Crosswalking

Salami · 11-06-2011, 10:23 AM

Hey, I'd vote for you any day. I just need another 3000 posts.....

Paedantic Basterd · 11-06-2011, 10:58 AM

At this point, I think I should state that the reason I felt comfortable writing this post is that I've relaxed a great deal on MB in the last few months, my mother's treatment went off without a hitch, and she's looking like she's in full health and going to stay that way. My mother is my sole living family member, and eliminating that shadow of doubt, and the world of responsibility that came to me while she was away receiving radiation seems to have eased my mind considerably. I hope it shows through.

@Salami: Never hesitate to give me back whatever I dish out if you believe I deserve it!

@ Mojo: Neil, you have been the most supportive person here from day one, and I'm very grateful to you for it. If it weren't for you and Dali, I wouldn't have been given the chance to give back to the site as I try to do, much as I can.

I only told about three people when my mother fell ill. I've always hated sympathy. I don't like to be felt sorry for. The words that most people have to say in a situation where someone has fallen ill, or passed away (situations I'm familiar with) seem patronizing and unrealistic.

I've always preferred "It's going to be hard, but it will get easier" to "they're in a better place now" or "I'm so sorry for your loss" to the point where I fear hearing the latter. My mother is the same as I am, so we kept it to ourselves mostly. I suppose we've grown used to that over the years.

@Trollheart: That is a world of responsibility that would make Atlas tremble, and I thank you for relating it.

I typically operate on the assumption that my writing goes unread, and then I place less pressure on myself and write more naturally, and am pleasantly surprised to find that it is read after all! You can tell all of the places in this journal where I forced myself to write for others; reviews that are underfed and repetitive, or formulaic and uninspired, and one of the changes I hope to make for the coming year is to not force myself to write until I feel I have the words to say.

I'm often envious of your work, Trollheart! I'm a concise individual and often have little to say, and I always wish that my words were as free-flowing and plentiful as yours are on a day-to-day basis. I can't imagine being able to put the same quality and commitment into my journal as you do yours, and I want you to know it hasn't gone unnoticed.

I find that (and perhaps it came with a change in the times) Music Banter tends to be forgiving of one's awful taste if a person can remain open minded. Everyone here loves to share, and a willingness to learn, adapt, and adopt new ideas can redeem anybody. An open mind is the single most valuable trait a person can have, I believe.

Trollheart · 11-06-2011, 11:36 AM

Pedestrian, I'm delighted to hear that your mother made it, and that things seem to be going a lot better for you both now. Sadly, whenever we hear the mention of the "C" word, it's usually taken as read that this will lead to the catastrophic loss we none of us want to endure, but all know we will have to face at one time or another. I lost my own mother to cancer in 1991, so I know how horrible it feels, how helpless it makes you, and how you're torn between the selfishness of wanting her to stay while at the same time knowing she's in pain, and the cold pragmatism of wanting her pain to end. A horrible, horrible place to be, and I, like many others sadly, have been there.

Thank you so much for your high praise of my journal. I do my best. I've always been interested in writing, and music, though the two have never really meshed in this way before, so it's gratifying to know that someone appreciates the work I do. I often feel I'm a little repetitive, and as I mentioned in my journal some time ago I am not really that knowledgeable about the intricacies of musical instruments, notes, chord structure and so on, so don't feel qualified to comment on such areas when I review albums, and tend to delve more into my own impressions of and feelings about the music I review. I hope it works, and doesn't come across as either knowitall or winging it.

I always try to find out all I can about any new (or old) band whose material I'm reviewing, especially for my larger sections like "Gone solo in the game", "Taking centre stage" and "Rock and roll I gave you the best years of my life", and I've often found out so much, and been able to incorporate that into my reviews. I have Wikipedia to thank for that mostly.

As long as there are people out there who will read and enjoy my work, I'll continue doing it, and more importantly, like yourself I'm sure, as long as I enjoy it myself I'll keep making entries in my journal. It's a form of escapism, from the often harsh realities of life, and in another way kind of like talking to your friends about things you enjoy musically. That's how I've come to see a lot of people on MB, as friends. Guess you can lavish no higher praise than that.

Be well.
Trollheart

Paedantic Basterd · 11-06-2011, 11:20 PM

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)
Genre: Contemporary folk

It's that time of year again. For the leaves to crisp upon their branches, fragile and abandoned by their host. For seasonal depressive disorder, and vitamin D supplements. For Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago. I always find myself treating winter like an enemy strike waiting to happen. I can see it coming in the distance, but I can't predict when it will come to pass, or with what force it will land.

