A friend told me about Best of Bootie 2006, a mashup disc. There are a lot of great tracks, but my favorite is a She Wants Revenge/Joy Division mashup. It's a mashup of "Love will tear us apart" and "Tear you apart." Strangely, it also features a tiny snippet of the Bauhaus song "Bela Lugosi's Dead."
The song amuses me, mostly, because I think that Justin Warfield sounds so much like Ian Curtis.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The Spares
I attend a Methodist Church that is so new that the New Church Smell hasn't worn off yet.
This week, we had the musical group The Spares as part of our Sunday Worship service. They were so amazing that I bought both of their CDs. Well, Mrs. Dude's dad did. But you get the idea.
Anyway, you should find out about The Spares.
They're not exclusively a Christian band, though some of their songs do have a Christian theme. They're indie acoustic rock. Alt-country rock. Roots rock. Americana rock.
Jodee Lewis has the most amazing voice. Her vocals are tough and tender. Vulnerable and fierce. I don't normally like female singers, but I love her voice.
I feel like I could listen to their discs, Beautiful and Treacherous Thing and Hand Me Down, a hundred times and never fully understand their rich complexity.
If indie, acoustic, alt-country, roots, Americana rock is your thing...check them out.
Even if it's not, give them a chance.
This week, we had the musical group The Spares as part of our Sunday Worship service. They were so amazing that I bought both of their CDs. Well, Mrs. Dude's dad did. But you get the idea.
Anyway, you should find out about The Spares.
They're not exclusively a Christian band, though some of their songs do have a Christian theme. They're indie acoustic rock. Alt-country rock. Roots rock. Americana rock.
Jodee Lewis has the most amazing voice. Her vocals are tough and tender. Vulnerable and fierce. I don't normally like female singers, but I love her voice.
I feel like I could listen to their discs, Beautiful and Treacherous Thing and Hand Me Down, a hundred times and never fully understand their rich complexity.
If indie, acoustic, alt-country, roots, Americana rock is your thing...check them out.
Even if it's not, give them a chance.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Children of Men (the movie)
I don't normally like thrillers of the pre-apocolyptic dystopian variety.
The Dude and I hadn't seen a movie in the theater for a looong time, and we agreed that we both wanted to see Children of Men.
So, we tucked in with our popcorn (me) and milk duds (The Dude) and watched a movie that ended up punching us both in the gut.
The premise is that in London in 2027, the world is a mess and that London seems to be the least messy. And, in the midst of all that mess, women aren't having babies anymore. Theo, our hero, seems comfortably numb until he is shocked back to reality by his ex-wife. His ex-wife just happens to be the leader of The Fishes, a terrorist organization in London. And she needs a favor. A BIG favor. And Theo isn't sure that he can come through.
But, as we all know, Julianne Moore has a nice rack. So Theo, our hero, manages to find a way to get his ex the goods.
And, hilarity ensues, as I am fond of saying.
Except that it isn't funny.
What *does* happen is that an unbelievable set of events unfolds before our eyes.
Children of Men is heart-wrenching and hopeful at the same time.
And their stunt crew earns is money.
Go see it.
The Dude and I hadn't seen a movie in the theater for a looong time, and we agreed that we both wanted to see Children of Men.
So, we tucked in with our popcorn (me) and milk duds (The Dude) and watched a movie that ended up punching us both in the gut.
The premise is that in London in 2027, the world is a mess and that London seems to be the least messy. And, in the midst of all that mess, women aren't having babies anymore. Theo, our hero, seems comfortably numb until he is shocked back to reality by his ex-wife. His ex-wife just happens to be the leader of The Fishes, a terrorist organization in London. And she needs a favor. A BIG favor. And Theo isn't sure that he can come through.
But, as we all know, Julianne Moore has a nice rack. So Theo, our hero, manages to find a way to get his ex the goods.
And, hilarity ensues, as I am fond of saying.
Except that it isn't funny.
What *does* happen is that an unbelievable set of events unfolds before our eyes.
Children of Men is heart-wrenching and hopeful at the same time.
And their stunt crew earns is money.
Go see it.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Mike Doughty and Steve Poltz
The Dude introduced me to Mike Doughty. Not the man, though it would be awesome if he knew him.
