman's idea of All Hallow's Read. That's more my style. Anything with books is a good idea for me.

I would do a themed post, but honestly, I am still fighting a lingering cold and basically tonight I plan on hunkering down with chocolate and beer and watching something nice and tacky like The Vampire Diaries (it's super fun, people, don't judge). Currently I am watching Dexter and hoping that it starts raining to keep kids away. No luck yet!

So I have no energy to look for very many videos. (And yes, I know there is a much wider selection of Halloween music out there than my rather narrow scope, whole genres of more 'scary' stuff. This is just a few things off the top of my head, and none of my posts are meant to be exhaustive descriptive studies. Merely a taste.)


First song that came to my mind - "I'm a Vampire" - Future Bible Heroes - but of course there's no video for it.  Here is a link to the track (YouTube). Digression: The Magnetic Fields and all related acts really need to make music videos, in my opinion. They have the best music, and based on their lyrics, they're clearly very imaginative and well read and theatrical... And I'd just love to be able to post a constant stream of what I imagine would be very weird and delightful videos for my friends.

The 2nd song that came to my mind was "Zombie Me" - No More Kings, but again, I can't find a real video for it, so here's just a link to a performance.

And the third was "Vampire Blues" - Mercury Rev. This is actually a cover of a Neil Young song. I just love his whiney voice (both artists, LOL). Again, no real video - here is a link to the Mercury Rev song version with a nice vampire picture. And here's a link to the Neil Young track.



So after striking out three times, here is one actual Halloween song.

"Do They Know it's Hallowe'en?" - North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative" (NAHPI) - this is is a satire and also a charity song, in case you were wondering. See the Wikipedia article here. A wide variety of talented people are involved. So many! Arcade Fire, Beck, the list goes on and on and on. The video is good too, nice and weird.











And I almost forgot, but here's a (Halloween suitable) hilarious random song which my sister played for me once back in the day, which has an equally hilarious and random video - "Move Your Dead Bones" - Dr. Reanimator







I hope everyone who has a life has a safe and happy Halloween! Enjoy yourselves, and stay away from my house (or my black cat will put the evil eye on you). 


Feel free to share your favorite Halloween-y music suggestions in the comments, all 2 people who read this =)

Dreamy & Delicate

I have been so sleepy today! It has been raining by the bucketful for a few days, and quite cold. This morning for some horrible unknown reason I was completely awake at 5am (way too early) and that was sad, although it did ensure I was at work on time. And I have been busy and fairly productive at work, but I still feel kind of blurry. Now, as far as music choice goes, that could mean going for energetic to clear the mental haze, snap one awake, at least try to infuse some vigor - or one can go airy and delicate for the prolonged enjoyment your dazed state. Conducive to reverie.

Today at least, this my vote: enjoy the drear with a little dreamy Kings of Convenience. 

"Toxic Girl" - One of my favorite songs, even though I have never been in love with a toxic girl. Delightful. The video is quiet and not wildly amusing or spectacular (nothing happens), but I think for a song of this mood it is acceptable - introspective, cinematic, a little reserved.





Kings of Convenience - Toxic Girl
Uploaded by francoois. - Arts and animation videos.

"I'd Rather Dance With You" - Even though I'd usually never endorse a song with the lyric 'I haven't read a single book for years', this is another great song, and has a ridiculously cute video to go along with it. (Nothing is cuter than dorky guys dancing. Nothing.)





Kings of Convenience - I’d rather dance with you
Uploaded by NextBuzz. - See the latest featured music videos.

Thank you, Norway! 

We can live like Jack and Sally

Since I have been home sick for several days now with a horrid cold, with absolutely nothing to do and no energy to do anything anyways, I have been watching a lot more TV than I usually do. Being sick means I can't read as much either, so it's been doubly stultifying. So I've been catching up on my usual shows, plus filling the hours with random things such as "Law & Order: UK" (Confession: I'll watch just about anything on BBCA. Originally caught it cause I find the Bamber very pretty thanks to BSG, even though I didn't really love Apollo; but it's a nice mindless background for reading which is important to me, the accents are soothing, and also I'm kinda digging Ben Daniels).