In many ways, For Emma, Forever Ago is an album born of winter. Even the words "Bon Iver" are a play on the French for "good winter". It first fell upon my ears as snowfall, soft and quiet, but it was unexpected, and it settled in. The story behind its conception is practically indie mythology at this point; crippled by cold romance, protagonist Justin Vernon retreats to a secluded cabin in the dead of Wisconsin winter to pen one of the last decade's great albums.

How can we look at the present climate and claim that the culture of music is dead? Do we look at the brittle brown leaves of autumn and fear that all the trees have died? Winter feels eternal, but the good sense of experience tells us it will pass. It is the progression of time that determines a classic. We are a short-sighted kind, and can't often see through the winter to the coming spring. That said, I think Emma stands a reasonable chance of attaining the elusive status.

This album catapulted Justin Vernon to indie stardom overnight, from unknown DeYarmond Edison frontman to the most demanded collaborator in indie music. How many other indie folk artists has Kanye West invited to guest on his albums? His list of guest appearances and side projects is greater than the discographies of many artists who've been producing albums for decades.

Emma expresses the melancholy of parting in a mature and grounded way that can be appreciated by everyone who has seen a relationship come to a close. The beauty is in the sparse details; the tasteful hint of autotune in The Wolves (Act I & Act II), the soulful barking of the chorus in Skinny Love, or the resolute trumpets on the title track. Nuance and intimacy are where this album excels, depicting a cycle of mourning and resolve that offers warmth during the winters of all of our lives, literal or otherwise.

TheFolkslave · 11-10-2011, 06:13 PM

Really nice review. I think For Emma, Forever Ago is one of the best albums in recent history. There is a huge degree of romance in the story behind the conception of the album and in my opinnion it adds something extra to the already great album. I love listening to this album at this time of the year.

Paedantic Basterd · 11-10-2011, 11:17 PM

Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping (2008)
Genre: Psychedelic Pop

To Kevin Barnes, Skeletal Lamping is a summary of his own most absurd and perverse thoughts personified as the transsexual glam rocker Georgie Fruit. To Of Montreal fans, it is a failed experiment too ambitious for its own good. It's easy to see how fans become lost trying to follow Skeletal Lamping into its depraved, erotic world. Kevin Barnes is a master of pop sensibility, but you wouldn't know it from the unfocussed chaos and apparent lack of structural integrity present on the band's ninth album.

Every two of Lamping's fifty-seven minutes presents a new idea, a new musical direction, and the album's shining moments never last or repeat themselves. In fact, only one or two of the fifteen tracks feature discernible choruses. It is as if Skeletal Lamping is Kevin Barnes' stream of consciousness; no one line of thought resolving as it spasms during nearly an hour of exhausting continuous movement. It is an album that falls apart if you don't have the patience for the macrocosm of melodies and events.

At this point it may appear as if I'm slagging off the artist who wrote my favourite album for attempting something beyond his pop credentials; expectations for brilliantly crafted choruses and standard structure are clearly violated, however, none of the aspects mentioned adversely affect the album. On the contrary, Skeletal Lamping is crafted for the album format, drawing listeners as aggressive and curious as the content. Every track contains at minimum one moment of pure genius songwriting, and the fleetingness contributes greatly to the intrigue.

Typically the word "grower" is thrown around heedlessly to excuse any album that delivers a boring first listen. It is an offhand label, but in this case, can be proven to apply. Lamping cannot be digested in a single sitting. It is an album so diverse in ideas, so layered, and so chaotic, a listener can't grasp on to any one particular aspect to return to it. It takes a number of listens before any of the dozens of melodies can be retained in memory.

Kevin Barnes' has a versatile voice, blooming with characters he plays flawlessly, from the arrogant alpha male in Gallery Piece and Id Engager to the saucy diva in Plastis Wafer. Equally unpredictable is the turn of musical events; cocky, manic grab-bags interspersed with sexually charged sprints and weary piano balladry. Lyrically it ranges from raised-eyebrow-inducing graphic eroticism to childish absurdism, and like the nymphomaniacal characters depicted, leaves the listener yearning for a repeat performance.

