Stars Trust Stars

Prior to their next proper release (scheduled for a Fall release date), Stars are set to release a pretty exciting remix album, cleverly entitled "Do You Trust Your Friends?" on the 22nd of May. This album definitely looks like it'll be well-worth buying, as the album being remixed, Set Yourself on Fire, was fantastic. Additionally, one look at the acts doing the reinterpretations should be enough to set your heart on fire with excitement.



Stars - Do You Trust Your Friends?

1. Your Ex-Lover Is Dead - Final Fantasy
2. Set Yourself On Fire - Montag
3. Ageless Beauty - The Most Serene Republic
4. Reunion - Jason Collett
5. The Big Fight - Minotaur Shock
6. What I’m Trying To Say Pt. 1 - The Dears
7. What I’m Trying To Say Pt. 2 - The Dears
8. One More Night - Apostle of Hustle
9. Sleep Tonight - Junior Boys
10. The First Five Times - The Russian Futurists
11. He Lied About Death - Metric
12. Celebration Guns - Camouflage Nights with Kevin Drew
13. Soft Revolution - The Stills
14. Calendar Girl - Young Galaxy

I can't wait to hear half these songs. I adore Final Fantasy (coincidentally, his Grizzly Bear remix is one of my favourite songs - so regretful, so honest, so calm - a song sang in retrospect with tear stained cheeks), the one Montag remix I have (of M83) is breath-taking (the moment beginning at 1:17 is just beautiful - "how fast we die"), Junior Boys were fantastic live, and well... every other band on here is pretty much great. Anyway, the tracks below may give a rough indication of what to expect [though the MSTRKRFT remix is primarily for your own enjoyment. It's Saturday after all, and you need a top-quality tune to get you in the mood for a party].



HIGHLY RECOMMENDED REMIXES

The Most Serene Republic

Stars - Ageless Beauty (Most Serene Mix)

Final Fantasy

Grizzly Bear - Don't Ask (Final Fantasy Remix)

Montag

M83 - Teen Angst (Montag Remix)

Metric

Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix)

OXEGEN 2007 - Sunday 8th July

As promised, here's the lineup (thus far) for Sunday. It looks well-good. Once again in order with artists I actually like at the front of the queue, and artists I've never heard of/dislike at the back of the line, here's the acts that have been announced so far.

N.B. If the main download links don't work, the alternative one's (all titled "Alt") most likely will. Thanks.



Sunday 8th July

Arcade Fire

Rebellion (Lies) - Alt

Considered by many to be the best live act in the world, there's pleasure to be derived from seeing so many band members going mental on-stage. Neon Bible is one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the year, and while I'm not entirely sure of the album from my brief listens, I'm sure many will fall in love all over again. At the festival, I'm sure they will take the time to remind you that "sleeping is giving in". Because really, who goes to a festival to sleep? Take enough coffee, Pro Plus, or whatever other chemicals it is that'll keep you awake.

Bloc Party

The Once and Future King - Alt
Secrets - Alt
Selfish Son

With the release of A Weekend in the City, Bloc Party may have lost some of their fanbase, and brought in new listeners. Not quite the angular rock of their debut, it's a more electronic, swirling affair full of insightful social commentary. Also renowned as a fantastic live act, so well-worth seeing. Enjoy the assorted B-Sides where the sound is very much similar to their first album of "dance-rock" songs.

Daft Punk

Digital Love
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Human After All (Justice Remix)

The indie-man's dance band. Critical acclaim, commercial success, adoration from their fans, and their tunes playing in both ice-rinks and clubs all across the country.

Klaxons

Gravity's Rainbow (Van She Remix) - Alt
Magick (Simian's Mobile Disco Remix) - Alt
Atlantis to Interzone (Metronomy Remix) - Alt

Nu-wave. Say what? Anyway, have you listened to the radio recently? Ok, then you probably know everything you need to know about The Klaxons. Dancey tunes, art-school attitudes, literary references. I haven't properly listened to the album yet, but the majority of it seems decent enough, though not quite surpassing the brilliance of the singles. Or, some of the remixes for that matter.

