Modern Day Saint

This has made me extremely happy. 

Via Audio are super. 

Updates to my America playlist.

More tomorrow.

Blindsided

So, my America playlist is as follows (so far):

Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of this Country

The Postal Service - Recycled Air

Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism

The Album Leaf - Over the Pond

Sufjan Stevens - For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti

Rogue Wave - Chicago x12

Headlights - Get Your Head Around It

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago (acoustic)

Headlights - School Boys

Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

Headlights - Cherry Tulips

Sufjan Stevens - The Man of Metropolis Steals our Hearts

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago (adult contemporary easy listening version)

The Libertines - Radio America

Camden - How to Make America Proud

Switchfoot - American Dream

The American Analog Set -  We're Computerizing and We Just Don't Need You Anymore

Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American

The American Analog Set - Magnificent Seventies

Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me

The American Analog Set - Aaron & Maria

The Postal Service - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

Nada Surf - Stalemate

Belle & Sebastian - Piazza, New York Catcher

Death Cab for Cutie - Marching Bands of Manhattan

Nada Surf - Inside of Love

Interpol - NYC

Doves - N.Y.

Nada Surf - Robot

Nada Surf - Always Love

Ra Ra Riot - Too Too Too Fast

Death Cab for Cutie - Coney Island

Jaymay - See Green, Sea Blue

Nada Surf - Concrete Bed

Johnathan Rice - Mid November

Nada Surf - Weightless

The American Analog Set - Fuck This...I'm Leaving

Elbow - Station Approach

Well, that's just the beginning, and probably not in that order. Well, who knows.

I fail at writing. Gah.

bai.x.

Sea Green, See Blue

I'm tying up all my loose ends - I've applied for a new job, finished my OU course, and tomorrow (after months of avoiding it) I'm going to close my unwanted bank accounts. I think I'm going to end up lying to them if they ask me why I'm closing my account - I'll say I'm moving away or something. It's strange that I become most cowardly when facing banks, who have millions of pounds and probably couldn't care less about losing my business, yet I feel quite awkward and guilty. 

I'm going to start putting some effort into creating a super America playlist - the bulk of which will be created from Sufjan Stevens' Illinois album, and some certain well-loved New York bands... I'll have to sift through my music and check for any specific NY/DC/Chicago songs. People seem to write much more about California than the East Coast. 

I'm trying to write a review to go on my other blog. It's not working very well, but maybe I'll improve, I don't know. Or maybe I'll end up working in an office and crying at the Christmas party. 

This song sounds a lot like Elliott Smith. I was going to read and listen to Tegan and Sara, but now I'm really tired.

Oh. Um. I only have 2.5 weeks left at JET. I'm actually getting quite sad about it and contemplated the possibility of telling John that I'll stay instead. Maybe it's the fear. Although I think it's more like leaving home. I don't feel ready to leave anymore. It's unfortunate that I have really good days like today when I feel appreciated and wonder why I've chosen to leave, but other days are horrible and I can't wait to leave. I wish there was more consistency. 

Going to Oxford this weekend. Hanging out with the cool kids in Paradise St. Woop woop.

Mmmhmm. 

bai.x.

Old Old Fashioned

Been a while. I forgot about this. 

I've been sort of ill, the sort of cold that you get and you think "tomorrow I'm going to wake up and be really horribly coldy ill" - but it never happened, and I woke up this morning, tired, but feeling almost better. I think Nandos cures disease.

I'm trying to think of something to write about. 

3 weeks to go. I'm thinking about painting things on my walls. 

I totally broke the software for my camera. My CD drive is being fixed and I'm getting Windows put on my laptop on Monday. Stupid OU making me convert to Microsoft. Well, I say convert - at least sacrifice 32GB of my precious laptop space. 

For now, I'm going back to my weird and ever growing interest in insects.

bai.x.

Miniature Birds

I spent the weekend in London. I rushed to finish my last proper assessment for this course. I've realised this is the way I work - I wait til the last minute and then panic, because it's the only way I can get myself to focus. 

