Playlist of Wonder and Reviews on Random

Much like the cave of wonder, there are genies of song living within this playlist. There will not be, however, any evil lurking. I hope there will be a sweet-tempered flying carpet.

These are not only the songs I've been discovering lately, but also a gathering of everything I love at this very moment. Enjoy:

Florence and the Machine, "Blinding"

Robyn "Cobrastyle (the bloody beetroots remix)"

The Gossip "Four Letter Word"

The XX, "Crystalised"

The Gossip, "Vertical Rhythm"

Health, "Triceratops (CFCF Remix)"

Florence and the Machine, "Kiss with a Fist"

Port O'Brien, "Stuck on a Boat"

The Generationals, "When They Fight, They Fight"

Port O'Brien, "Oslo Campfire"

Blair, "Hello Halo"

The Gossip, "Heavy Cross"

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, "Know Better, Learn Faster"

Sea Wolf, "Stanislaus"

Fake Blood, "I think I like it"

Fan Death, "The Constellations (CFCF Remix)"

Forest Fire, "I Make Windows"

Papercuts, "Future Primitive"

Crystal Castles, "Vanished"

I've also been listening to a lot of Portishead lately.

REVIEWS ON RANDOM:

Florence + the Machine, "Dog Days are Over" and all of it.

I've actually been listening to a TON of Florence and the Machine lately, and I love it all. While some of their songs have more of a folky twang and tambourines bang about, for instance "Dog Days are Over," others like "You've got the Love" is what I imagine angels might create-- powerful vocals, beautiful lyrics, and what I think is some harp action. "You've got the love" has two gorgeous remixes, one by The xx, and the other by Graphics. Also, their performance on the BBC's Electric Prom is truly beautiful. That girl can sing.

The Prarie Cartel, "Cracktown"

I really don't like the beginning of this song; for some reason it sounds really amateur to me, like anyone could make it on GarageBand, but it's kind of catchy.

Yo Majesty, "Freaks Come Out"

This seems like it would be a great song to run to or maybe to choreograph a dance to. It's a nice song, but I don't know how many times I'd listen to it.

Think About Life, "Johanna"

I haven't taken an appropriate amount of time to understand these lyrics, but I'm totally digging this song. If my car had a cd player, I'd burn it on a driving mixtape. I love that they're incorporating throwbacks ala Madcon's "beggin" but then taking it to another level with the dissonant instruments about 2 and a half minutes in.

The Generationals, "When they Fight, They Fight"

Another song I didn't want to like before it grew on me. Another song that is completely influenced by the past, what with the tambourines and the stylized voice and the way other voices come in at the end of lines. I really can't help but dance.

Port O'Brien

Nuff said. I'm temporarily done talking about them, except I will say that you should listen to their new cd and they put on a great live show last week.

Julian Casablancas, "Left and Right in the Dark"

I didn't think I'd like this/ didn't want to like it when I heard it the first time. But it kind of grew on me. While I still think the opening is a bit unnecessary, the vocals are in that captivating voice that can yell and sound cooly disinterested at the same time. I knew it was the singer of the Strokes before I knew. Anyway, this song is fun.

Health, "Before Tigers (CFCF Remix)"

Love this song, it's just really pretty and ethereal. I feel like I'm asleep when I listen to it, but not in the sense that it puts me to sleep. It's like the voices and sounds you hear in dreams, they sound distance and delayed, but for no apparent reason.

I'm Sick of the Weather Up Here

There's little I hate more than people talking like their opinions are absolute truth. I know we learn pretty early that when you're speaking, everything you say or write, first person or third, is understood to be your own opinion. Third person was actually one of the more difficult lessons for me to understand. I think I've always read too much into things.

I've always been the negotiator, the person in the middle whose goal is for everyone else to get along-- because of that, it's taken me a long time to figure out that there are in fact things that I want. I'm still figuring those things out. I'm adjusting to the new fit of a place where I can potentially get into arguments rather than watch them occur. I'm terrible at arguing, wonderful at playing devil's advocate since I always see the other side. As a child, my mother never sided with me-- she always said I must have done something to whoever was bothering me-- that probably helped shape my personality, too.

I know that was very babbly, and not well ordered. I realize that I don't think in a logical order, though I have a pretty logical mind-- for me, the funniest things are the unexpected or the unfitting, the cat in a jumper, the short man eating a big bowl of soup, etc. I think that's why I'm so into musicals like Singing in the Rain that offer no explanation for bursting into song, but even within the genre, no excuse for ten minute dance scenes through surreal sets clearly on lots where the only lyric is "gotta dance, gotta dance!"

I'm Very tired. now is not the best time to write a post.

I should make more sense tomorrow. love.

A new Place

I've been inspired to blog by reading blogs a bit in the past month. I feel like maybe if i write down the immediate thoughts, maybe i will be more inspired. But there's some kind of disconnect for me between this sort of angsty dribble and poetry. one is just so much more beautiful, tense, crafted, and it seems like the place inside of me that ever needed to scream it out is dying. (that WAS pretty angsty).