CSS

Music Is My Hot Hot Sex
Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above

I've never really quite got the hype about this band; but then, I've never seen them live. Above are two songs of theirs that I do rather enjoy.

The Killers

Mr. Brightside (Jacque Lu Cont's Thin White Duke Remix) - Alt
Somebody Told Me (Mylo Remix) - Alt

Songs equally at home in clubs and indie-disco's, everyone knows this band. You either like them, don't mind them, dislike them, or love them. I for one, am not overly fussed, but I do love a good dance to some of the songs.

The Kooks

Crazy (Gnarls Barkley cover at Radio 1's Live Lounge)

"Naive" is a cracker tune. It truly is. Have you heard it? I'd imagine so. The rest of the songs are decent enough - pleasant, made-for-radio rock.

Razorlight

Golden Touch (at Radio 1's Live Lounge)

Never been a fan of the skintight costumes, the performance at Live 8, or much of their music, but damn... I love "America". Once again, sorry I couldn't upload it for your delight.

My Chemical Romance

Song 2 (Blur cover at Radio 1's Live Lounge)

You know, back when I used to be on IRC all the time talking about song-lyrics, music, and guitar-playing, I used to really enjoy this band. This was around the time of their first release, which had some truly great songs. They progressed from that to become a commercial success and wholly adopt the Gothic style. I don't like 'em much now, but they do have talent.

Deep Dish

Dreams featuring Stevie Nicks (Axwell Mix)

A dance band I know very little about. They did have one tune that I loved, but I can't remember what it is now.

James Morrison

I saw him on Richard & Judy and he seemed like quite a pleasant chap. His music isn't quite as absolutely fucking annoying as James Blunt's, and that must count for something.

Babyshambles

Frankie Knuckles

Data Rock

Cagedbaby

P.S. At the time of writing, it looks like tickets for the festival are sold out, although more will probably appear for sale at a later date, once again from here. However, if you're now desperate for one, as you should be, then there's always everyone's favourite standby: Ebay.

DISMEMBER, then REGROUP.

Today I interrupt your morning coffee and viewing of This Morning to tell you something which excites me as much as Pitchfork. Of course, I don't live in America, nor do I have any money, so I shan't be going... But it's still pretty damn exciting. The Dismemberment Plan are reuniting for a one-off benefit for J. Robbins and Janet Morgan's son who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).



Tickets are on sale today through Black Cat and Ticketmaster. Get buying if you live anywhere near there. I would love to go. And consequently, you should too. All proceeds from the gig will be used to pay the medical bills which currently can't be afforded. Even if you don't heart The Dismemberment Plan, maybe you'd like to donate.



The Dismemberment Plan

The Other Side

I've been meaning to write about the band for some time, and couldn't waste this excellent opportunity. But still, the words aren't forthcoming. Here's my best attempt to sum up this song, and much of their recorded material. It is the sound of university life in a foreign country. The displacement, the emotion, the closeness, the tenderness, the sadness of modern life. The intricacies of a relationship broken down and spoken quickly, rapidfire, missing out some points but getting the main ones seemingly into the same sentence which makes up for its lack of punctuation with the insightful pronunciation. So many of the lines ring true so much of the time, all placed hovering just above the ever erratic, intense drumming.

OXEGEN 2007 - Saturday 7th July

So it's decision time. Today, the 1st of March 2007, is an Eve. Maybe not as special as Christmas Eve, or New Year's Eve, but even so, it's an Eve none-the-less. Tomorrow, tickets go on sale for OXEGEN 2007. Quote: "OXEGEN 2006 was the fastest selling event in the Irish music calendar and tickets for 2007 are certain to sell out fast" : Unquote.

So how much money is in your bank account right now? If you're a student, like myself, the answer is: fuck all. Thus, I doubt I'll be going. However, if you're undecided, take a look at the line up, and decide, because : I repeat : It's decision time. If you have an overdraft, I would advise you to use it. If someone owes you money, call in the debt. Sunday's line-up is shit-hot, if you're actually sober enough to make your way across the various stages. I'll post it later on tonight or tomorrow. Anyway, here we go:

In order with artists I actually like at the front of the queue, and artists I've never heard of/dislike at the back of the line, here's the acts that have been announced so far.




