100 POSTS!

Wow, I hadn't even noticed, in my music-related lull, that I'd hit my big One Oh Oh. Luckily, as I was checking in here to do an admittedly lacklustre roulette, this little fact spurred me to want to something a little more special. Back in November (ah, so long ago!), I premiered this little blog to little fanfare, moreso a way to clear my head than anything else. Since then, I've graduated high school, switched my little 30 gig iPod for an 80er, and tBoS has gotten itself on the magnificent Hype Machine! I'm still a little fish, but I've at least hatched, and that's thanks to you guys!

That said, I think the best way to acknowledge the passage of time is to homage my first post without copying it. Back then, I posted my top 10 according to my iPod. it's funny how things can change, as you'll see when I revisit that idea with a completely new Top 10...

ALDEN'S iPOD'S TOP 10 MOST-LISTENED TO SONGS!

10. Emilie Autumn - Shalott
(Album: OpheliaC; 2006)
(Previously Featured: ----)

9. Carissa's Wierd - Sofisticated Fuck Princess Please Leave Me Alone
(Album: Songs About Leaving; 2002)
(Previously Featured: ----)

8. Sia - The Girl You Lost to Cocaine
(Album: Some People Have Real Problems; 2008)
(Previously Featured: Roulette 6)

7. The Dresden Dolls - Mandy Goes to Med School
(Album: Yes Virgina...; 2006)
(Previously Featured: Showcase: The Dresden Dolls)

6. Poe - Walk the Walk
(Album: Haunted; 2000)
(Previously Featured: Showcase: Poe)

5. The Dresden Dolls - Sex Changes
(Album: Yes Virgina...; 2006)
(Previously Featured: Mystery Post 2 [Live Radio Version])

4. Carissa's Wierd - Ignorant Piece of Shit
(Album: Songs About Leaving; 2002)
(Previously Featured: Roulette 7)

3. Poe - Not a Virgin
(Album: Haunted; 2000)
(Previously Featured: Showcase: Poe)

2. The Dresden Dolls - Half Jack
(Album: Yes Virgina...; 2006)
(Previously Featured: ----)

1. Poe - Spanish Doll
(Album: Haunted; 2000)
(Previously Featured: Showcase: Poe)

(Search for more at The Hype Machine. Purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.)

Instead of talking about the individual songs, most of which I've posted about previously (with 3 exceptions), it would probably be more valuable to talk a little about how my tastes have shifted so radically and compare the two lists a little.

First off, the dominance of three bands: The Dresden Dolls, Poe, and Carissa's Wierd, with 3, 3, and 2 respectively. I would say this relates to 'new iPod syndrome' - that is, when your play counts have been wiped (as mine were) I began to listen to certain bands more and others less. My main 'good playlists' have been playcount driven (on my old iPod, the minimum was 7 plays; on the new iPod I have one 7, and another at 3). With thousands of songs at my disposal, shuffle is often a ponderous exercise when not connected to Itunes.

Another is my discovery of A) how much I love The Dresden Dolls and B) how smooth Poe's Haunted sounds when listened as an album. Amanda Palmer and Ann Danielewski (of the Dolls and Poe respectively) are wicked vocalists. However, though Palmer is the stronger voice, Danielewski's sense of production is unparallelled. While she probably had aid in producing the album, it just feels like such a personal affair (and the subtle links to her brother's genius book House of Leaves, and the inclusion of tapes left to her posthumously by her father are also included seamlessly, enhancing rather than detracting).

Since November, I've both started really listening to the lyrics of both and bought Danielewski's brother's aforementioned novel, House of Leaves. Palmer is relentless and shameless as she tackles issues no-one else would touch with vigour and humour, while Poe's songs are lush, beautiful pieces of work. Listen to "Spanish Doll" and tell me it doesn't break your heart just a little.

Meanwhile, the purchase of the new iPod also changed something else. Artists like Andrew Bird, The Fray, Imogen Heap and Tegan and Sara, who appeared on November's list, had become overplayed to me. Having lost the built up play counts from the old iPod, and having been played to near exhaustion already, they didn't have the power to make the climb alongside the Dolls. In fact, none of last years (fantastic) offerings have made it to the top 10 yet. Sia, the only one to survive the iPod switch, had an album release in early 2008 just as it occurred, perfectly timed for the new list. Even with this, early favourites off Problems didn't make the cut (say, "Academia" or "Soon We'll Be Found"), only second-wind favourite "Girl".

