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2017 MOOD

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Wentworth Miller Slams Meme Mocking His Weight

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Top 10 Sounds of 2015

1. Father John Misty, I Love You, Honeybear

This album fascinates me. Although much appreciated, the best part of this album is not the caustic humor or provocative wit exemplary of Tillman’s current musical persona, Father John Misty (see: “Bored in the USA” and “The Night Josh Tillman Came to our Apartment”). It is the undercurrents of Tillman’s true emotional evolution told through the voice Misty that make this album exceptional.  I listened to this album a LOT. Lots of listens = lots of thoughts. Full collection of those thoughts: HERE

2. Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit

Sometimes offers us yet another glimpse inside Barnett’s mind; a place where simple observations float effortlessly into colorful anecdotes and inanimate objects freely associate with intricate notions about life and death and modern society. Special appreciation for the ambivert anthem of the year - “Nobody Really Cares if You Don’t Go To The Party” and "Elevator Operator" for reminding us that Sim City exists

3. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell

This album plays like an intimate conversation with a friend. Like me and Suf met in a dark lounge and shared stories past over a bottle of Merlot. Well, actually, I just listened. Tear soaked cocktail napkins at my feet. If for any reason you forget that death is imminent, this album will remind you in a really beautiful way.

4. Grimes - Art Angels

This latecomer blew me away after just one listen. I guess bubble gum pop layered over animalistic screams and bad ass Taiwanese rapping is exactly what 2015 needed. Who knew? Grimes, that's who.

5. Joanna Newsom, Divers

Like going to the beach in December, Divers is not always warm. It’s not always comfortable. But it is mesmerizing. Reminiscent echoes fill the silence between waves and brief moments of content are interrupted by the shrill cry of a resident pigeon. Newsom’s sound is notoriously divisive. It isn’t for everyone. But she makes everyone feel something very deeply and I think that is very important.

6. Natalie Prass, Natalie Prass

The album begins with a slight gasp and unfolds into a collection of confident, delicate, songs meticulously arranged to breathe personality into what toes the “cliché break-up album” line on paper. Now everyone go "Love Violently" already, OK?

7. Tame Impala, Currents

A lot of talent lives here. I really love in “Let it Happen” when the track seems to skip, but it’s really just part of the song. Just, Let it Happen. people. They know what they’re doing.

8.  Andy Shauf, The Bearer of Bad News

Understated and introspective, Bad News paints the story of addiction and depression fueled by monotony and loneliness in a small town. A place where winters are long and dreams wedge deeper into the ground with each passing freeze. Each tale is unique and some linger with you like snow that slips in the heel of your shoe.

9.  Jessica Pratt On Your Own Love Again

This was one of the few albums I cached before boarding a plane for South America so it quickly became the trip soundtrack. When I listen to this album I smell fresh coconut water on Ipanema and see rolling ranches stacked hillside on a bus from Rio to Buzios. I see two sets of night feet illuminated only by a royal blue pool light and the moon. I will be the first to admit that this album fell out of rotation early for me, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a place on this list. This album will always be South America to me and that is a really special place to be.

10.  Tobias Jesso Jr., Goon

Earlier this year, my niece, Madeline Kelly, was born with “Just a Dream” playing as a backdrop so this album makes all the lists. Also, his singing face is the most endearing thing I've ever seen.

Favorite song from my "almost!!" group:

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, "Can't Keep Checking My Phone"

Julia Houlter, "Sea Calls Me Home"

Kurt Vile, "Pretty Pimpin"

Youth Lagoon, "Officer Telephone"

Kendrick Lamar, "King Kunta"

Bully, "Trying"

Lady Lamb, "Vena Cava"

The Tallest Man on Earth, "Little Nowhere Towns"

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I will post my full top 10 of the year eventually to my two readers, but first, a special post just for my #1:

Father John Misty, I Love You, Honeybear 

I really loved this album and listened to it a LOT. It fascinates me. Although much appreciated, the best part of this album is not the caustic humor or provocative wit exemplary of Tillman’s current musical persona, Father John Misty (see: “Bored in the USA” and “The Night Josh Tillman Came to our Apartment”). It is the undercurrents of Tillman’s true emotional evolution told through the voice Misty that make this album exceptional.  