Skeletal Lamping is a greatly misunderstood and vastly underrated romp over the curves and through the orifices of Kevin Barnes' mind, with so much clever and arousing content as to keep it fresh for the long haul.

Salami · 11-12-2011, 07:30 AM

To be honest, I don't really think that anyone who picked up "Skeletal Lamping" beacause they liked the album art would have been let down by what they heard from the album. It certainly gets full marks for creativity, and it really induces that feeling of the Greek nymphs living in a sort of wild dream. The one thing I can't get my head around is whether the childish innocence with which the erotic imagery is presented is genius or completely despicable. It could get either a green light or a red light from me!

Once again, that was a very eloquent review. You have to approaach this album with a very open mind if you want to produce a good review, and you definitely did that.

For all that, what's with the new profile picture? They are getting scarier and scarier! We all love you, Pedestrian! You don't need to frighten us!

Paedantic Basterd · 11-12-2011, 10:30 AM

I thought for sure this profile image was a step less creepy than the last.

Well, I guess that's Kevin Barnes for you.

You've brought up a very interesting point actually concerning the imagery, but to me, I think Kevin Barnes lives in a very childish world. That's not a negative comment, so much as an observation about what kind of fantastical, high energy band he leads. For an example, the entire unit plays dress-up every night on stage and performs an R-rated children's book. It's self-indulgent and nonchalant, and I think he just likes to combine the best of the adult and kid worlds for himself. If I'm being honest, I envy their stage show, and I think this is one of the most-fun looking bands performing today.

Salami · 11-12-2011, 11:05 AM

To be fair, at least he isn't hanging himself: it's just all that blood/paint on his arm....

The thing I really like about Kevin is that when he sings you can really feel that he wants to be there. He just seems to radiate that sense that he is putting his soul into what he's doing, and that nothing in the universe would tempt him away from singing to you at that instant. He has seized the time you've given him your attention and makes the most of it that he possibly can.
If the way he's chosen to express himself is slightly juvenile, that isn't WRONG, it just tells us a bit more about his soul (although I do still find it a bit creepy).

Paedantic Basterd · 11-12-2011, 12:00 PM

Maybe he has Peter Pan Syndrome.

11-06-2011, 11:36 AM	#83 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Pedestrian, I'm delighted to hear that your mother made it, and that things seem to be going a lot better for you both now. Sadly, whenever we hear the mention of the "C" word, it's usually taken as read that this will lead to the catastrophic loss we none of us want to endure, but all know we will have to face at one time or another. I lost my own mother to cancer in 1991, so I know how horrible it feels, how helpless it makes you, and how you're torn between the selfishness of wanting her to stay while at the same time knowing she's in pain, and the cold pragmatism of wanting her pain to end. A horrible, horrible place to be, and I, like many others sadly, have been there. Thank you so much for your high praise of my journal. I do my best. I've always been interested in writing, and music, though the two have never really meshed in this way before, so it's gratifying to know that someone appreciates the work I do. I often feel I'm a little repetitive, and as I mentioned in my journal some time ago I am not really that knowledgeable about the intricacies of musical instruments, notes, chord structure and so on, so don't feel qualified to comment on such areas when I review albums, and tend to delve more into my own impressions of and feelings about the music I review. I hope it works, and doesn't come across as either knowitall or winging it. I always try to find out all I can about any new (or old) band whose material I'm reviewing, especially for my larger sections like "Gone solo in the game", "Taking centre stage" and "Rock and roll I gave you the best years of my life", and I've often found out so much, and been able to incorporate that into my reviews. I have Wikipedia to thank for that mostly. As long as there are people out there who will read and enjoy my work, I'll continue doing it, and more importantly, like yourself I'm sure, as long as I enjoy it myself I'll keep making entries in my journal. It's a form of escapism, from the often harsh realities of life, and in another way kind of like talking to your friends about things you enjoy musically. That's how I've come to see a lot of people on MB, as friends. Guess you can lavish no higher praise than that. Be well. Trollheart __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

11-10-2011, 06:13 PM	#85 (permalink)
TheFolkslave Music Addict Join Date: May 2010 Location: Finland Posts: 458	Really nice review. I think For Emma, Forever Ago is one of the best albums in recent history. There is a huge degree of romance in the story behind the conception of the album and in my opinnion it adds something extra to the already great album. I love listening to this album at this time of the year. __________________ My Last.Fm Well I come from the old time baby, where all the kids are crazy.

