tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post116940302833218614..comments2023-10-30T04:55:07.062-07:00Comments on my year of new things: Fifteen *perfect ten* albumsErikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169829421270603532007-01-26T08:37:00.000-08:002007-01-26T08:37:00.000-08:00I totally know what you mean by "sit in the song."...I totally know what you mean by "sit in the song." I find myself doing that so often, now I have a phrase to describe it. <BR/><BR/>Lanie :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169678941234553192007-01-24T14:49:00.000-08:002007-01-24T14:49:00.000-08:00Yes you can. You can say it as often as you want.Yes you can. You can say it as often as you want.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169677361658152222007-01-24T14:22:00.000-08:002007-01-24T14:22:00.000-08:00Erik, can I just say I love what happens when you ...Erik, can I just say I love what happens when you get distracted.<BR/>EleanorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169627772172603512007-01-24T00:36:00.000-08:002007-01-24T00:36:00.000-08:00Kenneth, my second favorite album of theirs is act...Kenneth, my second favorite album of theirs is actually "Up," which I feel like, if I remember correctly, wasn't received very well by the critics; but it has at least two of my favorite songs on it ("At My Most Beautiful" and "Hope")--still, Automatic for the People is, imho, pound for pound the best REM album. <BR/><BR/>That was the most grammatically terrible sentence I've written in a while.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169627437876131612007-01-24T00:30:00.000-08:002007-01-24T00:30:00.000-08:00There really is something about "Automatic for the...There really is something about "Automatic for the People" that sets it apart -- even from other brilliant R.E.M. albums.<BR/><BR/>Great pick.Kenneth M. Walshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01666275272819956774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169619576281821612007-01-23T22:19:00.000-08:002007-01-23T22:19:00.000-08:001. Stephan, I know, "Unacceptable!" is right. I fe...1. Stephan, I know, "Unacceptable!" is right. I feel shame. <BR/><BR/>2. Yes, Plato rocks. I have Hedwig's origin of love two faces joining tattoo, on my right pelvic bone. <BR/><BR/>3. Live Through This by Hole was ALMOST on my list. Let's say it's #16. Amazing album.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169610051776125822007-01-23T19:40:00.000-08:002007-01-23T19:40:00.000-08:001. It is a shame you've never seen Hedwig on stage...1. It is a shame you've never seen Hedwig on stage. Particularly since it was up at the Roxy for SO LONG!!! Unacceptable! <BR/><BR/>2. The Origin of Love is absolutely amazing. You do know that it's all based on Plato...<BR/><BR/>3. I approve of most of your top 15, although we definitely have different taste. Mine would surely include Rumours by Fleetwood Mac and Live Through This by Hole.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169597215364813612007-01-23T16:06:00.000-08:002007-01-23T16:06:00.000-08:00CARIE: ONE: I remember that you used to rehearse a...CARIE: <BR/><BR/>ONE: I remember that you used to rehearse at the Virginia and La Loma house! I am so jealous!<BR/><BR/>TWO: I think Tour Buses are imminently (that's spelled wrong, or at least it LOOKS REALLY WRONG, but I can't figure out how to spell it correctly right now) (I didn't get much sleep last night) cool, whether you are a rock star or an actor performing Jane Eyre. Just the fact that you are in a tour bus (WITH WIRELESS) is damned cool. <BR/><BR/>THREE: Okay, remember that place I lived in the semester after I came back from London? I guess that would have been the spring semester of your senior year. That little tiny room in the basement of that house, just off of campus? That was where we watched Phantom of the Paradise. I remember we had a big movie night, it was just you and me. I think we also watched the original Dawn of the Dead that night. Anyway, I don't know why we decided to rent Phantom of the Paradise in the first place, I think it was just a random choice, and we loved it and it was soooo not what we were expecting it to be and we kept saying "WHAT???" in happy shock. <BR/><BR/>How is Gabe?@?!?? I miss Gabe. I really liked Gabe. I haven't seen Gabe in, like, six years. Next time you talk to him, PLEASE tell him I said hi. And that I always kinda thought he was cute. (Okay, you don't have to mention the cute part, but you can if you want to.) I like the image of you "raging" at Gabe. That's funny. What were you raging ABOUT? (according to him) <BR/><BR/>My memory is really bad. I know I've forgotten a lot of wonderful things, but the "as long as I've forgotten the same number and degree of horrible experiences, I'll count myself blessed" attitude is a good one to have.<BR/><BR/>FOUR: I love you too!