I'm currently quite in love with the song My Will Is Good by Port O'Brien, and they'll be playing on thursday at Bottom of the Hill. I may have to go. It might mean a lot to me. I never do things alone and I love doing things alone even if going to a concert alone makes me kind of nervous for some reason. Maybe I'll go alone though. i can't keep missing shows i want to see.

I'm not thinking about too much important lately. I'm working on my writing and working on work stuff and thinking a bit about starting to try art again. I don't know if i have the angst for it-- i'm pretty emotionless when i compare myself to certain people. but, i have a knack and a desire to do something. we'll see how far that carries me. My poems are improving and my prose is, too. so are my funny emails, but those have always been pretty fantastic. wiink. I've also been thinking a lot about anthropology and reading my teacher's work and about theory and how i'm totally hungry for that. FINALLY hungry for something. I miss being told what theory to read. one of the very few things i'll miss about college.

i wish life were more interesting sometimes, but that's only because life is OK right now, which is a good thing. remembering that part is key.

I'll literally be working all weekend-- an event we've been planning quite a while is finally occurring and i'll be there making sure things happen at least somewhat as planned.

i wish man man would come to san francisco... but that's one concert i cannot go to alone. i'll need a witness with me to confirm that I'm not dreaming.

reviving musical interest

I'm on one of my music binges again. I know I can be slow sometimes about getting on the train with certain musical acts-- it's because I live in a bubble. i discover music mostly on my own and tend not to listen much to other people except maybe roberto and liz about new music. So, i will sometimes make a shocking discovery that the rest of the world made ten months ago. Anyway, here's what I'm listening to now.

The Gossip-- "Four Letter Word" and "Heavy Cross"

-- I'm so behind the curve on this one. The Gossip are quickly winning my heart.

The XX--"Crystalised"

-- As far as I know, these are the new Britain sensations? I'm entranced by this song.

Florence and the Machine-- "You've got the Love" and "Blinding"

--Don't know anything about them. YET.

The Decemberists-- "The Rake's Song"

--This group definitely won the Treasure Island festival-- yes, it was a competition. and yes, they totally destroyed everyone. That concert was absolutely enchanting and I didn't expect it at all. Well done, very well done.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros--"I Come in Please" and "40 Day Dream"

-- These dudes and dudettes led by former Ima Robot guy are amazing live. I saw them at Treasure Island and will remember that druggy performance forever. Wonderful folky-contemporary vibe with some great vocals.

Fever Ray-- "Seven" (the twelves remix)

-- When I saw that the twelves remixed seven i literally said "oh, whaat!" out loud. I was that excited to see the product. It's fun and a very different vibe from the original which i LOVE. Fever Ray is great. and so are the twelves.

Hot Chip-- "Touch too Much" (fake blood remix) and Fake Blood "I think I like it"

-- everything fake blood touches turns to gold. I've heard they're kind of jerks, and honestly, I can't make myself care. This particular remix is not their most impressive work, but I enjoy it. I really love their remix of Love Long Distance by The Gossip and I am IN LOVE with their song, "I think I like it"

Sea Wolf-- "Stanislaus"

Empire of the Sun-- "Walking on a Dream"

--Is it weird to say that this song sounds kind of gay? effeminate maybe? I dunno, but I love the way the singer cuts his words.

Fan Death--"The Constellations" (CFCF remix)

-- I don't know who the CFCF are or who fan death is, to be honest. I don't even know how I came across this song. But it's damn catchy and would be great for a house party.

That's it for now. : )

metric at 4 am

its officially a weird night. It's four am and I'm awake-- I've done this to myself (accidentally), and it shouldn't be happening because I know it'll probably make me grumpy and sleepy all day tomorrow, but I can't quite help myself.

I feel like bakeries are open this early. I want some steaming hot sapin sapin..

1. How did I do this to myself:

a) I drank at least two cups of coffee around ten pm last night, mostly out of that instinct to drink what was in front of me. I also drank more than my day's recommendation of water and am probably drowning from the inside right now. I wasn't nervous, I just don't know-- it's the nice city girl's equivalent of an itchy trigger finger I suppose.

b) I ate A LOT more than usual yesterday. and a lot of random stuff. and pretty late in the day.

c) I woke up around three thirty to a buzzing sound that kept coming back. When I finally decided to turn on the light to find the culprit, I was actually kind of surprised that there really WAS a mosquito there as suspected. Does this make me insane? even in the slightest? That I question even my most reasonable instincts and dismiss them as crazy ideas almost immediately? Not sure. (I "got" the mosquito and think he may not have had his chance with me)

Being awake right now feels sort of ... right, even though I know I should definitely go back to sleep. It makes me feel like the old, unstable me who never had a schedule, whose body couldn't stand regularity. those were different times, almost foreign now. Those were treasurable, but also belong in the past. Yet...

