In The Background…

And just like that, January is over. Doesn’t feel like 31 days, does it? The super bowl is upon us, a new president, and winter is in full swing. But it still doesn’t feel like January should be over.

But another way to interpret this – spring is getting here sooner than expected!

Eye Contact

Get it? i-Contact? Internet Contact? Eye Contact?

It’s so hard making the binocular look. BUT, should some pervert interpret it as breasts, it’s not polite to stare.

Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future

Last year I stumbled upon what seems to be my new annual discovery – some random electro-pop that isn’t quite twee but is unique and home made and fun to listen to. It was The Bird & The Bee’s debut self-titled album. While it wasn’t the usual electro-pop I was used to, it had a unique calm, relaxing and thoughtful side to it, instead of the simple post-teenage angst most electro pop is.

Fast forward about six months, to the middle of winter. I still give their debut album a spin now and then, along with their EP Please Clap Your Hands. Their latest release is out today, and I go and spend money I probably shouldn’t.

While nothing is as new as TB&TB sounded, this sounds polished and tighter. Melodies are catchier. Songs are sillier. Rhymes are more unique and interesting. But, that isn’t all there is to the band, unfortunately.

Just like the other album, there’s times where the songs are slower and magical. Nothing is as thought provoking and beautifully haunting as “Spark” from the first CD. No ballads like “I’m A Broken Heart.” While “Ray Gun” is calm and unique, it drags. The closer “Lifespan Of A Fly” is nice, but even that seems too chugging.

Don’t get me wrong, the pop songs on this album are nice. There is still the charmingly awkward Bird And The Bee quirk of perhaps one too many syllables in the verse said on beat. There’s the two singles “Polite Dance Song” and “Birthday” which are indeed singles. But they’ve become the pop band they should not have become.

And here I thought I was a big fan of theirs.

A New Love

XTC – Life Begins At The Hop

I dunno if that’ll work. Stupid youtube embedding rules. But, there’s something so fun and catchy and cheesey about the song and video. It’s that lovely post-70s era, where it isn’t yet New Wave, but it’s trying its hardest to distance itself from punk.

The quality sucks, Andy Partridge makes a fool of himself, and Colin Moulding looks cool. The clothes is so seventies (especially the women dancers). The haircuts are 70s. The pre-MTV video promo is so 70s (or at least dated).

But watch how fun it was to be in a band in the late 70s, early 80s. See the silly dance moves. Hear the catchiness. And, listen as the song grows from just drum and bass to full on pop song.

Mission: Acceptance

A homemade journey beyond the stars. So homemade, I can’t escape a Me & Ukulele-esque soundtrack.

1/12. Let’s see how far I get this year…

So This Is Great

Driving on the Tapanzee Bridge, the sun is going down, but hiding behind the clouds. Sunndal Song by the Apples In Stereo is playing. There is perhaps a little too much gray and silver, along with the snow (and salt on cars lol), but it’s surprisingly beautiful. And stressful.

Driving on 17K, before it goes to 45 by the school. The last oncoming car whizzes by, and there’s this odd glow (the school’s parking lot) reflecting off side road snow and falling snow. Tail lights in the distance – I’m home.

* * * * *
Vacation’s over. But it was worth going away all weekend cause driving in falling snow is better than snow on the road. And I’ve always loved highway driving. And making a brief connection with the toll collector – even though he didn’t have the information I requested.

I have nothing to look forward to. Well, I do, but unfortunately I’m gonna be putting up old frozen tags and running register before I can edit my movie. But vacation is vacation, and not all work.

I think I need a good night’s sleep before work for a few reasons. Right now though, I can do what I wanted before leaving – listen to The Dodos.

Animal Farm

It’s funny; you buy something cause a store is going out a business. You watch something to spend time with a friend. You realize exactly what it means, and how it relates to today.

It’s been a while since I read the book, but please, everyone, watch Animal Farm. Read the book. Think about the situation we’re in today…

To the animals, it now seemed that their world, which may or may not someday become a happy place to live in, was worse than ever for ordinary creatures. And another moment had come, when they must DO something about it.

Again?

http://www.sendspace.com/file/t9giqo

Seriously Hank, if something is troubling you that much, do something about it. lulz.

I had no better title, but “Again” is a decent title for a song. Right? Right? Again!

I could get used to this vacation thing. No work, and being creative…

Because You’re Too Young

Yeah, that video/song really has nothing to do with this post. But, the title is the missing link…

So, is this being a stronger person? In one way, I guess so. I certainly don’t feel like a weaker person. In fact, by leading around the inventory sheep I feel a stronger person. But anyways, I now know what friendship and love is.

Friendship is light and strong; sudden and gradual. Friendship is worth pondering, and finally deciding. Friendship is a matching and getting along, with questions and answers.

Love just is. Nothing you can do about that.

So, this is goodbye(?).

The Stupid Way You Make Me Feel

Boy, is it stupid. But that song is so catchy.

I need a break from this inventory thing, but the weather isn’t cooperating. I knew I should’ve gone out tonight…

P.S. I’m hanging in there quite well. The first day was rough, but I’m slowly learning. Slowly.

Post-post-script. I need to read my loves entry. The crackle and pop on The Rite of Spring LP is so much better than Simon and Garfunkle LP crackle and pop.