Saturday 7th July

Interpol

Obstacle 1 (Arthur Baker's Return To New York Remix)

First album was amazing - you could play it on repeat for hours sitting having dinner with the family, or you could dance dance dance to any one of the tunes off it at an indie-disco pissed out of your head. Second album was a grower - but still a bit of a disappointment.

Erol Alkan

Death From Above 1979 - Romantic Rights (Erol Alkan's Love From Below Re-Edit)
Justice - Waters of Nazareth (Erol Alkan Dur Dur Durrr re-edit)

You've heard the hype. I've heard it's true. He is the ultimate party-starter - that's the word on the street.

Justice

Soulwax - NY Excuse (Justice Remix)
Death From Above 1979 - Blood On Our Hands (Justice Remix)

Indie-disco anyone? Electronic remixes and bloody amazing one's at that. Yes please. "Never Be Alone" was playing everywhere at all times all over the country. It brings back happy memories of sweaty nights dancing with friends. You have to have heard it. Seriously. Thus, instead of that, I give you these fine remixes. All have been involved in alcoholic dance-sessions that I've taken part in. You probably have too. These are C-H-O's... chooooons.

Gossip

Standing In The Way Of Control (Soulwax Remix)

Seen the advert for Skins? Me too. I love that ad. Damn good tune, damn fine show - not sure about the rest of the bands output [i.e. I haven't heard it.] But this one song remixed by - everyone's favourite - Soulwax, is relentlessly catchy.

Snow Patrol

Run (Live at KEXP)
Chasing Cars (Hey Team! Remix)
You Will. You? Will. You? Will. You? Will. (live Bright Eyes cover)
An Olive Grove Facing The Sea (live at SXSW)

With Eyes Open they crafted an album that went on to be number one in the UK for sales for the whole of 2006. Impressive. They used to be less stadium-rock [i.e. Less like Coldplay]. But still, everyone has a lot of hate for them, and I don't. I like them. The songs above are brilliant. Although I saw them perform on the Brits and it was one of the most soulless performances I've ever seen. Maybe sometimes they're actually good though? You decide.

Muse

Muse vs The Spinto Band - Supermassive Mandy

I heart Showbiz. Everything after that album was a bit hit-and-miss for me. And I don't get all this wanting to be Britney Spears craic. But you know... voted Best Live Act at the Brits must count for something. Right? Enjoy a mash-up that actually works for once.

Kings of Leon

I've heard Four Kicks covered about ten times live, always well. It's a great song. Aha Shake Heartbreak is an album I listened to in a car, the morning after, very hung over, and it is a great album. Youth and Young Manhood is an album I've listened to in the store-room of my then-workplace Longs while climbing up shelves and pretending to be working. It was pretty decent too. I'm sure they'd be great live.

Tori Amos

Famous Blue Raincoat (Leonard Cohen cover)
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana cover)

Concept albums, and pretty piano songs. With as little familiarity as I have with her work, it's hard to say more. A nice quiet one for the crowd of hangover-kids.

Amy Winehouse

She's a sesh-head. She's bound to be good fun.

The Fratellis

They like IRN-BRU. I saw him carrying a bottle on the Brits. FACT! Sticking with the old Scottish heritage. Chelsea Dagger is equal parts catchy-as-hell and annoying-as-hell. It's a good singalong though.

Goo Goo Dolls

Iris (acoustic)
Slide (acoustic)

Say it with me now: Old. School. That said though, Iris is just one of those songs. One of the amazing one's that everyone has their own little memory for. It reappears on mix-tapes all over the place. It's on at house-party's. It's legendary. Slide, less so, but a decent tune, with a decent melody.

Scissor Sisters

Take Me Out (Franz Ferdinand cover)

Never really catered to my tastes unless I was insanely drunk at the time. So yea, a good festival band I guess. Sorry about the dire 56kbps, but it's a good enough cover, so what the hell.

Mika

"Hi my name's Mika, and I'm a combination of Queen, the Scissor Sisters, and the Darkness. Enjoy my live screeching performance."

M.A.N.D.Y.

DR. LEKTROLUV

Booka Shade

Wu-tang Klan

No thanks.