<BR/><BR/>FIVE: I remember when you had your haiku year. Aimie Billon just mentioned to me that she was starting another haiku year too. It makes me happy that the haiku year took off and I wasn't the only one doing it. Now you've inspired me, I'm going to have another haiku year too. <BR/><BR/>xoxo, <BR/>erikErikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169596466940785002007-01-23T15:54:00.000-08:002007-01-23T15:54:00.000-08:00Lanie, I don't know why, but Raining in Baltimore ...Lanie, <BR/><BR/>I don't know why, but Raining in Baltimore used to be my least favorite songs on the album...and then, I guess I got older or something, but at some point the song finally clicked for me and I felt like "I get it now" and now I so completely love that song, and sometimes like to sit in it. Does that make sense, "sitting" in a song. Do you know what I mean by that?Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169596346342665422007-01-23T15:52:00.000-08:002007-01-23T15:52:00.000-08:00communicatrix, ooooo i am so excited to find out y...communicatrix, ooooo i am so excited to find out you're a Phantom of the Paradise fan!!!<BR/><BR/>I heard a rumor that they're remaking Phantom and it distresses me. <BR/><BR/>I met Paul Williams at a Scissor Sisters concert. I saw him in the VIP section and I went up to him and said (across the velvet rope) "I loooooooove Phantom of the Paradise!" and he seemed very pleased and then the usher ushered me away from him. <BR/><BR/>And my dad played golf with him once. <BR/><BR/>And it makes me sad that Jessica Harper never became a bigger star. (Though she IS still acting, which is pretty cool.)Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169593375767260082007-01-23T15:02:00.000-08:002007-01-23T15:02:00.000-08:00Erik, I am posting for several reasons. ONE: Augu...Erik, I am posting for several reasons. <BR/><BR/>ONE: August and Everything After is an absolutely perfect album, which I fondly remember for two reasons. In the old days when I lived in the Bay Area we used to rehearse at the house on Virginia and La Loma before Adam was a rockstar and before he had extensions. And two, in the new days when I was a barista at Gimme Coffee it was the theme music to my "Sad Sack Sunday" shift. <BR/><BR/>TWO: I am writing from the top bunk of a tour bus that sleeps 12, has a TV and DVD player in every bunk, plus one in each of two lounges and (obviously) has a wireless internet feed. This makes me feel very cool, even though performing Jane Eyre is the opposite of heavy metal. <BR/><BR/>THREE: this is the second time in a week that a friend from Oxy has recalled a memorable event from college days that I DON'T REMEMBER AT ALL. (Gabe was telling me that I "raged" with him at one time, and even seemed to recall the exact style and hue of my clothing during aforementioned raging, but I have no recollection, vague or specific, of the event.) I wonder how many wonderful experiences I have forgotten. As long as I've forgotten the same number and degree of horrible experiences, I'll count myself blessed.<BR/><BR/>FOUR: your post was truly epic and you are an amazing wonderful person and I love you.<BR/> <BR/>oh, also!<BR/><BR/>FIVE: when I toured Idaho...in 2000? I wrote a haiku a day. Remember? I resurrected my haiku journal for this tour, and wrote the first one just this afternoon. Thanks for the inspiration.<BR/><BR/>-CarieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169579200734687852007-01-23T11:06:00.000-08:002007-01-23T11:06:00.000-08:00Thanks for your writing on CC and August and Every...Thanks for your writing on CC and August and Everything After. I love this band. I don't think I could live my life without them. You know my favorite on that album, Raining in Baltimore. So sad, but so heartfelt. I am learning it on the piano, so the next time you are over, I will play it for you. Love, Lanie :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169566384003436912007-01-23T07:33:00.000-08:002007-01-23T07:33:00.000-08:00Hoo hoo! Someone else likes Rilo Kiley and Phantom...Hoo hoo! Someone else likes Rilo Kiley and Phantom of the Paradise and Automatic for the People and and and.<BR/><BR/>As always with these lists, I'm now excited to check out the stuff I *don't* own.the communicatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15261608424565258366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169493563126305912007-01-22T11:19:00.000-08:002007-01-22T11:19:00.000-08:00Michele, it's so funny, August and Everything Afte...Michele, it's so funny, August and Everything After is such a touchstone album for me--and that song in particular--that when I read the quote you printed, I couldn't help but, like, sit here and sing the rest of the song to myself. <BR/><BR/>It makes me really excited to have introduced Rilo Kiley to a new listener. Which album did you listen to songs from? Their debut album, or a different one? She does have a great lulluby voice, that's a good description of it. <BR/><BR/>I saw Fiona Apple once, in a theater lobby in New York, and she looked so fragile I just wanted to hug her. But she has the biggest most soulful voice. It's a strange combination, but I just love When the Pawn... so much. I haven't ever listened to her album Extraordinary Machine. I keep meaning to get it, but haven't yet. I think I'm worried that it won't be as brilliant as When the Pawn..., but that's a stupid reason not to listen to it.