Another interesting note: Every single song here is led by a female vocalist. In fact, the highest spot held by a male vocalist is #12, Andrew Bird's "Imitosis", and then at #17, Angie Aparo's "Cry". In total, only 18 male vocalist led songs made it to my Top 60 (and only 26 in my Top 100!). As equal-opportunity as I claim to be, apparently the shift is more obvious than I'd like to admit. Something to rectify in the future, as there are many male vocalists I love who get trampled by their female equals.

I will be the first to admit that I am a child of the 2000's, despite my childhood during the 90's. Not one of these songs is from before the year 2000; in fact, on my 'pod, I have only listened to 16 pre-2000 songs more than twice, and I only have 618 of them on the pod at all. In fact, I only have 44 songs pre-1990 - and over 30 of those are The Smiths! This fits in with my more modern tastes in terms of TV and movies, as well. It's sad, because I have enough music from the past 8 years to last me another 10 years...*

(* Note some-much of my music has no marked year, so more may be hiding.)

So, my resolutions for the next 100 posts?

---> Listen to more male vocalists, or at least in great volume. I'm sure things will even out soon: Andrew Bird, My Latest Novel, The Fray, and Snow Patrol should all be coming out with new albums by the end of 2009 (hopefully). Unfortunately for them, they'll be contending with Amanda Palmer's solo debut and new albums from Kate Havnevik, Lily Allen, Jem, Dido....

---> Seek out more pre-2000's music and actually try to enjoy it. I've heard a lot of the mainstream stuff, but I have to give more stuff a chance. I'm beginning to get into older albums of Radiohead, Magnetic Fields (particularly 69 Love Songs), and Aimee Mann's discography, to name just a few.

---> Try not to burn out The Dresden Dolls or Poe like I did Andrew Bird, who I still love but need a break from.

---> Blog more! In the past few months I've been letting go of a lot of my blogging, mostly lost in what to write about with too much music to listen to. I have a To Do list of posts that I would like to begin on, especially as I have a lot more free time nowadays and plenty of music-related passion.

So, yes. Apologies to older readers who already have most of these songs and all readers who have been annoyed at my sparse posting. Will rectify that. In the meantime, enjoy these and await my next post!

~ Alden

DOUBLE TAKE #1: PAYBACK'S A BITCH

Occasionally, two songs will focus on similar stories despite being individually fantastic. It's almost as if two artists tapped into the same vein of creativity to different, just-as-great, ends.


Congratulations, it's twins!

Don't you mess with a little girl's dream, 'cause she's liable to grow up mean.

Well you may be king for the moment, but I am a queen, understand? And I've got your pawns and your bishops and castles all inside the palm of my hand.

While you were licking your lips 'cause I was miserable, while you were selling your soul, while you were tearing a hole in me... I was taking control.

/

Turn your ugly face; oh you're so surprised to see me. Yeah I was your little childhood playground toy. And if I remember.... yeah if I do remember rightly, I said the tables will be turned around, boy.

Who's getting scared now? Tell me, how does it feel? It feels so good from where I'm standing...

So you're gonna stab me down now boy? Now you're gonna crush me down now boy? Well, somehow I don't think so.

Sound similar? Indeed, both of these songs deal with a woman, having formerly been attacked by a man, returning the favour tenfold and loving it. Both of these paeans to vengeance are vicious and empowering, and some of the more intense stuff from both artists. The first three lyric samples are from Poe's "Control", and the latter three from Imogen Heap's "Getting Scared".

Both songs are utterly delicious, and I'm proud to share them with you.

Poe - Control (from Haunted)
Imogen Heap - Getting Scared (from I Megaphone)

Search for more at The Hype Machine. Purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

ROULETTE 13

Geez, I have neglected you guys, huh? Here's some stuff I've been enjoying lately...


1. Conjure One - Tears From the Moon (with Sinead O'Connor on vocals)
2. Conjure One - Centre of the Sun (with Poe on vocals)
3. Conjure One - Make a Wish (with Poe on vocals)

Recently grabbed these off of Amie St., as they gave me a free $2.00 this past week. Love both these vocalists, and I have been craving more Poe since finding out about her Conjure One guest spots. These are the standouts of the ones I grabbed. The last is one I've had for a while, the one that prompted the Amie St. purchases.

4. Drawing Down the Sun - Porcelain Girl
5. Drawing Down the Sun - Unravel

There's something mysterious and intriguing about this band, another Amie purchase formerly unfamiliar to me. It's hard to explain, really, but it's very pretty, and seems to be a bit trip-hop/electronic gothic rock with a wonderful female vocalist. Will be looking into them further, because I can see a future for them.

6. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

This beautiful, folky, harmonic song is addictive. From that gorgeous building opening all through the track, it does feel winteresque, like a troupe singing as they walk through a wintery forest. There's a fantastic beat under the soaring harmonics, keeping it clip along at a nice pace. The lyrics are very curious, including the phrase, 'turning the white snow red as strawberries in summertime'.

7. Sia - Playground

The next of Sia's album Some People Have Real Problems to click with me, this is a playful little piece recalling childhood and the wish for that simplicity. Ironically, though it's meant to deal with childish themes, it's one of Sia's sexier-sounding songs (probably intentional, there). It's just so damn charming.

8. Islands - Pieces of You

The bizarre stylings of Islands have been drawing me in as of late, and this is a great sample of that, from their new album, Arm's Way. There's an amazing energy to their music, with the music and the vocals working together to pull you toward the sky. Also, I can never listen to this song without bopping along to the beat.

Search for more at The Hype Machine. Purchase albums or mp3's at Amazon, Amazon Canada, Amie St., cdbaby, or Insound.

SHOWCASE: POE

"Come here... I got the pieces here. Time to gather up the splinters, build a casket for my tears."


Ann Danielewski, or Poe, is a unique creature, and so is her album "Haunted" (2000). Approached as a partnership project in terms of promotion with brother Mark's book "House of Leaves", there is a great deal of crossover between the two. The songs are sampled with not just dialogue samples from "Leaves", but also samples of a set of tapes the pair's father left them after his death. In many ways, the album's a family affair, and it works superbly, especially on a few of the tracks. The tracks are deep, layered works with nuance and very interesting sounds.

Poe - Spanish Doll

What starts as simply a quiet, heart-filled song of regret is enhanced greatly by Poe's great grasp of additional samples and layers. A great beat is added, and running Danielewski's voice through various filters gives it a truly haunting sound, as do the many background inclusions. It recreates the feeling of drifitng, "tattered and torn". through a place filled with shreds of once-loved memories flitting between memory and forgetting. If you listen to one of Poe's songs, listen to this one.

Poe - Haunted

The album's title track, "Haunted" was the first of Poe's songs I really listened to. in a way, both this and "Spanish" deal with similar material, the dealing with the loss of a relationship, but they do it skillfully and differently enough that I love them equally. "Spanish" is about the dizziness and lost feeling that comes with being abandoned, while "Haunted" is moreso about attempting to heal and escape that. This also uses samples skillfully, with windy sounds and sound effects that make the song very creepy.

Poe - Not a Virgin

A song that, by the title and chorus, one would assume to be celebrating the pleasures of promiscuity, but is in fact a demand for honesty in a relationship. The protagonist here is sick of idealised fairytale stories and wants to know the honest, dirty truth about the one she's with, and attempts to shock them out of their folly with tales of her own promiscuity and maturity. She demands to be taken seriously.

Poe - Walk the Walk

Danielewski takes the attitude shown in "Virgin" and ramps it up here, in a call to individuality with a pace almost comparable to a rap and yet, undeniably, so very Poe. As she yell, music behind her raging, you can feel her passion and a degree of anger, too, at being pressured to conform.

Poe has a lot of talent and has a great sense of atmosphere. Unfortunately, it's been near eight years since the release of Haunted and there's barely any buzz about a follow-up album; reportedly she's begun it but no release date has been set, even tentatively. Still, I can't wait to hear more from her, as she shows a lot of potential here.

Get Haunted here or here.