I'm currently listening to Jay Z's 2001 masterpiece of an album The Blueprint. I don't actually own the full album- I'm streaming it from a website called lala which allows me to listen to almost anything I want, for free. No wonder the record industry, like the newspaper one, is dying. Yet, it has never been easier to listen to a variety of music and discover new artists and sounds than today, just with a google search. If I wanted to listen to yemeni folk music (like my roommate sometimes does) I could do it in a second and if I wanted to listen to amateur covers of John Mayer (shoot me now) I could watch the fools on youtube do that too.
Consider the following:
10 years ago we didn't have Itunes, the ipod (or at least not everyone had one), streaming music, downloads of singles. When you wanted to hear a song you had to wait for it to come on the radio or TV or get a friend to burn it for you- now we just google it on youtube and its always there to send and share via a quick link copy-pasted. We still had music videos on MTV and when you wanted to buy an album- you got to go to a store and buy the whole thing. We didn't have the ability to carry around thousands of songs in a device the size of a cigarette pack.
It's incredible when you think about it, isn't it? Well, i'm not the only person doing this kind of pondering. As the decade draws to a close (less than 20 days people), a lot of this collective reflection is bound to happen and is already coming out. I've been listening to and reading some really interesting pieces on the transformation of music in the 'aughts' (what are we going to call the next decade? I plump for the 20-somethings). When you reflect on it the 'aughts' completely revolutionized how we listen to, buy, share and experience music (I'm talking mostly about pop music here).
NPR's All songs considered (a show that I like to make fun of for its pretentiousness and predictably obscure indie sensibility but that I neverthless respect for its erudition) did a great show on just this topic called the Decade in Music. Their focus was primarily on the impact of technology and the way our relationship to music has changed thanks to the internet and the ipod. Slate's Cultural Gabfest also did a segment on how music has changed- but their focus was more on the kind of musician that exemplifies the aughts. For them this is the era of women pop stars (Beyonce and Britney being the queens but also others such as Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift etc exemplify this trend). interestingly they say that even male stars like JT or Kanye fit with this feminization of music. These men are not making macho and MALE music - gone are big rock anthems or grungy sensibilities. JM of course typifies this, as fans and detractors alike would note.
The main themes that came out of it were as follows:
Technology - basically the ipod and itunes- (and with it the isolation of listening to music)- its true, I look forward to walking to school alone so I can listen to my ipod and sometimes when I run into someone I know a part of me feels a twinge of irritation at having to switch my ipod off. Sad but true. (I don't mean you of course, I mean other people.)
The revival of the single/the death of the album- Again holds true for me. The last album I bought was Battle Studies but before that I can't think of a full album that I actually bought. But then, I've always been into picking and choosing songs.
Downloading music versus buying it physically or even paying for it- I tend to pay for my music because I like supporting artists but hey, I'll cop to the occasional dicey download. This also has resulted in a dramatic change in what a best selling album means- Michael Jackson sold 40 million copies of Thriller whereas a No. 1 Album today would sell a couple of million cd's.
Fragmented tastes - it's never been easier to find music you like and share with a select group of people but this means there are fewer truly widely shared artists- hence the nostalgia for MJ earlier this year.
I would add to this one more thing- the instant availability of music and the expectation of instant access. No longer do you have to wait for an album to come out or make the trip to a store to buy it. It leaks even before you can avert your eyes (or ears if they can be averted). Songs are instantly available and what's more you can tell the artist- via twitter or something - just what you thought about it. What are we losing in the process of such instant access? Perhaps a sense of appreciation of what goes into the creation of music? The wonder of it all?
Also, as one of the discussion points said, and this fascinated me- you can indulge every nostalgic moment you have immediately. No songs are ever just lost or gone- they're on youtube. Hell, you can even use your phone to identify a snatch of a tune that's stuck in your head or playing in a grocery store. Kind of great, but also sort of sad...
Of course it's not inevitable - Heather was telling me that she still listens to albums, doesn't use her ipod in public etc. But I have a feeling she's a rarity. It is interesting to see how much of what I take utterly for granted now is really quite new and to think that even someone as comparatively low-tech as me does all these things in a blink of an eye. And it feels like I've always done it this way.