Support recorded music: Buy CD's from Amazon.
Support live music: Buy an Oxegen ticket.

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.

Old News

So my fileden account got suspended, I suspect because I put up that Johnathan Rice track. So I now have a new account, but consequently a lot of old links won't work. Sorry. Fresh starts and all that, though.



Hot Chip

Look After Me

Hot Chip can, at times, be the essence of electro-beauty. Like poetry read in silence. Synths played with eager hearts. A postal service for the new romantics. The sounds of a letter being delivered through the letter-box. The letter is from a old lover. Your romance was painted in many colours. A full palette was used to describe the two of you and it ended sad but hopeful. There is still fondness in the memory. There is still beauty in the retelling. And if ever the two of you were to meet again you'd be best friends, old lovers with no history other than a history of hugs and more hugs. Affection.

Words can't describe the beauty sometimes. Sometimes a photograph truly is worth a thousand words. And sometimes music is worthy of no words at all. Imagine sign language to those with perfect hearing. Offer your friend a bed in your room and let him lie down... put on Hot Chip and provide him with tea and a biscuit, even if he's not sick, he'll feel better after listening. Listen. Listen. Listen. [Buy]

Text written 14th August 2006



Scala Choir & Kolacny Brothers

Teenage Dirtbag (Wheatus cover)

It's the quirky piano line. It's the staccato. It's the fact that a five-year old could play it with ease. It's the fact that it's youthful voices, full of purity, singing, in unity, about the youthful hassles of growing up. It's quirky, eccentric, popular, and pure. In its essence is happiness. Right beside the happiness lies silliness. It's novel. The novelty may wear out. But for now, it will do. [Buy]

Text written 12th September 2006

She's Nothing Like November

Johnathan Rice

I Wouldn't Miss It For The World

Like a more confident Elliott Smith. Like a wordsmith who hasn't quite found his own imagery for the first verse so borrows others. This song could perhaps be considered cliché, but when delivered with such honesty, reminiscent of Between The Bars, well, I'm not complaining. Are you? Ambiguous and delicate, softly strummed, lovingly whispered, it ends with a promise - the motif throughout the song - "when you die I will come looking for you... I wouldn't miss it for the world". Because the world changes us, makes us harder, makes us stronger, makes us bitter... if we retain even a little of our souls, we'll have something to celebrate. [Buy]



Tobias Froberg

Grace

A wedding song. The ceremony's over; the church service, the meal, the drink, the speeches: everything's over and everything's run out. And you're slightly sad, because oh how you laughed at Jeff's speech; and the gifts - the gifts! - they're so beautiful, and you don't think you'll ever be able to let everyone know how much it means - oh it means so much! Everything's over and everything's run out. It's the last dance of the evening, the true reality starts here. The meaning of cold feet. The meaning of true love. [Buy]

---------

I've been meaning to write about both songs since the 10th of July, 2006. I'm sorry it took so long. Two love songs in one day. It's almost like Valentine's day, a day too late. Welcome back.

in words once beautiful!

It's hard to be miserable, after going out for a sesh. A sesh, for those not in the know = a night, of partying, of drinking, of having a laugh with friends. Harder than that though, is constructing coherent sentences whilst inebriated... but we'll give it a go.

Jeniferever. What is there to say? They're signed to Drowned In Sound Records - an off-shoot of the music-news-reviews-information website Drowned In Sound. The main thing with the band, EVEN THOUGH they're a post-rock band, is that their main focus - the thing which will BREAK... YOUR... HEART... about this band - is the vocals. Odd, I know. Generally, post-rock relies upon the music as the main heart-tugger [see: Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai - who use a few voice samples, Godspeed You! Black Emperor - ditto, Sigur Rós - who use melody, but not so much lyrics, etc].

But Jeniferever have beautiful lyrics. One's that will tug and tug and tug and not relent until finally you say, "ok, I get it, I'm crying, my heart is breaking, what more do you need?" This song starts pseudo-triumphantly. It's almost like we're all - the whole world and I! we're pretending! yes, yes we are! - pretending that we're fine, it's ok, we'll go on! But you know, by the end I'm weeping - we're all... yes, the whole world and I! we're weeping! yes! we are... I'm sorry, but we are! - sorry, the whole world is weeping, at the thought of things that are broken, that can never - NEVER - be fixed, and I don't know why; and nor do they.