London transport was a mess because lots of the tubes were closed, so it meant spending about an hour and a half on the bus to get to my sister's. We've booked everything now, all the America stuff is sorted. We sat and watch Lord of the Rings and Dara O'Briain. 

Yesterday I went to Chris' in Nunhead. We sat in the garden, it was sunny. Then we caught the train to London Bridge, where there were thousands of people for the Thames Festival. We found the Purcell Room, and with an hour and a half to spare, walked around trying to find food. 

We came back, and watched Dr. Robert - being in a seated venue is so strange after spending months standing up for hours to see bands - the last time I was in seating out of choice (instead of standing being sold out) was when I went to see Muse in 2004. He was alright, perhaps a little strange, but the music wasn't bad. 

Jaymay was next. She reminded me of Holly Conlan. She has a beautiful voice and nice folky songs. I've already bought her album. 

Nada Surf. They never get old. Well, they do - as Chris observed 'they look older every time I see them'. Seeing Let Go played in its entirety was just brilliant - it's such a great album, and a once in a lifetime experience, and they were just so good. It was the best last time to see them this year. And for the first time I got to see Ira play properly, which was really good, he's definitely the most entertaining to watch.

There's a weird hole now that I haven't got much left to do for the OU for a while. So I'm going to try and buy some books (although feeling reluctant to spend any money after all the money I spent on flights & hostels on Sat). 

I'm listening to Grand Archives. They are ace. 

Not even one picture was taken this weekend. For once I sat and listened rather than singing along and taking pictures. I think it's the sitting down thing that does it. And I wanted to take pictures of the river and the London Eye, but there were zillions of people so I didn't. 

I've got tomorrow off work as well. Soon I'll have so much spare time I won't know what to do.

bai.x.

Nature of the Experiment (Part II - L-Z)

I'm nearing the end now, with 650 songs to go, so I thought I better start on this second part. It's getting tougher what with me thinking "soon I can listen to whatever I want!" and "I've bought new CDs and Chris has given me new music...must...listen...." So I haven't been quite as religiously sticking to the whole A-Z thing as much in the last week or so. 

Anyway, on to the break down...

L - The La's have only one song which I own - 'There She Goes' which is an awesome song. I should probably get their album one day. There's always a danger with only ever listening to one song by a band, because you'll never find out what they're really like (more on that topic later).

I've quite missed The Like in the months I haven't bothered to listen to them. They are a good solid girl indie rock band, and I'm patiently waiting for them to release a second album. If they ever do. * highlight - 'What I Say and What I Mean'

The Long Blondes 'Someone to Drive You Home' has to be one of my favourite albums of all time. I got hold of their new album Couples and was disappointed (so it was deleted before this experiment began), as it was nothing like their previous album. 

The Long Winters are brilliant. Made up of John Roderick, and for a while anyone else who'd play with him - early members including Chris Walla and Sean Nelson (previously mentioned). 3 albums down, and currently recording their 4th, they've become one of my favourite (Barsuk) bands over the last year. A favourite album of theirs? I couldn't choose. But the 2 and a half hours of their music was something I'd been looking forward to since A. * Just a couple of highlights - 'Scared Straight'  ' (It's A) Departure'  'Carparts'. 

Roderick's beard is the highlight of all TLW related things.

I can't go on to M before I mention how great Los Campesinos! are. Another band contributing to the ever-growing list of best albums of 2008. 

M - I went to see Malcolm Middleton earlier this year, and all the way home, I had a Scottish accent talking in my head, as did Fi. Scottish is definitely my favourite of all accents. Anyway. Somewhat depressing - with song titles such as 'We're All Going to Die' - I occasionally wonder if he is actually as miserable as half of his songs suggest. But I do love listening to him. It's always late at night music for me (although I don't think it was this time around) - because there it just fits perfectly. 