Mind-boggling.
What changes have you experienced when it comes to music? Do tell...
p.s. Later this month I will discuss and set up my best of the decade contest- so more musical musings are coming and there are sure to be embarrassing revelations like just how many times I have listened to that n'sync song!
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Remember the Time? Michael Jackson (1958- 2009)
As my roommate Machete and I settle down to listen together tonight to the Michael Jackson greatest hits CD, I think it's only fitting to document my devotion (there's no other word for it really) for the departed king of pop when I was a kid.
For before there was JM, for me there was only MJ. Indeed, from the ages of 12 to 14 (ok, 15) , nobody rocked my world more than Michael Jackson (well there was Steffi Graf but that's another post some time). Confession time: my room used to be dominated by two huge MJ posters ( both of which looking back were undeniably creepy but which were among my most prized possessions in the world). I know exactly who J. Randy Tarraborelli is every time he is quoted in any MJ related article because I owned that book, I recorded every video on VHS tapes that later mysteriously disappeared...In short I was somewhat of a fan. In subsequent years of course I grew disillusioned and it was no longer socially or musically cool to listen to Michael Jackson. The 'hand holding' and what not with kids didn't help, MJ steadily became more wacko than jacko and that was that- apart from the occasional listen to early MJ. But tonight it's time to remember the glory days of MJ ...
Thus, here in no particular order are my top MJ related memories.
1. Getting up at an ungodly hour to watch MJ's interview with Oprah in 1992 or 3 - I remember my dad woke up and watched the whole thing with me even though he didn't like MJ which I think is the sweetest part of the story. :)
2. Excitedly running home from the video store with the Remember the Time (Making of) video and calling my best friend at the time to come over and watch- we watched it for hours on repeat
3. Being blown away with the face morphing end sequence in Black or White and terrified of the werewolf changing scene in thriller.
4. Really, truly believing in the lyrics to 'Man in the Mirror' - with an earnestness I can't believe I possessed.
ETA: Still a great song, btw
5. Really truly refusing to believe Michael would ever hurt a child because he 'loves children'. Hmmmm...
6. My mom's horrified face when she saw some video of girls fainting during a concert. Her exact words "It's a cult!"
7. Listening to the dangerous album on my walkman every night in the dark for a few months
8. Indoctrinating my sister into the ways of MJ
9. MTV awards- "And they thought it wouldn't last"
I'll end with two snippets that capture MJ the performer who at his peak could be electrifying on stage- first, the Motown 25 performance of Billie Jean that catapulted MJ from the Jackson 5 to becoming the king of pop.
And the moonwalk, in all it's glory and courtesy slate, a lovely video of its influence on all of us
MJ, hope that you're finally at peace. Thanks for the music and for taking me back to my childhood!
For before there was JM, for me there was only MJ. Indeed, from the ages of 12 to 14 (ok, 15) , nobody rocked my world more than Michael Jackson (well there was Steffi Graf but that's another post some time). Confession time: my room used to be dominated by two huge MJ posters ( both of which looking back were undeniably creepy but which were among my most prized possessions in the world). I know exactly who J. Randy Tarraborelli is every time he is quoted in any MJ related article because I owned that book, I recorded every video on VHS tapes that later mysteriously disappeared...In short I was somewhat of a fan. In subsequent years of course I grew disillusioned and it was no longer socially or musically cool to listen to Michael Jackson. The 'hand holding' and what not with kids didn't help, MJ steadily became more wacko than jacko and that was that- apart from the occasional listen to early MJ. But tonight it's time to remember the glory days of MJ ...
Thus, here in no particular order are my top MJ related memories.
1. Getting up at an ungodly hour to watch MJ's interview with Oprah in 1992 or 3 - I remember my dad woke up and watched the whole thing with me even though he didn't like MJ which I think is the sweetest part of the story. :)
2. Excitedly running home from the video store with the Remember the Time (Making of) video and calling my best friend at the time to come over and watch- we watched it for hours on repeat
3. Being blown away with the face morphing end sequence in Black or White and terrified of the werewolf changing scene in thriller.