But you know, I dream. I dream, every single night. Yes, every! single! night! That "your eyes would... burn as bright as they once did! burn as if you were seventeen!" Because I loved you then. I did. And the end of this song - the quiet words, the quiet instruments; the broken-heart spilling out into song - that's how I'll always feel. Even though I still have my dreams, and those lyrics, all about you - six at last count; even though I have all of this, I will still miss you.



Jeniferever

The Sound Of Beating Wings

Imagine the loss of a friend. Someone who you've been with for say, six months, a year? - No! more than that! - someone who you've had a relationship with since... since seven years ago. Someone you've always loved but they've never known, truly. Someone, let's say, you became friendly with, properly, sincerely, for about a year and a half. And something happened, you don't know what, but things drifted apart, someone/something severely broke the bond, but in your heart it's still there - the bond - it will always be there. You'll always love them even if they will never - NEVER - know it. This song is about them.

"the loss of you left the scars that will always be a part of me"

That's the truth. Even if you never know it.

[and what are the words? the words once beautiful? what are they?

I loved you.]

THERE ARE ANGELS SINGING! THE BELLS! THE BELLS!

So, it's nearly Christmas. Seen the news stories about global warming? - there will no longer be snow, etc, etc? Well, I'm still hoping for snow. Why? This song:



Swimming

In Dulci Jubilo

Trivia: It uses a technique called binaural recording. It makes the song lovely. The kids talking and laughing at the start, and all you can think of is an ice-rink in the middle of a snow-covered piece of land surrounded by the whole community.

The guitar comes sliding through the ice, skating along - no fear - just nice, and casual, and simple, and perfect. All the instruments arrive - they heard maybe Santa was coming? And if not, it's just nice to be outside in their duffel coats with their hoods up and the air cutting through them. Each breath an effort but a lush, refreshingly invigorating one: so, this is what it feels like to be alive?!

This is the type of song they play at outdoor ceremonies - you know the type: a religious message and freshly made tea served in polystyrene cups and mince pies and the Angels come along to dance. To keep it brief: this song is triumphant, it's laughing, it's complex but seems simple, it sounds like anyone could've arranged this - but, could they? no! of course not! - it's like stepping outside, and slipping and falling onto the concrete - oh, but of course! there's ice all around! ice and snow! - and looking up and seeing an Angel laughing at you.



The Late Greats

Sleigh Ride

Frivolous like a fairytale, Christmas is the time of snow, and cards written in a loving hand, with a carefully thought-out message inside, something cliché and earnest. Writing about music is pretty much the same - somehow the words aren't quite right, the sentences aren't as honest as intended. But still, here's another song, and there's really not much to say about it other than:

It's building a snowman in the freezing cold; it's waking up in the morning and your little brother picking up your new Christmas present and throwing it out the window - but it's Christmas, it's funny, you're not mad; it's ice-skating but falling so many times that - oh my, my back, my back! i think i've broken it! ah, help me up, oh please! plea - and pulling that person down with you; it's dancing with someone exceedingly attractive; it's learning to laugh; it's being happy again.

Buy this album! I beg you! All proceeds go to Shelter! The songs are beautiful, and silly, and classic! Stream more of the festivity! It's Christmas!

When your heart takes over

Let's state the obvious first, as a sort of pre-requisite: there's lots of music. Lots and lots. More than you can imagine actually. About everything. Ever.

Songs about strangers on trains that we are immediately drawn to; trees and bushfires; politics and religion; glaciers and hurricanes and tragedies; tears and sadness and deaths in the family; parents that left before birth, promises that were never fulfilled; the 'what if's and 'but's and everything that could've been done differently, and everything that might never have happened, and everything that despite our prayers and wishes never did; the money lost on the bus; the gambling debts that ruined a marriage. Songs about distance and time and space and the big fuck-off "WHY?!... Why are we here? What's our purpose? Who is my God and what of my life and when was I most pure and where is hell?"

