Breaking the silence

I'm going to take a few moments away from my strict regimen of assal horizontology because it's been too long since I've posted anything substantive.

I am currently listening to The Letting Go by Bonnie "Prince" Billy, which is simply lovely. So far, possibly his best work since I See a Darkness. Yes, that's right - better than Superwolf, even.

Marianne Faithfull announced today that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but it was caught in the early stages. I wish her a full and speedy recovery.

The second least likely reunion in all of rock music (after The Beatles) is actually happening! The Sugarcubes are playing a one-off show in Reykjavik. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they decide to tour and come to Phoenix. I'm not holding my breath, though.

Grumpator has tagged me with a meme (though I saw it at Carraigduibh first) which I shall now attempt to complete - without a net!

THE BOOK MEME

1. Book that changed your life: Coming of Age in Samoa by Margaret Mead. It was the first ethnography I ever read, years before even thinking about getting a degree in anthropology. For me, it has inspired a way of thinking more broadly about culture, a premise for a musical and the name of a band I shall someday form: Margaret Mead & The Samoans.
2. Book read more than once: The entire Tales of the City series. I read it about once anually. Armistead Maupin has helped me through some difficul times.
3. Book on a desert island: Tape Delay: Confessions of the Eighties Underground. It compiles a number of interviews that Charles Neal conducted with dozens of artists from the period, such as Marc Almond, Genesis P-Orridge, Mark E. Smith, etc. The inner workings of the musician's mind has always fascinated me.
4. Book that made you laugh: Non Campus Mentis by Anders Henriksson. A professor compiles a comprehensive history of the world from actual papers submitted by real college and high school students. I was howling at the references to monks taking vows of pottery and to caramelized nuns.
5. Book that made you cry: The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. No need to elaborate there.
6. Book you wish you'd written: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.
7. Book you wish had never been written: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, only because I was forced to read it both in high school and in college. Classic or not, it's an awful book and I'm not embarassed to say it.
8. Book currently reading: When Religion Becomes Evil by Charles Kimball.
9. Book meaning to read: Messiah by Gore Vidal. I've made a couple of false starts in the past couple of months. Eventually I'll finish it.
10. Tags: Anyone who reads this blog, feel free to continue the meme.

Here's what I've been listening to since Saturday:

1. Fujiya & Miyagi: Transparent Things
2. Jason Molina: Let Me Go Let Me Go Let Me Go
3. Soulwax: Nite Versions
4. Klee: Honeysuckle
5. The Whitest Boy Alive: Dreams
6. Ohsees: The Cool Death of Island Raiders
7. Erase Errata: Nightlife
8. Ratatat: Classics
9. Basement Jaxx: Crazy Itch Radio
10. Antony & The Johnsons: Antony & The Johnsons
11. Iron & Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days
12. Bonnie "Prince" Billy: The Letting Go

As promised, more about the meme

1. Uusitalo: "Tulenkantaja"
   
   One of the less interesting monikers of Finnish house producer Sasu Ripatti. There isn't much interesting about this track our the album that shares its name. I would recommend two of his previous albums, Vocalcity (as Luomo) and The Four Quarters (as Vladislav Delay), far more than this one.
   
   
2. The Mountain Goats: "In Corolla"
   
   In reassuring to know that despite signing to 4AD and working with John Vanderslice, John Darnielle will never stray far from what works for him: focus on melody and lyrics. Four albums after abandoning the home-cassette approach to recording, The Mountain Goats have allayed my persistent fear that production would eventually overtake substance. Though not their best album, it's not far behind All Hail West Texas or The Coroner's Gambit.
   
   
3. Lou Reed: "Andy's Chest"
   
   Transformer is among the finest records ever made despite Lou Reed's far-from-perfect voice and almost embarrassingly silly lyrics. What makes this album spectacular, I think, is how Lou delivers so confidently as if everyone else is a fool for not making surreal and goofy music. And indeed they are.
   
   
4. Suede: "Daddy's Speeding"
   
   Probably my favorite Suede song ever. Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler were at each other's throats when this song was written and recorded, but it hints at the heights they could have reached if Butler had stayed. Ten years later, I was thrilled that they had started working together again as The Tears. The new record is decent, but it lacks the intensity they once had. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they can find their voice again on the next one.
   
