Natalie
Metronomy – A Thing For Me (sweet bouncing ball video)
So the Cute Things Falling Asleep site is a nice salve for the absence of the puppy-cam. Basically it’s a site full of puppies, parrots, and polar bears all fighting the zzz’s. I found this bear/puppy creature to be one of the cutest of the bunch in a cute I-don’t-know-what-you-are kind of way, and apparently his name is Spudgy which is the icing. If that doesn’t put you over the edge, you should visit his personal website.
Youtube – Sleepy Puppy 2 aka Spudgy
Muxtape: a humble attempt
Mixtapes were replaced by Mix CD’s which are now being challenged by the Muxtape. It’s unfortunately as easy as creating a login, uploading 12 of your favorites, rearranging them into that blissful flow, and sending it out into the cyber-world for all ears to enjoy. No advertisements, no clutter, minimal settings… I think I’m in love. Feel free to check out my first humble attempt at a muxtape. And if you send your own mux out into the cyber-world, post it in the comments and share the love!
After years of searching for Nessie in the Loch Ness of Scotland, it has all been proven futile. Little did everyone know that Nessie had a dream, and she went to the city where even a mythical monster’s dreams can come true: New York City!
If you are in search of that great little summer album, Kate Nash’s Made of Bricks is probably it. A nice mashup of the quirkiness of Regina Spektor and Britishness of Lily Allen would be my closest comparison, so if you like both of those artists, Kate Nash is right up your alley. Not every song beckons to be single, but all are quite honest, interesting, and fun.
Upon listening to “Merry Happy”, I had this feeling that I just heard it. Then it hit me that the verses sounded just like Helena Carter’s rendition of “Worst Pies in London” from Sweeney Todd that I just watched this weekend! Maybe it was the British accent, or the talk-sing thing, or I’m just weird. Either way, this is a fun song, and it’s just one of the many on Made of Bricks. And stick around to the end of this song when she does a little casual improv singing that really lets you enjoy the casualness of her voice.
Bon Iver and his choir of one
I was not expecting to be so taken by Bon Iver and his debut album For Emma, Forever Ago, but now I can’t imagine my car stereo without it. To set the stage, Bon Iver also known as Justin Vernon set out for a remote cabin in Wisconsin for four months with some simple recording equipment and a record in mind. Not surprising is the album’s perfect reflection of the atmosphere in which it was recorded. It exudes remoteness and often loneliness in the voice of this one man. Though he layers his vocals as much as eight times creating a grand choir of one, it doesn’t disguise the loneliness, but that might have all been part of the ploy. In a most simplistic description, imagine Sam Beam going “Into the Wild”, and you have Bon Iver. In my opinion, this album reaches its most magical peak when listened to alone while driving in the rain. I had the most difficulty with deciding upon my favorite song of this album. Each song was its own gem. Eventually my heart was touched by the distinctive and uncharacteristic energy found in “Creature Fear”. It starts off very characteristically with soft reverent hums that trail into a first verse. Suddenly with the chorus comes a burst of energy almost spurred on by a fervency of the message, and afterwards it whittles down again into the gentle guitar strums and yearning falsetto. His lyrics are interestingly cryptic, and when sung can be taken one way, and when read can be seen in another.
I was full by your count
I was lost but your fool
Was a long visit wrong?
Say you are the only
The songs ends in simple soothing acoustics and whistles as if attempting to give the listener some time to just think. Needless to say, this album is beautiful.
The Bible Belt is real!