And there are a lot of songs about love. But this one. It's summed up in the words that emerge through the laughter at the end: "Oh God". It is one of the most elegant, sad, delightful little songs I have ever heard. It's poorly recorded, and it's casually performed, and it's so so unbelievably fucking heartbreakingly beautiful.



Elizabeth Frazer and Jeff Buckley

All Flowers In Time

Reunion! Union!

Stars

Reunion

Striking down on that first chord like some sort of smiling tribute to The Smiths, dancing and twinkling with the musical equivalent of controlled chaos. Conjuring images with the fantastic frivolousness:

driving to school, and home again, with the wind in your hair and tears in your eyes from the gush of air, and the freedom, the beauty of the scenery - it's not much to look at, actually - but right now, in this, precise moment, it's beautiful. Palm trees instead of Palmpilots. Staying up during the night dreaming awake and then eventually nodding off.

(You couldn't slip into slumber like that these days when you're doing an all-nighter 'cause you know you have to have that essay in by noon, or else.)

But before you left the waking world, all you could see in your thoughts was the girl you kissed on the cheek; the girl who's hand you held and afterwards convinced yourself you were in love! - the one you said you cared for, sort of. 'Cause even though you were by parts shy and by parts confident - your own little enigma - you could never tell that girl, all the things that you probably should've told her. I'll let this song be your story. It's smiling, it's nostalgic, it's sad. It harks back to innocent days of drinking yourself silly - as much with happiness as with alcohol. It recalls a time when you were too scared to tell a girl, well... that... you...

truly truly loved her.

Don't Write Tired

Tiredness filled the page. The young artist watched as the canvas filled itself with ink, almost by magic. When he awoke in the morning he didn't know who'd been in his drawing room. He remembered a rough sketch, a simple idea, and a palette full of colours which he didn't know what to do with. When he awoke his ideas had been realised, his palette emptied, he almost felt betrayed. His subconscience came out and it filled the canvas and something about it made him sad, hopeless. Somehow it felt like he didn't own the beauty because he didn't remember creating it.

Who knows where thoughts come from. They just appear. That's right Lucas. That's right.

I have a blog? I have a blog. I'm at uni... versity. Glasgow, since you ask. Updates will begin again. Sometimes you get so lonely in this place all you can do is write. Especially when you can't download. Then you upload.

FOR THE TINIEST MOMENT IT'S ALL NOT TRUE

It's light and floating. Children's toys strike a chord. They sparkle with innocence. The voice is matter-of-fact. There is blind hope in this song. There are tears and there are memories. There is joy and glitter. Imagine colouring books lying open on a hall table. Imagine a telephone lying beside it. Imagine the chance of a fresh start, a beautiful dream, one final pleasant sleep next to a pillow smelling of her perfume.

Snow Patrol

You Could Be Happy

There are heart-felt tears. There are regrets. There are mistakes. There is a dream of forgiveness. There is real-life.

YOU SAY NOTHING'S WORTH A FIGHT NO MORE

You say... every day's the same,
But I will never close my eyes again.

Difficulties. Stupidity. Loss of innocence. You will be judged. Everyone knows.

Why is there suffering?
Without suffering there would be no compassion.
Tell that to those who suffer.

That's from some film. Maybe "A Walk To Remember". Anyway. The End. [I hope not]

Disco Ensemble

Mantra

If it's something to die for;
if it's something to cry your heart out for;
when the times are hard, don't walk away,
don't walk away from me

Sadness Echoes

Sadness is something that some people are born with. Sometimes it is immovable. I believe I was born with sadness. Certain events trigger it. Self-loathing is occurent everynow and then. Words are made up to describe feelings emotion. Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis. Ralph Waldo Emerson. I could type shflkjldksghkjh and it would make as much sense as a fully coherent sentence right now. Elliott Smith is playing through the speakers. Sometimes people do stupid things and cover them up with words, lines, sentences. Not expressing the whole truth is the same as a lie. The truth should always come easy, there should never be mistakes made, the world should be an idyllic place. Sadness is expressed with words, with tears, with sighs. Sadness is expressed with silence, with trembling, with body language. Stand slumped over a shelf. Lie down on a bed and not want to get up. We all have the potential to be horrible, horrible people. We all have the potential to be monsters. We all have the potential to do something great. Dreams keep us alive. I had one today. It was beautiful at the time, but afterwards - two to three hours, or five minutes, I can't remember - I realised that it was too ideal, too pleasant, too simple. Too impossible. Everything is always fucked up, sometimes. Faith.