And then I watched a few eps of "A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus" which I started watching out of a bit of morbid curiosity - a music show hosted by the guy from Blink? Could be a trainwreck, right? Despite blogging about music, I don't really like shows where people talk about music too much - I can find my own stuff (thank you, Internet) and I have my own taste. But I concede that it can be fun to hear interviews with artists, and watch them perform. Also, Mark Hoppus turns out to be a great host because he can work a "I'm perpetually a 17 y.o. skater punk" thing, borderline annoying, cheery faux enthusiasm, cute crooked mouth, etc. Rather charming.

So this of course is all just a lot of introduction for the fact that as a person of a certain age who grew up in Southern California - Blink 182 will always have a special place in my heart. Their stuff was starting when I was like 14 or 15, and getting big when I was like 16. They're from San Diego (my hometown) and SD had a lot of Blink-182 music buzz and t-shirts going around during those years... even I had one! I remember wearing it and getting a thumbs up from a guy in a parking lot at the grocery store. One of my earliest music-related thrills. (I think I gave it away though, that's kind of sad. I should have saved it for the epic band t-shirt quilt I am planning to make some day when I am old.)

And I had just recently discussed them with my friend Michael the other day when I was visiting because she had seen Tom DeLonge somewhere? Something like that (sorry, Michael, I'm sick and can't remember the story, did he come in to your work?). But yeah, it's a time/place thing - as I am not actually a huge fan, I just happen to be more familiar with them and their work because of when/where they started. This fits in with my "get 'em while they're young" theory of life, as these things just stick with you. I do still like them, and their hits are still in my large shuffle playlists for occasional listening, but I don't usually think of them otherwise.

I don't know how I feel about them recording their new album, it's a hard endeavor - if they sound too much like their old stuff, what's the point of a new 2011 album? But if they sound too different, what's the point of being Blink-182? Ahhh the burden of cranky aging fans expectations... LOL. For example, just think about how much Green Day has changed from Dookie (simple and fabulous) to their most recent efforts (political rock operas). Relax, I am not comparing their musical talent, people, just the possible future paths for maturing punk bands! I would imagine Blink has to go kinda indie, right? Not that my own listening trajectory post-high-school would be the right route for everyone, but it's kind of a natural progression for some (think college radio). And based on the few eps of the show I have seen, and the guests, Hoppus has some decent taste. And based on both older (Adam's Song) and newer work (I Miss You) we know they can still have a hit even when the themes are darker and their chords are slower.


Video selections from the greatest hits:

Dammit - Classic song. Iconic. Has to rank as one of the top songs of the 90s. I have little to no actual music talent other than appreciation, but I got my brother to teach me a little of this on the guitar & bass. Like just about everything else I learned in high school, however, I have now tragically forgotten it. The video is pretty juvenile, but understandably so.






All the Small Things - this video is possibly one of my favorites, because they play it all so perfectly - the outfits, the dancing, the fans. Super funny. A little hard to watch because you have to cringe a little at the 90s and the whole boy band thing we all had to live through, but a pretty legit parody.





What's My Age Again - another good video. Short and to the point, hee. I actually think I didn't like this that much when it came out, cause I thought it was silly. Clearly, I hadn't watched enough music videos at that point to realize that cheap joyous nudity is actually far more entertaining than say, a video where everyone just stands there doing nothing, or the dreaded 'party/club' video. Now I am thankful this exists, LOL.





Josie - The one with Alyssa Milano.




Man Overboard - They dream of little people versions of their videos. Also a very catchy song.





I Miss You - slightly more recent, and you can tell - the music is less frantic, and the video is more polished than the last few, with an attempt at a gothy artsy vibe. Which works, if a little heavy-handedly. But let's face it, the real reason everyone likes this song is that it references The Nightmare Before Christmas. They know their fanbase. (Also I am kind of a sucker for the nail polish and the upright bass, and by how much better they all look dressed up nicely. So cute. Also I would take all the ladies clothing shown in the video.)







Looking at the hits, I have to say I pretty solidly like most of their videos. And, with the exception of the more recent 'I Miss You', they all have a quality of wild cheerfulness, which I really like. Yes, they come off a little douchey, but it's late 90s pop skate punk, that's the whole point! A little youthful insouciance can be endearing. Now several years later, do I think they will be able to carry that over into the future? I don't know, it remains to be seen. But I definitely look forward to seeing the videos; here's hoping they retain some of the exuberance of their earlier works.

And wow, did I just reveal WAY too much about myself by devoting this much wordage to Blink-182.