11-06-2011, 10:23 AM	#81 (permalink)
Salami Get in ma belly Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,385	Hey, I'd vote for you any day. I just need another 3000 posts.....

11-06-2011, 10:58 AM	#82 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	At this point, I think I should state that the reason I felt comfortable writing this post is that I've relaxed a great deal on MB in the last few months, my mother's treatment went off without a hitch, and she's looking like she's in full health and going to stay that way. My mother is my sole living family member, and eliminating that shadow of doubt, and the world of responsibility that came to me while she was away receiving radiation seems to have eased my mind considerably. I hope it shows through. @Salami: Never hesitate to give me back whatever I dish out if you believe I deserve it! @ Mojo: Neil, you have been the most supportive person here from day one, and I'm very grateful to you for it. If it weren't for you and Dali, I wouldn't have been given the chance to give back to the site as I try to do, much as I can. I only told about three people when my mother fell ill. I've always hated sympathy. I don't like to be felt sorry for. The words that most people have to say in a situation where someone has fallen ill, or passed away (situations I'm familiar with) seem patronizing and unrealistic. I've always preferred "It's going to be hard, but it will get easier" to "they're in a better place now" or "I'm so sorry for your loss" to the point where I fear hearing the latter. My mother is the same as I am, so we kept it to ourselves mostly. I suppose we've grown used to that over the years. @Trollheart: That is a world of responsibility that would make Atlas tremble, and I thank you for relating it. I typically operate on the assumption that my writing goes unread, and then I place less pressure on myself and write more naturally, and am pleasantly surprised to find that it is read after all! You can tell all of the places in this journal where I forced myself to write for others; reviews that are underfed and repetitive, or formulaic and uninspired, and one of the changes I hope to make for the coming year is to not force myself to write until I feel I have the words to say. I'm often envious of your work, Trollheart! I'm a concise individual and often have little to say, and I always wish that my words were as free-flowing and plentiful as yours are on a day-to-day basis. I can't imagine being able to put the same quality and commitment into my journal as you do yours, and I want you to know it hasn't gone unnoticed. I find that (and perhaps it came with a change in the times) Music Banter tends to be forgiving of one's awful taste if a person can remain open minded. Everyone here loves to share, and a willingness to learn, adapt, and adopt new ideas can redeem anybody. An open mind is the single most valuable trait a person can have, I believe.

11-06-2011, 11:20 PM	#84 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2007) Genre: Contemporary folk It's that time of year again. For the leaves to crisp upon their branches, fragile and abandoned by their host. For seasonal depressive disorder, and vitamin D supplements. For Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago. I always find myself treating winter like an enemy strike waiting to happen. I can see it coming in the distance, but I can't predict when it will come to pass, or with what force it will land. In many ways, For Emma, Forever Ago is an album born of winter. Even the words "Bon Iver" are a play on the French for "good winter". It first fell upon my ears as snowfall, soft and quiet, but it was unexpected, and it settled in. The story behind its conception is practically indie mythology at this point; crippled by cold romance, protagonist Justin Vernon retreats to a secluded cabin in the dead of Wisconsin winter to pen one of the last decade's great albums. How can we look at the present climate and claim that the culture of music is dead? Do we look at the brittle brown leaves of autumn and fear that all the trees have died? Winter feels eternal, but the good sense of experience tells us it will pass. It is the progression of time that determines a classic. We are a short-sighted kind, and can't often see through the winter to the coming spring. That said, I think Emma stands a reasonable chance of attaining the elusive status. This album catapulted Justin Vernon to indie stardom overnight, from unknown DeYarmond Edison frontman to the most demanded collaborator in indie music. How many other indie folk artists has Kanye West invited to guest on his albums? His list of guest appearances and side projects is greater than the discographies of many artists who've been producing albums for decades. Emma expresses the melancholy of parting in a mature and grounded way that can be appreciated by everyone who has seen a relationship come to a close. The beauty is in the sparse details; the tasteful hint of autotune in The Wolves (Act I & Act II), the soulful barking of the chorus in Skinny Love, or the resolute trumpets on the title track. Nuance and intimacy are where this album excels, depicting a cycle of mourning and resolve that offers warmth during the winters of all of our lives, literal or otherwise.