4. Really, truly believing in the lyrics to 'Man in the Mirror' - with an earnestness I can't believe I possessed.
ETA: Still a great song, btw
5. Really truly refusing to believe Michael would ever hurt a child because he 'loves children'. Hmmmm...
6. My mom's horrified face when she saw some video of girls fainting during a concert. Her exact words "It's a cult!"
7. Listening to the dangerous album on my walkman every night in the dark for a few months
8. Indoctrinating my sister into the ways of MJ
9. MTV awards- "And they thought it wouldn't last"
I'll end with two snippets that capture MJ the performer who at his peak could be electrifying on stage- first, the Motown 25 performance of Billie Jean that catapulted MJ from the Jackson 5 to becoming the king of pop.
And the moonwalk, in all it's glory and courtesy slate, a lovely video of its influence on all of us
MJ, hope that you're finally at peace. Thanks for the music and for taking me back to my childhood!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A song for you...
P.S. It is the middle of March and I have only posted thrice this month, the lowest since I began blogging. Normally you could safely chalk this down to my inherent laziness but this time I really have a reason.
Ahem...I am busy, my friends, and will only get busier from here on out...
(Sing this with me to the tune of 'raindrops on roses' frommy fair lady Sound of Music (thanks Tulip) ):
There are things to be written,
And stuff for submission
Workshops to plan
Filing taxes to the 'man'
Workshops that scare every fiber of my being....
These are a few of my busiest things...
There are methods to master
Readings come faster and faster
Packing and moving
and much home-improving,
Coping with what the end of semester will bring...
These are a few of my busiest things!
When I'm laaaazy, feeling craaaazy or just a little relaxed...
Please simply remind me of my busiest things.... and then I won't feel sooo glad....
In other words I will finally live up to my identity as a graduate student and work like a dog!
So from now until mid June, I fear blogging will be infrequent, sporadic, of poor quality and frequently of a whiny nature. Bear with me my readers (yes all 8 of you) and I will make it up to you...
That song (I was singing it as I wrote) made me feel a lot better so I'm going to go to bed now- I'll keep the lights on but at least I will try to go to sleep...good night all!
Ahem...I am busy, my friends, and will only get busier from here on out...
(Sing this with me to the tune of 'raindrops on roses' from
There are things to be written,
And stuff for submission
Workshops to plan
Filing taxes to the 'man'
Workshops that scare every fiber of my being....
These are a few of my busiest things...
There are methods to master
Readings come faster and faster
Packing and moving
and much home-improving,
Coping with what the end of semester will bring...
These are a few of my busiest things!
When I'm laaaazy, feeling craaaazy or just a little relaxed...
Please simply remind me of my busiest things.... and then I won't feel sooo glad....
In other words I will finally live up to my identity as a graduate student and work like a dog!
So from now until mid June, I fear blogging will be infrequent, sporadic, of poor quality and frequently of a whiny nature. Bear with me my readers (yes all 8 of you) and I will make it up to you...
That song (I was singing it as I wrote) made me feel a lot better so I'm going to go to bed now- I'll keep the lights on but at least I will try to go to sleep...good night all!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Grammyzzzz (barely/sorta live blogging)
Coolest Grammy Moment: Jay Z, TI, Lil Wayne and Kanye AND a very,very pregnant M.I.A. singing 'swaggera like us'!! AND M.I.A. is due to have her baby TODAY so watching her bounce all over the stage in basically see through black stockings covered in patches of black and white polka dots was awesome in many ways!
ETA: (2 mins later) JM won! I will still not give it coolest moment as even JM cannot compete with the sheer visual marvel that was M.I.A. (well, he's a visual marvel in other ways) but it is a cool moment indeed.
Ok and the Radiohead performance was nothing to sneeze at either. Quite brill.
Ok, ok moving on....
Uncoolest Grammy moment: The Jonas Brothers reducing Stevie Wonder to a shrill, shrieking mess - Stevie, why??? Closely followed by Miley Cyrus- it is not a generation gap thing- she is a very poor singer. Period.
