show & tell

What Alma loves. When I was a kid, I used to love show and tell. I didn’t love standing in front of a classroom of judgmental eyes—but I did love bringing in special items. So, that’s what this blog is. It’s an adult version of show-and-tell, if you will. Music, reviews, girly things, sentimental things…essentially whatever makes me squeal. I’m gonna try to make this a daily thing, but don’t whine if I get behind. Grad school is a bitch. Find me on Twitter: @the_wordgirl.

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This song's been stuck in my head for days.

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My favorite from the new album.

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So, I totally forgot I was still doing this!  :)  Well, and I got busy.  Grad school, illness, and a tiny road trip. 

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30 Day Music Challenge, Day 19: A song from your favorite album

I don't really have a favorite album.  There are albums I like a lot, but I'm one of those people who goes through musical phases.  For 2-3-4 weeks, I might adore an album to death--listening to it over and over and over again only to not listen to it for like a year afterwards. 

I didn't want to choose the usual suspect (Beth Orton's Central Reservation), so I decided to let Media Monkey figure it out for me.  Now, I am in the midst of organizing my music and rating all 70,000 songs...so not scientific at all.  But Ryan Adam's Gold seems to be a contender for the favorite spot.  I'm actually pretty shocked about that.  My favorite song on this album is When the Stars Go Blue, and it also happens to be my signature karaoke song.  If I've been drinking tequila.

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Six Shooter, Martin McDonagh's first short film. Check out his film In Bruges and his excellent play, Pillowman, as well.

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30 Day Music Challenge, Day 18: A song you wish you heard on the radio.

I can't remember how I heard of KaiserCartel.  It was probably through some random free download on Amazon.  In any case, I totally fell in love with their sound.  This song is my favorite, and the video is adorable.

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For me, Brett Dennen exists in a very specific niche.  It's music you listen to for background music--not something you actively sing along with--more like something to fill a void.  Not that it isn't good.  The dude has a memorable voice and lots of lyrics that resonate.  But when I think of Brett Dennen, I really just think of vanilla whatever...nothing ridiculously special.  Still, I was looking forward to hearing his new album, Loverboy, when I saw it was out.  But that's mostly because I love new music.  It's kind of a problem.

Today, Brett Dennen blew me away--filling a void, sure, but completely memorable this time.  So memorable that, by first listen, I was singing along and dancing in my chair.  The new album is fresh, fun, and perfect for summer.  Longtime Dennen fans will enjoy Song for Leaving--which is straight-up what you expect from Dennen.  They'll also enjoy Frozen in Slow Motion--which mishmashes Dennen's past albums with this one.  It's pure lovely and one of my favorites. 

Loverboy's sound is more of a retro-happy-punch, though.  Some are super-retro (think 70s bar), like Queen of the Westside & Must Be Losing My Mind.  Decent, but definitely not my favorites.  Those would be isolated to Surprise, Surprise; Comeback Kid; and Sydney (I'll Come Running).  All three are catchy confections made for summer barbecues and roadtrips. 

Dennen's voice, at first, seems strange with the upbeat music and jostled beats.  But after a few minutes, it's evident that his strong, soft sound is exactly what elevates an otherwise typical pop release.  It's hard not to be seduced.  8/10

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since feeling is first, who pays any attention to the syntax of things will never wholly kiss you... wholly to be a fool while Spring is in the world. my blood approves, and kisses are a better fate than wisdom. lady, i swear by all flowers. Don't cry —the best gesture of my brain is less than your eyelids' flutter, which says we are for each other. then laugh, leaning back in my arms. for life's not a paragraph, and death i think is no parenthesis.

since feeling is first e.e. cummings

Probably the first poem I ever read.  My favorite part: "life's not a paragraph."

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30 Day Music Challenge, Day 17: A song you hear often on the radio

I don't listen to the radio much.  I usually listen to my own collection at home or on my mp3 when I'm out.  If I do listen to radio, it's always KBCO...nothing else.  They play a great mix of current music with some favorites like this one from Queen.