11-10-2011, 11:17 PM	#86 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping (2008) Genre: Psychedelic Pop To Kevin Barnes, Skeletal Lamping is a summary of his own most absurd and perverse thoughts personified as the transsexual glam rocker Georgie Fruit. To Of Montreal fans, it is a failed experiment too ambitious for its own good. It's easy to see how fans become lost trying to follow Skeletal Lamping into its depraved, erotic world. Kevin Barnes is a master of pop sensibility, but you wouldn't know it from the unfocussed chaos and apparent lack of structural integrity present on the band's ninth album. Every two of Lamping's fifty-seven minutes presents a new idea, a new musical direction, and the album's shining moments never last or repeat themselves. In fact, only one or two of the fifteen tracks feature discernible choruses. It is as if Skeletal Lamping is Kevin Barnes' stream of consciousness; no one line of thought resolving as it spasms during nearly an hour of exhausting continuous movement. It is an album that falls apart if you don't have the patience for the macrocosm of melodies and events. At this point it may appear as if I'm slagging off the artist who wrote my favourite album for attempting something beyond his pop credentials; expectations for brilliantly crafted choruses and standard structure are clearly violated, however, none of the aspects mentioned adversely affect the album. On the contrary, Skeletal Lamping is crafted for the album format, drawing listeners as aggressive and curious as the content. Every track contains at minimum one moment of pure genius songwriting, and the fleetingness contributes greatly to the intrigue. Typically the word "grower" is thrown around heedlessly to excuse any album that delivers a boring first listen. It is an offhand label, but in this case, can be proven to apply. Lamping cannot be digested in a single sitting. It is an album so diverse in ideas, so layered, and so chaotic, a listener can't grasp on to any one particular aspect to return to it. It takes a number of listens before any of the dozens of melodies can be retained in memory. Kevin Barnes' has a versatile voice, blooming with characters he plays flawlessly, from the arrogant alpha male in Gallery Piece and Id Engager to the saucy diva in Plastis Wafer. Equally unpredictable is the turn of musical events; cocky, manic grab-bags interspersed with sexually charged sprints and weary piano balladry. Lyrically it ranges from raised-eyebrow-inducing graphic eroticism to childish absurdism, and like the nymphomaniacal characters depicted, leaves the listener yearning for a repeat performance. Skeletal Lamping is a greatly misunderstood and vastly underrated romp over the curves and through the orifices of Kevin Barnes' mind, with so much clever and arousing content as to keep it fresh for the long haul.

11-12-2011, 07:30 AM	#87 (permalink)
Salami Get in ma belly Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,385	To be honest, I don't really think that anyone who picked up "Skeletal Lamping" beacause they liked the album art would have been let down by what they heard from the album. It certainly gets full marks for creativity, and it really induces that feeling of the Greek nymphs living in a sort of wild dream. The one thing I can't get my head around is whether the childish innocence with which the erotic imagery is presented is genius or completely despicable. It could get either a green light or a red light from me! Once again, that was a very eloquent review. You have to approaach this album with a very open mind if you want to produce a good review, and you definitely did that. For all that, what's with the new profile picture? They are getting scarier and scarier! We all love you, Pedestrian! You don't need to frighten us!

11-12-2011, 10:30 AM	#88 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	I thought for sure this profile image was a step less creepy than the last. Well, I guess that's Kevin Barnes for you. You've brought up a very interesting point actually concerning the imagery, but to me, I think Kevin Barnes lives in a very childish world. That's not a negative comment, so much as an observation about what kind of fantastical, high energy band he leads. For an example, the entire unit plays dress-up every night on stage and performs an R-rated children's book. It's self-indulgent and nonchalant, and I think he just likes to combine the best of the adult and kid worlds for himself. If I'm being honest, I envy their stage show, and I think this is one of the most-fun looking bands performing today.

11-12-2011, 11:05 AM	#89 (permalink)
Salami Get in ma belly Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,385	To be fair, at least he isn't hanging himself: it's just all that blood/paint on his arm.... The thing I really like about Kevin is that when he sings you can really feel that he wants to be there. He just seems to radiate that sense that he is putting his soul into what he's doing, and that nothing in the universe would tempt him away from singing to you at that instant. He has seized the time you've given him your attention and makes the most of it that he possibly can. If the way he's chosen to express himself is slightly juvenile, that isn't WRONG, it just tells us a bit more about his soul (although I do still find it a bit creepy).

11-12-2011, 12:00 PM	#90 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Maybe he has Peter Pan Syndrome.