Unfinished Business

So much to talk about. Let’s start at the start, shall we?

1.) Classes seem to be going well. I say “seems” because I’ve only had one day of school thus far. Tuesday and Wednesday were both canceled due to the Snowpocalyse in D.C. I like how Obama called us all sissies for freaking out about it. Today will be day two and I still haven’t had my History class. Let’s hope Medieval Islamic historiography is as interesting as it sounds! (The last statement was not sarcastic)

2.) I am easily excitable. Anyone who reads this, has know me for a while or sees me walk past something shiny can attest. So it should come as no surprise that the GI Joe, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen and Star Trek movie trailers during the Super Bowl had me acting like a coked up chihuahua. I didn’t watch the game mind you… they appeared soon after on the Interwebs. I suggest you find them and drool along with me.

3.) I urge anyone who takes issue with teramedy (that’s teen-drama-comedy) to skip ahead to number 4. Gossip Girl was fantastic last night. The male protagonist, Dan Humphrey, and his new English teacher pulled “a Letourneau.” This is in fact what the show called it, but it wasn’t nearly as skeezy as you might think. Television is populated by far more attractive people. And they totally "make it" to "With A Heavy Heart ( I Regret to Inform You)" by Does It Offend You, Yeah? which is a pretty sweet doing-it song. There was also a new plot development when Chuck (the nihilistic, super-rich sometimes-villain) stumbled across a secret society that he thought was just the “world’s greatest gentleman’s club.” Also: Blair’s constant misquoting of classic movie lines was highly entertaining.

4.) The “New Music: February” playlist is complete. I haven’t yet made it all the way through the fifty odd songs on it but there are a few early gems to share:

“Geraldine” by Glasvegas – This isn’t a new song, per se, but I have finally relented and given a listen to these Scottish kids. I was apprehensive about the name… something that can turn me away from a band quicker than it should (see: Fiery Furnaces, Arcade Fire, Los Campesinos! until I realized they all do good things). Glasvegas does good things too. An ode to a social worker, with a great hook, a heavy accent (like “I would walk 5,000 miles” heavy)… I’ll take it.

“Cradle” by The Joy Formidable – It’s just so happy and fun, but with a kick-ass bass line and better-than-you-would-expect guitar work. The girl’s voice and the falsetto of her band mates as backing vocals only add. Check them out.

“M.A.G.I.C.” by The Sound of Arrows – The guy is trying so hard to sound like the Pet Shop Boys it’s almost sad. But I love the Pet Shop Boys… so never mind. I think swaying to this song might be required. Spelling things out in the chorus is also a big draw for me.

The Animal Collective album also seems like it would be worth listening to. I’ve heard “My Girls” and “In The Flowers” and both are as strong as anything off Feels. The line in the latter: “there, we could be dancing / and you’d smile and say ‘I love this song’” is one of those song moments that might mean nothing to most people but makes you smile to yourself. I still think that they sound too much like hippies in a meadow but the addition of synth and tighter instrumentation do lessen that repugnant image.

5.) I’m going to Passion Pit at the Black Cat tonight. It’s going to be sweet. I hope to bring back good photos and whatnot.

Listening to “Ostia” by Zu. Post title from White Lies off To Loss My Life (it sounds like if Depeche Mode and New Order had a baby).