So today my mp3 died...and I am in mourning. It had been going on me for weeks, playing the same song over and over again, I am so sick of Muse's the Knights of Cyodonia! At first I thought I had just put the thing on repeat, but then it froze, the LCD screen flickering, fading in and out of that icy blue glow, as if the poor thing was in a coma. It's strange to become so attached to a piece of silicon, metal and plastic especially in an age when people tire of day old electronics. However I have had my mp3 for five years. I remember there was a time I refused to even consider getting an mp3; you would have to rip my CDs from my cold dead hands! However, over the years it has become a friend almost, saved me when I wanted to be alone, and been my bus buddy, its weird seeing it go. It's effecting me in a way it probably shouldn't, I am surrounded by death. My grandpa is decreasing in health rapidly and its been hard on me, include the fact that my grandpa and dad hate each other (my dad is basically a slave to my grandpa, and yet I love him even though he is so cruel, but I'm over-sharing now). So my mp3 dieing just adds insult to injury...strange huh?
Anyways I figured I would compile a most played list of recent songs, we'll call it "my mp3's greatest hits" ha.
I was listening to one of my favorite songs from the summer of 2007 called "Cash Machine" by Hard-Fi when I realized...I should make a recession soundtrack! Ok people the truth is I am bored its a Sunday night and there is nothing to do and no where to go...but keep reading please? At least for my amusement? So here it is: Good Music for the Bad Economy Let's get started:
Hard-Fi - Cash Machine There is no song that is better suited than this one to start off our list, one of may favorite songs of the last two years and now the most relevant.
The Clash - I Fought The Law I know this is actually a cover of the famous Sonny Curtis song, but its already a great tune and its covered by one of my favorite bands of all time. Now when I listen to this piece it has more of a cynical spin for me, I sometimes think the man telling the story is a disenfranchised auto worker...or just an angry postman.
Elliot Smith - Miss Misery A beautiful song from a great song writer who passed away way too soon, maybe this tune was a window into his wondrous but tormented mind. However, its really about someone who is down on their luck, perfect recession music.
Bloc Party - The Price of Gas This is from their debut album "Silent Alarm" which came out in 2005, I think the song title is self explanatory.
Sorry I could only find a crappy live version...but if you really want to hear the song I suggest you do some digging of your own, I don't mean to be a killjoy. Moving on...
The Thermals - No Culture Icons The Thermals are the geeky punk band all other hardcore punks ignore, mainly because they are considered too "indie rock" for the genre. However, they happen to be (in my humble opinion) one of the best punk acts out there. They make lots of politically charged albums about religion, politics, and economics, I thought this tune fit in with my list perfectly.
Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch What a fitting song to have on this list, the title once again is self explanatory. Its the perfect theme song for all those failed CEOs, CFOs, and managers of hedge funds. I have actually seen them in concert at the Phoenix in Toronto, they played this tune last, and it was definitely worth it.
Nada Surf - See These Bones "Everyone is right and no one is sorry, that's the start and the end of the story" that's how the song opens, and I think its a poignant commentary on society as a whole.
Desaparecidos - Greater Omaha A statement about over consumption and suburban sprawl and one of Conor Oberst's less publicized musical projects.
The New Radicals - You Get What You Give Once again, one of those "Karma is a bitch" songs, with feel good lyrics. I figured ending with a happy tune would probably be the way to go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91WgM6dNLTE
Yes, my favorite article of clothing for the last four months has been an unremarkable, extremely overpriced concert T shirt that I got at a Bloc Party gig with Shelly. I shoveled out thirty bucks on a white American Apparel T shirt with the band name on it, but I can't say I regretted it. I just love the way it makes me feel, for most people its their favorite pair of jeans, or sexy high heel shoes that make them feel cool, for me its my bloc party t shirt. I pair it with black skinny jeans and converse shoes some weird vintage jewelry and I'm out the door, and I feel awesome. There is just something about the shirt that gives me immediate gratification, like a confidence boost, I feel like I'm special and just cooler than everyone else (but the "cooler" part is pretty easy if you live in Buffalo). Its almost like a safety blanket, something that makes me feel secure and reminds me of that night (it was a really kick ass concert). However, I think my love for my t shirt has become a bit too much for the poor article of clothing to handle, the fabric is starting to thin, and the color is starting to fade...but I keep on wearing it, till it needs to be retired at least (which shouldn't be anytime soon).
Anyway here is the new Bloc Party song "One More Chance"
I mean seriously...I am yearning for male contact here, girls have needs too! After being called a "prude" for not putting out on a first date mostly because I have STANDARDS and don't really want to become a human petri dish for STDs I'm getting a tad impatient. Buffalo is starting to wear on me a bit...or a lot, its not my fault I live in a cultural wasteland. After analyzing my own dating history I am starting to feel like a freak of nature, I never was kissed in high school (mostly because I looked 13 in 10th grade) I have never had a boyfriend...and at this point I am going to end up alone with cats. I guess I could get caught up with the whole "maybe its me" complex but quite honestly ladies and gentlemen I really am not that bad looking (I mean I'm not gorgeous but I happen to think I'm not hideous either)...really that picture in my profile...that's what I look like! no photoshop, no tinkering....however I do have an issue with censorship, and me being way too honest may have something to do with my lack of action. You see, I am a huge jackass, and I'm proud of it. That doesn't mean I am mean or impolite, I just have a serious problem with sarcasm and I can't control myself once its starts. Especially in a place like Buffalo where I can't take anything seriously, people here take themselves seriously enough, I think its my job to scale their egos down just a tad. In the tiny dating world of Buffalo this makes me an outcast, along with the fact that I can't converse in Buffalo sports, and I hate frat parties and beer pong...ok so I'm a loser...but only in Buffalo, which makes me a generally cool person in every other major city. I learned that I could actually fit in when I moved to Toronto, I had friends, I had fun....I don't think I bored them....but now being back at home I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall every time I have to venture outside my house. Either I'm stuck with drool coming out my mouth listening to some guy talk about how much he loves the "Italian Festival" or "The Taste of Buffalo" or "The Sabres" or I'm making people scared with my sarcastic retorts...help me I'm in hell.
And that's where Peter Doherty comes in. All I need is a ticket to London, an apartment and a cute Doherty look a like with a guitar (and without the rehab and Kate Moss baggage please). If only life were that easy, I could prance around in my skinny jeans and converse shoes, go to local gigs, hang out in pubs and wander around Notting Hill looking for Hugh Grant...
So to calm myself down, I decided to pick a few songs from English artists I wouldn't mind dating...because I am free! I have lots of time! Please....................................................call me?
The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now Pete Doherty and Carl Barat wine and moan about a failed relationship, but I'll always be able to stand you Peter (even if you are a drug addict)!
Bloc Party - Sunday Another band I think people are well aware I'm obsessed with, seeing them in concert was a life changing experience, not only because I'm a crazed fan but because I got to so Kele Okereke in the flesh! I think my friend Shelly was a bit scared by my Kele obsession...
The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement A side project for Alex Turner of The Arctic Monkeys (who have a new album coming out by the way you can listen to the first single here) and Miles Kane of The Rascals...the music is great, and so are the guys (in that Beatles, George Harrison sorta way).
The Kooks - Naive One of my favorite songs from my last years of high school, they aren't the cutest guys, but their music is so good it adds to their overall attractiveness.
The View - Same Jeans They have the cutest accents, and made one of the most underrated albums of 2007. Although I'm not feeling the guy liner...and maybe singing about wearing "the same jeans for four days now," is a bit too honest for me...I like hygiene. But check out the song anyway!
The Cribs - Don't You Wanna Be Relevant? Yes, yes I do...and I also like dancing decaying bodies in music videos...don't you? Now THAT'S attractive, but really they are a great band. (Go here to hear the Cribs song Men's Needs as well as a Kate Nash cover)
The Fratellies - Whistle For The Choir I think if a guy wrote this song for me I would die...really just die, but I would be happy....However the lead singer looks a bit like Richard Simmons, I like to try to push that thought aside.
Maximo Park - Girls Who Play Guitars A staple of my music collection, they are my favorite weirdos.
I am now settled back into my house in Buffalo. So this is a list of all the music I listen to get me through the monotony of living in the middle of nowhere.
Nada Surf - "Always Love" and "Whose Authority?" in my opinion, they are some of the best songs ever written...seriously. But then again Nada Surf is one of my favorite bands, so I'm biased.
Bloc Party - "Hunting for Witches" and "Flux" another one of my favorite bands. PS: they are amazing in concert, go if you have a chance.
Matt Pond pa - "So Much Trouble" a beautiful song from the only chamber rock band I know of.
BurakaSomSistema - "Yah!" I wish I could DJ parties because I would play this one every time.
Sufjan Stevens - "For all the Widows in Paradise" and "To Be Alone With You"Sufjan Stevens is one of the most talented song writers of our time, Dylan you were warned.
MGMT - "Electric Feel" An awesome make out song...
Jem"They" I listen to this a lot when I'm doing stuff around the house.
The Mystery Jets -"Two Doors Down"OkOk so they are ripping off the Cure with their sound and the lead singer's Robert Smith-esque rat's nest of hair...but its a catchy song.
A Band of Horses - "Funeral" a really magical song it makes you want to get in your car at 12 am roll the windows down and drive anywhere.
My Morning Jacket - "One Big Holiday" and epic song, Southern Rock is back and with a vengeance.
TV On The Radio - "Wolf Like Me" One of my favorite tunes, definitely a regular on my mp3.