P.S. The Grammy's just make me laugh- how can Alison Krauss and Robert Plant still be sweeping these awards with so much more interesting and innovative music around? Total time warp.
Now its over, I just want to say - snooooozefest (apart from the things I mentioned and maybe Coldplay and Jay Z. And even that was stretching it. )
ETA: (2 mins later) JM won! I will still not give it coolest moment as even JM cannot compete with the sheer visual marvel that was M.I.A. (well, he's a visual marvel in other ways) but it is a cool moment indeed.
Ok and the Radiohead performance was nothing to sneeze at either. Quite brill.
Ok, ok moving on....
Uncoolest Grammy moment: The Jonas Brothers reducing Stevie Wonder to a shrill, shrieking mess - Stevie, why??? Closely followed by Miley Cyrus- it is not a generation gap thing- she is a very poor singer. Period.
P.S. The Grammy's just make me laugh- how can Alison Krauss and Robert Plant still be sweeping these awards with so much more interesting and innovative music around? Total time warp.
Now its over, I just want to say - snooooozefest (apart from the things I mentioned and maybe Coldplay and Jay Z. And even that was stretching it. )
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Dear Beyonce,
I may not be your biggest fan (except for the slightly manic 'crazy in love' and maybe 'No, no, no' with Destiny's Child and even those may be because of the rap interludes by Jay Z and Wyclef, but I digress)... So yes, I'm not the biggest fan. I've always thought you are very beautiful and talented no doubt, but a slightly too-loud singer who overdoes her songs and wears similarly glittery gowns all the time. And we won't even dwell on the robot glove.
But you left me ENCHANTED by this rendition of At Last. The moment, the Obama's dancing so sweetly, the rapturous crowds, the setting, Michelle's pretty gown, your pretty, understated gown...and your voice with real, true, honest emotion. Not one false note. It really was magical.
So thank you Beyonce. I will now try to forget 'single ladies..put a ring on it' and the robot glove (shudder).
Love,
Lightlight
And for the rest of you who may not have seen it, this is what I'm talking about.
Sigh....
I may not be your biggest fan (except for the slightly manic 'crazy in love' and maybe 'No, no, no' with Destiny's Child and even those may be because of the rap interludes by Jay Z and Wyclef, but I digress)... So yes, I'm not the biggest fan. I've always thought you are very beautiful and talented no doubt, but a slightly too-loud singer who overdoes her songs and wears similarly glittery gowns all the time. And we won't even dwell on the robot glove.
But you left me ENCHANTED by this rendition of At Last. The moment, the Obama's dancing so sweetly, the rapturous crowds, the setting, Michelle's pretty gown, your pretty, understated gown...and your voice with real, true, honest emotion. Not one false note. It really was magical.
So thank you Beyonce. I will now try to forget 'single ladies..put a ring on it' and the robot glove (shudder).
Love,
Lightlight
And for the rest of you who may not have seen it, this is what I'm talking about.
Sigh....
Monday, January 5, 2009
Contest Results: best book, music, blog, film
The first Wandering Through Contest is now done! I know you want to know who won but before that there is tons of stuff to discuss. So let's get to it shall we?
There were some great entries for almost every category in my contest and I think it is not only fun but absolutely imperative to share them. This way we can collectively marvel at the eclectic and interesting choices of our (or my) friends and also have a ready list of recommendations for our collective summer reading, listening and viewing pleasure.
Best Book: (A wide range of choices here with John le Carre being the only repeat).
Chris and Mike only read academic articles (Guys, stop making the rest of us feel guilty).
Tulip- Dewey the Library Cat Book (she does love this book, I was witness)
Bluebell chose Eat, Pray, Love! and my latest 'best book of the year':A most Wanted Man by John le Carre! This latter choice was seconded by my dad in the following way: 'the old master can still tell a tale and relate it to the mood `just now'.
Daisycat: Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
Claudia: Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials) series and Moazzam Begg's biography about being held in Guantánamo.
