Hello.
Hey, when you're in 8th grade like I was like last year, you know how you hear all the highschoolers talk about how much homework they have and you know what to expect but don't really think about it or mentally prepare? Yeah.
I did that. And the amount of homework I had today was enormous, inconceivable, unhealthy, miserable. and I had study hall. Basically, high school is okay for everything except the homework. I'm sick of the homework. Like, I've barely had time to look up new music this week. For me, this is pretty pathetic because it was a thing I used to do most nights. Finding indie music is actually pretty time consuming so the fact I've no time to consume is proving a problem. Also the fact that I have created a music blog in the time that I might actually have no time to look for new music is a problem.
Until I get such a problem worked out, I thought today I'd just kinda make a list of the Top Ten things I've been listening to at the moment. so far nothing is actually recycled. So it works--and is quick.
1. Headlock - Imogen Heap. So, Imogen...I kinda started getting into her music in the past few months. There are so many singer-songwriter types around, she just kinda blurred into the background, you know? But a blur-into-the-background musician she most definitely is not. I know she's very interested in the 'breathing life into electronic music' thing, which is something I'm always up for. I'm not a huge electro fan. For me, much of its music is just that, dead, boring, lifeless, soulless. It can never replace pianos and guitars for me. That is, except when played by Imogen--there is just so much beauty, wonder, tweeness, ambiguity, and complexity in Imogen's music that me and virtually everyone else finds irresistible. While nothing while defeat that oh-so-catchy Chasing Cars or that absolute beaut of a song, Hide And seek, Headlock is a catchy, deep, complicated, unique, brilliant song. Just listen to the synthesizers. Oh, you love it, don't you?
2. I Won't Lie To You - Let's Wrestle I literally discovered this about ten minutes ago but it's going here because it rocks. Let's Wrestle make this brilliant lo-fi, seemingly-drunken guitar pop-rock that in many ways sounds like unpolished crap, but in many respects is some of the most lovely, energetic, fun music of the year. This is most definitely a song for one-man dance parties in your bedroom.
3. Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National. I saw the National in June when I saw The Antlers. I like 'em. Hardly a super fan but after Mistaken For Strangers got its billionth play in on my iPod, I finally put High Violet on. It's very much an album that will take a long time to get into,but I'm liking what I'm hearing at the moment. This is the one track that stands out for me at the moment--oh, that border between the catchy and the dark. My my, they have done it will here, haven't they? It's something still troubling and brooding despite being totally accessible and probably having a million views on YouTube. I love it! Also, on a side note, like, could this guy's voice get any more attractive?
4. I Like - The Divine Comedy. One of my V '10 highlights, no question. Like everyone else, I'm a sucker for witty piano-pop(Ben Folds, Tim Minchin, et cetera) and Neil Hannon is no exception A lightweight, summery song with the most wonderful lyrics..."I like your mild political stances, I like your wild spontaneous dances". Oh, so brilliant. We love you, Neil.
5. She Said - Plan B. Because, if you live in the UK, you definitely haven't heard this a billion times, right? Both me and my mum are hooked. And summer=falsettos and catchy, cheap sell-out soul-rap at the moment, apparently, so this is good as it gets.
6. Celastica - Crystal Castles. HYPED HIPSTER CRAP, HYPED HIPSTER CRAP ALERT. But seriously, this is certainly above your usual hyped rave stuff. Crystal Castles are somehow moody, melodic, emo, dark, hyped, dance-ish, and brilliant. How weird is that? This song is great...at night or on your own or anything that requires a thumping beat and buzzy, swishy electronics. Somebody could explain it to you better, definitely. But oh, I love it.
Generator 2nd Floor - Freelance Whales. Oh, Freelance Whales. Gorgeous, gorgeous, hyped, cutesy Freelance Whales. If you do not like music of the cutesy type, then you are possibly not welcome here. Because I looooove Freelance Whales. This is possibly my favorite song on the album, Weathervanes, which I got this weekend. The lyrics + synthesizers _ banjo's. It is indie 2010, baby. This twee nonsense is what it's all about.
8. Spitfire - The Prodigy. I'm so into the Prodigy right now, after V, I really need some memorabilia. This is probably my favorite of their stuff. First, because it isn't stupidly repetitive dance sampling music. B, because it has a (probably bs) aura of danger and energy. And C, because that beat...that synthesizer...it's catchy to an extreme. Wow wow wow, this, Prodigy or not, is something else entirely. if I was in World War Two they'd call me Spitfire!
9. Shark In the Water - V V Brown. This is one of the songs they run on Nick. I know, because while I can assure you I do not watch Nick, my younger sister keeps it on in the background. Naturally one should be wary of the things they run on Nick so I didn't pay this much attention. But at some point I put down my book and my brain clicked into action and I was like "wow. This is really great". And indeed, it really, really is. Even if it wasn't one of the best produced pop songs I've heard in a long time, and it so is, like, it's so jolly and upbeat and happy, and she has a belter of a voice, and if this doesn't make you want to sing along on a beach chair in the sun...well, something isn't right.
10. Trophy Wifey - Partyline. My views on Riot Grrrl are extremely mixed and perhaps if I have the time and energy and will power, I might discuss them here. but today is not today. And I suppose this isn't even technically riot grrl, is it? Post-riot grrl, maybe? But anyway,this definitely has some elements of the movement in it, and I really like it. It partially agrees with my ideas, and also it's raw and addictive and just sounds so powerful and cool. I could listen to this all day and still have an undeserved sense of edginess--that's how great it is.
Ten songs in and miraculously, I have time to watch Peep Show before I sleep. I hope you got some enjoyment out of that, maybe. Well, I got enjoyment out of writing. next time I will try to do something moire substantial, better written, and more informative up, as long as homework cooperates. So, bye for now, blog.
- Naomi
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