   
5. Meat Beat Manifesto: "United Nations Etc. Etc."
   
   At the Center is my least favorite MBM album and one of the worst records I heard in 2005. This song sounds so much like any other generic dub/breakbeat track that it hardly seems worth the effort and expense of recording it. Jack Dangers should just hang it up. I can't think of anyone else who started out so great and fell so far.
   
   
6. Stereolab: "Analogue Rock"
   
   This doesn't stick out as one of their best, but I have never heard a bad Stereolab song.
   
   
7. Avenue Q Original Broadway Cast: "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist"
   
   For a gay man, I could easily be considered a musical theater illiterate (despite the fact that my dreams are often musicals). This and Rent are the only cast recordings I own.
   
   
8. Daniel Johnston: "Sorry Entertainer"
   
   I'm a late-comer to what Isabella Rossellini's character in The Simpsons might call "outsider music" (made by hillbillies, mental patients or chimpanzees). My introduction to Daniel Johnston came earlier this year in the form of the sprawling greatest-hits comp Welcome to My World. Some oversensitive types object to what they see as the exploitation of Johnston's mental illness. However, have you ever heard any great musicians that weren't mentally ill? Should we not listen to The Cure for fear of exploiting Robert Smith's alcoholism? Or Cocteau Twins because of Liz Fraser's speech disorder? Artists make art from the resources at their disposal, including any physical or mental infirmities. Now I just have to find an album made by chimpanzees...
   
   
9. Belle & Sebastian: "Marx and Engels"
   
   Belle & Sebastian are one of those rare bands whose b-sides are frequently better than their singles and whose EPs are better than their albums. The Life Pursuit excluded, of course.
   
   
10. The Cure: "Pictures of You"
    
    If I made a mixtape of the saddest songs ever, this would be track one. It reminds me of an old friend - let's call him Larry - and his deceased partner - let's call him Jim. Jim had a congenital heart defect that caused him to need a heart transplant in his late 20s. He rejected the transplanted heart and died at the age of 33. Larry and he had been together just over ten years. Jim had been one class away from completing his B.A. A few months later, Larry received a letter from the university telling him that they had decided to award Jim his degree posthumously. Larry still keeps it in a frame to this day. I think about this whenever I hear this song and I usually shed a tear or two for Larry and Jim.

The Meme Reloaded, or, "I write the blog that makes the whole world meme"

I deleted my iPod meme because I had forgotten what I had wanted to write, but then mcd expressed that he wanted to continue it. So, back by popular demand, is my iPod meme.

Ten random tracks:

1. Uusitalo: "Tulenkantaja"
2. The Mountain Goats: "In Corolla"
3. Lou Reed: "Andy's Chest"
4. Suede: "Daddy's Speeding"
5. Meat Beat Manifesto: "United Nations Etc. Etc."
6. Stereolab: "Analogue Rock"
7. Avenue Q Original Broadway Cast: "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist"
8. Daniel Johnston: "Sorry Entertainer"
9. Belle & Sebastian: "Marx and Engels"
10. The Cure: "Pictures of You"

Commentary to follow... soon.

Socially acceptable plagiarism

I noticed this on a co-worker's blog.

1. Copy this whole list into your journal.
2. Bold the things that are true about you.
3. Add something that is true about you.

