no. 129: music etc. and life, currently

So I've been reading:

• Oscar Wilde by Sheridan Morley which I bought at Daedalus on my class skipping book buying adventure with Joseph on Friday. I'm about a third of the way through it. The only reason I'm not done is that pesky class business that keeps interfering with my life.
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling because Geof had it, I haven't read it, and I'm tried of people looking at me like I'm nuts when I relate that fact to them.
  
• Groundings for the Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant, because my philosophy teacher is sadistic and we have a test on Wednesday. I still haven't quite grasped all the concepts Kant puts forth. I also hate him.
  
• The Floating Opera by John Barth. It's amazing and I wish I had more time to read it. Got a good bit through it the other day and then before the Nick whateverhislastnameis reading. About a quarter of the way. Going to Vail is going to be really good. Hopefully Kendall doesn't mind me just lazing around, drinking tea and reading, b/c that's exactly what I want to do. I will finish this book over break.
  

So that's what's up with that. I've also been playing a lot of Scrabulous, which is the new Text Twist and also has crack-like side effects. WKC is at this moment schooling my behind. It's embarrassing. In any case-- here are this week's Seven. Sorry I'm late again, but it was a crazy weekend.

1. "How It Ends" by DeVotchKa: God I love this band. I love them much much. They're coming to the area soon and while I don't have the mullah to purchase my tickets right now, have no doubt, kiddos-- they will be mine. They're haunting and strange and the new album comes out like... Saturday and I'm EXCITED! This was in Little Miss Sunshine, along with a few other of their songs. If you like them, the song "I Cried Like a Silly Boy" is my favorite. Ch-check-checkitout!
2. "Ghost of a Good Thing" by Dashboard Confessional: Now I know what you're going to say, and you're right. This is about as emo as it gets. And the lyrics are sort of repetitive. But really-- if you let yourself go, the first few lines get you. This just came up on shuffle and then it made me listen to the whole album all over again, and you know what-- it's still pretty emo. But sometimes, when I'm happy enough to withstand its effects, it's kind of awesome.
   
3. "Beautiful Mess" by The Cloud Room: Crazyface introduced me to this band and you know, hey thanks, McPsycho. They're actually great and super underrated, in my opinion. They sound like a mixture of a bunch of different post-punk pre-grunge bands, but more polished. In any case-- this is a song I love for a few reasons, but mostly because it's good to rock out to in the car.
4. "Very Loud" by The Shout Out Louds: Another mentalCase inspiration, but also I threw this on here b/c I found an artistic representation of the lyrics I drew/collaged for this song like... last year in a journal last week and have been thinking about doing another one for "Bag of Hammers" by Thao & the Get Up Stand up, which, coincidentally is the next song. Anyway-- I'm a sucker for eastern European breakthrough bands, I suppose.
5. "Bag of Hammers" by Thao & the Get Down, Stay Down: Thanks to Meredith for the recommendation and Michael for the provision of CD. It's a great album and I'm looking forward to more things from her. This song sticks in my head and makes me dance around all happy like. Check it out, yo.
6. "Aside" by The Weakerthans: We were listening to them while closing today b/c someone with taste played them on WTMD and Aaron wanted to hear them. I forgot how great they are, and how angsty but poetic and wonderful the lyrics are. Plus, you know, life applicable. "The Reasons" is another great song, as is "This is a Fire Door, Never Leave Open". But anyway-- have a listen.
   
7. "If Work Permits" by The Format: Okay-- yes, another pop-punk song by a band given to severe emo on occasion. But give Dog Problems another listen, I'm not even kidding you, it's brilliant in places. This is one of those places. I was listening to it by accident and didn't even remember putting it on my Itunes, but was intrigued and shocked to find it was in fact them. Seriously, though, who am I kidding. I'm a Format sucker, from "Porch" to "Snails". In any case-- this a great song and if you take issue with that, then okay-- I guess I lose music credibility points. But sometimes you just need guilty pleasures.
   

Okay good. Well that's that. And now I'm up past my intended sleep hour and I've still got Philosophy to study. Good night, boys and girls.

H.