I've already talked about Chris Walla, but a few of his songs are listed under his other name - Martin Youth Auxiliary - one song in particular - The Rhone Occupation which he wrote about Nada Surf whilst recording their album 'The Weight is a Gift' amuses me every time. 

Mates of State. I have to get their new album, and perhaps every other album they've ever done. 

I'm reserving any Michelle Branch related comments until her new album comes out. 

The Moldy Peaches (another of Chris' donations to me) was something I just couldn't get into. Apparently I have to give it a second chance before I dismiss it completely. Maybe they will become one of those things I grow to love whilst secretly hating at the same time. 

N - Nada Surf. I miss them when I don't get to listen to them. As of next weekend I will have seen them 5 times this year. My new all-time favourite band (ever since Feeder lost the title). These guys are like an addiction to me - there's barely been a week since last October when I haven't listened to them. * highlight - 'Always Love' driving along the motorway in the dark back from the beach. A perfect setting. 

New Young Pony Club? They're okay I guess. I was shocked though, when listening to them that James asked me if I had their CD. He actually recognised a band I was listening to. This whole experiment has been a bit unfair on him as he's had to sit at work with me listening to stuff which he mostly deems to be shit. So I gave him the album. 

O - Oasis aren't as special as people sometimes make them out to be. But I like them when I feel miserable, because whatever he's singing, I do find Liam Gallagher's voice depressing. 

Of Montreal on the other hand, are very special. I still need to buy Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? purely for its beautiful artwork. * highlight - 'Gronlandic Edit'   'Forecast Fascist Future' (a song which endeared them to me straight away - not because I'm a fascist).

P - Panic at the Disco?!? What? WHAT?! I actually kept this. I can't believe it. 

Me: Chris, they're fucking emo shit, I'm not borrowing that.

Chris: But they're not Lizzie! It's actually a good album

Me: Bullshit.

I grew to kind of like a couple of the tracks, but the rest is just dull dull dull whiny vocals about hospitals and critics and all that other kind of shit. Please, just give it a rest. 

The Perishers are a nice Swedish band, who make quiet and sweet indie pop music. Their album 'Let There Be Morning' is wonderful. 

For a very long time, I only had one track (Nothing Better) by The Postal Service, and I really liked it but never bothered to do anything about it until recently, when I finally(!) got the album. And what an album it is. * highlight - 'Recycled Air'. There's been talk of another album, but who knows when, if ever, it will actually appear. 

R - More albums to buy when in America - Ra Ra Riot's The Rhumb Line. Unless I get impatient and buy it from Barsuk before that. Sadly missed them when they were playing in London last week. 

Radiohead surprised me a bit. I've never been much of a fan of Radiohead, in a sort of "are they really that good?" kind of way. But I listened to OK Computer and The Bends, and enjoyed both. Fi tells me to get Kid A, and I will do so once I'm finished. 

I listen to Rogue Wave so much - but it was nice to hear Lake Michigan for the first time in a few weeks - and in a few more weeks I'll been standing next to Lake Michigan listening to it. 

S - There are those rare moments I find when I'm reading and listening to music, and what I'm reading fits exactly with the song I'm listening to. I like those moments. And it so happened that Say Hi to Your Mom's 'Sweet Sweet Heartkiller' was one of those moments.

Sigur Ros were good. It's taken me a while to properly like them, and be able to listen to their 8 minute long songs.

Starlight Mints were stunning. I love their album 'Drowaton' - first time I'd got to listen to it as I'd bought it after all of this started. Now I can listen to it as much as I like :)

Another nice surprise were Sunset Valley - I bought 3 of their albums in a sort of random 'I need more music' moment, and when I got them, I listened to about half the tracks on each album, and then gave up. Listening to them again after a couple of months, it was like having a completely different perspective, and they were great. * highlight - 'I Got Fair'.

T - Throughout this whole thing, I've never quite managed to separate myself from Tegan & Sara - their most recent album The Con is now (I would think - I don't have a definitive list) on my top 10 albums of all time. So I'd send a couple of songs to my phone, or put their CD in my CD player (I know I shouldn't admit to cheating, but they are that good - I did it with Frightened Rabbit too). But it was good to listen to them without the knowledge that I was cheating for once. 