Find your own song.

Fiction Becomes Fact. Mistakes Are Made.

Sometimes you create a song about what you've become. What you will become. What you might become. Unwittingly, the subconscience within you will become an outward thing. The text comes from 'The Contortionist's Handbook', by Craig Clevenger. The last line is from the Biffy Clyro song 'Justboy'. Fiction... will become fact. My voice, tells me the truth almost as a mistake. Sad but definitely hopeful. I should keep listening. I should keep listening. I should keep listening. Sometimes silence is the most awful thing.

The white, twenty-five to thirty year old, American male, drinks twelve to fourteen beers a week, or five to seven glasses of wine a week. The average legal limit in most states is .08 BAC which is about two beers. So two beers gets you legally drunk. The implicit question is not, How much do you drink? but, How often do you get legally drunk? or, How often do you have more than two beers within a given hour during the course of a week. I'm legally drunk seven days a week, but no one needs to know that... From the dark clouds a light will break through.



We Came In A Coma

From The Dark Clouds A Light Will Break Through (Chapter 1)

As Elliott Smith wrote, "I'm not half what I wish I was."

Stop Repeating Yourself

Drugscene

Coronation

A skyscraper stands proudly in the middle of Los Angeles. There are angels in the architecture, dancing around the double-glazed windows. Curtains have been pulled across the sun. There's commotion, like there's always commotion. Laughter but very little. Hustle and bustle and chatter and nerves and tension. Second chances and dreams being shattered. Lights flicker into focus and out again. Reflections are there to be stared at. By the time of the chorus your surroundings have changed, but you don't realise. So distracted by your own indie-chic-ness. You're in a club with lights on off disco glitter lights flicker. Pounding pounding disco music. Lights flash cameras flash girls flash so much music so much noise just get lost in the music now now now.

Drugscene are typically stylised, typically cool, I haven't seen the press photo's but in my mind's eye it would make sense if they're wearing tattered suits and flippant red ties with long-short hair and beautiful smiles like moviestars. Imagine The Killers and Hot Hot Heat and We Are Scientists and The Bravery and the million and one other bands that those names conjure up. Imagine a catchy indie-rock beat beat beat. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it's like watching a waterfall with the water running out. The focus is on creating a song based around a melody and sometimes the melody isn't there. They do succeed, however, on Coronation. Listen, count the influences on two hands, and dance, simultaneously. Bonus points for realising that it sounds like they hired in Conor Oberst for the vocals and gave him an extra dose of indie-dance-ability in his morning cup of coffee. [Discover]

dance dance drink sleep drink dance write poetry

I'm tired. In fact, I'm in bed. I was out last night. I saw Oppenheimer. Hang on... Oppenheimer? Yes, Oppenheimer. They are FANTASTIC live. Absolutely. I'm going out tonight as well, after work. First, I must go to town to see Oppenheimer. Hang on... Oppenheimer? Yes, Oppenheimer. For free. In Cool Discs. An intimate gig? An intimate gig. Can't beat that with a big stick. But like I said. I'm tired. Too tired. I'm not going to write anything. Here's a poem, and some songs. Maybe they're linked? Or maybe I wrote the poem ages ago and found it and thought well I'm too tired to post but would like to post so fuck it. Maybe.



Untitled

for every little thing a name.
a new label
a description
making it seem amazing, new, trendy, fashionable,
marketable
love prepackaged
phone the number
written in black
on the barcode
i wonder if you can afford it
if not just join the lines
make them all the same thickness
for no reason
other than.
it. fucks. with. the system.
so why not?

You Say Party! We Say Die!