01. I miss somebody right now.02. I don't watch much TV these days.03. I love olives.04. I own lots of books.06. I wear glasses or contact lenses.07. I love to play video games.08. I've tried marijuana.09. I've watched porn movies.10. I have been in a threesome.11. I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.12. I believe honesty is usually the best policy.13. I love ice cream.14. I like and respect Al Sharpton.15. I curse sometimes.16. I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.17. I have a hobby. I just go to school for it.18. I've been told I have a nice smile.19. I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.20. I'm partially TOTALLY smart.21. I've never broken someone's bones.22. I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.23. I hate the rain.24. I'm paranoid at times.25. I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.26. I need money right now.27. I love sushi.28. I talk really, really fast.29. I have fresh breath in the morning.30. I have long hair.31. I have lost money in Las Vegas.32. I have at least one brother and/or one sister.33. I was born in a country outside of the U.S.34. I shave my legs (females) or face (males) on a regular basis.35. I have a twin (or a triplet, or somesuch).36. I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.37. I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.38. I like the way that I look sometimes.39. I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.40. I know how to cornrow.41. I am usually pessimistic.42. I have a lot of mood swings.43. I think prostitution should be legalized.44. I think Britney Spears is pretty.45. Slept with a Suitemate.46. I have a hidden talent.47. I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.48. I have a lot of friends.49. I am currently single.50. I have pecked someone of the same sex.51. I enjoy talking on the phone.52. I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.53. I love to shop.54. I would rather shop than eat.55. I would classify myself as ghetto.56. I'm bourgie and have worn a sweater tied around my shoulders.57. I'm obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal.58. I don't hate anyone. I dislike them.59. I'm a pretty good dancer.60. I don't think Mike Tyson raped Desiree Washington.61. I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.62. I have a cell phone.63. I believe in God.64. I watch MTV on a daily basis.65. I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.66. I love drama.67. I have never been in a real relationship before.68. I've rejected someone before.69. I currently have a crush/like someone.70. I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.71. I want to have children in the future.72. I have changed a diaper before.73. I've called the cops on a friend before.74. I bite my nails.75. I am a member of the Tom Green fan club.76. I'm not allergic to anything.77. I have a lot to learn.78. I have been with someone at least 10 years older or younger.79. I plan on seeing Ice Cube's newest "Friday" movie.80. I am shy around the opposite sex.81. I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.82. I have at least 5 away messages saved.83. I have tried alcohol or drugs before.84. I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past.85. I own the "South Park" movie.86. I have avoided assignments at work school to be on Xanga or Livejournal.87. When I was a kid I played "the birds and the bees" with a neighbor or chum.88. I enjoy some country music.89. I would die for my best friends.90. I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza.91. I watch soap operas whenever I can.92. I'm obsessive, anal retentive, and often a perfectionist.93. I have used my sexuality to advance my career.94. I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all.95. I know all the words to Slick Rick's "Children's Story".96. Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.97. I watch Spongebob Squarepants and I like it.98. I have dated a close friend's ex.99. I like surveys.100. I am happy at this moment.101. I'm obsessed with guys.102. I am bisexual.103. Democrat.104. Conservative Republican.105. I am punk rockish.106. I am preppy.107. I go for older guys/girls, not younger.108. I study for tests most of the time.109. I tie my shoelaces differently to anyone I've ever met.110. I can work on a car.111. I love my job.112. I am comfortable with who I am right now.113. I have more than just my ears pierced.114. I walk barefoot wherever I can.115. I have jumped off a bridge.116. I love sea turtles.117. I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.118. I believe in prophetic dreams.119. I plan on achieving a major goal/dream.120. I am proficient on a musical instrument.121. I worked at McDonald's restaurant.122. I hate office jobs.123. I love sci-fi movies.124. I've never been in love.125. I think water rules.126. I am going to college out of state.127. I am adopted.128. I like sausage.129. I am a pyro.130. I love the Red Sox.131. I have thrown up from crying too much.132. I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.133. I love kisses.134. I fall for the worst people and have been hurt every time.135. I adore bright colors.136. I love Dear Abby.137. I can't live without black eyeliner.138. I think school is awesome.139. I think pigtails serve a purpose.140. I don't know why the hell I just did this stupid thing.141. I usually like covers better than originals.142. I don’t like multi-textured ice cream (ex. Chocolate chips, nuts, marshmallows).143. I think John Cusack is adorable.144. I fucking hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.145. I need to blog more.146. I have been repeatedly told by various strangers that I am a dead ringer for the same movie star.

On a note completely unrelated to the above, here is the past two days' listening:

1. Neu!: Neu!
2. Tears for Fears: The Hurting
3. Nina Simone: Forbidden Fruit
4. The Minus 5: The Minus 5
5. KT Tunstall: Eye to the Telescope
6. Rachid Taha/Carte de Séjour: Carte Blanche
7. John Fahey: The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death
8. Aceyalone/RJD2: Magnificent City
9. Sing-Sing: The Joy of Sing-Sing
10. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Kicking Against the Pricks
11. Caribou: Marino
12. The Knife: Deep Cuts
13. The Delgados: Hate