so, i guess i won't get much work done today. soon i'll get a bus to a train to newcastle.
and i'll read the book i just picked up from the library, which i'm looking forward to. it's 'metaphors we live by' by Lakoff and Johnson. it could be the push i need to get interested in some old-fashioned discourse analysis, and psych myself up for interviews.
i'll also listen to new music. in the last few days i've felt the need for fresh itunes content. something of today - sounds of the present not the past. a little online research taught me that a lot of my favourite musicians have new stuff out, so i got me some. i guess i also feel the need to catch up after 2 months without the internet. maybe i should just listen to the radio occasionally.
anyway, in light of my week of marking essays, i will now grade my new songs accordingly.
HD=high distinction / D=distinction / C=credit / P=pass / F=fail
zero - yeah yeah yeahs
HD
this is an amazing track. it's on a par with the peaches remix of cheated hearts. love it to bits. karen o's voice is amazing, better than ever, and seems to reach orgasm throughout the song - "can you climb, climb, climb..."
talk to me - peaches
HD
also very wonderful. different to other peaches. a little bit less rough around the edges, but it works for me anyway. more of that pat benatar influence.
honey in the sun - camera obscura
P+
i wanted to love this, them being one of my favourites, but it was disappointing. too 'up', too 'even', too much music and not enough lovely vocal. grr...
halo - beyonce
D
i had written off this beyonce album with the songs i'd heard, but this is quite special. it's a ballad, but again, she defies my hatred of the pop ballad (as she did with irreplacable and listen). it could be rhianna (they seem to be merging) but it's not. and there's a musical hook there that hits the spot every time.
work - junior boys
F
this is not what i wanted. nothing like their last album. where's the subtle melancholy. too clubby. blah.
daniel - bat for lashes
D+
almost a HD, and maybe it will get there with a few more listens. very splendid. i was disappointed with the last album, so won't buy the new one on account of this. maybe i'll download it, though not a priority for now.
money babies - the dears
C
okay, but it doesn't transport me like their earlier stuff. maybe a few more listens? it's still above average though, so warrants a credit.
tape song - the kills
C+
i like it. but it's probably one that will fall to the bottom of the stack quite quickly. still not convinced that the kills are as wonderful as everyone says.
young adult friction - the pains of being pure at heart
D+
nice. really nice. i've never heard of this band, but i heard a sample on one of those hip-indie-music sites and loved it. very upbeat with a stars-esque feel. i want more of them.
gimme sympathy - metric
D
love it. but not a HD. i couldn't put it on the same level as yeah yeah yeahs (which i just keep wanting to hear again and again). but i will get this album. it will be good. metric always are.
wrong - depeche mode
C-
this is okay. impossible to rank higher than this though on account of all the good depeche mode that exists. but very good for an aging band who could have been very bad by now.
*from zero by yeah yeah yeahs
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