Something in me misses feeling like I have a reason to stay up-- i used to be unable to accomplish anything worthwhile during the day. I stayed up, thinking. writing. nearly always listening to music.

Last winter was really a winter. Last January was bon iver's "skinny love" and grouper's "heavy water/i'd rather be sleeping", and blonde redhead's "23." I didn't leave my house for the entire month except to eat during some weeks. it was a sickness-- and then I actually got sick and that was terrible (and then all three of us got sick and that was worse).

three years ago, i spent nights sitting on my bed, listening to "some devil" and "gravedigger."

I'm starting to realize where this is going: Here is a soundtrack to the great moments of sadness, loss. I wish those were still mine, and then i remember how crazy that is, and then I ask whether I'm crazy and then...

"23"- Blonde Redhead

"Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping"- Grouper

"Some Devil"- DMB

"Gravedigger"- DMB

"Dramamine"-Modest Mouse

"Oh Comely"-Neutral Milk Hotel

"Skinny Love"- Bon Iver

The Entire Blue Room EP by Coldplay

"Jumper" -Third Eye Blind (this was less my moment of sadness-- It was Katie's.)

"Nobody has to Stay"-Mirah

"The Gold Finch and the Red Oak Tree"-Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

Anything by Snow Patrol (one sophmore night spent crying into my boyfriend's shoulder while i was playing this ridiculously loud... and he was the reason i was crying)

Most Elliot Smith, I mean, there were times when he actually cheered me up somehow.

"Time Travel is Lonely"-John Vanderslice

"Big Eyed Fish"-DMB

probably something by zero 7

Since this list is making me feel nice, I think I should end with some songs that make me feel terrific.

"In the Morning"- Junior Boys

"Naive"- The Kooks

"Cherry Bomb"-John Mellencamp

"Meet Virginia"-Train

"Come on Eileen"-Dexy's Midnight Runners

"These Days"-Nico

"Always Be My Baby"-Mariah Carey (THE prettiest Mariah Carey song)

"The Jessica Numbers"-The New Pornographers

"If I ever feel better"-Phoenix

"If She Wants Me"-Belle and Sebastian

"Elephant Gun"-Beirut

"While You Wait For the Others"-Grizzly Bear

"today was a good day"-Ice Cube

"narc"- Interpol (my favorite interpol song, i think)

"a good man is easy to kill"-beulah

"snow"- red hot chili peppers (really, can't help myself, LOVE the bassline, have always wanted to practice it til I could play it, but claire and her bass are now across the country)

"It's a shame"-The Spinners

(both lists are incomplete, by the way)

I went back to sleep for 2 hours. I had a horrible nightmare about drugged people laying out in the street and drugged friends and zombies and torture and stress.

Blogg

After two-ish weeks of slightly infuriating Americorps training, I finally started work last week. Much of Americorps training just felt like a waste of time, to be perfectly honest. A full day of team bonding, really?? The government is paying for this... really? Dyad conversations every five minutes?? I decided I needed to try and relax during the retreat, so after the ropes course, swimming pool, talent show, and a rather large game of mafia, which I won by the way, I had my tarot cards read. Amanda, my roommate read them for me. Let's just say that I got a lot of major cards including the Wheel of Fortune, the Hierophant, and Death. Great. Don't tell my mother that I had my tarot cards read. I told her, in an off-hand way, that someone was reading tarot cards during the retreat, and she made me promise not to do it, and then kept saying that it was the work of the devil-- I swear my mom's not crazy though.

Work is nice. I have a desk and I have business cards with my name and occupation and email printed on them and everything. As I was setting up my desk, I almost dropped a printer, which was scary, but aside from that it was all pretty smooth. At the moment I'm having a guilty time asking the interns to do things for me, but they're so eager and great. I keep having to stop myself from saying-- I was an intern, too! all the time.

I've begun writing again, which is great, and I've also taken up this thing called reading that I forgot about for the past four years. (I think the last book I read for fun was Everything is Illuminated) I'm reading The Bell Jar as of yesterday though I have the feeling it will be done by today. I think that's a book people read in high school.

I'm also finally getting around to reading more Dean Young, Charles Simic, and Phil Levine. Basically my poetry reading list at the moment is people I've met but never fully appreciated because I was lazy and didn't read much. I'm catching up now. Next on the list is Bukowski because I picked up a book of his at Green Apple and it intrigued me. I truly wish someone in my immediate family or friend circle had loved poetry while I was growing up because I feel completely new to everything and don't know where to begin. If anyone wants to recommend me their favorite poets/ poems or even ones you think are striking, I'd be eternally grateful. I'm a fan of Sharon Olds and Li-young Lee and Gary Snyder and William Bronk. I want to be a fan of many more people. much love, Miranda