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dangermousie · 4 years

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2020 End of Year Post - kdrama edition

You can find my 2020 cdrama post here: dangermousie.tumblr.com/post/638449659546845184/2020-end-of-year-post-cdrama-edition

This is only going to cover kdramas that aired in 2020; if it originally aired another year, it’s not on this list.

It’s been a pretty lackluster kdrama year. There are probably only 5 kdramas I truly loved and only three of them I was really obsessed over. Better luck in 2021!

DRAMAS WATCHED

(In order of liking from least to most as opposed to pure quality; I am including if I’ve seen enough to make up my mind; yes I realize that’s inaccurate, but that’s my list)

42 Born Again - so bad, so incoherent, so insane, I have no idea why the leads signed up for it (and unlike some of the other watchers, I think it was awful from the very start.) There is literally nothing about this drama that makes sense.

41 Love with Flaws - a bunch of people who should be tried under the Geneva Convention.

40 Sweet Munchies - Jung Il Woo proves his inability to pick a functional script.

39 Meow the Secret Boy - if you ever wanted to bang a cat, this drama is for you. Not being a furry, however...

38 Do Do Sol Sol La Sol - I lost braincells just typing out this title.

37 When I Was the Most Beautiful - the only way it’s not the dumbest, most pointless melo of 2020 is because Born Again considerately came out the same year.

36 Woman of 9.9 Billion - if you want to watch an artsy French movie about miserable people, but only badly made, boy do I have a drama for you.

35 Lies after Lies - screams after screams.

34 Backstreet Rookie - people were up in arms about various problematic plots. I am a survivor of many plots much more problematic but even I couldn’t survive how utterly boring and annoying this drama was and how utterly irritating the leads were. This has taken Ji Chang Wook off my top favorites into “should I even check his latest Lovestruck in the City? Probably not” territory almost single-handedly (Melt Me helped, to be fair.)

33 Men Are Men - boring is boring.

32 Dinner Mate - two beautiful boring people eat out a lot.

31 Was It Love - no it wasn’t.

30 Alice - Joo Won in the shower can make up for a multitude of sins but not plot nonsense of such magnitude. When you find yourself thinking it would be better if he hooked up with the alternate universe version of his mother because at least then something entertaining would happen, you know it’s bad.

29 More than Friends - started out OK, then made me hate basically everyone and kept going.

28 Start-Up - honestly, it’s probably more decent than its place here, but the toxic and batshit fandom for it (the worst this year) made me feel like breaking out in hives any time it’s even mentioned.

27 The Spies who Loved Me - how to take a good cast and waste it.

26 Private Lives - it was good but it never took off with its concept and spent more time on the incoherent plot than the OTP which was its one strength. It’s a decent drama but coming after Heartless City and My Beautiful Bride from the same writer, it’s a disappointment.

25 Record of Youth - as high as it is due to Park Bo Gum hard carrying this entire awful drama on his shoulders and doing it so well I finished it. Alas, while he is in one drama (and that drama is great), the rest of the characters and the entirety of the script are a pointless useless mess.

24 Do You Like Brahms - excellent first third, mediocre middle, and terrible last third. I don’t know what musical term applies to this? Diminuendo, I think.

23 I’ll Go to You When the Weather is Nice - nice and mellow but nothing much happens.

22 Forest - mainly for Park Hae Jin’s excellent and frequently naked bod.

21 The Ballot - I didn’t love it as much as everyone did but it was well-made.

20 Hyena - more romance and less weird law stuff would make it better.

19 365 Repeat the Year - surprisingly solid.

18 The Game Towards Zero - see 365.

17 When My Love Blooms - very old fashioned, very lovely.

16 Chocolate - also very old fashioned and very lovely but also with Yoon Kye Sang performing medical procedures bleeding and shirtless. MMM.

15 (tie) Secret Royal Inspector - a fun if run of the mill sageuk.

15 Find Me In Your Memory - best melo this year.

14 Mystic Pop Up Bar - surprisingly good even though I wasn’t planning to check it out.

13 Where Your Eyes Linger - came out of nowhere but was tender and hopeful and lovely.

12 Itaewon Class - Park Seo Joon hard carries a drama that is already excellent. Love it.

11 Psychopath Diary - Yoon Shi Yoon is such a treat in a hilarious, cynical, dark comedy.

10 Kairos - more like ouroboros.

9 Queen Love and War - in a year where sageuks are very rare, this was solid and surprisingly moving and shippy.

8 The King Eternal Monarch - people didn’t like it but I did. It’s no masterpiece and both the leads and the writers have better dramas, but it was a lovely romantic fairy tale for me.

7 Mr. Queen - sharp, hilarious, and some of my favorite actors.

6 Psycho But It’s OK - healing, sharp cinematography and even sharper chemistry.

5 Crash Landing on You - the last ep pissed me off so much this drama is dead to me but I loved it so much until then I can’t place it lower in good conscience.

4 Train - who knew I would go this hard for an OCN drama or that OCN would do romance so well? But this time-travel mystery romance is just incredible and I shipped the OTP and rooted for the characters and loved every last bit of it.

3 Run On - this is the drama Record of Youth wanted to be but failed. Smart and lived in, you feel like you are peeking at real people, but also even four episodes in, I am so invested in the main characters separately and together, and care for them so much, it’s a little frightening.

1 (tie) Tale of the Nine Tailed - my perfect fantasy romance. I liked it better than Goblin, yeah I said it.

1 Flower of Evil - all the tropes I love in one incredible package. I would rewatch episodes waiting for new ones trying to puzzle the story and to stay withdrawal but it works just as well on rewatch. Lee Jun Ki brings his trademark tortured intensity and for once, both his leading lady and his script back him up and are worthy of that. It’s perfect.

FAVORITE DRAMA

It’s a tie between Tale of the Nine Tailed and Flower of Evil but if I had to pick just one, FoE, because it had me seriously obsessed and guessing about the protagonist and gave me the narrative tropes I love so much and an OTP that statisfied all my hurt/comfort kinks and then some.

WORST DRAMA

Born Again - honestly, this is so bonkers it almost becomes good but alas...

FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER

Do Hyun Soo/Baek Hee Sung, Flower of Evil - he is so messed up, so on edge, so traumatized. Yet capable of so much warmth and caring even as he himself doesn’t realize his humanity. FoE is basically a story of a man pushed and punished by the world for his entire life who, because of one woman, finds a safe place and peace and slowly comes to life without realizing it, and watching his desperation to keep this small bit of normalcy is so heartbreaking and exciting all at once. Plus, you start the drama thinking he’s a psychopathic serial killer and end it (if you are me) thinking he must be protected at all costs and if anyone even looks at him wrong they must suffer, and that’s quite a change!

FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER

Nam Ji Ah, Tale of the Nine Tailed - she is so funny and tough and smart and loving and amazing that I will totally buy that a literal demi-god will do anything and everything for her and love her for literal eternity.

NEEDS TO BE MURDERED

Dad in Record of Youth - yes in a year with serial killers and supernatural demons, I picked a normal character from a mediocre drama. It’s his everyday awfulness to his family that hits so hard and I am sad he never got his comeuppance.

FAVORITE SHIP

Ji Ah x Yeon - a fearless reporter and an immortal demi-god who’s been hoping for his human beloved to reincarnate. A really rare set-up where the OTP is equally ride or die, so compatible and completely BAMF. I got why he waited for her for that long and then fell in love with her all over again. Perfection.

Runner up: Flower of Evil - he is so messed up he literally does not believe he is capable of love or empathy, but he falls in love with her anyway and so utterly she permeates his entire life. She is tough as nails and only believes what she sees and is the sole person who believes in him against the world. She loves him but he needs her. She needs him but he loves her. They are amazing.

FAVORITE SECONDARY OTP

Seo Dan x Gu Seung Jun, Crash Landing on You, North Korean x Conman were so good I shipped them harder than the main OTP and the end of that storyline pissed me off so much I dumped the drama and didn’t finish it for months (and it’s still dead to me.)

NOTP

Record of Youth - it started out and they didn’t have much chemistry but the dialogues were interesting and I thought the chemistry would grow. It didn’t and deteriorated, their dialogues became boring and relationship had zero development (about as much as the supposed female lead.) I think we were supposed to feel bad they broke up and they were going for a bittersweet open ending, instead I found myself happy about the break up of two incompatible, chemistry-less people and hoping for the love of God they never get back together.

FAVORITE SCENE

Yeon and the bridge of knives, Tale of the Nine Tailed - Yeon choosing to undergo the creeptastic bridge of knives for a chance to save Ji Ah, who at that point he is not aware is the reincarnation of his Joseon love because, as he says, he doesn’t care if she is or isn’t, it just would be more horrible to have her die than to undergo the horrific torture he is undergoing, and then the sequence with his catching her, her weeping over him and the fact that she is the original Joseon girl revealed and all the bandaging and his watching her sleep and all that loveliness, is everything for yours truly.

Runner up: Hyun Soo having that break-down at the cliff at the end of ep 15 of Flower of Evil as Ji Won desperately tries to convince him she is alive and he finally stumbles to her.

Runner runner up (it’s my list, I will do what I want): Do Won preparing to blow his brains out to give a chance to Seo Kyung to live in Train.

BIGGEST CRUSH

Seon-Gyeom, Run On. Yeah, I know. Im Siwan is tiny, delicate featured and has a runner’s build, none of which are things that normally appeal to me. But his character is so odd, so honest, so unflinching in pursuing what he thinks is right, so incapable of self-pity despite plenty of reasons for it, and so ridiculously attractive when he smiles, I don’t even care.

BEST SCENE STEALER CHARACTER

Kim Bum, TotNT - I started out being annoyed by him and ended up looking forward to his scenes and being distraught by his ending.

NEEDS A SEQUEL

Honestly, none. I was fine with all the endings. I wouldn’t mind seeing post-end life of Tale of the Nine Tailed characters or the OTP settling into their literal new world in Train, but I am good.

TROPE THAT NEEDS TO DIE

Time jump that solves all the problems off screen or alternatively years pass and everyone is frozen - something that kdramas need to learn and need to learn badly. See Record of Youth, Brahms and Start Up.

FAVORITE TROPE WE’VE SEEN A LOT OF

Men who are ride or die for their OTP - this was a great year for this - the male leads of four of my five dramas were beyond anything on that scale (only exception is Run On because it’s still too early to tell there.) Yes PLEASE.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

This was a banner year for that what with Start Up, Do You Like Brahms, Record of Youth, and Private Lives all starting out well and nosediving off the cliff but winner is Crash Landing on You. I loved it so much for bulk of its run but the last episode pissed me off so much I deleted all my files and called it a day.

BIGGEST GOOD SURPRISE

Flower of Evil - I had no expectations of this drama and wasn’t even planning on watching it despite liking both the lead actors because yet another “look at evil serial killer be evil” drama with no romance was not my thing. Luckily someone convinced me there might be some romance and I peeked curiously. Honestly, their promo campaign was the most misleading and dumbest thing ever.

Runner up Psycho but it’s OK - I have never liked Kim Soo Hyun in anything before and the drama premise seemed WTF but it was shockingly good and KSH totally blew me away.

Hardest Working Lead

Yoon Shi Yoon - he starred in two (!!!) dramas in 2020 playing three characters and not only were both these dramas awesome in a lackluster year, but if it wasn’t for the fact that I knew it was the same actor and the fact that the characters shared a face, I would have never believed that they were played by the same actor. So good!

2020 DRAMAS I HAVEN’T SEEN THAT I MOST WANT TO WATCH

None. Covid Year gave me PLENTY of time

BEST NON-2020 DRAMA I’VE WATCHED IN 2020

My Beautiful Bride and Deserving of the Name - I was obsessed with both of them and honestly, they were much better than the bulk of 2020 kdramas I watched.

MOST ANTICIPATED IN 2021

The Moon That Rises in the Day, Hong Chun Gi, Joseon Exorcist, Island, Frightening Cohabitation, Snowdrop.

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loudestsounds · 4 years

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Top 50 Records of 2020

50- Melee by Dogleg

You like some punk in your cereal? It’s a part of a healthy breakfast. Melee has something truly special here. It’s high octane when it needs to be while still maintaining precision and focus in the instrumentation and recording. Ultimately what’s compelling about the record is how frustrated everything sounds while still managing to maintain melody. It’s the sound of breaking shit to rhythm!

49- Grae by Moses Sumney

A stunning and rich concoction of songs that leaves you bewildered. Moses Sumney has made something deeply personal while still inviting you inside. While the second half (which was released a few months apart from the first) tends to make the entire album feel a touch long-winded, the effort is well-executed and often breathtaking.

48- Fail to Be by Yashira

This one snuck in at the last minute. A totally earth-shattering metal record that is determined to damage your dome permanently. There’s certainly a heavy dose of Converge influence all over the record, but Yashira manages to separate themselves from the pack with excellent song writing and unique choices. Production wise this record might be par for the course, but there are some nice little touches on tracks like The Weight and Amnesia that create wonderful depth.

47- Man on the Moon III by Kid Cudi

I went into this thing with on giant sigh but left questioning whether I had accidentally pressed play on another album. Kid Cudi manages to pull something off! Cudi somehow takes inspiration from the genre that took inspiration from his own catalogue of music circa 2005. This is a terrific record to zone out to and let play out. Will this record rival some of the big stack bullies of hip hop? No. Cudi was never about that. He’s always been about mood and this is one moody son of a-! There are some clear skippable tracks (see: Elsie’s baby boy) but he also lands some excellent grooves on Solo Dolo, Pt. III, Lovin’ Me and Tequila Shots. While the record does suffer from overstaying its welcome with an 18 song track list—it manages not to take you out of the experience.

46- Whole New Mess by Angel Olsen

WNM was poorly marketed as a distinct album, despite being essentially stripped back versions of 2019′s All Mirrors. Audiences were met with disappointment at having only two fresh songs to sample. The reality is it doesn’t fucking matter. Angel Olsen has done no wrong for her entire career. These songs can breathe in a ‘whole new’ way on this record and allow the listener greater insight while simultaneously haunting the walls of the record. Lark and Tonight (Without You) take on an entirely different life, and New Love Cassette feels like a different song entirely. Even Olsen’s scraps feel like fully realized ideas. Still—the title track steals the show, as we hear Olsen at her most desperate. Usually overwhelming the listener with her poise and sharp wit, Olsen promises that she’ll really do the change. She doesn’t have to change a thing.