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Day 16, 30 Day Music Challenge: A song you used to love, but now hate.

A song that summed up a rather painful past relationship...signifying a time when I was ridiculously naive.  Now, it makes me roll my eyes.  I'm a lot more jaded than I used to be, but the heart's still kicking.  Eyes wide open.

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Day 15, 30 Day Music Challenge.  A song that describes you.  Tina Dico's No Time to Sleep.

Who's gonna sing the song of change If no one can imagine life outside the beaten track? And who's gonna stop a running train If no one cares to dwell or no one wants to look back? Somewhere along the line you gave up askin' When it got a little too complex. But if you don't question what has been Does it mean that you don't care what's coming next? You got no one to follow, And no one will follow you. Ain't that a relief? That everything and everyone must grow in opposition To resistance and contradiction. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. So who's gonna sing the song of faith If no one prays for anything that can't be bought and sold? And who's gonna tell the story straight? Does anyone believe there's still a story to be told? Somewhere along the line you just stopped walking When the undercurrent got too strong. Some day a lonely busker will come knocking With a soft and long forgotten song. 'Cause you got no one to follow And no one will follow you. Ain't that a relief? That everything and everyone must grow in opposition To resistance and contradiction. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. This ain't no time to go to sleep. Oh, this ain't no time to go to sleep.

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30 Day Music Challenge: Day 14. A song people would be surprised to know you love.  Shit on My Heart by Sarcastic Dharma Society

It's just profane.  I think most people think I'm a goody-two-shoes.  Secret: I sing the chorus of this at the top of my lungs about every three days.  :)

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30 Day Music Challenge: Day 13, A song that's a guilty pleasure.

This song came out when I was...I think...11 years old.  Back then, I'd listen to Casey Kasem's Top 40 show on KS-104.  And I'd record music onto cassette tapes with paper bits stuffed in the holes.  This song is one of those lasting remnants of my childhood that instantly makes me dance and sing along.  I still know all the words, and I still dance the same dance I did all those years ago.

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‎30 Day Music Challenge: Day 12 (yes, I forgot to do this for a few days...sigh), A song by a band you hate.

I have tried and tried and tried to like Magnetic Fields. It just doesn't work. They did the soundtrack to a great movie a little while ago, and I discovered this song. Pretty much the only song of theirs that I *do* like...though I own their entire discography and still hold out hope.

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30 Day Music Challenge, Day 11, A song by your favorite band I don't really have a favorite band.  I listen to so much music, and I tend to go through phases of really liking one particular band--only to be swayed by another band for a few weeks.  Eventually, I find my way back to the really good ones.  So, that said--Death Cab for Cutie is one of those bands.  It's the band I've listened to more than any other (according to last.fm), and it's probably the band I identify as perfect for the soundtrack of my life.  And this is probably 1 of my 2 most favorite songs of theirs (the other being Bixby Canyon Bridge, which would have been here except I don't LOVE the intro to it). 

I love Death Cab because it's superficially happy music that's anchored by larger feelings and ideas...but you don't really feel that burden. 

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30 Day Music Challenge, Day 10: A song that makes you fall asleep Alexi Murdoch's music puts me at peace. 

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Yesterday was awful, so I'm posting two today! Lucky you.  :)

30 Day Music Challenge: A Song You Can Dance To Prince's Kiss

Yep. I'm a closet Prince fan, and this song is pretty much my go-to dance at 3 am song.

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30 Day Music Challenge, Day 8: A Song That You Know All the Words to

I don't really remember when I first heard Del Amitri.  It was just music that formed the background of my life--during those days when Sunday mornings were spent listening to Casey's Top 40--trying to record the latest music on cassette tape after cassette tape.  I've only really come to appreciate this band as an adult...particularly after I turned 25.  Maybe, I just needed to live a little.  I dunno.  In any case, I've always known all the words.