Tokyo Police Club's album (A Lesson in Crime) is really short, but really good. It ended and I was like 'what? that's it?'. One of their songs is the title of this post - and is now constantly stuck in my head.

V - lots of Vanessa Carlton. I need to get my hands on Via Audio's 'Say Something Say Something Say Something' because I have a feeling it will be good. 

Viva Voce, another Barsuk band, weren't quite what I expected. By no means in a bad way. I really need to give the album a second listen now though. 

Voxtrot's EPs never get old. They are awesome. 

W - I don't have a lot of W's. What Made Milwaukee Famous are yet another Barsuk band, who are great, and their singer has possibly one of the best voices I have heard in a long time - in a sort of rangey, toney, can-hold-notes-for-long-timey way. 

I never gave The Wreckers much of a chance - as a die-hard Michelle Branch fan, I was like, 'no, I want another Michelle Branch album, not Wreckers, not country - what's she doing?!?!' but I did download a couple of the tracks off their album, and they are pretty good. Although, maybe I chose the less country tracks. I'm going to get the whole album and find out. 

Y - Yann Tiersen is a talented fellow. Amelie is one of my favourite films, and listening to the soundtrack yesterday made me want to watch the film so much. I haven't seen it in ages. The music has the same effect as the film does, it makes me feel...happily melancholy (is that possible?)

I underestimate the Young Knives constantly. Listening to Superabundance this morning, they are really good. And some of their lyrics are funny... well, not so much out of context, more the way he sings it - *highlight - 'The Decision'

Z - Last but not least - a band who are about to release their EP, recorded this summer in New York, Zut Alors. I was constantly pestered by my sister to listen to them and to go and see them, until I finally gave in. They are awesome. Go buy their EP when it comes out, they're going to be famous one day. *highlight - 'One That Got Away'

So that's it. The End. I've now started to download new music to listen to. It's weird having to think about what to listen to, and not ticking a song off after it finishes playing. I'm trying hard not to go back to my old routines of listening to the same 5 bands.

At least I can now go back to meticulously creating my last.fm charts.

Dare You To Move

Happy September. 

I'm getting so close to the end now, it looks like I'll be finished by Weds, maybe Thurs. Tegan & Sara tonight/tomorrow :D

Today I actually like Russell Brand - I've always thought him a bit too strange, and not that amusing - but what he said at the VMAs last night was truly brilliant. "Please America, vote for Barack Obama, on behalf of the world", referred to George Bush as "that retarded cowboy fellow" and said Bush "wouldn't be allowed to play with scissors" in the U.K. Awesome. 

The best part - he actually got cheers for it. 

Despite what Russell Brand may say, a certain amount of worry is starting to spread on the Democrat side - it seems like team Obama have been knocked slightly by the nomination of Sarah Palin - they haven't been saying much, or calling her a fucking liar more to the point. Obama needs to start playing hardball, or Karl Rove's dirty politics are going to win again. This pretty much sums it up.

On the positive side, Palin has made a giant fuck-up already. Well, it's nice to know she knows so much about the country she could potentially be running one day. And she's enraged pitbull terrier owners by comparing herself to one. Well, at least you'll admit you're a bitch Sarah. The comment that amused me was a spokesperson for the Republicans who said: "Sarah Palin does have one thing in common with a pitbull - she won't speak to reporters". 

Her unwillingness to give interviews since her nomination has also been a major point of criticism - perhaps they're keeping her locked away because the truth is she knows nothing about the policies she's meant to be talking about, and has to have speeches written for her which make unfounded attacks on the opposition rather than talking about anything of substance or relevance to the McCain campaign. 

I'm praying that at least 51% of Americans will see through her, and McCain's giant lies about bringing change to America. 

If Obama wins, there'll be high fives all round: