Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Welcome 2011
2010, the introductory year to a new decade has come and passed as it's expected to do.
It was the year the lovely people I graduated with were finished with high school and the arduousness that was IB.
It was the year I changed country; after 13 years of 30 degree equatorial heat, I was plunged into the cold depths of Europe. Weather, food, people alike have been a shock. The mixture of pleasant, foreign and peculiar still persists, but I'm slowly processing this cornucopia of change with an outsiders view; likewise I'm sure I look just as unfamiliar!
It was also the year of ongoing tough times, stalwart progressions with environmental change, negative commitments. Finding a person's way with so much is probably what constitutes following a transgression or following a plan.
I don't know what I hope for in 2011 [personal and/or universal]. Disappointments will probably ensue; death, destruction, disaster! However a spark exists in all of mankind, so I again hope for light, lots and lots of light.
-Helen
It was the year the lovely people I graduated with were finished with high school and the arduousness that was IB.
It was the year I changed country; after 13 years of 30 degree equatorial heat, I was plunged into the cold depths of Europe. Weather, food, people alike have been a shock. The mixture of pleasant, foreign and peculiar still persists, but I'm slowly processing this cornucopia of change with an outsiders view; likewise I'm sure I look just as unfamiliar!
It was also the year of ongoing tough times, stalwart progressions with environmental change, negative commitments. Finding a person's way with so much is probably what constitutes following a transgression or following a plan.
I don't know what I hope for in 2011 [personal and/or universal]. Disappointments will probably ensue; death, destruction, disaster! However a spark exists in all of mankind, so I again hope for light, lots and lots of light.
-Helen
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Top 2010
Continuing on from last year's instigated tradition! This time I made it tougher on myself and have squeezed the list down from 20 to 10.
10. Plastic Beach - Gorillaz
The album is far more experimental than its predecessor, bringing in more collaborations and eccentricities to make a fantastic pop album.
Recommended track: Stylo
9. The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
A bit more rock 'n' roll; like The National, Arcade Fire sing about disenchantment, the dark of life, the paranoia; however still holding us on a string of hope.
Recommended track: Rococo
8. The Creatures in The Garden of Lady Walton - Clogs
Beautifully structured folk pieces. Shara Worden's voice is always a delight. The album is enchanting; moving through a forest, finding peace and rest.
Recommended track: The Owl Of Love
7. All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu - Rufus Wainwright
A far underrated album of 2010. Heartbreaking. Rarely do we get an album that allows the listener to directly connect to what has recently happened to the artist in his personal life. It is Wainwright's personal catharsis released to us.
Recommended track: Zebulon
6. I'm New Here - Gil Scott-Heron
I'm admittedly pretty new to Gil Scott-Heron, but this album has confirmed my interest. The spoken word, lyrical flow is dark and transcending.
Recommended track: Running
5. Becoming a Jackal - Villagers
Great debut from Conor O'Brien; haunting, melodious.
Recommended track: Becoming a Jackal
4. Have One On Me - Joanna Newsom
I will admit, nothing beats Ys, but this is a close competitor. Newsom's vocals are more earthy and subtle, but her lyrics are just as stream-like and descriptive as they've always been. It requires a lot of patience and commitment to go through this album start to finish, but it is worth it in the end.
Recommended track: Good Intentions Paving Company
3. Teen Dreams - Beach House
Teen Dream probably exceeds Devotion and the debut in terms of being far more structured and thought out, a little more hi-fi, whilst still maintaining the band's defining dream-like sound. The repetitive style of Beach House's sound is beautiful and outstandingly catchy, and Victoria LeGrand's voice is soulful and ethereal. Seeing them live this year was also a bonus.
Recommended track (besides every single track on the album!): Real Love
2. High Violet - The National
The National never fail to delight; and High Violet is definitely a top National album. Berninger's lyrics continue to be the main highlight for me. An oddly written but universal exploration of the common man.
Recommended track (besides every single track on the album!): Lemonworld
1. The Age of Adz - Sufjan Stevens
My expectation for Sufjan Steven's new album was pretty high, but again and again he aims higher. The Age of Adz [Odds] has everything; weird blitzy blop drum beats and textures, beautiful string arrangements, structured noise, strong melodies. There is no way to describe this album besides listening to it. With every listen, something new is discovered and explored. The articulation and precision of this album is amazing. Lyrically it is still personal and spiritual, with a more conventional slant towards love; however this is unconventionalized by connecting love to parnaoia, schizophrenia and the apocalypse!
Recommended track (besides every single track on the album!): I Want To Be Well
Honorable Mentions!
10. Plastic Beach - Gorillaz
The album is far more experimental than its predecessor, bringing in more collaborations and eccentricities to make a fantastic pop album.Recommended track: Stylo
9. The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
A bit more rock 'n' roll; like The National, Arcade Fire sing about disenchantment, the dark of life, the paranoia; however still holding us on a string of hope.Recommended track: Rococo
8. The Creatures in The Garden of Lady Walton - Clogs
Beautifully structured folk pieces. Shara Worden's voice is always a delight. The album is enchanting; moving through a forest, finding peace and rest.Recommended track: The Owl Of Love
7. All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu - Rufus Wainwright
A far underrated album of 2010. Heartbreaking. Rarely do we get an album that allows the listener to directly connect to what has recently happened to the artist in his personal life. It is Wainwright's personal catharsis released to us.Recommended track: Zebulon
6. I'm New Here - Gil Scott-Heron
I'm admittedly pretty new to Gil Scott-Heron, but this album has confirmed my interest. The spoken word, lyrical flow is dark and transcending.Recommended track: Running
5. Becoming a Jackal - Villagers
Great debut from Conor O'Brien; haunting, melodious.Recommended track: Becoming a Jackal
4. Have One On Me - Joanna Newsom
I will admit, nothing beats Ys, but this is a close competitor. Newsom's vocals are more earthy and subtle, but her lyrics are just as stream-like and descriptive as they've always been. It requires a lot of patience and commitment to go through this album start to finish, but it is worth it in the end.Recommended track: Good Intentions Paving Company
3. Teen Dreams - Beach House
Teen Dream probably exceeds Devotion and the debut in terms of being far more structured and thought out, a little more hi-fi, whilst still maintaining the band's defining dream-like sound. The repetitive style of Beach House's sound is beautiful and outstandingly catchy, and Victoria LeGrand's voice is soulful and ethereal. Seeing them live this year was also a bonus.Recommended track (besides every single track on the album!): Real Love
2. High Violet - The National
The National never fail to delight; and High Violet is definitely a top National album. Berninger's lyrics continue to be the main highlight for me. An oddly written but universal exploration of the common man.Recommended track (besides every single track on the album!): Lemonworld
1. The Age of Adz - Sufjan Stevens
My expectation for Sufjan Steven's new album was pretty high, but again and again he aims higher. The Age of Adz [Odds] has everything; weird blitzy blop drum beats and textures, beautiful string arrangements, structured noise, strong melodies. There is no way to describe this album besides listening to it. With every listen, something new is discovered and explored. The articulation and precision of this album is amazing. Lyrically it is still personal and spiritual, with a more conventional slant towards love; however this is unconventionalized by connecting love to parnaoia, schizophrenia and the apocalypse!Recommended track (besides every single track on the album!): I Want To Be Well
Honorable Mentions!
Volume 2 - She & Him
Recommended track: Gonna Get Along Without You Now [cover]
Anticipation 2011
The Magic Place - Julianna Barwick
Anjos
Recommended track: Gonna Get Along Without You Now [cover]Anticipation 2011
The Magic Place - Julianna Barwick
Anjos
Monday, December 13, 2010
oh dear
Oh dear, when did we decide that life is a game?
I never chose the option of being a winner, or a loser.
I am both.
I lose ideas.
I win in chess.
I never chose the option of being a winner, or a loser.
I am both.
I lose ideas.
I win in chess.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Awkward Turtle
Peep Show is a probably a new [& late] love.
How many awkward turtles are needed here.
Jez: Ah, you see! He did do it, but for a nice reason. Who's the racist now, Mark?
Mark: [on telephone] Er, Sophie. If you heard that, please ignore it. I'm not a racist. Far from it. Anyway... it's good to hear your voice. I know it's only a recording but you have got a bloody nice voice and...
[laughs lamely]
Mark: God, I just called up to say hi and then...
[singing]
Mark: Then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like... I like you. I mean, not that. But anyway... I noticed that the paper in the photocopier is running a bit low so... I know it's not really your job but... You know, so... see you tomorrow.
[puts the telephone down]
Mark: Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
Jez: Oh, fuck!
Mark: Oh, my God.
Jez: Jesus!
Mark: I've really fucked it. Have I fucked it?
Jez: Maybe it was...charming?
Mark: It was the behaviour of an oddball.
How many awkward turtles are needed here.
Jez: Ah, you see! He did do it, but for a nice reason. Who's the racist now, Mark?
Mark: [on telephone] Er, Sophie. If you heard that, please ignore it. I'm not a racist. Far from it. Anyway... it's good to hear your voice. I know it's only a recording but you have got a bloody nice voice and...
[laughs lamely]
Mark: God, I just called up to say hi and then...
[singing]
Mark: Then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like... I like you. I mean, not that. But anyway... I noticed that the paper in the photocopier is running a bit low so... I know it's not really your job but... You know, so... see you tomorrow.
[puts the telephone down]
Mark: Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
Jez: Oh, fuck!
Mark: Oh, my God.
Jez: Jesus!
Mark: I've really fucked it. Have I fucked it?
Jez: Maybe it was...charming?
Mark: It was the behaviour of an oddball.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
a month, a month
it's been a month since my move to Brighton, ≈ approx.
& this update is mainly for Aisha.
So much to update on! It's currently cold, freezing, my hands are always cold, vampiric, inhumane. But the people are brilliant, different & liberated. Even the little things, chewing gum is legal, WAHEY. I can protest if I want.
My existential crises are slightly more regular now though, it's probably because I'm not officially in high school any more; but it makes for less writer's block. I do miss my amazing friends, but I'm slowly making new ones which is good. My BIMM songwriting classmates seem to be lovely people in general; and I think there's a growing sense of comradeship & support, which helps with confidence!
& this is lovely, lovely, lovely. Sufjan has gone and mixed folk, orchestra, electronica & shades of hip hop all into one album. A 25 minute song? Genius, genius. Lyrically much more personal, comparisons of love with the apocalypse which seems just about right.
The Age of Adz
& this update is mainly for Aisha.
So much to update on! It's currently cold, freezing, my hands are always cold, vampiric, inhumane. But the people are brilliant, different & liberated. Even the little things, chewing gum is legal, WAHEY. I can protest if I want.
My existential crises are slightly more regular now though, it's probably because I'm not officially in high school any more; but it makes for less writer's block. I do miss my amazing friends, but I'm slowly making new ones which is good. My BIMM songwriting classmates seem to be lovely people in general; and I think there's a growing sense of comradeship & support, which helps with confidence!
& this is lovely, lovely, lovely. Sufjan has gone and mixed folk, orchestra, electronica & shades of hip hop all into one album. A 25 minute song? Genius, genius. Lyrically much more personal, comparisons of love with the apocalypse which seems just about right.
The Age of Adz
Thursday, September 16, 2010
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