45- Eastern Flowers by SVEN WUNDERS

This one caught me off guard in the summer and I had it playing in the background of everything I was doing. Cleaning. Studying. Working. Eastern Flowers is middle eastern music made by Nordic people and I stopped trying to figure out how that happened a while ago. There is a lovely energy here, one that fuses traditional middle eastern melodies with funk embellishments. Eastern Flowers is just a really fun time.

44- The Archer by Alexandra Savior

I had skipped Savior’s first record entirely before diving into the sophomore album. Going back, it’s clear that she has developed a great deal in the meantime. Despite Alex Turner producing the last one, the song writing takes the haunting details to whole new heights. Savior seems more confident in her voice, and also more willing to play with it in production (the ghostly tone on her voice in Soft Currents a testament). Savior separates herself from artists with a similar voice or who rest beside her within her genre, in how long she is willing to simmer within a song. These aren’t typical arrangements and it’s exciting to hear Savior throw you for a loop on songs like Howl and But You. We’re all excited for what lies next.

43- Push by Heads.

Angry. Aggressive. Anxious. Push is a record that feels like the moments that build up before a massive protest. You are constantly pushed to the edge as the listener. There is a sinister element to the vocals that is deeply unsettling. Most songs slowly build with the promise of something bigger, instead reaching success simply by maintaining tension. Then there are songs like Weather Beaten and Nobody Moves & Everybody Talks that change the narrative, exploding into a punishing breakdown. Heads. Have something truly electric and angry on their hands here, and we’ll go along for the ride.

42- Indistinct Conversations by Land of Talk

Many stripped-back and bare tracks on this one from Montreal’s own Land of Talk. It hits you about halfway through that the album is obsessed with loving one’s own history. Even when things have failed to work out, many songs suggest that we can only look back fondly. Opener Diaphonous warns I was caught up in the wrong stuff/ but I have to laugh. There are moments of greatness on this record, like the rushing movement of Look to You and the twangy riff of Footnotes—yet the marvel is in the consistent beauty, never wavering.

41- Are You Gone by Sarah Harmer

A really soothing yet fun indie rock record that satisfies my craving for the music I loved as a teenager. There are some lovely arrangements and melodies from Harmer on this one, and while the mood is a touch sad, you’re happy you got to share in the emotion of it all. The album oscillates between more intimate moments and full-band jams, which create a nice balance—as if you’re moving in and out with the tide.

40- Circles by Mac Miller

I was never the biggest Mac Miller fan. I wasn’t all that familiar with his catalogue before Swimming, and I perhaps made a point of listening to this posthumous release simply because he passed tragically. Still, the songs seem touched by his state, haunting the listener in combination with what we know ultimately happened to Mac. It’s a real shame it had to end like this, but if there was ever a gorgeous, captivating, and mature release to come at the end of a successful career cut short, Circles was it.

39- Down to the Lowest Terms: The Soul Sessions by Steve Arrington

Steve Arrington is back from his cryogenic freeze with a sick friggin’ soul album! These are fun, joyous and lived in gospel/soul tracks that play well in almost any setting. Play this bad boy with your friends, family and even around the office. Nobody will be disappointed. There are also some beautiful production touches that make this a great listen on headphones. Steve wants to tell you all about how funk is the way—and I think I believe him.

38- Atonement by exhalants.

A fun ripper that makes you want to run up your walls and slam your fists on the floor. Atonement is not active listening per se, at least not in comparison to records released by their cohort, but it certainly puts you in a space that the band creates, dictates and commands. This is a band that has borrowed from others in the genre, but made that rare hardcore record that has just the right amount of hooks while maintaining space to catch ones breath.

37- Petals for Armor by Hayley Williams

PFA had that multiple EP release thing that a few artists did this year (see: Dirty Projectors). Ultimately the entire project suffered from a touch of bloat—but the incredible songs were spread out enough on this album, that it had to make my list. There are incredible production choices on this record, and it clearly was a labour of love for Williams. The songs are a bit rigid in the vein of Annie Clark, but Williams has a freedom to her vocals that liberates them. I think a more refined 10 track album may have cracked my top 20. Songs like Taken and My Friend don’t seem to have a real purpose on the record other than just being half-baked mood tracks, but they don’t tarnish the effect that songs like Simmer, Over Yet or Sugar on the Rim have on the listener.

36- Farewell to All we Know by Matt Elliott

Farewell is a collection of the creepiest, saddest and most beautiful songs you’ve ever heard. I don’t usually stray down this path but this is an album that works so well when reading or writing. There is some beautiful poetry on the darkness of the world and the last hopes for mankind. What sets the record apart lays in the details. The haunting echoes of the city streets. The whisper of ghosts that drag behind Elliott’s guitar. The record establishes incredible mood, inviting you in for a glass of despair.

35- Polysomn by Kairon; IRSE!

My head hurts just trying to write about this record. It’s weird, heavy, melodic. The vocals feel unique to the genre while used sparingly. There is a lot of interesting synth play on this record that might invite listeners outside of the genre—but that also add depth and feeling to songs that otherwise might feel like trudges through metal music mud. Polysomn is filled with exciting, dynamic elements that are a good entrance into “weird, heavy music” for you listeners out there. I won’t pretend to know how this band does what it does any longer. Just enjoy.

34- Impossible Weight by Deep Sea Diver

Frankly, the record is difficult to talk about without making it seem like it sounds like basically all of its contemporaries. In fairness, Deep Sea Diver shares a lot of commonality with the likes of Weyes Blood, Broken Social Scene, Sharon Van Etten (who even features on the title track). That said, everything sounds great on this record. The songs are tight, the melodies hang effortlessly and the vibes are…vibes. There are a ton of interesting choices, from the weird arrangements on Hurricane, reminiscent of Wolf Parade- to the videogame synths on Lightning Bolts. It never gets tired or boring—it just stands as an excellent indie pop/rock record that you can play at your board game night.

33- When I Die, Will I Get Better? by SVALBARD

Equal parts mathy, metal, prog, emo and god knows what. This album has an intense feel to it that will have you uplifted as you thrash around your apartment. The momentum of these songs truly amazes, as we’re taken for an absolutely blistering ride on almost every track. Nonetheless, the songs find a way to breathe, unlike most of their contemporaries that leave you exhausted by the twenty minute mark. SVALBARD also has an ear for melody that fights typical metal fatigue. I won’t get tired of listening to this one.

32- Silver Tongue by TORRES

After the bizarre, cryptic disappointment of Three Futures, it didn’t seem clear where TORRES would head. On Silver Tongue she appears to continue a confident journey in her own direction, but with a bit more focus and lot more precision. Where Three Futures was too disorienting to follow and often too indulgent for the listener to feel at all involved, Silver Tongue extends an olive branch—grab hold and you’ll be taken on a strange, glitchy and melodic journey into psychedelic pop rock. While the songs lack warmth, that seems to be the point entirely. There’s a magic in the cold and dreary walls that TORRES builds on the record that impresses with every subsequent listen.

31- The Baby by Samia

A tremendous indie-rock record with some of the most excitement build-ups and hooks of anything released in 2020. Samia sings about some of the bleak realities of sexual frivolity in one’s twenties, while still somehow gloating about her vinegar and kale diets (all tongue in cheek). There are clear standout tracks (Big Wheel, Fit n Full, Minnesota) – but where Samia shines, and where she separates herself from her cohort of indie rock darlings (see: Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, Clairo) is how well her slower ballads, such as Does not Heal, land. She is a superior song writer in many respects and has everything ahead of her.

30- Live Forever by Bartees Strange

A very surreal, genre bending record from newcomer Bartees Strange. Live Forever sounds like totally different music depending on which track you’re on. You have some Death Cab. You have some Bon Iver. You have some Joey Badass? It’s a strange journey through an eclectic, cluttered and heavily talented musical mind.

29- The Ascension by Sufjan Stevens

While the record as a whole underwhelmed me, Sufjan is still Sufjan. If this record was made by any other artist I’d be telling everyone about it. Many of the sounds felt a bit too familiar, which put me off just a touch. There are still unbelievable moments on this record: the layers on Make Me an Offer/ the dance-pop qualities of Video Game/ the swelling choir section of Tell Me You Love Me/ the build up of tension in The Ascension. There are the more confounding moments: Death Star as a song and not as parody/ Sugar as a slapstick suggestion of romance. Frankly I’m not all that blown away by the lead single, and nearly 13 minute odyssey, America—but I can understand how it operates as a statement of frustration and raw emotion. Nonetheless, Sufjan continues to occupy a space that, while at times mystifying, still leaves you entranced by the mystique of it all. We always leave wanting more, even if we’ve had a bit too much.

28- Set My Heart on Fire Immediately by Perfume Genius

A gorgeous and lush assembly of songs that feel very personal to PG. The songs are grand, yet surprisingly intimate. One frustration with the songs that I’m still struggling to come to terms with, is that they seem very distant from the listener. We’re not invited into the experiences that the songs discuss—they seem isolated and tethered to the artist. That was likely a conscious decision and suits the subject matter well. Still, for all the warmth and atmosphere—you wish you could go along for the ride. Perfume Genius seems content on operating on their own planet—as we listen through frequency.

27- Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa

This was certainly the year of Dua. She seems to have realized her final form and it’s truly a great thing to witness and listen to. Future Nostalgia plays out as an exceptional throwback pop record in a pop era dominated by future/hyper industrial production. These songs are poppy and unashamed to be exactly what they are. With the exception of the clumsy songs that bookend the record (the title track is a lacklustre open & Boys Will Be Boys attempts to tie in a loose, feminist concept to the record)—the album as a whole is jam packed with immense hooks. Let’s hope Dua hasn’t peaked because there is so much to love and groove to on this record.

26- KG by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Another instalment of the King Gizzard microtonal series. Unlike Flying Microtonal Banana, KG tends to hit harder and land smoother. There is a ton of groove on this bad boy that gets you comfortably settled, until the boys shake it up with some eclectic, middle east inspired arrangement. The beauty of KG is how you are never allowed to settle into something for too long. You’re almost always moving on to another segment, idea and branch of music that makes you feel...weird. Thanks guys!

25- Quelle by BRIQUEVILLE

A haunting, drone fuelled romp in the spooky room. Quelle almost puts you to sleep until it urgently shakes you awake with a thunderous riff. It’s clear that every moment of the record is laboured over, every decision painstakingly made. There are moments taken straight out of your favorite horror film, yet the album manages to pull you in closer instead of pushing you away. Bold choices pay off for BRIQUEVILLE on this one, as we enter their world, and almost don’t manage to make it out.

24- Lianne La Havas S/T

LLH self titles a record that sees her reaching back to a more stripped down, jam-based sound. There are some absolute bleeders on here that see her voice reaching registers she hasn’t covered on previous releases. The live-band recording works in her favor, as the instrumentation is loose enough to create a mood but still manages to quickly snap back to tight and precise progressions. Anchored by a well-executed Radiohead cover (Weird Fishes) the record has a strong b-side to match its grand opening half. The hypnotic qualities of many of the tracks are an especially fun element to the release as the jams tend to work you up wherever you are. La Havas has something very special on her hands with this record, and it’s one I will continue to share for years to come.

23- Omens by Elder

A softer and, dare I say, poppier release from stoner rock fiends Elder was a welcome addition to music in 2020. There are many long form jams on this record that open themselves up to synths—and while it seems they haven’t totally mastered how to integrate more electronic segments into their riffage, the moods are still tight as hell. Give it a spin with some decent headphones and you won’t be disappointed.

22- Miss Anthropocene by Grimes

You can try as hard as you’d like to root against Grimes but her music speaks for itself. I looked for ways to tell myself that she had finally waned or has become less inspired—but it’s just not true—she is finely tuned to whatever wavelength is firing on her alien planet. On MA the songs have more space to breathe, often meandering within themselves for over six minutes, until she hits you with a straightforward pop rock track that is so well produced and contains such a great vocal performance, that you simply cannot deny that we have yet another excellent release. It’s freaky, it’s haunting, it’s weird, and at times it’s even pleasurably comic. Grimes is doing it all and she is doing it on exactly her terms. We should expect nothing less.

21- Rough and Rowdy Ways by Bob Dylan

I won’t pretend to be an expert on Bob Dylan’s catalogue. Nor will I pretend that I know what makes Bob Dylan good or bad. All I know is that Rough and Rowdy ways has great songs that back beautiful poetry. It’s consistently captivating and often, terribly sad. The final track, Murder Most Foul, may be one of the most potent, historical epics ever put to music. All in all, Bob Dylan has something deeply interesting to add to our weird, chaotic, and just plain shitty times.

20- Superstar by Caroline Rose

The last show I went to was the album release of this record and it absolutely killed. Playing the record front to back, Caroline Rose will always be the pre-pandemic gig that symbolized the lightning before the thunder. Superstar is an excellent concept album about a fictionalized Caroline travelling across country with hopes of become…well… a superstar. Along the way she tosses and turns in a relationship, eviscerates doubt and self-loathing by replacing it with boisterous egotism, and manages to find herself at a finish line exhausted, and yet surprisingly having still learned something. The tracks on this record blend seamlessly into one another as Rose manages to coalesce the synth-rock madness we are used to with tighter song writing and more lyrical purpose. Caroline Rose may have just ended up what she wanted to be along.

19- The New Abnormal by The Strokes

Everybody talks about a timeless quality that The Strokes early records have and it seems every record they have made since their first two have been made with the purpose of dispelling that very notion. The fact of the matter is, that timeless quality is what has endeared them to fans for two decades. The New Abnormal recaptures their earlier spirit. Sure, there are indulgent nods to the 80s that they seem obsessed with (sometimes to a fault)—with songs like Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus and Eternal Summer. Those songs likely work better in front of a crowd, and tend to actually crowd the record itself. Yet, there is no denying that there are excellent STROKES SONGS on this record that make you feel the way you felt listening to their first two records. The Adults are Talking is an immediate entrance into what made you love them to begin with, and Selfless follows as one of their prettiest ‘ballads’. Not the Same Anymore and Ode to the Mets close the record on an extremely high note, harkening back to the warmth of Room on Fire, with more mature and independent song structures. The true testament to the band’s growth is with their first single At the Door—which is an epic that ebbs and flows through wild croons and jagged synths, asking you to sit down and believe in the song itself. It’s as if The Strokes have been asking us to simply trust them all along.