I'm going to say this like more than two people actually read this - what bands did you see get famous? Who got you young? What bands define your hometown's mood when you were in high school?

He's an X-box, and I'm more Atari

I have been home sick for a few days with a terrible cold. I dragged myself into work for a few hours this morning then gave up and came back home. Luckily, it's a Friday (a lot less people) so hopefully I didn't spread the germs too much, hehe. Yeah, so my head's not in the game. But I have watched a lot of music videos from the couch.

And this one is fabulous anyways, I probably should have posted it the second it came out. A delightfully catchy song, and the video is super entertaining as well. I also liked the trailer version for this that came out earlier that was just the words. Very cool vibe, love the outfits and backup singers, the whole thing is just fab. It has a sense of style and of humor, which is a rare combo. I think everyone can identify with the sentiment = masterpiece.

If you are offended by 'language' you might want to skip this one, also might be mildly NSFW for the same reasons, LOL.

"Fuck You" - Cee Lo Green

Earworm: Home

This is a damn catchy song that I woke up with ringing through my head. Not sure why it chose today to get in there, but I really like the song (who couldn't??) so it is fine. Also, since I am home for a visit with the fam and feel both at home but completely not... it's a mildly amusing choice.


"Home" - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Fiona Apple

I love Fiona Apple. I think she is extremely talented, and I am surprised that she is not more famous. Once, when I was living in Los Angeles, I attended a benefit concert and I actually walked past her and her date in a hallway. It made my night. I think she is beautiful and wistful, and her songs just have that tang of truth and delight/bitterness that make them so often something special.

And let's face it -When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing Fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You'll Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You Know That You're Right  -  was both a ballsy choice, to use your own poem, and possibly the greatest album name ever.

"Criminal" happens to be both an amazing song and a memorable music video. I know that there was/is controversy about it - being exploitative and such (also that she is too skinny, etc.) But regardless of the critical reception, it is one of those videos that you can't look away from when you first see, and sticks out even with several viewings. It is not your usual happy sexy party video. Again, more real and tinged with sadness.  It's not surprising, then, how much airplay it got when it first came out. I was watching some stupid countdown show just a few months ago, and they had this listed as one of the "Sexiest" music videos ever. Now, when I view this, yeah she's pretty and scantily clad and all that, but I think the whole "drug-fueled Valtrex-needing revel amongst the 70s decor" thing comes off as rather more depressing, especially coupled with the song. That said, it's still a fantastic video that conveys a lot of emotion, even though it shows some skin.

I think I actually like most of her videos, they have a very cinematic quality - partially because the songs themselves tend to be unhurried, her voice is so outstanding, and I think she has a very arresting face and quality about her, both very real and very otherworldly. So here are a few of my favorites:

Starting with the classic "Criminal" - I still want those sparkly blue socks she wears.


And here is "Paper Bag" - which is less well known, and I think with the gown and the dancing could have come off very silly if someone else had done it - but she is so stately and radiant in it - and that voice...



"Fast As You Can"


From the more recent stuff there is - "O, Sailor" - which is simple and literal, but comes off still serious and theatrical without being silly. 




And of course, "Not About Love" which features Zack Galifianakis (from a few years back so pre-current fame level) - I like that they are apparently buddies, and she in turn appears on one of his joke tracks. I really like this one. It's quirky and funny and his dancing is well juxtaposed with the more somber tone of the lyrics, so it doesn't come off as just a stunt, despite having him and his dancing in it - a fine line to walk.



And lastly, even her covers are good:


"Across The Universe" [The Beatles]


And "I Want You"  [Elvis Costello] - which is one of my favorite songs in the world, so there aren't a lot of changes I would have accepted, much less liked!

Vacation, again. And wedding stuff.

So I was on vacation again - one of my best friends got married, and I was the maid of honor and had to go down to LA and do that. Threw my first bachelorette party (I think it turned out pretty great - it was small but fun!) at the Mission Inn hotel - which since it is historic and amazing, and I am poor and have zero fancy-hotel-staying experience - happens to be the most fab hotel I have ever stayed in. We did tapas and sangria for dinner, then we retired to our suite where I had made some mini-cupcake bites and a slightly more graphic cake for afterwards. We did presents, a game and even a champagne toast, it was really fun and low-key and hilarious to hear people's stories and reminisce about the bride.