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169492645651180742007-01-22T11:04:00.000-08:002007-01-22T11:04:00.000-08:00August and Everything after...is the best album to...August and Everything after...is the best album to sing your sadness to. Even if I'm in the greatest mood, I could listen to any of the songs and instantly feel, um, can't think of the best word but complicated? And I like that because I can feel even better after singing "my friend assures me, it's all or nothing..."<BR/><BR/>Rilo Kiley, I never heard of them but while reading your blog I looked them up and listened to them while finishing your list. Singer has such a lullaby voice.<BR/><BR/>Violent Femmes! Shit Yeah!<BR/><BR/>Fiona Apple has soul. Paper bag reminds me of some tragic love song that should be played on the harp.<BR/><BR/>Good List.<BR/>MicheleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169447941923289882007-01-21T22:39:00.000-08:002007-01-21T22:39:00.000-08:00Doug, it's a great album, isn't it? Good for those...Doug, it's a great album, isn't it? Good for those bad periods.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169446107686779222007-01-21T22:08:00.000-08:002007-01-21T22:08:00.000-08:00OMG I haven't thought about Automatic For The Peop...OMG I haven't thought about Automatic For The People in years. It came out during one of the worst periods of my life and was exactly what I needed. I don't think I could listen to it now, too many memories I don't need to drum up, but I remember "Nightswimming" always made me happy and want to be a kid again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169432368940187752007-01-21T18:19:00.000-08:002007-01-21T18:19:00.000-08:00PAM, I think you would like the REM album and the ...PAM, I think you would like the REM album and the Jeff Buckley album. And maybe the Fiona Apple album, but start with the other two.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169430532012293822007-01-21T17:48:00.000-08:002007-01-21T17:48:00.000-08:00Okay, I get a little credit for reading this entir...Okay, I get a little credit for reading this entire blog entry, even though I can't relate to any of the music. I do like the way you weave personal stories into your explanations of why you like this music. And I would even like to hear this music sometime, if you'd like to share it with me--or at least some of it. I feel appropriately from a different generation as I read a list that includes none of what I would consider MY music. But I'm only just discovering what MY music is. I'm so glad you have so much music that speaks to your soul. That's very cool.<BR/>PAMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169430278519292212007-01-21T17:44:00.000-08:002007-01-21T17:44:00.000-08:00omg, Urp, i obviously didn't read over any of this...omg, Urp, i obviously didn't read over any of this before i posted it, so who knows what other typos are in there, but "wind in my air" makes me laugh too. i want to start using that!Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169421442950583422007-01-21T15:17:00.000-08:002007-01-21T15:17:00.000-08:00Michael, CC fans are always welcome here!I enjoyed...Michael, <BR/><BR/>CC fans are always welcome here!<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed your take on "Miami" and look forward to hearing your thoughts on other CC songs.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169416793040324352007-01-21T13:59:00.000-08:002007-01-21T13:59:00.000-08:00Hey,Found you thorough google blog search because...Hey,<BR/><BR/>Found you thorough google blog search because you listed Counting Crows as a fave. I did some writing about the band recently which I'm putting up on my blog in 5 parts.<BR/><BR/>Check it out if you want to:<BR/><BR/>http://krahn.blogspot.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169412774046104382007-01-21T12:52:00.000-08:002007-01-21T12:52:00.000-08:00Thanks Dave, I'm expanding this post as we speak, ...Thanks Dave, I'm expanding this post as we speak, with my own justifications for why I put each of these albums on the list. I'm getting wordy, so I won't post it for a while. Only on album #4 right now.<BR/><BR/>I think New Wave, Punk, and pop folk should always go hand in hand! :)Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442902343936742742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20403949.post-1169412200979736142007-01-21T12:43:00.000-08:002007-01-21T12:43:00.000-08:00Great list and glad to see the Femmes on there.I'v...Great list and glad to see the Femmes on there.<BR/><BR/>I've been having a weird "retro" interest in music lately. Everything from New Wave, to Punk, to sixties pop(folk). And with the passing of Denny Doherty this week, i've been listening to a lot of The Mamas & the Papas. Talk about eclectic huh?<BR/><BR/>Again, great list, thanks for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com