18- UNLOCKED by Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats

This is exactly it. Two masters collaborating in what might be their respective primes. It’s so packed, saturated, concentrated, condensed it almost seems like if it were any longer it would make our heads explode. They found the hip hop secret and managed to unlock it for us. While this may qualify as an EP it is an album’s worth of brilliance. It slaps from beginning to end with Kenny Beats saving his best instrumentals that masquerade as demos. Don’t get me wrong—these are brilliant templates for Denzel to cruise along to. Except Denzel does nothing close to cruising, he sets the road on goddamn fire. While Denzel is namedropping Rosa Parks and Don Corleone while recommending his haters go on a diet, he is playful in the same way Joe Pesci was playful in Goodfellas. With every subsequent verse Denzel is requiring that you answer the question: i’m funny how? You are certainly no clown! We swear!

17- NO DREAM by Jeff Rosenstock

NO DREAM friggin’ rules dude! It took a bunch of listens for me to get the hang of it. I especially felt resistant to the opening track and how the record begins by pummelling you with punk chords—but that’s where Rosenstock is, so you just have to take it. NO DREAM is about giving up on settling for less. Rosenstock yells about hometown washouts, he yells about road trips, he yells about dopes who don’t believe in climate change. But you really feel something once Rosenstock starts to regret some of those lost loves. Maybe he could have behaved. Maybe he reacted too quickly. Maybe he made choices he never thought he’d make. Haven’t we all thought that? NO DREAM is a masterful punk rock record that maintains goofy, crazy, hilarious and fun traits that all good punk records need while providing us with heart that Rosenstock has never shown us before.

16- We Will Always Love You by The Avalanches

Well, they did it again and snuck in there at the final hour. The Avalanches’ third record is a groovy, cold weather house record, bookended by some sort of intergalactic nonsense. Ultimately, the nothingness means everything, as there is an incredible amount of feeling that rests in the pieced together samples. Features from MGMT, Kurt Vile, Leon Bridges, Denzel Curry and even Rivers Cuomo only add to the madness. While the run-time is a bit long, the songs are quick enough to carry you through swiftly on your back. The Avalanches have once again offered us hypnotic, dream-like listening, perhaps when we needed it most.

15- Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers

Bridgers has this very special quality about her song writing, where it feels like she’s pulling you close to tell you something and then whispers into your ear a secret that you knew all along. She then pats you on the shoulder, nods her head, and says good luck- all with a smirk. Bridgers has secrets we don’t have, and that’s what makes her music equal parts haunting and gorgeous. The melodies on Punisher remain in your head for months and while they are deadly serious they also reassure you with a “hey, you know this is just a song, right?”. Songs like Chinese Satellite offer more complex arrangements that are made full (but not heavy!) with string section embellishments. Halloween is the small town folk song about a place you just had to be there to understand. Graceland Too offers a nice release from the shadows that loom all over the record, although it’s never in too much sunlight to become a distraction. The entire album flows effortlessly, and before you know it you’ve reached the breathy scream and laughter at the end of epic closer I Know The End. Life is a game that Phoebe Bridgers is watching us all take bets on. She’ll remind us how it all played out later.

14- Find the Sun by Deradoorian

These songs are odd, cyclical, hypnotic. The vocals are static and often emotionless. Find the Sun is a masterpiece taken directly from 1972—but thank god it was here to lull us into paralysis in 2020. None of the songs are direct injections, instead they are slow-release capsules that require you to take your time. Opener Red Den has a standard song structure (an anomaly), but still has a haunting, looping chorus that is interpolated with a second chorus that rests three levels lower. Perhaps the most direct track is almost impossible to describe. These songs are riddles or rubix cubes or those goddamn magic eye paintings that you have to look at for three hours to make out a boat (I see you, Mallrats). Deradoorian crafts an album that, despite requiring a certain degree of passive effort (huh?), still goes down smooth. Although clearly inspired by CAN, there is nothing frustrating here that forces you to concede that “maybe art doesn’t need to be understood, man”. This is a gorgeously pieced together album of psych/folk/rock that has earned its place on the mantle.

13- What’s Your Pleasure by Jessie Ware

A dangerously good pop record that throws you back to the 80s with disco inspired flourishes. Some parts Robyn, some parts Madonna. Jessie Ware has a sound that grows past merely reproducing the music that has inspired her. There are curious and inventive details in songs (like the chorus in Ooh La La or the harmonized layers in the verses of The Kill). The songs take you to groovy heights with their detail, but the record also has some straightforward, power thru dance tracks like Read My Lips that anchor it, never letting you forget that this was meant to be danced to with others. What’s Your Pleasure is a beautifully woven pop masterpiece that never lets you go.

12- Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was by Bright Eyes

Bright eyes is back. This record is an exciting return for the band, one that captures the misery and mysticism that surrounds our age of impending doom. Got to keep on going like it ain’t the end/ got to change like your life is depending on it-- is the first verse we hear from Conor and he never truly lets go of the sentiment. All the tracks are haunted by his past, the bleak world we live in, and the thought of trying to work out a way to make it through the days that feel like years. Down in the Weeds comes out after nine years away from the band, time Conor spent getting married and divorced, and sadly also losing his brother. These happenings find themselves scattered all over the record, as Conor is hesitant to reference them directly, but instead allows them to haunt tracks like ghosts. The instrumentation from Mogis and Walcott is fuller than other Bright Eyes records, the sounds more diverse. If someone asked what Bright Eyes sounds like one could legitimately offer this record as evidence—it is a distillation of many sounds across their entire catalogue. Ultimately what Down in the Weeds does best is remind us that the will to continue through the world is what makes us distinctly human, but also what makes us closer to something greater, something beyond everything. She doesn’t know what a comet does/ you’re approaching as you disappear-- is what we hear on the closing track Comet Song. Bright Eyes brings us closer to a truth we always knew would be just out of reach.

11- Death by Coastlands

Aptly named, Death is a record about endings. Heart wrenching, devastating, finite and yet oddly satisfying endings. There are very sparing vocals on the record, but the instrumentation offers more feeling than any hardcore record this year. The pacing of songs like Dead Friends, the haunting choir that looms over Marrow, or the breaking of tensions that erupts out of Red Smoke Flare. This record doesn’t need words to evoke feelings of peril, urgency and grief.

10- Songs by Adrianne Lenker

On not a lot, just forever, Adriane Lenker sings and I want to be your wife/so I hold you to my knife. This line arrives as plea instead of a threat—on an album filled with songs where Lenker reckons with her desperation. She pleas with the past for lost time returned, she pleas with her lovers for mistake forgiven, she pleas with herself for the possibility of change. When added to her catalogue with Big Thief, Songs proves that Adrianne Lenker may be the supreme song writer of our generation. On Anything she describes staring down the barrel of a hot sun as if the imagery were a familiar expression. Lenker tosses poetry at us like she might throw a frisbee. Even if we were positioned well enough to catch it, we could never throw it back, we are lucky to have it all.

09- Host by Cults

Host didn’t feel like much on my first listen. But it kept burrowing endlessly into my brain. Now I’m waking up in the middle of the night singing the melodies on my way to go pee (No Risk! No Believing! Or Leading...). They nailed all of it. The song writing is crisp. The production is electric and soothing. They lull you to a peaceful calm with lullaby sounding tracks like No Risk. When things are just about to get repetitive they shake you out of your dream state (see: Like I Do). Every track on the record is a standout, but it can only truly be appreciated as one complete, masterful piece of music.

08- how I’m feeling now by Charli XCX

Sure—it’s a bit of a pandemic time capsule. But holy shit. Charli made this absolute batshit hyperpop record in a month during lockdown. It is truly an unrelenting pinnacle of future pop that will hold up long past this absolute shit show of an era has passed. Charli has this way of making an unsettling listening experience that is also absurdly danceable. There are moments of insane pleasure, unhinged anxiety and bombastic ecstasy. From the promise of once again being together in forever to the claustrophobic realities of quarantine in enemy she covers the entire experience. These songs really stand alone as brilliant testaments to Charli’s prowess. There is no stopping her as an artist at this point. Oh, and she also did us a tremendous solid by making a danceable record about how we miss dancing together. God bless you Charli, baby.

07- Ohms by Deftones

This year needed this record. Something loud and clear as hard rock punishment. Deftones have what I believe to be their best record. Their sound has never been more crisp, focused or melodic. There are definitely new areas that Deftones explore on this record. From Spell of Mathematics to the title track—there’s a sharp attitude that plunges into their already excellent formula. The little details and flourishes of synth in songs like Genesis and Pompeji make all the difference (the latter’s transition into This Link Is Dead a clear standout)—allowing the record to breath and the listener to feel overwhelmed with, might I say, the world they have created. The album is full of beautiful moments of focus that keep the tension the band has built and cultivated for over a decade.

06- Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple

Fetch the Bolt Cutters is a record that maybe wasn’t for me at all. I firmly believe that women understand more of this record than I ever could. There’s so much brilliance in the pots and pans percussion that accompanies most tracks. There’s an energy that studio drums could never bring. And well, the songwriting speaks for itself. It’s an undeniable culmination of all of her influences. Fiona Apple is a songwriter that simply doesn’t exist anymore (some of her cohort has actually, sadly, died).

The most valuable lesson Fiona teaches us is that there is no perfect way to get over anything. But we are meant to wrestle with endings. Maybe we are all meant to move on. Making friends, sneering at enemies. Like beasts in the wild. Life might be one big game of axis and allies. Like Fiona walking on her way to school, we “grind our teeth to a rhythm invisible”. This record proves that we should each bring our mouthguard.

05- Every Bad by Porridge Radio

Every Bad is the room that your loneliness goes inside of to scream. Porridge Radio has an absolute masterpiece on their hands. Absolutely punishing lines that carve away your own anxiety with excellent songs that switch things around constantly. There isn’t a single stale song on the record and yet they work so cohesively. Every Bad is constantly asking us to self-examine, to dig a little deeper. What is going on with me? Is the first lyric you hear on the record. I’m coming home is the last. The record spans the cycle of existential dread guiding you through difficult choices and it could not have come at a better time.

04- St. Cloud by Waxahatchee

I think I like Americana music. I probably knew that when I couldn’t resist the sing-along qualities of Killers records like Sam’s Town or Battle Born—but Crutchfield’s 2020 record has solidified for me. The writing here is too good to be true. Equal parts poetry and melody, her voice has this raw quality that really carries home when she plays up the southern twangs and drawls. The album feels obsessed with new beginnings after brutal endings. Hometowns on fire and the power of choosing to move on. The lyrics still feel haunted by the weight of memory (St. Cloud), and the anxiety surrounding what might come next (Ruby Falls), but the fresh approach to song writing has Waxahatchee sounding the best they ever have.

03- RTJ 4 by Run the Jewels

They did it again. Not much to say here. It never gets old and it never feels stale. The records still feel like their own distinct hip-hop manifestos. The boys seems just as angry as they always did. The album arrived in the midst of a revolutionary cloud that hung over the world. The album is proof that we should expect it to remain overcast. The production on this thing is just as sleek, with El-P switching things up in bold ways on tracks like Goonies vs. ET. Some of the older tricks are used again, we have our comedown track with Pulling the Pin, we have our rock sample track with The Ground Below, we have our standout single with Ooh La La. The predictability of these songs may sound as if the album is formulaic but that’s beside the point. The fist will still knock your ass down, even if you knew it was coming. A truly loving element to the record is the bond that Killer Mike and El-P foster with each other through their alter-ego characters Yankee and The Brave- you can’t help but bask in their romance. The opening track is a blunt reminder that, in case you forgot, these guys are still here for another eleven rounds. The closing track solidifies the truth that they aren’t going anywhere, not anytime soon. And nor should they. We need Run the Jewels more than ever.

02- Captured Spirits by Mammal Hands

Mammal Hands came out of nowhere and blew my goddamn mind. I have no deep connection with Jazz as a genre, but by god did this record force me to go digging. It’s the type of accessible, energy driven music that makes you cozy and comfortable until it rips your goddamn ears off with sax solos and manic piano arrangements. While the latter half of the record doesn’t manage to match quite the same energy as first half standouts like Late Bloomer or Riddle—the beauty of the record is in its assured sense of pace. We’ll get to the good part, but on their time. Mammal Hands know what they’re doing.

01- Women in Music Pt. III by HAIM

HAIM have found, executed, and perfected their sound all in one album. WIMPIII is a masterwork that shockingly happened all at once. Where previous albums Days Are Gone and Something To Tell You may have excited with the promise of what could come next, this record stuns you with what is happening right before your eyes. The confidence that the sisters share on the album’s cover shines through on all the tracks. They know who they are and they know how they sound. I Know Alone is a perfect example of refined song writing, with subtle production touches (especially in the percussion) that add something extraordinarily dynamic. Up From A Dream and Gasoline are the pure rockers that you knew the band was capable of, but that they never before capitalized on. There are softer, more romantic folk tracks like The Steps and Leaning on You that might make your parents cry. Spanning a wide range of topics (depression, lost loves, home, isolation) the album fit so perfectly with our insane year—but the sound, summery and sheen, will manage to stand the test of time. There was initial frustration with the choice not to include singles Now I’m In It, Hallelujah & Summer Girl within the formal track list (because on any record they are the strongest songs!)—but with further consideration, their inclusion as bonus tracks make perfect sense. HAIM has crafted 13 gorgeous, smart and powerful songs that stand alone, together. Those bonus tracks just act as a mind-blowing encore. Women in Music Pt. III is the most dynamic, focused and well-written record of 2020. We dare not ask for better.

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lockdownuk · 4 years

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Lockdown Diary Part 2

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.

Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 31: I went to Tesco’s at Hampton at @8pm. It was weird. But I made it less weird by buying (amongst all the legit stuff I needed and some stuff for Karen’s mum) more booze. I have, atm about 30 assorted cans and 60 assorted bottles. I’m gonna stop buying booze now until I’m down to the last dozen. I don’t want owt to happen and I leave many behind!

