if it's not you then do it for the sake of fashion

Everyone would like 15 minutes of fame. Half the world is currently writing a blog post about themselves, about a band, about how they just featured in a 3 minute documentary which is currently #4876 on http://www.youtube.com/. Everyone wants someone to take notice. It's like what they used to - and still say - about novelists. Everyone and their dog is a closet novelist, waiting for the final page to that masterpiece. Now it's not so much about being a novelist... it's just about going against the trends, becoming an actor, an artist, a singer, a band-member. Not getting a simple day-to-day office job, or being a construction worker. We all aspire to fame. Kele is your grandfather, telling you that you had the chance to be anything you ever wanted, and your choices have been self-serving and that you'll live to regret them. Was it worth it? For those few beautiful starlit nights when you passed out in a field, drunk? Probably.



Bloc Party

Rhododendron

You know, I've listened to this song on repeat 22 times already today. It's not that it's particularly good. I think it's more to do with the passing, soothing nature of the song. It's certainly nothing special... but it does possess a lot of indie charm, and it's a relaxing song to sit with and contemplate. In short, it tides you over like a nice cup of tea. [Buy]



Pedro the Lion

When They Really Get To Know You They Will Run

Another one in the same vein. I know next to nothing about Pedro the Lion - ok, so I know he (David Bazan) is adored by his fans. Anyway, to my ears this song seems to be about the frivolity of school/university. The pretenses and fronts that all of us put on and put up with to make ourselves more likable. The fact that we can convince ourselves, and crucially: others, of anything. "Her tiara digging deep in her head"... I don't know about you, but since I seem to remember that David Bazan is religious, this line - for whatever reason - conjures up the image of a crown of thorns. High-school kids simultaneously blessed and mocked - liked and envied. But at the end of the day, this song is a summer song. One song off a mix-tape soundtracking kick-abouts on the beach. Image is everything. [Buy]

P.S. For the record: I think A Weekend in the City is well-worth buying. It's struggling to be a soundtrack to our generation, and almost succeeds. I adore it. You should too.