Eric: Wittgenstein's Poker
Pine-tree: Jane Goodall ‘Africa in my Blood’ consisting of Goodall's letters to her family from Kenya
Vlad: Shadow and Claw (fic); Recovered Roots (academic)
Vivek: The Great War for Civilization, Robert Fisk, Robert Heinlein's Citizen of The Galaxy
Kam: a 1918 book on symmetry. Also foundation series by Isaac Asimov
Violet: "Empire Falls"
Heather: “I’d Rather Teach Peace” by Colman McCarthy as much for the stories as for the dedication which reminded me to always remember the reason I started this whole grad school journey and never to let myself forget it...
Itenerant- Sea of Poppies
Chanbong: Nick Hornby, SLAM.
Rebekah: The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion (John Zaller) (Special mention for most intimidating entry in this category)
Saffron: “The Grandmothers” a collection of short stories by Doris Lessing that I read early last year. I also really enjoyed the book “A Thousand Hills” on post-war Rwanda.
Best Album/Song/Musical Discovery: (This category saw the most wide range and detailed entries for albums, songs and styles. Coldplay, Duffy, Neko Case were mentioned more than once)
Chris: The Raconteurs; Runner up, Cold Play, "Viva la Vida"
Chanbongl: Interpol's latest album: Our Love to Admire
Re: Coldplay's Viva La Vida 2. the classic, John Mayer (we can call him a classic right?), who appears multiple times in my Top 25 Most Played songs on iTunes. (Brownie points from lightlight for mentioning JM)
Eric: Modern Guilt- Beck
Claudia: Day & Age, The Killers!!! Or The Weepies – Hideaway
Papa: Beethoven`s symphonies, this and every year
Vivek: Nujabes, Departure
Daisycat: Warwick Avenue, Duffy
Kam: always late baroque and classical style of music
Violet: Neko Case
Heather: Radiohead- In Rainbows, Bon Iver-For Emma, Forever Ago (my recent love for this album was aided by the concert I attended in December! I <3 Cambridge!) Best Song(s) Slow Show- The National (early this year and still hooked), Good Days-Fembots (Even though they are Canadian, this song is a the perfect anthem for November 2008 in America in my humble opinion!), My Body is a Cage-Arcade Fire, Kids-MGMT. Trading mixes/albums with my musically savvy friends. Note to self: do more of this in 2009. Amen on the last thought. See why her entries rocked?
Mike: old school alice in chains
Itenerant: Kailash-Kher (Saiyaan)
Tulip: Rediscovering my favorite soundtrack, Dil Se, and using Chaiya Chaiya to get my baby to sleep.
Vlad: John Dowland Complete Lute Music (Prize for most esoteric choice)
Asli- JT Chop me up, Damien Rice
Pine Tree: Soul’d Out- Japanese pop at its best
Saffron: My favorite new musical discovery is Neko Case, thanks to one Ms. Heather
Best Blog: (So, blogs are not a big thing with you guys. This was made obvious to me by the number of people that chose mine as their best blog! Not that I have any problems with that!)
Chris, Claudia, Saffron and Rebekah abstained on this.
Violet, Pine-tree, Bluebell, Kam and Tulip chose mine and mine alone (clearly they don't know too many blogs) while Heather and Dasiycat chose mine plus another, including Heather's brother's philosophy of science one with a rather interesting name http://hnsttl.blogspot.com/
Chanbong: foodporndaily.com -click, drool, repeat
Eric: Duck of Minerva
Papa: Sepia Mutiny
Vivek: penny-whereimat, on blogspot.
Daisycat: www.leadertalk.org and yours!
Mike: stuff white people like
Vlad: http://photomans.livejournal.com
Finally, itenerant chose an excellent blog (that he needs to update more hint hint)- his own.
Best Movie:
Ratatouille was the big winner here with Daisycat, my dad and Pine tree choosing the cutest rat but there are some other good suggestions too:
Chris: This is not a deep, profound, or thoughtful selection, but Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever; Quantum of Solace.
Chanbong: Burn After Reading (go Coens!)
Rebekah: Love Actually
Eric: Dark Knight
Claudia: erm... haven't seen any this year!
Vivek: The Boss of it all, After the Wedding, Downfall, Tekkonkinkreet.