Detail: Mission Inn Hotel 

After that, then we did the whole wedding thing - rehearsal dinner (taco truck FTW!), making our own bouquets, bride curling iron drama, etc. The usual =) It was great, and it was also great to have fellow friend Miss Michael be one of the bridesmaids (the friend that got married is the same friend who introduced us, yay!) so it was a ton of fun just to hang out, even when we were stressed. We tend to have a really good have time (I hope she agrees, LOL).

 Understatement of the week: Weddings are a lot of work, and a whirlwind of drama, high emotions, and stress. 

But important, because we typically are involved in the weddings of people we love. Whether or not we like the concept of marriage, or all the elements of the wedding,  or all the people involved, or even despite fears that we will end up alone in a house with 42 cats - we do it for the people we love, because it's important to them. And when we see them happy and satisfied, it's worth it. (Note: I'm not saying those all apply to me, hahah, but we've all sat through some terrible weddings, right? That's my point - we endure a lot for people. This particular one wasn't terrible!)

We made these!

And it was worth it. I am still kind of exhausted by the whole thing though. Especially because my trip back home to the Pacific Northwest was fraught with travel delays and mechanical issues and not getting to have my luggage for a day... too much drama for one week. I am ready for some nice soothing boring routine living! But I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

So here's a musical taste of my vacation week.

First, I was in San Diego, where I spent a few days with my parents, and got to hang out with my friends from high school, who are hilarious nerds. On Friday night we even watched one of the guys' Tekken movie FANVID. Not kidding. It was rather epic. I wish I had a copy of it to post, it's that terrible and wonderful. But I mainly tried to get in time with my friend A (source of hilarious quotes like "the taller his hair gets, the more of a douchebag he becomes"), who I love and miss a lot. I try to see her as much as possible when I am home. We are very different people and we do not like the same music at all - she once characterized my taste as being for "sad & depressing" or something along those lines. She is more upbeat - hip-hop, rap, pop, dance-able club stuff.  But the one thing we do agree on is that we like Adam Lambert. There are very few men in this world that I think could pull of the top-hat look he rocks in the video below (also: the white pants, the sparkly eye-shadow, the whole I-wannabe-Bowie glamboots look in general), but he is one of them. (And you know the White Town song I posted about earlier? Couldn't you just see a super over-the-top version of that done by this fine fellow?  I could.)

"If I Had You - Adam Lambert" - Yeah, it's basically just him frolicking through a weird folksy goth glitter forest debauch, but what did you expect? I would like him to go even bigger, personally, but if you're going to do a party video (usually I find them dull), at least this is pretty colorful. 

Secondly, during the pre-wedding days, for one of the days the bride had this song stuck in her head for some unknown reason, and then when I took her to lunch on the big day, this song played, and she was very happy about it, it's kind of a good omen when your current earworm plays? IDK. But it was fun that it came on during her last meal as a single lady. (I would say it made her day, but I think getting married a little later did that, hee.) Apologies for the poor video quality. 

"Always Something There to Remind Me - Naked Eyes"

Naked Eyes - Always Something There to Remind Me
Uploaded by Tunashaker. - News videos from around the world.

It was also kind of fun and nostalgic, because quite honestly, this song makes me think of the mid/late-90s version by The Hippos - which makes me think of high-school, and also the summers I spent with the bride back in the day as teenagers, and also one of her first boyfriends who we hung out with at summer camp. And  while I couldn't find a video of the Hippos cover of that one (which I like better than the Naked Eyes version), I did find the video for their other song that takes me back to those times.

"Wasting My Life - The Hippos" - Ohhhhh the 90s. I happen to love this video, because they aren't really cute, and his fantasy involving a pink furry amoeba lady. COME ON. You have to love that! Genius. I also love that it's filmed at a school - was this filmed at their school? That's kind of the authentic vibe that I get, hehe (a cursory Google didn't answer that, sorry). And  I love the clothes - especially towards the end when everyone is dancing, and there's like the kid in the Black Flag shirt, and then also a girl in unflattering 90s khakis and so on and so forth. 

And finally, to end this on a more sweet note, the bride walked down the aisle to the following (piano-only, played by her talented cousin). While I'm not really a Beyonce fan, I have to say that I do think she is super talented, not to mention exceedingly beautiful.

"Halo - Beyonce"  - which sounds amazingly lovely as just piano, very nice for a wedding: