Kedvesem

I sometimes wonder if I belong on this forum. I came here originally because I forum-stalk my Sir. But I love music, as deeply as anyone I know, Sir included. I just do not have the broad tastes or the knowledge that he does.

So I doubt that I will write in this journal everyday. But when I have something to say, I will.

One unusual aspect about the way I listen to music, unusual for someone who loves music anyway, is that I rarely get to choose what music I listen to. I spend my mornings either teaching school--which entails no music as it is distracting--or else editing. When I am editing, the children choose the music.

When Sir comes home, we usually continue with his album progress, continuing the alphabetical path.

Pretty much the only time I choose the music is when I am going somewhere by train and take my headphones.

This is part of why I won't be posting every day, for sometimes what I listen to, I will comment on in Sir's thread, in response to what he's said on the album, and sometimes, when the children have chosen the same album for the tenth day in a row, I just have nothing to say. So, with that introduction out of the way, here is what I listened to yesterday.



As it happens, I love Marina and the Diamonds. There is something about Marina's cynicism that appeals to me. I am not often that into girl singers, but sometimes there is a female artist who sings about something I can relate to. Most of them sing about relationships, and that is fine. Humans are relational beings, and therefore relationships are a universal topic for us. But I don't want to hear about a break-up, make-up series or about how she "really likes" a guy or wants to "see his peacock".

Marina does none of those things. There is a richness to her voice and a darkness to her lyrics that combine to really do it for me. I never object when her music is put on. In fact, she rates an L on the LPUC scale.

For those who missed the scale on Sir's journal, here it is:

Music I Love
Music that is Pleasant
Music that is Unobjectionable
Music that is Crap I hate

Zhanteimi

An excellent first post! I'm looking forward to seeing how you share in this journal. You have a brilliant mind.

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Zhanteimi

LetsTalkMusic

Kedvesem

Tonight my darling Sir set aside his music just so I could choose what I wanted to listen to, and I did not even have to think about it.

I chose to listen to Angus and Julia Stone. We listened to three of their albums in a row.

These albums were: Angus and Julia Stone



A Book Like This



Down the Way



Now, obviously since I used the chance to choose the music for the evening on listening these albums, they definitely rate an L on the LPUC scale.

Why?

Because of songs like For You and Heart Beats Slow.

Because their understated, folky sound carries their melodies as the wind carries the clouds.

When I listen to Angus and Julia Stone sing, I hear descriptions of love and passion such as I can recognize for truth.

When Julia is singing in For You about the feeling of a woman who wants her man to be the star of her universe, who wants to keep him there in disregard for all the world, I can understand her, and she clearly understands what she is singing.

When they are both singing in Heart Beats Slow about the way one lover looks at another and knows the crushing humility of love, knows that there is no way to deserve the peerless beloved and yet no way not to desire the beloved--the truth of what they sing can take my breath and bring tears to my eyes--and I never cry at media, whether music or movies or books.

When I hear them singing in Don't Take My Word For It, I hear the love that is more than romantic love, the love that is more than purely Eros, singing proudly. The love that is close as blood--or closer--and yet one of desire. And my heart leaps up in response, for this, this is something I know.

I do not depend on any other artist to express my own heart's fullness. I will do that myself, thank you very much. But when I hear something that I know and hear it so perfectly expressed, it brings me a unique joy.

So one of the great pleasures of my life is listening to Angus and Julia Stone singing of love and friendship and kinship.

Zhanteimi

I enjoy Angus and Julia, too, but I think you like them more. Bella is by far my favorite song of theirs. Beautifully understated, like a stream flowing by, peaceful but promising something more down the way.

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Zhanteimi

LetsTalkMusic

Kedvesem

Yes, I clearly do. They make my top five list. Bella is indeed lovely, a song defined as strongly by its silence and restraint as by its melody.

And it always reminds me of Peter Ibbetson...

Key

Top notch journal. Will be following.

Kedvesem

Well, I feel like I'm spam posting almost! I posted yesterday, and I'm posting today?

But tonight, Sir took a detour from his alphabetical progression to drink a beer and listen to some Sturgill Simpson--because I mentioned Sturgill Simpson today on Sir's journal!

So I am posting about the two albums we listened to:

First was High Top Mountain.



Followed by Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.



I enjoy some country music. I love the Celtic influence in the violins and the simple melodies. Guitars are also a plus. (Love that phallic imagery!)

However, most pop country music lacks what I enjoy about country music without providing anything I could enjoy about pop music, and the older country music, though good, is often referencing not only a way of life I have never lived, but one that has been lost longer than I have been alive.

So of more contemporary country music, I find I prefer Hank Williams III and Sturgill Simpson. Sir tells me they are both part of the "Outlaw Country" genre. I am not really sure what that means, but I know that when I want something more chill, I prefer Sturgill. When I want more energy, I prefer Hank III.

But there is something further there. Hank III is a definite Reb, full of Rebel pride. I am myself sprung of Southern stock, so I am familiar with the concept and understand where that Rebel pride originates. I can appreciate his defiance and his clinging to his "country and outlaw" ways. But I do not know that lifestyle. I have not lived in the United States at all for any length of time since I was quite a small child. All my knowledge of it is external.

Sturgill's songs are more universal, more generally applicable, so I can relate to them more. In particular, some of his songs--the cynical ones--particularly resonate with me.

"Life ain't fair," he sings, "and the world is mean."

"Everyone says they'll be there for you, but in the end you all know they won't."

"They call me King Turd up here on **** Mountain, if you want it you can have the crown."

Bitter? Yes. Accurate? Also yes.

Sturgill's smooth and genuine voice carries his lyrics, giving them a believability that one rarely hears. In fact, I would go so far as to say he has it in almost the quantity of Johnny Cash, who could make you believe he meant anything and everything he said.

Sturgill Simpson is a definite L.

(Pro-tip: Listen to him with spiced rum and Coke. It's a much better fit for the music than cassis-orange cocktails.)

Zhanteimi

So many of Simpson's songs speak to me. You've mentioned some of them, but I'd like to mention "Voices", too.

I like how he reworks the two cliches into something meaningful. And the musical phrasing is classic country goodness.

I'd also like to mention "Turtles All the Way Down".

I can relate to this. So many drugs, so many good times. Right, ked? But at the end of the day, all they did was alter our perceptions. Love is what changed us, transformed us. And look at us now!

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Zhanteimi

LetsTalkMusic

Kedvesem

Yes, "Voices" is definitely a purely country feeling, and it is good. Very Good.

"Turtles All the Way Down" is probably my favourite of his songs, both for its personal connections--the fun times you mention--and for its accurate appraisal of those psychedelic drugs.

And when I look at us now, I can hardly speak--or write--for the sheer wonderment of it, Sir.

RoxyRollah

Im feeling it...go go girl.

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