Kam: Sherlock Holmes films protrayed by Jeremy Brett
Violet: Once - beautiful music!
Heather: Dark Knight (with honorable mention to Iron Man), also Slumdog Millionaire and Doubt but also There Will be Blood and SINGLES
Iternerant: Edge of Heaven
Mike: by the way...my "best movie" is actually my "best blog"(Prize for strangest answer).
Tulip: Wall E
Vlad: Body of Lies
Bluebell: Lives of others
Pine Tree: Fanaa (yay for Bollywood)
Saffron: If I had to pick a most memorable, I would choose No Country for Old Men. But, perhaps it was very memorable because I had nightmares about the man in the film for weeks! Ok, it was also a very good movie.
Lots of stuff to catch up on next break!
There were some great entries for almost every category in my contest and I think it is not only fun but absolutely imperative to share them. This way we can collectively marvel at the eclectic and interesting choices of our (or my) friends and also have a ready list of recommendations for our collective summer reading, listening and viewing pleasure.
Best Book: (A wide range of choices here with John le Carre being the only repeat).
Chris and Mike only read academic articles (Guys, stop making the rest of us feel guilty).
Tulip- Dewey the Library Cat Book (she does love this book, I was witness)
Bluebell chose Eat, Pray, Love! and my latest 'best book of the year':A most Wanted Man by John le Carre! This latter choice was seconded by my dad in the following way: 'the old master can still tell a tale and relate it to the mood `just now'.
Daisycat: Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
Claudia: Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials) series and Moazzam Begg's biography about being held in Guantánamo.
Eric: Wittgenstein's Poker
Pine-tree: Jane Goodall ‘Africa in my Blood’ consisting of Goodall's letters to her family from Kenya
Vlad: Shadow and Claw (fic); Recovered Roots (academic)
Vivek: The Great War for Civilization, Robert Fisk, Robert Heinlein's Citizen of The Galaxy
Kam: a 1918 book on symmetry. Also foundation series by Isaac Asimov
Violet: "Empire Falls"
Heather: “I’d Rather Teach Peace” by Colman McCarthy as much for the stories as for the dedication which reminded me to always remember the reason I started this whole grad school journey and never to let myself forget it...
Itenerant- Sea of Poppies
Chanbong: Nick Hornby, SLAM.
Rebekah: The Nature and Origins of Mass Opinion (John Zaller) (Special mention for most intimidating entry in this category)
Saffron: “The Grandmothers” a collection of short stories by Doris Lessing that I read early last year. I also really enjoyed the book “A Thousand Hills” on post-war Rwanda.
Best Album/Song/Musical Discovery: (This category saw the most wide range and detailed entries for albums, songs and styles. Coldplay, Duffy, Neko Case were mentioned more than once)
Chris: The Raconteurs; Runner up, Cold Play, "Viva la Vida"
Chanbongl: Interpol's latest album: Our Love to Admire
Re: Coldplay's Viva La Vida 2. the classic, John Mayer (we can call him a classic right?), who appears multiple times in my Top 25 Most Played songs on iTunes. (Brownie points from lightlight for mentioning JM)
Eric: Modern Guilt- Beck
Claudia: Day & Age, The Killers!!! Or The Weepies – Hideaway
Papa: Beethoven`s symphonies, this and every year
Vivek: Nujabes, Departure
Daisycat: Warwick Avenue, Duffy
Kam: always late baroque and classical style of music
Violet: Neko Case
Heather: Radiohead- In Rainbows, Bon Iver-For Emma, Forever Ago (my recent love for this album was aided by the concert I attended in December! I <3 Cambridge!) Best Song(s) Slow Show- The National (early this year and still hooked), Good Days-Fembots (Even though they are Canadian, this song is a the perfect anthem for November 2008 in America in my humble opinion!), My Body is a Cage-Arcade Fire, Kids-MGMT. Trading mixes/albums with my musically savvy friends. Note to self: do more of this in 2009. Amen on the last thought. See why her entries rocked?
Mike: old school alice in chains
Itenerant: Kailash-Kher (Saiyaan)
Tulip: Rediscovering my favorite soundtrack, Dil Se, and using Chaiya Chaiya to get my baby to sleep.