Anyway...I'd never listened to Soul Coughing beyond their radio hits. But after The Dude put "Soft Serve" on a mix CD for me, I stole his copy of Irresistible Bliss. He had to marry me to get it back.
Anyway, a couple of summers ago, The Dude told me about Mike Doughty's album Haughty Melodic. I listened to it, but didn't pay it much mind. Suddenly, though, late this summer it became one of my five favorite albums.
An ex-boyfriend introduced me to Steve Poltz. I had never even heard of his band The Rugburns, but we saw Poltz at a festival and again that weekend at The Bluebird Cafe. We saw Poltz another time. All three were great shows. The ex didn't stick, but I still love Steve Poltz.
I realized that I think that Mike Doughty and Steve Poltz have a similar feel. They both enjoy wordplay and have some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. Both have a stripped down sound. Both have interesting vocal stuff going on.
I'm listening, right now, to Poltz's Chinese Vacation. I hadn't put the two of them together until just now, and I'm not certain why.
Anyway...I'd never listened to Soul Coughing beyond their radio hits. But after The Dude put "Soft Serve" on a mix CD for me, I stole his copy of Irresistible Bliss. He had to marry me to get it back.
Anyway, a couple of summers ago, The Dude told me about Mike Doughty's album Haughty Melodic. I listened to it, but didn't pay it much mind. Suddenly, though, late this summer it became one of my five favorite albums.
An ex-boyfriend introduced me to Steve Poltz. I had never even heard of his band The Rugburns, but we saw Poltz at a festival and again that weekend at The Bluebird Cafe. We saw Poltz another time. All three were great shows. The ex didn't stick, but I still love Steve Poltz.
I realized that I think that Mike Doughty and Steve Poltz have a similar feel. They both enjoy wordplay and have some of the best lyrics I've ever heard. Both have a stripped down sound. Both have interesting vocal stuff going on.
I'm listening, right now, to Poltz's Chinese Vacation. I hadn't put the two of them together until just now, and I'm not certain why.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Year in review: Books
Apparently I started counting the books I read in February, so I've only got 11 months of books. I suspect, though, that I probably didn't read any books in January. I got married January 21st, 2006.
February
1. The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (206 p.)
2. The horse and his boy by C.S. Lewis (241 p.)
3. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (238 p.)
February totals=3 books/685 p.
March
4.Every boy's got one by Meg Cabot (328 p.)
5. Keeping the moon by Sarah Dessen (228 p.)
6. Marley and Me by John Grogan (289 p.)
7. It's not you, it's me by Allison Rushby (281 p.)
8. The voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (271 p.)
March totals=5 books/1,407 p.
April
9. Diary by Chuck Palahniuk (260 p.)
10. Luckiest man by Johnathan Eig (364 p.)
11. Just listen by Sarah Dessen (371 p.)
April totals=3 books/995 pages
May
12. Positively fifth street by James McManus (398 p.)
13. Fat chance by Deborah Blumental (313 p.)
14. Confessions of an organized homemaker by Denice Schofield (215 p.)
15. I'm not the new me by Wendy McClure (304 p.)
May totals=4 books/1,230 p.
June
16.The perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (213 p.)
17. JPod by Douglas Coupland (448 p.)
18. The beach house by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge (356 p.)
19. Bloodsucking fiends by Christopher Moore (300 p.)
20. Ecstasia by Francesca Lia Block (196 p.)
June totals=5 books/1,513 p.
July
21. Primavera by Francesca Lia Block (189 p.)
22. Sloppy firsts by Megan McCafferty (280 p.)
23. Size 12 is not fat by Meg Cabot (345 p.)
24. Nick and Nora's infinite playlist by Rachel Cohen and David Levithan (183 p.)
July totals=4 books/997 p.
August
25. Pledged by Alexandra Robbins (370 p.)
26. Amalee by Dar Williams (180 p.)
27. How to be popular by Meg Cabot (288 p.)
28. Baby proof by Emily Giffen (340 p.)
29. Olive's ocean by Kevin Henkes (216 p.)
August totals=5 books/1,394 p.
September
30. Sea glass by Anita Shreve (400 p.)
September totals=1 book/400 p.
