summer

I find it interesting that I write more about music and pop culture than what's going on in my own life anymore. Maybe it's because there's such a strong connection between what I'm listening to and how I feel. Finding new music makes me feel optimistic and up-beat and excited about art and creation. Unfortunately, I haven't had many thrills as far as music goes lately. Jonsi was definitely a high point as was the new Yeasayer. Then there was a lull. I postponed my emusic account and there just wasn't much music worth paying attention to. Lately, however there's been an explosion in new and exciting stuff.

Starting with the new LCD Soundsystem. I listened to "This is Happening" a few times on-line and loved it. Then watched video of them performing at Bonnaroo. Songs like "I Can Change" got stuck in my head and, of course, I had danced myself clean to "Dance Yrelf Clean" more than once. So I bought it and loved it instantly. Great for driving. He has a way of expressing hard-to-define feelings in a way that at once sounds like your dad giving you advice over a drink and like wishing you were in love with someone just do you could break up with him and return to your record collection or a drunk night of dancing for solace.

Then came Big Boi's "Sir Lucious Left Foot...The Son of Chico Dusty." I knew this one would be great. I've spent a few drunken afternoon's listening to this one on the front porch. This album is long overdue. Not just the fact that it's release was delayed almost two years, but because we've need a universally good rap album that everyone can get behind. Other than Jay-Z's new album, there hasn't been such a record that sounds immediately like an instant classic and makes you wonder how we lived without it all this time.

Then Brett bought the new Beach House album "Teen Dream." I've heard talk about Beach House for a while. I casually caught samples of their earlier stuff, but this one has definitely won me over.

Then I decided to get back on emusic to find out what I've been missing. I heard about a compilation called Broken Bells with the lead singer of The Shins, James Mercher, and Dangermouse. It's good, solid stuff. It actually sounds more like a Beck album mixed with early Shins. Good stuff all around.

Then I checked out the other "Bells" band, Sleigh Bells. I love me some dance music, and I love me some pop. I've been listening, half-jokingly, half-ironically, half earnestly, to female pop singers like Ke$ha and LaRoux. Of course, there's a certain degree of embarrassment to listening to such pop drivel. Although I've adopted a "no stigmas" attitude toward listening to music, it's still not something I'm proud of.












Sleigh Bells offers me the thrill of Crystal Castles with the pop vocals of Ke$ha with the 808's of a rap producer. It's pretty thrilling actually. It's similar to Ratatat but vocals and more concise and directed songsmith. I've spent an evening going through the indie buzz band releases and this album has been the fruit of my labors.


Music aside, it's been a pretty lazy summer. I don't have a steady job and no hope for a job in the future. I'm sad that I won't be going back to Dear Old Roanoke in the fall, but I'll also have more time to work and actually make some money rather than borrow it. It's looking more and more like I'll be subbing in the fall and finishing up my certification. I missed the deadline to sign up for the two final classes I needed and need to take one more test in order to finally get my teaching license. This doesn't surprise me much. I got so used to having no responsibilities this summer it kind of showed me that maybe I'm not ready to be in a classroom yet. Maybe it's just my way of rationalizing the fact that I fucked up and am too irresponsible to do the few little things that needed to be completed over the summer.

Fuck it. Something will come along. It always does.