The Gap (Between The Rich And The Poor)
Cold Hands! Hot Bodies!
Love In The New Millenium

you won't disappoint me; i can do that myself

I was in London for a week. Before that I was in the North Coast of Ireland... soaking up the rain. Yet... London was hot; sweltering; beautiful. So much to be absorbed in so little time. So much to do but so little money. Just the will, the determination. You can learn a lot, and feel a lot, just by walking around a city slowly. Well, I've been away, so this hasn't been updated. Here's a post / a draft / a rough attempt at putting feelings into words, which I've had kicking about since before London.. Since that time when I was walking beaches in the North Coast getting wet, getting cold, enjoying the view, being enlightened by the darkness.



Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglov

When Your Mind's Made Up

Running through a foreign city in the middle of their summer. Or is it their summer? Maybe it's winter? Do they have a winter? You can't tell, everything is new to you. These market stalls filled with kitchen utensils and throwaway junk, all these walls made of dust. The only water you've seen since you've been here was on your windscreen when that kid, he ran out, and he shouted, he waved, you nodded - obsequious - and he showed you his hands - a filthy t-shirt, and some dirty dish water, and he washed your windscreen.

It's two weeks later, and you suddenly realise she's never loved you. She just walked out the door fifty-seven minutes ago - you know, because you've been counting the seconds; said she was away for the groceries, even though the make-shift cupboard is full. You're running through this foreign city and you realise all these things about yourself - things that hurt you, things that confuse you. You're a desperate man. You don't even know if you love her, but you'd do anything for her, anything in the entire world, and you tell her time and again. She laughs. You laugh. It's a running joke between the two of you; only with you, it's the truth. You make it trivial as if you'd do it for anyone... You tell yourself you're a considerate, caring, compassionate person. You tell yourself you love everyone equally. You would do it for everyone. You would. You would. Would you?

You know you wouldn't... and that's why you're out the door in a flash, running the streets trying to find her, the only thing that holds you together; the only person that makes you feel whole, like a real human - like a nice person. With her you are at least half of what you wish you were. We never learn, do we?

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglov

Leave

But maybe, just maybe, you learnt something about yourself. It's doubtful but it's possible. And maybe, just maybe, it was something essential. Something necessary. Something undeniable. It doesn't matter how it was learnt - through alcohol abuse, or running screaming through the darkness, or with your head on a pillow soaking in your own tears and praying for sleep. And maybe, just maybe, this song is the essence of that realisation. The guitar and the words and the voice, when experienced live, are overwhelming. This studio version is only a let-down in so much as my eyes don't well up with emotion I never knew I still felt, the way they did when I heard it, live, for the first time - performed by Glen, on his own, as an encore, with just an acoustic guitar and that voice.

[Buy / Discover]

A shoebox stuffed with memories

I've been living in other people's houses, staying away from the internet and over-dosing on alcohol - hence the lack of writing. It'll calm down at some stage.



Bran Van 3000

Speed

James DiSalvio is a conjurer. He is a magician who folds different coloured handkerchiefs up his sleeve and lets them unravel at will. He wears long sleeves at all times. They hold an abundance of tricks which fall out into his songs with subtlety. This song is a shoebox stuffed with post-cards from friends you've forgotten, pictures bursting with sunlight, letters written with joy and read with sadness. I first heard this on a compilation CD that came free with Uncut magazine. It is the essence of my childhood - as far as soundtracks go. It's filled to the brim with Bruce Springsteen references. They're there, they're obvious, will you pick up on them? It wasn't these references that sent the shivers down my spine when I rediscovered this gem. It was the sheer exuberance of the composition - yet it was also the extreme sadness that folded out and scoured my soul, looking for my heart... It found its target.



Bran Van 3000

Drinking in L.A.

Is this other song - by the same band - last years summer? I remember one extreme session - "just me and a friend... working on a movie" - sipping on vodka and orange diluting juice until around six am, sunlight coming over the hill. You've probably heard this one before. I hadn't until about a month ago. I got my hands on a digital copy straight away. I think it was the video that persuaded me. Visually it's someone waking up sleepy-eyed in the morning. Not quite hungover, yet not quite right. Tired and happy, bemused and smiling. You don't really care that you wasted the day before - there's a whole summer to do something constructive. But you know, deep down, that maybe some other people are mad at you about your laissez-faire attitude. But hey, fuck it. The sun is out and shining. The clouds are lazy as they sway from one side of the sky to the other. A dazzling blue. A brilliant gold. A lazy summer.