October
31. The summerhouse by Jude Deveraux (391 p.)
32. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (214 p.)
33. Queen of babble by Meg Cabot (306 p.)
October totals=3 books/911 p.
November
34. Flush by Carl Hiassen (263 p.)
35. The secret life of bees by Sue Monk Kidd (302 p.)
36. Babyville by Jane Green (438 p.)
37. Lucy Sullivan is getting married by Marian Keyes (610 p.)
38. Teen idol by Meg Cabot (291 p.)
November totals=5 books/1,904 p.
December
39. A dirty job by Christopher Moore (384 p.)
40. Angus, thongs, and full-frontal snogging by Louise Rennison (247 p.)
41. Over sea, under stone by Susan Cooper (196 p.)
December totals=3 books/827 p.
Totals for the year=41 books/12,263 p.
This is sort of a sad development for someone who claims she likes to read. I must certainly try to do better next year.
Now for the awards:
Favorite book I read this year: (Tie) Marley and Me & Just listen
Least favorite book I read this year:Pledged
Book I read with the strangest concept:A dirty job
February
1. The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (206 p.)
2. The horse and his boy by C.S. Lewis (241 p.)
3. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (238 p.)
February totals=3 books/685 p.
March
4.Every boy's got one by Meg Cabot (328 p.)
5. Keeping the moon by Sarah Dessen (228 p.)
6. Marley and Me by John Grogan (289 p.)
7. It's not you, it's me by Allison Rushby (281 p.)
8. The voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (271 p.)
March totals=5 books/1,407 p.
April
9. Diary by Chuck Palahniuk (260 p.)
10. Luckiest man by Johnathan Eig (364 p.)
11. Just listen by Sarah Dessen (371 p.)
April totals=3 books/995 pages
May
12. Positively fifth street by James McManus (398 p.)
13. Fat chance by Deborah Blumental (313 p.)
14. Confessions of an organized homemaker by Denice Schofield (215 p.)
15. I'm not the new me by Wendy McClure (304 p.)
May totals=4 books/1,230 p.
June
16.The perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (213 p.)
17. JPod by Douglas Coupland (448 p.)
18. The beach house by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge (356 p.)
19. Bloodsucking fiends by Christopher Moore (300 p.)
20. Ecstasia by Francesca Lia Block (196 p.)
June totals=5 books/1,513 p.
July
21. Primavera by Francesca Lia Block (189 p.)
22. Sloppy firsts by Megan McCafferty (280 p.)
23. Size 12 is not fat by Meg Cabot (345 p.)
24. Nick and Nora's infinite playlist by Rachel Cohen and David Levithan (183 p.)
July totals=4 books/997 p.
August
25. Pledged by Alexandra Robbins (370 p.)
26. Amalee by Dar Williams (180 p.)
27. How to be popular by Meg Cabot (288 p.)
28. Baby proof by Emily Giffen (340 p.)
29. Olive's ocean by Kevin Henkes (216 p.)
August totals=5 books/1,394 p.
September
30. Sea glass by Anita Shreve (400 p.)
September totals=1 book/400 p.
October
31. The summerhouse by Jude Deveraux (391 p.)
32. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton (214 p.)
33. Queen of babble by Meg Cabot (306 p.)
October totals=3 books/911 p.
November
34. Flush by Carl Hiassen (263 p.)
35. The secret life of bees by Sue Monk Kidd (302 p.)
36. Babyville by Jane Green (438 p.)
37. Lucy Sullivan is getting married by Marian Keyes (610 p.)
38. Teen idol by Meg Cabot (291 p.)
November totals=5 books/1,904 p.
December
39. A dirty job by Christopher Moore (384 p.)
40. Angus, thongs, and full-frontal snogging by Louise Rennison (247 p.)
41. Over sea, under stone by Susan Cooper (196 p.)
December totals=3 books/827 p.
Totals for the year=41 books/12,263 p.
This is sort of a sad development for someone who claims she likes to read. I must certainly try to do better next year.
Now for the awards:
Favorite book I read this year: (Tie) Marley and Me & Just listen
Least favorite book I read this year:Pledged
Book I read with the strangest concept:A dirty job
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)