Day 32: More than a calender month! I was rung up by a recruitment agent today about a contract with DHL as a remote support engineer to their aviation section. €400 a day! I’ve applied. Few beers tonight, watching a new Netflix release (Extraction) and catching up with Fog, Ham, Andy and Rog later at 10:30pm - yikes, might be pissed.

Day 33: Typing this on day 34. Dossed around during the day, few beers and another video call with fog, Ham and Rig plus I invited John Monk along. He was his usual self and signed off from the call with a moonie! Later on I had the pleasure of Scottish Louise video calling me! She was pissed, in her shed drinking den at her home with some neighbour called Ronnie and her daughter Ellie. She was her usual outrageous self who imaprted such gems as “Tim, you look old” and “Roger on coke is the only time I’ve taken it up the arse”. Nice.

Day 34: Today I skyped Laurie and ‘met’ Matthew and Nicholas for the first time. It was bloody fantatsic. Janine was there as well.I cannot believe it takes lockdown (plus an idea to get Laurie to add me to his regular Monday skype chat with Dad) that managed to get us doing something that should have happened years ago! It was so great to talk to them all face-to-face. Janine hasn’t changed a bit, Matthew is very quiet with Nicholas being the more gregorious twin. And Laurie is still Laurie. I’m reminded of how much I sort of miss him! It was all so comfortable. I loved it! Tomorrow is Dad’s 85th hence the 3-way chat idea. I hope it comes off!

Day 35: So dad and Laurie and I skyped. It was OK but my video feed was very dark, (still dunno why) and Lauire’s kept freezing. I dropped out so as to leave them to it, my thinking being the extra person takes up bandwidth, with the promise I’d call dad later. Before I could, Rita called me and suggested Dad and I skype, which we did. So, all in all, a good day of comms! And Dad seems his happy usual self - 85 years old! Amazing.

Day 36: I am really struggling to motivate myself this week. Today, I’ve done fuck all of note. That is all.

Day 37: A similar day to yesterday. All I have really managed to do is lay down audio from Pink Floyd (Absolutely Curtains) to a video I shot of a cow on yesterday’s walk. I am having a downer of a week without any good reason why, ld aside. I have worn my new walking boots today (’cos my old ones are leaking, I found out yesterday) and they fucking hurt, despite having tried to wear them in for months, albeit pathetically. Also, a few days ago (Friday 24th April), I got notification from HM Revenue & Customs that I’m getting tax rebate (from 2018-19) of £392. Yay!

Day 38: I received notification today that I’ve got a speeding ticket…last Thursday back from Tesco’s - 87mph somewhere between the A1 and Elton. I am hoping it’s a fixed penalty. I dunno whether it is yet, I just have to send the form off confirming it’s my car and I was driving. I spoke with Lynda from Woodfords asking her to ask for a rent reduction before I sign for another year. Plus, I let her know that I will be Howard and Sue’s eyes as the look at rental properties in Oundle - I do hope they return although it would be a shame for them that their plans have been scuppered (she’s lost her job in Oz due to Covid-19)

Day 39: Today I started another piece of exercise - up and down the stairs 26 times. Not sure why 26 - it was some thing online to do with the London Marathon, I think. It fucking killed. I used 13 clothes pegs for a counting system. I asked Karen to pick up some stuff when she was shopping (burgers, radishes) - Dan dropped them off, He was with Shaggy (driving his van) and going to see Jonah. That pisses me off - they should be social distancing, ffs.

Discoevered, today, that Cornershop, post-Brinful are fucking excellent. listening to the album ‘England is a Garden’ as I type.

Day 40: That 26 times up and down the stairs is fucking hard. I did videos about it today. My legs are aching like fuck right now.

Day 41: Just done Young Sam’s (Sam Clews) quiz. 3rd week running and it’s now become a habit and something I look forward to. Out of all the internet driven socialising I’m undertaking in ld, this is the weirdest - I feel totally detatched from all others taking part but, now, would feel pissed off if I didn’t or couldn’t join in. I got 47/70 this week. My best score and only about 8 off the winning score - most others aren’t doing it on their own!

Today’s walk was a cloudy one - I captured some fine, dramatic pics of the clouds. I am getting into this photography lark, albeit very amateurish. But, when I post any pics online (mostly FB), they seem to be widely appreciated, which is nice.

Day 42: Applied for a remote service delivery job with a firm called TTEC. £60k. Finished watching The Outsider. The creepiest TV show I have seen in years. Really great use of background music.

Day 43: Finished Mindhunter S2 last night. It’s so good but I cannot quite put my finger on why. Today has been a nothing day apart from day 2 of me not typing the letter ‘e’ in any post or comments on FB for a week. It’s hard.

Day 44: Watch Anna last night. A Luc Besson film that starts a kick-ass suprermodel. It’s right down my street. Today I have been lazy af. I need to pick up my online learning again…tomorrow, maybe! I watched Andy Murray Resurfacing. A documentary on Amazon. Fantastic. What a top man he is. Completely human and completely inhuman!

Day 45: Much talk in the news of possible lockdown relaxation. I am off the opinion we should stay the course until we are completely assured of beathing this thing i.e. a working, widely available vaccine. Dad and I Skyped - he is doing well, as usual. So is Rita. They both seem very happy in lockdown! Today has been a glorious day, weather wise. I had my walkk at 10ish this morming and it was very warm. Hottest day of the year so far I reckon.

Day 46: Bank holiday Friday (75th anniversary of VE day). Nice walk. Chat with Karen letting her know about being caught speeding just in case I am banned and need some out of town shopping. Watched second episode of DEVS by Alex Garland. It’s good and intriguing. Now, @7pm, gonna eat and hit the beers and smokes.

Day 47: Typing this at 15:45 on day 48. I had lots of beers and a good old chat with Rog…

Day 48: Today’s daily press conference was eagerly anticipated today with rumours of a relaxation in lockdown. It seems it was a fuss about nothing with no clear instructions - I didn’t watch it but, skimming the BBC news site, I shan’t be doing anything different over the next few weeks, not that I would anyway - furlough and self isolation are the order of the day and I won’t change that until I am sure it’s safe. Meanwhile people, including Danny flaunt the rules, it’s been pointed out to me plus I know he spends time with Jonah and Marc. It really fucks me off. So, the actions of the few mean I will lock myself down for as long, if not longer, as it takes. Attended Sam Clews quiz again. It passes the time. Also, I had half a scotch bonnet chilli with tea tonight (roasted veg, cous cous and sausages). Ridiculously hot!

Day 49: Received the speaker I ordered a few days ago (from eBay). It’s an AudioPro Addon T10. I got it for a very reasonable price from a German shop. As a result, the power lead isn;t three pin and that has seriously fucked me right off!

Meanwhile, I did my 26 stair climb before my daily walk today. It was easier than usual (surprise surprise) and I did 7km - but that was tough! ‘Cos I am on (yet another) free trial of Amazon Prime, I am ramping up watching stuff available. Last night I watched Booksmart - really nice little film with a great soundtrack. I am listening to Dan the Automater as I type. Today I watched half (3 eps) of The Night Manager and the film ‘The Founder’. The former is a superb series, the latter an OK film about Ray Kroc - the supposed founder of McDonald’s. Except he wasn’t; he was the wrong side of ambitious and a cunt.

Day 50: Stripped the 2 pin cable from the speaker I received yesterday and wired up a 3 pin plug and it worked. Win. And it sounds great. Win-win. Went to go shopping in Hampton but the car wouldn’t start. Loss. But it was the battery so I managed to borrow Karen’s jump starter which worked. Win.

Spent £107. Loss. But just under £40 was booze plus £10 for two big pizzas, two sides (dirty fries) and some dips. Win. Didn’t do any online learning - seriously fucking letting myself down. Loss.

Did my usual walking and 26 stair climb. The latter is hard but defo getting easier. Win. Day 51: Sam’s 51st birthday on day 51 - coincidence! Today I received my face mask from Lou - House of Stewart tartan. I’m pleased with it and that I have got a mask now. I managed to get up at a reasonable hour, just left 09:00, and revisit my web design course. Module 1, lesson 5 and I am fucking stuck. Trying to code an online CV with a side nav bar and I cannot get it to fucking work. Grrrrrr. Later, i got into a FB dispute (easily distracted due to the above) with someone over his statement of fact (Tim Martin’s treatment of Whetherspoons’ employees) when he doesn’t know it’s fact. It probably is, but that is not the fucking point. I wish I could leave these sort of spats alone. I am drinking, at 20:45, peppermint tea as I type. Jeez, what’s happened to me?

Day 52: Well, last night took a swift chnage. Rog message me and, to cut a long story short, I hit the beers, also called Foggy later, got trashed. I got up today at gone 1pm. Sam posted on fb that Paul had forgort her birthday yesterday. Oh dear! The 26 stair climb and walking each day is noticeable for how knackered my legs feel all the time, I noticed today!

Day 53: My birthday! Nice comments and banter of FB. Rachael brought round a bottle of whisky; gobsmacked. Karen popped round some beers and sausage rolls. Sam sent a card, as did dad with a £50 cheque. Dan’s ordering me a pizza later.

Chuffed! Day 54: I went to bed late after a lot of beers, huge pizza and chips, a few smokes and a long call with WWJ and video chats with Fog then Rog. Got up around 1pm and dossed with my usual exercises and I made fish pie with a scotch bonnet. Day 55: Late one last night but up early today (11ish). Really fretting about hospital tomorrow. Nervous anyway but the safety aspect, in terms of Covid-19, isn’t helping.

Day 56: Hospital appointment was just for an eye scan so the consultant can review it. I was very surprised to see how few people were wearing face masks! I did two lots of washing today. (After the hospital) I went to Morrsions, Asda (queue too long though), B&M (queue too long though) then Tesco’s. All to buy a baseball cap ‘cos I’m fucked if I’m going to wet my hair each time I go out and want it to look presentable! In Morrsions (no mens’ clothing apart from underwear!) I stocked up of 10 cans of sugarfree apple Caraboa….I was only thinking of this drink just the other day. Yesterday I finished The Night Manager on Amazon. I liked it a lot but, also, expected much, much more from it consdiering the hype. Hugh Laurie has come a long way from comedy sketches with Stephen Fry!

Day 57:Received an email from Sueanne yesterday asking ( as designated spokesperson for everyone) how I am. The most interestring piece of news in a rather uninformative email was that the US has started to open resorts!

Day 58: I am writing this on Day 59. I started a two walk a day regime. The first walk I do is shorter, around 4km. my aim is to be ready for 1,000,000 steps Diabetic UK challenge (throughout July, August and September). I need to do just under 11,000 steps a day. The relaxation in ld rules makes this achievable. On that score, I am allowed to visit a friend’s house, as long as it’s just the two of us, outside, 2m apart. I went round Karen’s last night. I was desperate to have a Happy Hour (I allow myself a midweek beer - today (well, yesterday) is/was Wednesday!) of sorts with another human (rather than a video chat). I was there for about 2 hours, very enjoyable, and then came home. Then I had usual roasted veg with rice and sausages but I couldn’t eat it. I used half a scotch bonnet rather than the usual birdeye chillis. It was too hot, had to sling it! Had a few more beers and, hence, neglected my diary duties!

Day 59: It’s 01:20am. I don’t know why I am still awake and up, but I am. But, also, I am now going to bed. Nothing else to report, really.

Day 60: Half way through 12 weeks furlough. I was discussing this with Dad and Rita earlier - I am expecting that, at the end of 12 weeks, I’ll be laid off. I hope I’m wrong but I reckon it’s well on the cards. Off to have a beer round Karen’s in a sec which will be pleasant. Just a hour or so. It’s fucking windy today so I shall wrap up!

#diary #Tumblr diary #lockdown #COVID19 #lockdownuk

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courage-a-word-of-justice · 5 years

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Fruits Basket 10

*sees Kagura* - Kyo! RUN! (Also, I had to google this…but “Je t’aime” means “I love you” in French.)

(TW: suicide discussion) Ohh…this is Mitchan…I didn’t recognise her, now that she’s coloured in. (I forgot that she had suicidal tendencies for the funnies…the 90s have some really nasty things in them when it comes to sensitive topics, like playing “being gay” as a joke and playing off suicide as a joke is one of the worst, I think.) Update: Accidentally mistook Mitchan for Mine, Ayame’s assistant.

Sarazanmai 10

So close to the end…I read a bunch of spoilers on what’s coming up though, so not much will be a surprise anymore…

Why do otters have hands…? (Or at least, this one does.)

Kanten…apparently it’s basically agar but with a different type of seaweed.

The chyron actually says Enta no Seishin Sekai, which translates to something like Enta’s Spiritual World. Y’know, like the world of the soul inside you or something like that.

I sort of assumed either Enta or Mabu would become a monster, based on people’s speculation, but the spoilers I read never stated anything about who became the monster/s in episode 10 (and/or 11). So this’ll be interesting.

I never thought Mabu would be going solo, although my sources did spoil me on the fact Reo would become a kappa.

Hey, I said to Irina earlier today that I knew there was tragic yaoi/shonen ai. Welp, there it is. Tragic shonen ai.

Oh…there’s a single shadow. It’s just Kazuki.

I was pleading for Enta to be saved by the dishes…and turns out I was right.

Update: Come to think of it, Reo and Mabu greatly resemble the Kunzite/Zoicite romance from Sailor Moon…right down to the “servants of the prince” thing.

BSD 35

Flashback Kyouka reminds me of Rachel Gardener (Angels of Death).

Pay attention to Mii-chan.

Fruits Basket 11

Ritsu!!!...Er, Ritsu’s mum first.

“I wonder if she knows about the zodiac…”

Gakuen Babysitters OVA

Oh…this is 27 minutes. That’s unusual.

I feel sorry for Saikawa already…

How the heck did Saikawa switch clothes so fast?!

Eh…? I didn’t expect Ryuichi to get the top grade…

Come to think of it, Saikawa is an enigma wrapped in a…blanket. Nah, I’m kidding, he’s an enigma wrapped in a mystery. (That’s how that saying goes, anyway.)

LOL, I think he sad the complex dish names just to confuse the kids…and maybe scare off Ryuichi.

Oh no, what is it now? What horrors shall we bear witness to? (sarcastic, but laughing a bit too)

Inomata…makes a really good Snow White.

Ya-who…? Who in heck is Yayoi???

Oh…if you watch to the very end, you’ll see a shot of the chairwoman as a kid! I didn’t think we’d ever get to see that.

Kimetsu no Yaiba 11

A tsuzumi seems to be a type of drum, if the kanji is anything to go by…at least, from my recognition of the kanji for “Tsuzumi”, I seem to recall that first kanji has something to do with drums. Update: Yes, it means “drum”. I recognised it because it’s the Chinese way to write “drum” – I don’t think I’ve seen it in 10 years or so, so...I’m glad I still remember it…(?)

As much as I don’t like seeing slapping a creep as humour…I feel sorry for Zenitsu…

It turns out…this show’s deliberate humour…sucks…

Hey! No suicide jokes, Zenitsu!

The sparrow talking with the crow is far too cute for me. Please protect these precious avian buddies…they warm my heart too much.

“Would you like to eat it?” So onigiri exist in this era?

Since I’m not listening to the sound (I’m in a position where I can’t listen to it, because others are in the vicinity), I don’t quite get what Zenitsu’s on about…but it makes me wonder if Zenitsu has good hearing much like Tanjiro has a good sense of smell. It makes sense since there were 5 of the Final Selection guys…although we don’t know who the 5th is.

*sees eyecatch* - Yeah, as much as Zenitsu complains…I feel sorry for him.

How did Zenitsu survive Final Selection??? The more he panics, the more I wonder that.

There’s a 3D model for Zenitsu too…I should’ve known…

Ooh, pep talk from a kid younger than him (Zenitsu)! Burn!

Okay, Zenitsu, yell it with me – BOARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! (aka Inosuke)

Hey! Don’t just go announcing your name and rank, plus the fact you’re a demon slayer!...By the way, how do you know your rank…?

Aw, just seeing the sparrow in the bottom right corner warms my heart.

“…in front of girls…”

Shield Hero 23

“I forgot that my shield translates for me.” – Only now do I realise how dumb that sounds…

“…small islands bunched together.” – Uh, that’s what archipelago means…?

Where are L’Arc and Therese, anyway…?

The quality of CR videos has been bad lately due to the weather I’ve been getting, so…I was waiting for the video to buffer and I guessed Raphtalia was going to get drunk. She did…*sigh*

Since when does eating wine berries count as “drinking”…?

LOL, those weird birds are called “Karma Penguins”.

I thought Filo’s clothes would tear when she transformed, so making clothes was futile…? Maybe she has more control over her transformation now, so it’s less futile?

Wuh? Gahaha! A penguin suit, with a Santa hat too!

OPM 23 (S2 Ep 10)

King’s shirt says “I <3 Otaku” and I like how Saitama chose a bald character, while King chose a character that looks nicer than Saitama’s but packs a punch. It’s translating the real world into the game world for them.

By the way, Saitama’s shirt is for the Tokimeki Sisters series from earlier in the season.

It seems Metal Bat‘s real name seems to be just that.

Did Tareo keep the Almanac…in his pants???

Sarazanmai 11 (FINAL)

When Keppi says “s***”, I guess he kind of…means it. (small LOL)

Gotta love Keppi’s “dadadadadadaaaaaaaaaaarkness…”. It must’ve been fun for whoever typed it into their program to do so.

When watching in slow-mo, you can see Kazuki’s kappa dish jump off his head for a second.

Wait, so…the episode titles are all taken from their shared future…?! Oh my glob!!!

Kazuki, Enta and Toi’s pro game – brought to you by Asakusa Film, Sozoyu and KAPPA…LOL.

I never knew Sara’s princess outfit could be so…lewd.

Kapamilk, LOL.

Why is this ending only Toi…?

Hmm…is Toi 18 in this end scene???

“Quecrotte” doesn’t seem to mean anything…

How did Enta’s glasses not come off his face???

Aww…please protect this old Toi. He kind of looks like Chikai, but he also doesn’t.

There seems to be a Nakata Building in Asakusa.

I think that’s all folks. See you next time!

Shield Hero 24

Instead of romantic penguin suits, couldn’t someone have invented deep-sea magic for swimming in bikinis or trunks with…?

“Of course, even the ships were arranged for by the queen.” – Now that’s ballin’ on a budget in another world!

Oh, so cohol fruits are the names of the wine berries…

This is just a scene where the camera shakes…it looks nice, but it has a terrible sense of “action”…

Not this Skybound move again…

Not dis “they’re not the real Cardinal Heroes” shitto agen…

I already knew from CR advertising L’Arc and Therese would become Naofumi’s enemies, I just didn’t know when.

Uh, L’Arc? She’s a raccoon girl. A tanuki??? She should be good with illusions…according to stereotype, anyway.

AOE seems to mean “area of effect”.

Is Glass a hero from another world as well, maybe???

#simulcast commentary #the rising of the shield hero #tate no yuusha no nariagari #Sarazanmai #Demon Slayer #Kimetsu no Yaiba #Fruits Basket #gakuen babysitters #Bungou Stray Dogs #Chesarka watches Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari #Chesarka watches BSD #Chesarka watches Gakuen Babysitters #Chesarka watches KnY #Chesarka watches Furuba #Chesarka watches OPM #one punch man #Chesarka watches Sarazanmai

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ookamitsu · 7 years

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50 more interesting questions

Rules: fill this out and tag at least one person you’d like to know more about! Or just fill it out! Or don’t! Answer only some of them! Make up your own questions! “What kind of requirement is that”, you ask? A reasonable one! Who am I to tell you what to do? Anything goes!

tagged by @acrispyapple this was very long

1. What kind of food can’t you stand? really spicy food, tho recently i’ve been getting better at handling spices. Also food that has cauliflower or cilantro

2. If you could choose one minor inconvenience to never have to deal with again, what would you pick? I’d love it if my fish tanks could magically clean themselves and feed the fish, that’d be great

3. Have you got any useless talents? is not being affected by the caffeine in coffee a talent?

4. If you were really really good at one thing, what would it be? Probably drawing. I have soo many ideas but hardly any artistic talent lol.

5. Name a few people you think are extremely good-looking gdragon and top from bigbang

6. What was your favorite way to pass the time as a kid? I wasn’t allowed to go outside really when I was younger so all I did was read books, watch tv, rewatch disney movies and harry potter movies over and over.

7. What is something you’re proud of? eh, I don’t think i’ve done anything worth being proud about yet...ask me again when I have a career

8. What’s one character flaw in people that you just can’t tolerate? I hate when people don’t have proper manners, it’s so annoying.

9. Do you consider yourself to be more of a leader or a follower? oh a follower for sure. I am but a humble, shy sheep~ leading requires effort lol and it just isn’t interesting for me. Although, if i’m forced into a leadership position I’ll do well, it’s just that I do want to do it.

10. What kind of student are/were you? a pretty good kiddo. Never gto into trouble, and besides my ap physics grade back in junior year I never had low grades. Had to stay in tip top shape academically in order to get anything I wanted and not be disowned by my mom lol.

11. Butterfly effect question! Has there ever been a seemingly minor decision you’ve made (at the time) that ended up having a profound influence on your life? eh I don’t really think so but maybe

12. Name your most irrational fear/aversion SPIDERS, they’re the devil’s animal haha. so that and most most insects ughhh

13. Are there any fictional characters you find especially relatable? hmmm...maybe the mc from kiss him, not me? She’s into weeb shit, I’m into weeb shit. She likes yaoi, I like yaoi lol but she is way more into it than I will ever be. Also she’s surrounded by hot guys, which I am not and that is the ultimate tragedy.

kind of drunk are you? Alternatively, what sort of person are you at parties? I’m still underage so i dunno. Ask me again in January when my bff turns 21, I’ll let you know. At parties I’m super awkward so I’ll either just stand around looking really awkward or follow my friends around.

15. Do you fall in love easily? Or does it usually take a long time for you to trust someone? it’ll take a loooong while. I don’t trust guys (or most people). you can’t unlock my tragic backstory that easily if you date me.

16. Would you rather have one close friend or 100 casual friends? one. I love having close bonds with people because then I won’t feel lonely. Also who needs that many friends.

17. Do you consider yourself to be more of a slob or a neat-freak? I like to have things clean for the most part. Though I might get really lazy and just throw things down and not put them away for a few hours lol. Also my desk can get pretty messy sometimes and becomes a sort of organized chaos, but I’ll always fix it anyway since the mess will eventually bother me.

18. Describe a place (imaginary or real) that you would find incredibly cozy. Somewhere where the weather isn’t terribly hot or cold in their respective seasons and is overcast most of the time. Or Loches, France. I freaking love that place it’s really nice.

19. Do you have kids? If not, do you want them someday? I’d love to have kids, at least 3.

20. What was your favorite book as a child? I used to read the goosebumps and fear street series a lot. Also harry potter, a series of unfortunate events and the chronicles of narnia (Though fo some reason I couldn’t remember the books in that series at all but luckily @acrispyapple told me to reread it and now I have renewed love for it)

21. Name one thing you just don’t get what all the hype is about yeah fidget spinners are pretty dumb and I see them wherever I go.

22. Name one thing that you think is tragically underrated learning how to type properly? I think a lot of people barely know how to type and it upsets me to no end. I hate when people finger peck at the keys, they’re so slow.

23. If you had to be glued to a person for a month, real or fictional (who you have never met), who would you choose? hmm, maybe natsume takashi from natsume yuujinchou. Mostly becuase I really like him. Also being attached to him means I can cuddle nyanko-senesei. Or Nikkari Aoe from touken ranbu because I love him too.

24. What’s something you’d like the chance to do someday? travel all over!

25. Do you typically speak your mind when you have a controversial opinion? Or do generally prefer to not rock the boat? I don’t like confrontation so I keep my mouth shut usually.

26. What’s the dumbest fad you’ve been caught up in? hmm, not sure

27. What’s something you thought was cool as a kid/adolescent, but now cringe at yourself for? *war flashbacks of being emo*

28. What’s a trait you consider to be very admirable? I admire people who can speak their minds without fear, of course they also have to have tact. Also the kind of people who are so good at leading that you’ll naturally want to follow them.

29. Is there a particular kind of item people always tend to give you as gifts? (For instance, people always get you things with ducks on them because you like ducks, etc.) people like to give me things with cats bc cat’s are God’s greatest gift to humanity. I appreciate money just a little more though lol.

30. Do you speak multiple languages? Which ones? Yup. English, French, and Japanese. I really want to learn Korean, German and Spanish but I usually spend half of my free time on continuing japanese studies so we’ll see.

31. Would you rather live in the big city or the countryside? Neither. I like the suburbs. Either that or smaller cities at least.

32. Has there ever been something you were certain you’d hate, but ended up loving? sarada uchiha. When I first saw her at the end of naruto i kinda automaically hated her because I hate sakura. But ever since gaiden and the boruto movie I saw her personality and realized that I lover her haha. So whenever I see her in a boruto ep I’m pretty happy.

33. Do you mind being the center of attention, or do you prefer the spotlight to be on someone else? nope, I get so uncomfortable. I’m happy enough to not be noticed.

34. Favorite holiday? Christmas! I’m so obnoxious about it haha. I love singing Christmas songs and I’ll gladly sing along to the Christmas music that plays in stores and stuff.

35. Are you a more go-with-the-flow type of person, or do you need to have things planned meticulously? a bit of both. For the most part I’m go with the flow but for most important things that happens outside of home life having some kind of plan is logical and for the best .

36. Is there something you loved so much you wish you could forget it and experience it all over again? (A tv show, book, series–anything.) the dragon age series and mass effect series.

37. What hobbies do you have? reading, running this crap blog, doodling, studying, video games

38. If you could have a superpower, but it was only mildly useful, what ability would you want to have? the ability to make things clean themselves.

39. Something people are always surprised to learn about you I’m super lazy! I give off the impression that i would never ever be lazy which is just a lie lmao. That doesn’t mean I won’t do the work that I have to do. One can’t be remiss about those things you know, you’ll set yourself up for failure that way. I just hate wasting energy

40. Something that took you way too long to figure out I can’t work @cyniccat‘s sewing machine properly for the life of me.

41. Worst injury you’ve had? I accidentally ripped the skin off of one of my toes with a door.

42. Any morbid fascinations? idk

43. Describe your sense of humor eh idk, I like sarcasm since I have such rapier wit. I also love really lame jokes lol. but I usually find most things

44. If you had to be born in another era/place, which would you choose? well I wouldn’t want to live in another era because they weren’t such fun times for poc’s. But If I could live in another place, I’d rather live in either Canada or France. Maybe Japan.

45. Something you are irredeemably bad at I can’t summarize that well without rambling.

46. Something that sucked but you’re glad you went through school. Even though it made my cry and my workload stressed me out I met my best friends there and more importantly I got an education.

47. Would you rather have a really godawful ugly tattoo in a place that is only slightly inconvenient to conceal with clothing (upper arm, thigh, etc.), or the coolest, most beautiful tattoo ever in the middle of your face? (Neither tattoo can be removed or concealed with makeup, and the ugly tattoo will deeply offend anyone who sees it.) I don’t want a tattoo ever, so the ugly one but like what’s so offensive about it??

48. Are you more of an optimist or a pessimist? for a pessimist i’m pretty optimistic

49. What would be the most flattering compliment someone could give you? “you fight good”. uh i’m not sure. I don’t take compliments well so even if it was the most flattering thing I probably wouldn’t believe whoever said it and just awkwardly laugh and say thanks.

50. Something you feel people often misunderstand about you hmm people who don’t know me think I like talking irl. I’m more of a listener.

i’m only tagging two people bc I like to see them suffer with me but this is open to anyone who wants to do it

@krazy19kat @dicksoutforzarkon

#ookamitsu's rambles

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depechemodespiritera · 7 years

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Tell Me About It: Dave Gahan – “‘Why is your music so depressing?’ is a really lame question”

The Depeche Mode singer on crappy gigs, addiction and escaping death... twice

Words by David Zammitt Photos by Anton Corbijn

Dave Gahan is stationed in the basement of the swanky Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge. As I wait outside his room in music journalist purgatory, waiting for an interview with some other mag to round up, I’m told that it shouldn’t be long but, well, unfortunately, Dave is enjoying the conversation so much that he wants to keep chatting. Maybe we’ll get on really well too, I think.

When I am finally beckoned in, Gahan welcomes me to the conference room that’s become his office for the day. He is warm, full of smiles, and even offers me a smoothie. Radioactive green, it’s a sign of the journey from Gahan’s dark days in the late ’80s and, well, most of the ’90s. It’s fair to say that the rider requests for a man who’s come through heroin addiction and bladder cancer is a little different these days. With hair slicked back, pencil moustache neatly groomed and a silver skull ring nestling on his middle knuckle, it’s hard to equate him with the 19-year-old Epping boy in the oversized suit who nervously bopped his way through ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’.

Of course, a lot of well-documented water has passed under the bridge since Gahan and Depeche Mode arrived with the synthpop agenda-setter ‘Speak & Spell’ in 1981. Fourteen studio albums is a pretty solid achievement in itself, but when you hear the context of the hurdles that had to be negotiated in order to do so, it pulls the feat into sharper focus. Through ailing health, substance abuse and a couple of run-ins with the law, Depeche Mode have somehow stayed united. Depsite the chaotic highs and creativity-sapping lows, the release of their latest LP, ‘Spirit,’ continues a run of at least one album every four years for the last 35. Impossibly, Depeche Mode have become one of British music’s most reliable forces.

As Gahan speaks in staccato – all full-stops and short and rapid-fire sentences – he flits from topic to topic and I may as well have left my nice, crisp A4 sheet of questions at home, because I barely say anything. Jumping from the band’s recent gig at Glasgow’s Barrowlands to the merits of theatre and the ethic behind Depeche Mode’s ‘depressing’ sound in the first five breakneck minutes, at 54 Gahan is full of energy. But while it can be hard to keep track, Gahan’s passion is the thread that ties our conversation together.

“The Barrowlands is a smelly, dirty old venue”

There’s not many of them left like that. We just played there for BBC 6 Music festival, but we first played there in the early ’80s – someone told me it was 1984. I remember at the time it was pretty heaving. The stage moves a bit because the floor moves a bit. So once it gets going…

It was fun to do that show last week, which was maybe an hour long – much shorter than the two-hour show that we usually do. I got a couple of texts from Bobby Gillespie that said: “perfect time.” For performing, an hour is the perfect time.

We had a beautiful few days in Glasgow. To be in England or Scotland or Ireland and it to be good weather, you actually get to see how beautiful it is, really. And I love the people up there. People in the hotel and on the street – everywhere. Good people!

“‘Why is your music so depressing?’ is a really lame question”

I recently saw the play Buried Child by Sam Shepard. I love all Sam Shepard’s stuff. They’re usually based in the American heartland and what it’s really like – not the American Dream. Buried Child is about a child who wasn’t wanted and ended up being buried in the garden and haunts the family, spiritually. So everything they do for their drunken lives is haunted by that. Some people would say that it’s a miserable story, but stories like that, to me, are real life.

It’s like, the question I’ve had to answer many, many times, is where people are like, ‘Why is your music so doomy?’ First of all, it’s a really lame question, but the answer is always the same – ‘Well, I don’t find it like that.’ I just never have. I don’t. I get that some of the subject matter is quite dark, and musically it can be quite dark, but I’ve always felt that if the lyric was really black and if we were going into some weird, dark place, there’s a melody or a sound or something there that lifts you out of that. Like in a good book, or a film – there’s a story there.

I tend to dwell there quite a lot. And it’s OK because I find that it’s the only place you can find any real light anyway. You’ve got to dig deep because all the surface bullshit – all this stuff [he lifts up his iPhone and shakes it] – is where we seem to waste our time.

“We still care about reviews”

Of course we care. The thing about reviews is that someone told me a long time ago that if you believe the good ones you’ve got to believe the bad. There’s always a bit in both and it’s all opinions.

What I liked about one review I read of the Barrowlands show was that the person was actually reviewing the sentiment in the feeling in the moment, and how they felt. And that was undeniable! If he had said anything else about that night – that he didn’t like my trousers or something – it would have been ridiculous because it was a special night. But they’re not all like that – trust me!

Sometimes someone will give me a newspaper in the morning and we’re off to the next gig, and I know it’s been a shit show the night before, or that it wasn’t quite right. The moment wasn’t really there, and someone’s seen through it. And you read it and you’re still like, ‘Fuck you!’ But they can’t all be gems. Over the years you learn that [once in a while] you have this special feeling and you look around at each other and you’re all floating on air, but most of the time you’re getting through a song and you’re thinking about something else. Well, not most of the time. But quite often towards the end of the show I’ll be thinking about whether there’s room service.

“I remember launching six or seven bottles of wine at the wall because I couldn’t drink it”

There was one time when we made the decision not to tour and that was with the album ‘Ultra’ [1997] because I definitely was not healthy enough to tour. I was trying to convince everybody that I was, and I had all good intentions but, put it this way, six months into the recording of the album, after a big session we did in New York, I went back to L.A. and then stuff happened and I ended up in jail [Gahan was arrested after overdosing on a speedball at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in 1996]. So it really was a good decision.

After that album I think we put out a greatest hits – 1998, I’m thinking. And we did some shows. For me, that was the best and the worst tour we’ve ever done because I don’t think I was in any of those performances. It was all new for me. I was no longer drinking any alcohol or using any drugs and I was like an open wound; a bag of nerves trying to fake it ‘til I made it. I had no business being on the road and I had a few moments in dressing rooms. I remember launching six or seven bottles of wine at the wall because I couldn’t drink it. That was my share and if I wasn’t going to be able to drink it then it was going to go against the wall. While the band were all in the dressing room as well. It must’ve been quite scary, thinking about it. I was not happy at this idea of being sober and that I would have to do this for the rest of my life if I wanted to keep on living. And that’s nearly 20 years ago, which is incredible in itself, although it’s not been without its bumps and bruises along the way. It’s been a real mind opener – much more than any drugs or alcohol.

“Physically, I couldn’t sing for longer than five minutes”

I remember being back at my home in L.A. after being arrested. I got a phone call – and I never picked up the phone – and it was Martin [Gore], kinda angry and kinda pissed off that we were in the middle of recording an album and I was not going to be able to leave Los Angeles for two years. If I got into trouble, I was going to jail. So they carried on working on stuff and then created sessions for when I was allowed out of this place I was in, which I’d checked myself into. I ended up staying there for six months – I was terrified of going back home because I knew what I was going to do. I made some good friends there and I went to the studio with someone who was watching over my shoulder, but it saved my life.

I couldn’t sing at that point. I mean physically, I couldn’t sing for longer than five minutes. And it was not good. There were times when I thought I was good during the first half of the making of that album, but I was probably high. I thought I was Frank Sinatra when I was up at the mic, but listening back it was like, ‘Jesus!’. So they made me work with this amazing vocal coach, Evelyn. She would only work with me – because I was a real scumbag at the time – if I would go to this church with her in downtown L.A. in a pretty rough neighbourhood in Inglewood, somewhere where she would do this thing every Sunday working with the choir. She said: ‘You come with me and sing with the whole group; you’ve gotta be part of a team!’ She was so nice and gentle with me and gave me a lot of her time. She kinda brought my voice back to me. And that album got finished.

“My wife was like: ‘What are you looking at pictures of your tumour for?’”

During the making of ‘Sounds of the Universe’ [2009] I’d not been feeling good. I had no energy a lot of the time. I would have enough energy to do the sessions in the studio and I’d get home at night and say to the wife that I was so tired. I was kind of crashing out at 9 in the evening, and I wasn’t really telling the guys. But then it all made sense when I was diagnosed.

I used to say to, Jen, my wife, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do these shows.’ So then we were in Athens and I was having excruciating pain in my gut. Well, it felt like my gut but it wasn’t. So that night the doctor came to the dressing room, five minutes before we were due on stage. I’d been throwing up a bit – I hadn’t been talking about that. Little bit of blood in my urine – I hadn’t been talking about that. I just thought all these things were wear and tear.

But I got rushed to hospital and while the doctor was doing an ultrasound he looked at me and looked at the screen again. I said: ‘I know I’m not pregnant!’ and he said ‘Well, I see something and I have to get someone else in.’ So I said: ‘What do you see?’ and he said: ‘I see a shadow.’ I’ve heard that in movies. It just so happened that there was an oncologist there and I got on the MRI and they said that they could do the surgery there and then. You have a sac in your bladder and you have another sac on the inner sac, and the cancer hadn’t got through the walls yet. It’s an amazing looking thing! My wife was like: ‘What are you looking at pictures of your tumour for?’ But it looked like a sea urchin with all these alien tentacles! It’s an amazing thing. But if they go undiagnosed and it goes into other organs you’re done, really.

“We seem to be pretending we’re not, but we’re fucking lost!”

‘Spirit’ is more of a social outlook on humanity itself, and we’re lost. We seem to be pretending we’re not, but we’re fucking lost! It’s a bit apocalyptic and bit post-apocalyptic in places, this record; ‘Cover Me’ being post-apocalyptic, ‘Fail’ being now, ‘Poison Heart’ being, you know – ‘You’re the devil and we all know it, but you’re in power!’ And then there are songs like ‘Going Backwards’ or ‘Scum’, which are just horrified at humanity, at ourselves.

Where’s the spirit? Where’s the spirit in really caring? And people say, you know, ‘It’s easy for you guys in your fancy houses,’ but like Martin has said, just because you’ve had some success it doesn’t mean you have to stop caring about what you see and feel. And you do the best you can. The way we can portray how we feel is through music, through art. And ultimately we’re here to entertain you but to maybe entertain you with a sense of reflecting. This is not a record that’s ramming something down your throat. This is not Billy Bragg.

(via Tell Me About It: Dave Gahan – “‘Why is your music so depressing?’ is a really lame question” - Loud And Quiet)

#dave gahan #depeche mode #spirit era

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hellotweetygirl · 8 years

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70 horrible questions

thanks for the tag @taeontae

I forgot the cut soooorry!!

01: Do you have a good relationship with your parents? I have a really good relationship with my mom and she has always been very supportive of me through everything. I didn’t have a great relationship with my dad because of some issues and he passed away in my early 20′s.

02: Who did you last say “I love you” to?

My three year old niece when she was going home today

03: Do you regret anything?

Heck yeah. Right now I regret not buying any Cadbury chocolate last week, and I regret not being financially independent so I could go to the flipping concert ;;

04: Are you insecure?

Yes. Wish I wasn’t, but I’m really like a giant puppy that requires lots of pets to know that everything is ok and that I’m loved.

05: What is your relationship status?

Romantically? Single.

06: How do you want to die?

I don’t want to make a big deal of it. whatever is the least painful for my family. In my sleep might be nice??

07: What did you last eat?

Brownies with like half an inch of fudge frosting on them lol

08: Played any sports?

I liked basketball when I was younger, but after my diagnosis I couldn’t really play anymore so interest wore off.

09: Do you bite your nails?

I have enough problems with my nails without doing that to them. No.

10: When was your last physical fight?

Somewhere in my teens? Or early twenties? I have a brother with issues. >.<

11: Do you like someone?

I like all sorts of people- but no one romantically.

12: Have you ever stayed up 48 hours?

No. Do you want me to die?! I think the longest is roughly 36 hours with my ER visit in December...

13: Do you hate anyone at the moment?

I don’t hate anyone but there’s a few I don’t have exactly warm feelings for...

14: Do you miss someone?

I miss a lot of people who aren’t in my life anymore- but that doesn’t mean I wish them here either...

15: Have any pets?

Only if my sister’s monster dogs count. They come visit auntie :)

16: How exactly are you feeling at the moment?

Sore and headachy, a little sad that I’m trying to work through, and a little jealous that I’m trying to kill with fire...

17: Ever made out in the bathroom?

No. Ew.

18: Are you scared of spiders?

Somewhat. But when it’s kill or be killed it’s not going to be me ok?

19: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?

Nope! No way! Too many things I’d never want to relive again

20: Where was the last place you snogged someone?

*looks shifty* define ‘snogged’ lol

21: What are your plans for this weekend?

For the rest of it? Making pretty things happen in my Happy Planner, watching Victoria, maybe catching another ep of Hwarang, and getting my crap together for ‘work’ in the morning.

22: Do you want to have kids? How many?

Yes. Mostly. I used to want a hord of them (blame reading ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ as a kid -hilarious book btw!) but as time has gone on and there’s no one in my life and as my RA has progressed and things have gotten more difficult to manage it doesn’t seem likely. I get all the little ones I can handle rn with helping do childcare for my sis. <3

23: Do you have piercings? How many?

Just regular ear ones

24: What is/are/were your best subject(s)?n

History and Lit

25: Do you miss anyone from your past?

sometimes.

26: What are you craving right now?

Food that tastes good. My appetite has been wonky lately ;;

27: Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

no? I seriously doubt it.

28: Have you ever been cheated on?

29: Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?

30: What’s irritating you right now?

My feet are cold

31: Does somebody love you?

My family and my best friend

32: What is your favourite color?

Purple/aqua...and pink!

33: Do you have trust issues?

Let me count the ways... But once I do trust you- we’re good- I will go the limit before I actually believe you’ve done something wrong

34: Who/what was your last dream about?

It was about that stupid fic that was plaguing me last night ugh

35: Who was the last person you cried in front of?

Probably my mom?? I cry a lot so...

36: Do you give out second chances too easily?

Probably. According to my mother I do *sigh*

37: Is it easier to forgive or forget?

Forgive

38: Is this year the best year of your life?

It’s February. We have a lot of crap to go yet this year lol ...but it would be nice if it was

39: How old were you when you had your first kiss?

So you know that Drew Barrymore movie? ...yeah

40: Have you ever walked outside completely naked?

No.

51: Favourite food?

Pasta, and chocolate cake

52: Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

Yes

53: What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?

Plugged in my ipad

54: Is cheating ever okay?

Never.

55: Are you mean?

No, I may have really mean thoughts from time to time but I’m too much of a softie for them to go beyond that

56: How many people have you fist fought?

Does punching an older boy when I was like 6 or 7 because he was teasing me count?

57: Do you believe in true love?

Yes!

58: Favourite weather?

Spring and fall...times when the weather is mild and comfortably warm but not icky ...since winter decided to hate me /sob

59: Do you like the snow?

I LOVE IT...but it hates me now and I hurt too much with the cold. Snow makes everything pretty!

60: Do you wanna get married?

If it’s the right person, yeah

61: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby?

Depends on who is doing it. Can be cute or very not

62: What makes you happy?

My nibblings, good sleep, yummy food, naps, books, sunny days, my planner, good dramas, being able to write, SHINee

63: Would you change your name?

Nope! I like my name :)

64: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?

No....

65: Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?

I do think that you have to be best friends with a person you want to have a good romantic relationship with, but, you have to weigh if it’s what you really want- and if your relationship will still survive if things don’t work out romantically

66: Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around?

67: Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to?

My brother?

68: Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

My best friend, last week

69: Do you believe in soulmates?

Yes. Romantic soulmates and platonic soulmates. There are just some people you click with and were meant to be with in one way or another

70: Is there anyone you would die for?

My family and my best friend

Tagging: @lockandminkey, @shineejobros, @noctschocobo, @shinyaqua, @moshiznik

#games #thanks for tagging me #these are always interesting lol #getting to know you #personal

9 notes · View notes

imnotsebastiansten · 6 years

Text

1) Put your iTunes on shuffle. Give me the first 6 songs that pop up.

sometimes - my bloody valentine, new generation slaves - riverside, bloom - radiohead, high hopes - pink floyd, tiny vessels - death cab for cutie, medicine - bring me the horizon

2) If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? i have no idea, at the moment id say hale appleman tho

3) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17: ”listen, if that doesnt do it i think im alright with not knowing” the magicians land

4) What do you think about most? i dont even know

5) What does your latest text message from someone else say? ”idk who i am”

6) Do you sleep with or without clothes on? with

7) What’s your strangest talent? i dont have any talents

8) Girls…. (finish the sentence); Boys…. (finish the sentence) fuck stereotypes

9) Ever had a poem or song written about you? no :(

10) When is the last time you played the air guitar? its been years at least

11) Do you have any strange phobias? dont think so

12) Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose? nah

13) What’s your religion? i dont really believe in any

14) If you are outside, what are you most likely doing? going somewhere

15) Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? behind

16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band? bring me the horizon i guess

17) What was the last lie you told? i told a cop i dont have my id with me uwu

18) Do you believe in karma? sort of but ehhhhhh

19) What does your screen name mean? my what

20) What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength? why would i tell you this

21) Who is your celebrity crush? hale appleman

22) Have you ever gone skinny dipping? no

23) How do you vent your anger? im not an angry person idk i dont really ever need to vent it out

24) Do you have a collection of anything? yea i collect movie tickets

25) Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online? video chatting is bullshit

26) Are you happy with the person you’ve become? no

27) What’s a sound you hate; sound you love? when dishes touch each other idk how to explain but i fucking hate that song and sound i love well my playlist

28) What’s your biggest “what if”? what if is wasnt such a piece of shit

29) Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens? aliens definitely yes, im not sure about ghosts tho

30) Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm: with my left arm i touched my bookshelf and with the right one nothing

31) Smell the air. What do you smell? nothing

32) What’s the worst place you have ever been to? not sure costinesti probabil

33) Choose: East Coast or West Coast? idk geography

34) Most attractive singer of your opposite gender? oliver sykes

35) To you, what is the meaning of life? it doesnt have meaning

36) Define: Art: cant be put into words

37) Do you believe in luck? not really

38) What’s the weather like right now? its raining

39) What time is it? 00:21am

40) Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? i dont drive

41) What was the last book you read? the magicians king by lev grossman

42) Do you like the smell of gasoline? yes

43) Do you have any nicknames? yea

44) What was the last movie you saw? i think it was green book

45) What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had? not sure

46) Have you ever caught a butterfly? no

47) Do you have any obsessions right now? sort of loveless and transatlanticism

48) What’s your favorite music genre? i dont even fucking know at this point

49) Ever had a rumor spread about you? yes

50) Do you believe in magic? i wish

51) Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong? yea

52) What is your astrological sign? capricorn

53) Do you save money or spend it? i usually save it

54) What’s the last thing you purchased? cat food and a kit kat

55) Love or lust? love

56) In a relationship? i wish

57) Are you a virgin? yes

58) Can you touch your nose with your tongue? no

59) Where were you yesterday? i went to a movie directing course and then home

60) Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? does the loveless cover art count its on youtube

61) Are you wearing socks right now? yes

62) What’s your favorite animal? cat

63) What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you? I WISH I HAD ONE

64) Where is your best friend? dont have one

66) What is your heritage? idl

67) What were you doing last night at 12 AM? i think i was listening to music

68) What do you think is Satan’s last name? my name

70) Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend? sort of but also id rather not

71) You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do? i try to save it or call for help or something and if he doesnt understand hes an asshole

72) You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid? im not even gonna think about this

73) You can only have one of these things: trust or love. uHHHHHHHHH

74) What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it? not sure i have one

75) What are the last four digits in your cell phone number? im not gonna post them lmao

76) In your opinion, what makes a great relationship? trust

77) How can I win your heart? be a sleep deprived looking white boy with nice taste in music and good sens of humour and im sold

78) Can insanity bring on more creativity? i guess?

79) What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far? dying my hair red i got so many compliments that day it was neat

80) What size shoes do you where? 37 european

81) What would you want to be written on your tombstone? ”bye”

82) What is your favorite word? loveless

83) Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word: heart - heart shaped box

84) What is a saying you say a lot? nice or fuck

85) What’s the last song you listened to? currently listening to i only said by my bloody valentine

86) Basic question: what’s your favorite color/colors? red and green

87) What is your current desktop picture? my bloody valentine eps cover art

88) If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be? not sure

89) What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on? anything about my feelings i guess lol

90) One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do? kick them out tf

91) You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power? i can change the probability of things happening because its the most useful one

92) You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again? meeting sebastian stan!! it was for just a minute but i was around him for more than half an hour so

93) You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? im not sure

94) You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be? lmaooo idk

95) You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go? id just run away but i know id chicken out so i probably say thanks im good and give it to someone else

96) Do you have any relatives in jail? idk if hes still in jail but my cousins dad lmao

97) Have you ever thrown up in the car? no

98) Ever been on a plane? yes

99) If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say? shut the fuck up

100) Give me your top 5 favorite blogs on Tumblr - i dont have any

0 notes

dykes4vampires · 7 years

Note

All the creepy questioons :3c

Ty, asshole

1. Think of the last person who said I love you, do you think they meant it?

Eh no2. Would you date an 18-year-old at the age you are now?

Maybe3. When’s the last time you were aggravated and happy at the same time? Yesterday 4. Would you ever smile at a stranger?

Need to do it yeah5. Is there someone mad because you’re dating/talking to the person you are?

I think so yeah6. Have you heard a song that reminds you of someone today?

Idk7. What exactly are you wearing right now?

tank top, socks amd panties 8. How often do you listen to music?

a lot9. Do you wear jeans or sweats more?

jeans lately10. Do you think your life will change dramatically before 2018?

ehh idk11. Are you a social or an antisocial person?

both12. Have you ever kissed someone whose name begins with the letter ‘A’? havent kissed anybody yet13. What about ‘R’?

no14. Can you drive a stick shift?

wha t15. Do you care if people talk badly about you?

i do16. Are you going out of town soon?

maybe

17. When was the last time you cried?

uhhhhhhhhh

18. Have you ever told someone you loved them?

y ep

19. If you could change your eye color, would you?

TO A NICE MAGENTA

20. Is there a boy who you would do absolutely everything for?

lucio

21. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having.

theee weather?

22. Is it cute when guys kiss you on your forehead?

its cuter on the nose

23. Are you dating the last person you talked to?

24. What are you sitting on right now?

my chair

25. Does anyone regularly (other than family) tell you they love you?

nope

26. Have you ever wanted someone you couldn’t have?

i guess?

27. Who was the last person you talked to before you went to bed last night?

my friend spooks!!

28. Do you get a lot of colds?

naa

29. Where is the shirt you are wearing from?

idk? my sister gave it to me

30. Does anyone hate you?

lol yes

31. Do you have any empty alcohol bottles hidden somewhere in your room?

ohmygod i do

32. Do you like watching scary movies?

ya!!

33. Do you want your tongue pierced?

yaa

34. If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be?

2008

35. Did you have a dream last night?

i did

36. When was the last time you told someone you loved them?

yesterday bc my friend spooks gave me really good fanfics

37. Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years?

38. Do you think someone has feelings for you?

????

39. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?

pls

40. Did you have a good day yesterday?

kinda did yeah

41. Think back 2 months ago; were you in a relationship?

nah

42. In the next 48 hours, will you hang out with a girl?

i might

43. Has anyone told you they don’t want to ever lose you?

i think

44. What’s the best part about school?

friends

45. Do you have any pictures on your Facebook?

meems

46. Do you ever pass notes to your friends in school?

no i just scream bc theyre sitting right next to me

47. Do you replay things that have happened in your head?

,,,yea,,,

48. Were you single over the last summer?

yaa

49. Is your life anything like it was two years ago?

nope

50. What are you supposed to be doing right now?

learning i guess?

51. Do you hate the last guy you had a conversation with?

i do yeah

52. Are you nice to everyone?

no that’d cost too much energy

53. Have you ever liked someone you didn’t expect to?

kinda?

54. Do you think you can last in a relationship for 6 months and not cheat?

yes???

55. Are you good at hiding your feelings?

at times

56. Do you think you like someone?

idk

57. Have you kissed someone whose name starts with a ‘J’?

myself

58. Do you prefer to be friends with girls or boys?

girls i guess?

59. Has anyone of your friends ever seen you cry?

y a

60. Do you hate anyone?

yes

61. How’s your heart?

better than in november last year

62. Is there something that happened in your past that you hate talking about?

yaaa

63. Have you ever cried over a guy?

naaah i think

64. Who is probably talking a load of crap about you right now?

Jay

65. Are your toenails painted pink?

66. Will your next kiss be a mistake?

i hope not

67. Girls love it when boyfriends cry; correct?

heck??? no

68. Have your pants ever fallen down in public?

i did,,,

69. Who was the last person you were on the phone with?

according to my phones protocol it was my mums boyfriend

70. How do you look right now?

alright

71. Do you have someone you can be your complete self around?

ya!!!

72. Can you commit to one person?

ya!!!!

73. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell everything to?

74. Have you ever felt replaced?

yaaa

75. Did you wake up cranky?

ofc

76. Are you a jealous person?

kinda

77. Are relationships ever worth it?

idk yet

78. Anyone you’re giving up on?

B and Jay

79. Currently wanting to see anyone?

my aim

80. Name something you have to do tomorrow?

????

81. Last person you cried in front of?

myself

82. Is there someone you will never forget?

my freind N and spooks

83. Do you think the person you have feelings for is protective of you?

84. If the person you wish to be with were with you, what would you be doing right now?

????

85. Are you over your past?

kinda

86. Have you ever liked one of your best friends of the opposite sex?

y a

87. Is there anyone you can tell EVERYTHING to?

88. If your first true love knocked on your door with apology and presents, would you accept?

??? no

89. So, the last person you kissed just happens to arrive at your door at 3AM; do you let them in?

90. Have you ever liked someone who your friends hated?

i do

91. Will you be in a relationship in 2 months?

who knows

92. Is there anyone you know with the name Michael?

93. Have you ever kissed a Matthew?

94. Were you in a relationship in January? How was it going?

95. Were you happy with the person you liked in March?

uhhhh

96. Don’t tell me lies, is the last person you texted attractive?

Spooks? yea???

97. Who do you have texts from?

everyone

98. If the person you like says they like someone else, what would you say?

cant change aynthing

99. Have you ever kissed someone older than you?

100. Who’s in your profile picture with you?

dva

101. Ever kissed under fireworks?

102. Has anybody ever given you butterflies?

#THANKS

0 notes

genius-yoo · 7 years

Text

70 Questions

Thank you ukihyunnie for the tag!!

1. do you have a good relationship with your parents? Yeah I would say so!

2. who did you last say “i love you” to? My mom lmao

3. do you regret anything? Sometimes I wish that I took advantage of the social life in college but I know if I could go back I’d still be a lazy fuck ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

4. are you insecure? of course!

5. what’s your relationship status? very single lmao

6. how do you want to die? honestly this question is hella uncomfortable lmao i think i’d need to gradually lose consciousness so maybe in a comfy death bed?? lmao with nice music and people in the background

7. what did you last eat? these mint cupcakes we bought post-easter

8. played any sports? does ping pong count lmao

9. do you bite your nails? nopee

10. when was your last physical fight? honestly i don’t think i’ve ever been in one because no one would take me seriously lmao

11. do you like someone? irl no but online... i have sideblogs devoted to each person/group lmao

12. have you ever stayed up 48 hours? probably i don’t recommend it..ever...

13. do you hate anyone at the moment? strong dislike yeah

14. do you miss someone? nopee

15. have any pets? not at the moment! i used to have turtles

16. how exactly are you feeling at the moment? really happy... produce101 came out with a new ep today and i finished all my hw last night so now i can watch it [hopefully soon w/ subs] in peace

17. ever made out in the bathroom? oh no omg

18. are you scared of spiders? i used to be until i befriended a spider a couple years back

19. would you go back in time if you were given the chance? tbh not to change my life like i’d want to go back to the early south Asian civilizations and figure out what they really lived like so my professor can stop saying everything is hypothetical. i really need those true facts like honestly...

20. where was the last place you snogged someone? snogged?? me??? :0

21. what are your plans for this weekend? i hope my sister will finally stop putting off taking my nephew to the zoo because honestly i really wanna go with him, especially because it’s so sunny and warm for once

22. do you want to have kids? how many? i’ll try to raise one and see how it goes... my nephew is so sassy and he’s only two v__v;;

23. do you have piercings? how many? no lmao i can’t ever

24. what is/are/were your best subject(s)? probably history

25. do you miss anyone from your past?  i had a korean friend back in elementary/middle school and one day she told me she was moving but i misheard her so i was just like “okay” and that next day she left and i just felt super bad?? i wonder where she is now.. she’s the reason why i remembered my student ID lmao

26. what are you craving right now?  Enough money to buy Monsta X’s studio album like honestly it’s so loopable

27. have you ever broken someone’s heart?  yeah i think

28. have you ever been cheated on?  nope

29. have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?  nope

30. what’s irritating you right now? nothing that i can think of rn! it’s actually been an alright week, especially since i took care of all the stressful things

31. does somebody love you? my family lmao

32. what is your favourite color? it used to be blue/pink but recently red has been quite the enjoyable color...

33. do you have trust issues? yess

34. who/what was your last dream about? the main character somehow got caught in the middle of a galactic battle between a shapeshifting alien and a pirate militaristic alien on this giant pirate spaceship and the shapeshifting alien won by veering the spaceship towards the sun which led to basically everything on that ship to burn alive. great things.

35. who was the last person you cried in front of? idk?? probably my mom but it was dark so she couldn’t really see lmao

36. do you give out second chances too easily? yeah i prob shouldn’t but i still do

37. is it easier to forgive or forget? forgive bc i honestly can’t forget

38. is this year the best year of your life?  in some ways yeah!

39. how old were you when you had your first kiss? mrgmgmhmgh probably like six

40. have you ever walked outside completely naked? it’s fucking cold i wouldn’t dare

51. favourite food? honestly vietnamese food... like.. holy shit

52. do you believe everything happens for a reason? some things do but not everything

53. what is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night? i talked for a while before realizing i could take advantage of actually sleeping before midnight for once and then knocked out

54. is cheating ever okay?

noooooooo!!!!

55. are you mean? i’m not the one to evaluate this tbh

56. how many people have you fist fought? i can’t lmao

57. do you believe in true love? well if there’s fake love then there must be true love too

58. favourite weather? sunny, 60s, and a bit of breeze

59. do you like the snow? tbh i feel sadistic for saying yes because i like hearing about how people supposedly walk for miles trying to get home bc their car got stranded or w/e. also it’s nice to always get pics of my nephew playing in the snow, so yeah! snow is great

60. do you wanna get married? well i gotta find a good person first..

61. is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby? no lmao unless we’re trying to be sensual then i gues..s.. this isn’t considered a kink, right

62. what makes you happy?

when things go better than expected

63. would you change your name? nope

64. would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed? not really

65. your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? n/a

66. do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around? yeah of course!

67. who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to?

my bus driver lmao. actually it might’ve been my dad since i talked to him last night

68. who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with? deep conversation?? idk.. probably a classmate of mine during class

69. do you believe in soulmates? not really

70. is there anyone you would die for? probably my family or my students

#this took two hours i cannot believe #tagged

0 notes

houstonlocalus-blog · 8 years

Text

Wasted Years: The Best of The Week

Ruiners. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook

The new year is definitely in full swing while the city gets closer to the inevitable splash over we’ll experience in March from SXSW. While we wait for cold weather to hopefully return, there’s plenty happening throughout the Bayou City this week. This week features sets from psych rockers Christian Bland & the Revelators, Dark Blue and Guilla, as well as “We Belong: Houstonians of Muslim Descent Dissent,” a protest show featuring Giant Kitty, Turnaways, Ruiners and more. Houston, your next seven days are all planned out.

On Wednesday you could kick off the week at Warehouse Live in the studio for the popular post hardcore sounds of Nevada’s Falling In Reverse. These guys aren’t my cup of tea, but they have millions of Spotify plays and they tend to pack out a room every time they perform, and they’re here in support of their latest release, the single “Coming Home.” The metalcore of Atlanta’s Issues will be on as direct support while Pennsylvania’s Motionless In White will go on prior. Ohio’s Dangerkids are also on the bill and things get opened by Dead Girls Academy with doors at 5:30 pm and tickets between $27.50 and $32.

If you were lucky enough to grab tickets for the Netflix comedy special taping for rapper turned comic Chingo Bling at Heights Theater, then you should be in for a treat. I don’t know how funny he is on his own, but opening performances from Jesus Sepulveda, Jerry Garcia, and John Stringer should get things going nicely. Though the two sets are sold out, the doors for the 1st show are at 6:30 pm and the second has doors at 9 pm.

If you really like the band Tame Impala, then you could head to Satellite Bar for their Tame Impala night. Derek from the bands Mantra Love and Mojave Red will spin his favorite Tame Impala jams and more for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and it’s 100% FREE.

Thursday you should head to House of Blues when the venue and The Secret Group present the always hilarious Iliza Shlesinger. While her last Netflix special Freezing Hot proved how funny she can be, she already has another one coming later this year, which will more than likely be the material she’ll be performing. While there’s no word of host or featured act, the all ages show with doors at 7 pm has tickets between $29.50 and $35.

Rhett Miller. Photo: ATO Records

The Heights Theater will have Evan Felker of Turnpike Troubadours over to perform. Felker hasn’t dropped a solo album yet but he’s dropped a couple of solo tracks like “Bottoms Up” that echo his bigger band and sound pretty grand. He has a pretty great direct support act in Rhett Miller of Old 97’s. Miller has released solo work and his last release The Traveler sounded like the kind of sound Jeff Tweedy has been trying a lifetime to achieve. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and it’s since sold out.

Nightingale Room will host a barn burner when Guilla returns to drop a set at the Main street venue. Guilla has been working hard as usual, including taping a recent submission to Tint Desk and on the heels of his bangin’ mixtape, last year’s Rap, Trap & Drums-Vol. II and his full length Children of The Sun his performance should be as energy crazed as usual. Not to be outdone, iLL Faded will be on beforehand and should bring his two releases from last year, It’s Okay To Be Happy and No Big Deal to life. The 21 & up show has doors at 7 pm and it’s 100% FREE.

Over at Improv you could catch the beginning of a weekend of shows with the always funny jokes of Ralphie May. The last time he was here he donated a ton of money to a Houston comic, he’s been on pretty much every place that’ll have him, and he sells out shows all over the globe. His latest album, last year’s Just Correct has the Houston born and LA transplanted comic in rare form. As per all of these shows, two of Houston’s better comics will serve as host and one as feature act for the 18 & up shows with tickets between $25 and $50. This show has doors at 7:15 pm.

Psalm Zero. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook/Profound Lore Records

Walter’s will have the new industrial metal sounds of NYC’s Psalm Zero. Hailed by critics on their recent release Stranger To Violence, the group has former members of Castevet and Extra Life, and they’ve gotten praise for their intense live shows. The band has a melody driven metal sound that utilizes precise sounds and synths to add to their already diverse sound. The darkwave of Houston’s Buoyant Spirit will open things up and provide direct support for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $7 and $10.

Mucky Duck has Austin’s off kilter rockers Darkbird in town to perform. I say off kilter because they have a very different sound with traditional rock elements and a singer who has the voice of the past. I’ve never seen them perform, but with a voice that rivals Stevie Nicks, their last album I Remember Feeling My Fingers Slip is pretty impressive. The 21 & up show gets going around 9:30 pm and has tickets between $20 and $22.

Friday you could get started at Rockefellers for their Inauguration Day Ball. The show, which will feature the highly charged punk sounds of Houston’s The Satanic Overlords of Rock N’ Roll as headliners, should be an exercise in freedom of speech while we still have them. Things only get more heated up before with sets from The Velostacks, Killer Hearts, and The Burns all on beforehand. While Hell’s Engine will go on prior and D Kosmo will open the show up. The all ages affair has doors at 7 pm and there’s a measly $8 cover.

Dark Blue. Photo: Drip Audio Records

The delco punk of Philadelphia’s Dark Blue will be on full display over at Satellite Bar. These guys have been hailed by critics everywhere, they’ve become well known for a killer live show, and their newest album Start Of The World is pretty damn fantastic. Houston’s LACE, who is the band’s direct support for their Texas dates will bring their intense hardcore on beforehand, and the crazed hardcore energy Black Coffee will be on prior. The throwback sounds of Narrow Head will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $10.

If you weren’t aware, the inauguration of a reality show star is happening in DC, but in protest to that idiot’s racist remarks towards Muslims, Houston artists of Muslim descent will be performing in protest over at Walters at the We Belong show. A headlining set from screeching punks Giant Kitty will energetically headline the night while the crazed energy and new wave punk of Houston’s Ruiners will be on before. Seriously, Shan of Ruiners booked this show and if you missed their last album Wasted Years, then you’re missing one of the city’s best new bands. The garage tinged pop punk of Houston’s Turnaways will bring their stellar new album Summer Love to life prior while the crazy punk of Houston’s Revels open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $10 with all benefits going to the ACLU.

New York City Queens. Photo: DO Photography

Over at White Oak Music Hall upstairs you could catch a one off reunion and thank you to fans, when Houston’s New York City Queens reunite one last time. The Houston five piece went through a lot before calling it quits at Beer Fest two years ago, so this is a goodbye to all who supported the band over the years. The energetic indie rock of Houston’s Young Girls will provide direct support and the electro pop of Camera Cult will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $10.

Last Concert Cafe will host the Americana meets indie folk pop of Denver’s Paper Bird. This eclectic six piece makes music that’s like a breath of fresh air mixed with a family party atmosphere. Their latest album, last year’s Paper Bird is a little more pop induced, but the vocals are impressive to say the least. The country sounds of Lucas Eason & the Panhandlers will open the all ages show with doors at 9 pm and tickets between $10 and $12.

We Were Wolves. Photo: Randy Edwards/Courtesy of Artist

In the Bronze Peacock Room at House of Blues, you can catch loud and party fueled rockers, We Were Wolves performing a set. The Beaumont born and Houston transplants have done everything from play multiple festivals to touring with The Dwarves. Their last EP, Ruin Your Weekend was definitely on point and they’re worth making it our for. The blues rock of San Antonio’s Levees will open the all ages show that gets going around 9 pm and it’s 100% FREE.

Boondocks will host another edition of the always jam heavy BLACKOUT shows. Alongside the Blackout DJ’s, this edition will feature the tropical sounds of LA’s ORO 11. Known for starting the label Bersa Discos and crafting the Tormenta Tropical parties, this guy can drop the hammer when it comes to performing live so get ready to get down. Visuals by Leckie will more than likely be on hand to light up the room for the 21 & up show that gets going around 10 pm. The show FREE before 11 pm with RSVP found here, or $5 after.

On Saturday you can swing by Vinal Edge to catch a rare solo acoustic set from Lubbock country legend Terry Allen. Allen is the torch bearer for that blend of Texas, beer drinkin’, and hell raisin’ music, and his last album Lubbock (on everything) is pretty damn stellar. The all ages event gets going around 3 pm, there’s gratis beverages for the adults from No Label, and you can catch him later at Heights Theater for his full live set too.

If you’d rather get your art hat on, then you could head to El Bambi for their art show, Erase/Rewind by FLATS. Works from Meredith Richey, Rye Francisco, and many more will be on hand for the all ages event that runs from 6 pm to 9pm, and has gratis drinks and beer for those who can legally have it.

Mucky Duck will have the roots sounds of Houston’s Jack Saunders over to perform. Saunders is one of the most unsung artists in our city, and his voice is an epic tone that sounds like he’s been telling his tale for decades. His last release, 2012’s A Real Good Place To Start is a beautiful tale that’s hard to put down. The 21 & up show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $20 and $22.

Christian Bland. Photo: Ground Control Touring

Things will get all trippy at Walters when Christian Bland & the Revelators will bring their psych garage sound to town. Bland is best known as the guitarist for The Black Angels, but honestly, he’s much more than that. This band is solid live, and their last full length from 2014 The Unseen Green Obstacle is a real trip. The bluesy tunes of Houston’s Vanilla Whale will be on as direct support while Futurelic will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and a $10 cover.

At Fitzgerald’s you can spend an evening with indie pop singer songwriter Jack Thweatt. Inspirational, possibly religious, or whatever you want to call him, his songs are catchy to say the least, and his new album You Take Me Back from last year sticks in your head. There’s no word of openers yet but that could change for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $10 and $15.

The Hammer Party. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Bandcamp

At Notsuoh you could get down with Arizona’s The Darts. The all female garage psych four piece has a reputation for a crazed live set, and their new release The Darts EP 2 is pretty chaotic. The horror themed sounds of Houston’s Brumes will be on as direct support while the amazing lo-fi garage punk of Huntsville’s The Hammer Party will open the 21 & up show with doors at 8 pm and it’s 100% FREE.

Over at Khon’s you can get your dance going when android genius comes out of exile to drop a set. It doesn’t seem like it’s been over a year since he dropped the trippy and dance heavy sounds of /\, but it’s been too long since he’s been out performing. Hood Ethernet will drop dance grooves as direct support while the electronic beats of REZ and the experimental hip hop of slw.kng will go on prior. The experimental trippiness of MLCBR will be on before and Hakeem will open the all ages show with doors at 9 pm and a $5 cover.

Sunday you can head to Civic TV for a new show series called Prof. Wiggins Sunday Matinee Series. This edition will feature sets from TEE VEE and The Wiggins. A DJ set from PKRL8R will also be on hand for the 100% FREE all ages and BYOB show with doors at 4 pm.

Christian Kidd. Photo: Alexis Kidd

Rudyard’s will host a benefit for Christian Kidd of The Hates with a headlining set from The Hates. I have to question why the guy should have to play his own benefit, but that aside, The Hates have been a staple in the Houston music scene since before there was a scene. Also, Christian has played more of these kind of benefits than pretty much anyone else in town, so it’s kind of your duty as a Houston musician or fan to attend. The Texas Mod Crushers will go on before with a set from Screech of Death on before them. Gut Radio will open the 21 & up event with doors at 6 pm and a $10 cover/donation.

On Tuesday you can catch Sci-Fi Movie Night at The Secret Group. This premiere edition will be hosted by Houston’s Guilla, and will feature the film Akira. Given the rapper’s love and knowledge of the film and the character, he’s the fitting host for this 100% FREE all ages event with doors at 8pm.

That’s about all that’s happening around town this week, No matter what you decide to do, remember that drinking like an adult is what’s best for you and everyone else, so be responsible and get a safe ride home.

Wasted Years: The Best of The Week this is a repost

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