p.7

I will wish everyone the obligatory holiday wishes that are so expected. People can consider this my Christmas present to everyone, though, like fruitcake, it has an expiration date. I do still plan to remove the download links within the first couple weeks of the new year. I wanted to post something yesterday, but I must've taken something like five or six short naps that day. And even as I write now, I am watching the Seahawks game (and am unable to listen to music as I write).

I have to say that I am a little thankful for writing about these albums. I forgot how nice it is to not be in my own head for a while. If I were relied on to write on something truly my own, I would be forced to trawl my memories for just a remnant of a memory of a feeling. And it feels better to write about something concrete rather than forcing myself to write empty words that hold little interest for me. Anyways, these next few albums do not hold any themes or patterns in common other than their release date.

Black Noise - Pantha du Prince
Insound | Pitchfork Review | Mediafire


I originally intended to add this to my list of albums that required a little bit of effort. I say this because this particular album seems a little bit lackluster; there is no shortage of techno albums out there. This only came on my radar because of their collaboration with Panda Bear. At times the album feels so dense it could be impenetrable, and the album really only rewards those that truly invest themselves into it. But, even if you cannot really break the album down, it still offers a few worthwhile moments.

Go - Jonsi
Insound | Pitchfork Review | Mediafire


Not everybody finds Jonsi endearing. For those of us that always wondered what Sigur Ros was really singing about, well, it's true, they really were singing about running elephants, icicles and tying strings to clouds. Though this album will hardly win over people that didn't like Sigur Ros in the first place, what is finally nice is that Go seems to be more about the uplift rather than the long building formula that Sigur Ros is so well known for.

Just a little sidenote, my sister is going through her things to throw away old stuff she doesn't want anymore. Anyways, she just found her birth certificate, and she drew on the back "I do not like Amanda. I just like Momy (sic) and me. Hmmm."

Big Echo - The Morning Benders
Insound | Pitchfork Review | Mediafire


This one was an early favorite of mine. Though the second half of the album feels denser and slower than the first half, Big Echo has quite a few winning moments, particularly "Promises". The album feels truly effortless, and the concepts and emotions behind each song is easy enough to relate to. Big Echo is a nice reminder that you do not always need to work hard to make an album rewarding; sometimes it just comes easy.

Plastic Beach - Gorillaz
Insound | Pitchfork Review | Mediafire


I'll be honest and admit that I have not truly listened to Plastic Beach, primarily because I've never really listened to Gorillaz. Though the concept of the cartoon characters is indeed originally and at times very intriguing, Plastic Beach makes them feel a little superfluous; Gorillaz is now at the point that their appeal can be based just on their music.

One Life Stand - Hot Chip
Insound | Pitchfork Review | Mediafire


You could say that this is their best album to date, you could call it sophistication or growth, but personally I just love that these songs are about love. Because each song is of the same consistent quality, it almost feels as tied together as a concept album, though it doesn't require beating your brain trying to figure out the plot or concept of the album. And it's very impressive that these songs express an honest desire to just have a committed, reciprocal relationship rather than the more common songs of frustrated love.




Okay, my mom is practicing shooting a bb gun, and I really want to watch while the game is still in halftime.