Tillman actually fell in love in the making of Honeybear and coming to terms with the simplicity of love in a world of mass complexity is difficult for a man of so many words. The end result is a lyrical battle between skepticism and affection. His emotions are raw and exposed as lust settles into love and it’s really quite powerful as the character weakens at the hand of his creator.

Ideal Husband is the sonic climax of this progression as Tillman comes to terms with the fact that his reluctance is rooted in his own self-contempt and insecurity. “Wouldn't I make The Ideal Husband?” he demands with a hint of terror after passionately ranting through a long list of regrets harbored safely within his troubled subconscious until now. Whereas lust requires charm and aspiration, love requires vulnerability and that really is a difficult bridge to cross.

After getting that cathartic masterpiece off his chest, the album notably calms with “Bored in the USA” righting the facetious course and closes with two loves songs. “Holy Shit”, a song Tillman wrote on his wedding day, finally articulates a separation between his jaded worldview and his love for Emma as he concludes, “Maybe love is just an economy based on resource scarcity, but what I fail to see is what that's gotta do with you and me”. I mean, right?

The album closes with, “I Went to the Store One Day”. A story of how his journey with Emma began through a chance encounter in a parking lot. In the end, the good guy prevails. Affection wins the war. Father John Misty was born out of a particularly prophetic high in California. But new beginnings rise in the wake of war and I am very interested to see what comes next for Tillman/Misty. There is one thing I know for sure, the man can write a damn good song.  

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this is everything to me rn.

who’s going to recreate this scene with me irl?

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By year end I don’t think I will only be following any humans on Facebook. 

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NOBODY WANTS YOUR BOWL OF CHILI, CAROL

This week on Whine About It… REASONS WHY PARTIES ARE THE WORST. (Please still invite me to things I promise I’m fun.)

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Watch John Oliver rip America’s disgraceful maternity leave policy

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Last week we went to see Tobias Jesso Jr and I could not have been more endeared. From his lanky stature topped with a fluffy mess of wonderful curls, to his well-timed self deprecating quips, he put on the sort of show that made me really really happy I stayed up past 11 on a Tuesday to catch. 

Goon has been in heavy rotation since it was released and fits neatly in the mix with Father John Misty’s new release. Pitchfork actually opened their review of the album with this statement, 

“At some point it became clear that one of the themes for the first quarter of 2015 would be The Return of the Male Piano Balladeer.”

and, oh, this made me happy. 

The tracks on this album weave together almost too perfectly at times. Similar hooks, similar melodies, similar croons. But as someone who is guilty of finding a favorite track and playing it on repeat without giving the rest of the album a chance, I can’t complain.

Stylistically, the album is nothing new. A blind ear may credit Randy Newman or John Lennon or even the “Cheers” theme song (I’m looking at you “Can We Still Be Friends”), but I think we can all agree that this is good company to be grouped with.

Come for the simplicity, stay for the charm, and if you have a chance to catch him live - do it! I dare you to leave without a slight crush on this newbie.

Favorite tracks: “How Could You Babe”, “Hollywood” & “Just a Dream”

Favorite lyrics (the refrain from “Just a Dream” because it’s just so sweet and I am about to be an auntie to a sweet little bebe girl and I just can’t help but place my brother in law in Jesso’s shoes) 

I can't explain the world to you  Can't explain the things that people choose to do There's a thing called hate And there’s a thing called love, too Like the love I have for your mom and for you My baby She looked at me and she smiled

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reblogging 100% for the second gif.

My relationship with my siblings

Expectation:

Reality:

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you girls are so pretty. you should smile!

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this really resonated with me today.

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fact. 

(image via xingsnoodlecrib)

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