The last CD I bought was:
Absolution by Muse
-It's basically Bends-era Radiohead with a bit more of a melodic feel.I wish I had a better story for "discovering" the band, but the truth is I was perusing the music section @ Target and caught their video for "Hysteria" on the monitors and figured they were worth a shot for $7.99. They did not disappoint.
Song (CD) playing now:
"Banquet" by Bloc Party (Silent Alarm)
-This is a new band from the UK that are slowly taking over the States with their U2/Police punk-pop-rock sound (Though, in all honesty, trying to pigeon-hole these guys is a lesson in futility...one that proves fruitless in the end). Probably one of the tightest backbones in a band that I've heard in a long while. Their songwriting and arrangement remains very impressive and their influence seems to be as diverse as the band members themselves. A fan doth been born overnight.
Five songs I listen to a lot or that mean a lot to me:"To Be Young" by Ryan Adams (Heartbreaker)-Much like Kirsten, I wrote an essay about how much this song reminds me of home and listening to music with my best friends. This was during my "discovery" period where I was really working to expand my musical tentacles to all different genres, and this song always captured the spirit of that adventure.
Five songs that I listen to a lot or mean a lot to me:
"Across The Sea" by Weezer (Pinkerton)
-My favorite song on my favorite album of my (second) favorite band. A song written by a rock star after reading an anonmynous love letter from a fan living in Japan. A song that says, With all the attention, praise, and fandom surrounding them, Even rock stars get lonely.
"Alone Again Or" by Love (Forever Changes)
- This is a favorite song of mine from the moment I heard it in the movie "Bottle Rocket". I decided to include it in the list because it speaks to the power of sharing this art form at its most basic. Director Wes Anderson put this song in his movie, and thus unintentionally began a chain reaction that led me to buying Love's Greatest Hits album. After hearing some of their other songs, I became a fan of this short-lived obscure group from the late '60's. The power of music and its ability to touch upon perfect strangers is no more evident than in this exercise. Through music, the readers of these writings are connecting and sharing their experiences with one another.That is the power of a song.
"Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole (The Unforgettable Nat King Cole)
- This song just recently made the list. I sang this song at my brother's wedding for his dance with my mother and his wife Nicole's dance with her father. It's aspecial moment that I'll remember always, not only for the look on my mom's face, but, in a way, it was my introduction and acceptance into Nicole's family circle as well. Moments like those don't erode so easily. It's amazing what music can do to people.
"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel (So)
- When most people hear this song, they think of Lloyd Dobler, arms outstretched clutching his electronic "love letter" and serenading Diane from the driveway below.When I think of it, I picture Kirsten and I, sweeping across the dance floor at our reception, gazing into one another's eyes. What a wonderful feeling to share.
Honorable Mentions:
"Let Down" by Radiohead (OK Computer)
"Sunken Treasure" by Wilco (Being There)
"Rusty Cage" by Johnny Cash (American II: Unchained)
"I Predict A Riot" by Kaiser Chiefs (Employment)
"Idiot Wind" by Bob Dylan (Blood On The Tracks)
"Born To Run" by Bruce Springsteen (Born To Run)
"Bohemian Rapsody" by Queen (A Night at the Opera)
"Razor Love" by Neil Young (Silver & Gold)
"Route" by Son Volt (Trace)
"What's So Funny 'Bout (Peace, Love, and Understanding)"
by Elvis Costello (Armed Forces)
Three people I will Tag:
-B. My compadre in all things music.
Amanda. The coolest TV anchor not named Kirsten that I know.
Brian. Another music savant that introduced me to some great artists. Just to see his list.