Vlad: John Dowland Complete Lute Music (Prize for most esoteric choice)
Asli- JT Chop me up, Damien Rice
Pine Tree: Soul’d Out- Japanese pop at its best
Saffron: My favorite new musical discovery is Neko Case, thanks to one Ms. Heather
Best Blog: (So, blogs are not a big thing with you guys. This was made obvious to me by the number of people that chose mine as their best blog! Not that I have any problems with that!)
Chris, Claudia, Saffron and Rebekah abstained on this.
Violet, Pine-tree, Bluebell, Kam and Tulip chose mine and mine alone (clearly they don't know too many blogs) while Heather and Dasiycat chose mine plus another, including Heather's brother's philosophy of science one with a rather interesting name http://hnsttl.blogspot.com/
Chanbong: foodporndaily.com -click, drool, repeat
Eric: Duck of Minerva
Papa: Sepia Mutiny
Vivek: penny-whereimat, on blogspot.
Daisycat: www.leadertalk.org and yours!
Mike: stuff white people like
Vlad: http://photomans.livejournal.com
Finally, itenerant chose an excellent blog (that he needs to update more hint hint)- his own.
Best Movie:
Ratatouille was the big winner here with Daisycat, my dad and Pine tree choosing the cutest rat but there are some other good suggestions too:
Chris: This is not a deep, profound, or thoughtful selection, but Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever; Quantum of Solace.
Chanbong: Burn After Reading (go Coens!)
Rebekah: Love Actually
Eric: Dark Knight
Claudia: erm... haven't seen any this year!
Vivek: The Boss of it all, After the Wedding, Downfall, Tekkonkinkreet.
Kam: Sherlock Holmes films protrayed by Jeremy Brett
Violet: Once - beautiful music!
Heather: Dark Knight (with honorable mention to Iron Man), also Slumdog Millionaire and Doubt but also There Will be Blood and SINGLES
Iternerant: Edge of Heaven
Mike: by the way...my "best movie" is actually my "best blog"(Prize for strangest answer).
Tulip: Wall E
Vlad: Body of Lies
Bluebell: Lives of others
Pine Tree: Fanaa (yay for Bollywood)
Saffron: If I had to pick a most memorable, I would choose No Country for Old Men. But, perhaps it was very memorable because I had nightmares about the man in the film for weeks! Ok, it was also a very good movie.
Lots of stuff to catch up on next break!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Guilty Conscience
As I recently found out to my dismay, reading blogs or even newsmagazines is not considered a very scholarly thing to do. So even Daniel Drezner's quite excellent IR blog is now a guilty pleasure. So this makes this post doubly furtive, as I'm taking off from his response to the ipod guilty pleasures meme. As anyone who knows me well knows, I C-A-N N-O-T resist making lists of anything so of course this is a must do.
Now most people would consider most of my ipod full of really mainstream music with overly pop-sensibilities. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a hook and melody.
But there are some songs that make me cringe a little in public and that I tried to hastily justify last semester when a student asked to scroll through my ipod (much to the class's amusement)...So...
Here are my 3 guiltiest pleasures:
1. N'sync- Bye Bye Bye (Relentlessly catchy)
2. Celine Dion- A new day has come (yes truly CRINGE worthy but...what a voice)
3. That guilty pleasure classic- Backstreet Boys 'I want it that way' which is really just a great song.
I'm hoping that in a few years these will be pleasantly ironic haha songs that we look back on fondly. Yes New York Times, I misused the word ironic. Which brings me to another guilty pleasure- that Alanis Morissette song which apparently did not contain one truly ironic thing.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Songs for Tibet
Since my last post shows how I'm all for exposing the excesses of power etc, here's my last post of the day. China has blocked access to itunes because of its promotion of this CD. On itunes reviews of the CD fluctuate wildly, with many suspicious 1 star ratings from guess where?
So here's my bit to promote it..... to all of the 1.5 people that know about this blog.
It's got some great music by a pretty huge line up of musicians, including John Mayer singing a great stripped down version of belief.
: )
Need I say more?
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