So much music since I've last posted inevitably I'm going to miss a lot. Starting digging out from Chicago. Extra Golden. Now, I'm listening to this, walking to school, confused. What is this? African? Lo fi weird indie rock? Some of this is catchy. Hmm. Just plain embarrased that the DC part of this band was completely unknown to me. And I have a music blog? Pfff. Then to Lumptronic 4. Fantastic. Chicago has got a lot to feel good about. Holla! Lots of stuff, but I'm skipping ahead to Regina Spektor's song "That Time." This song has so many good things to say for itself. The whole album does, really. But the lyrics. Come on. For starters. I would've just started with the guitar, fwiw. Now you can't decide to kiss anywhere besides the mouth. It's been done. So cheap and juicy! It's just sweet and disturbingly real in a world that has lots of deep emotions some chillingly invigorating, some tremendously physically painful. When the she says "Hey, remember that other time, when you O.D.ed, for the second time...," and then the six notes create the feeling of hospital equipment, I swear they do. I'm sure it was freaky. As for the song, I say well done.

And now I've cashed in my gift certificate for four albums. Coulda gone the song route, but, well, I didn't. Just stole four recommendations from Pitchfork, and well, let me tell ya. Oh, another new Harcourt selection that was, of course, listenable, but not exciting. Anyway, first purchase: Panda Bear. Starts off Beach Boys-y. Had me a little worried, but I could hear weird effects in the background, and it was interesting, and I knew it wouldn't stay like that for the whole album. And I'd already bought it, so I wasn't going to angrily put it in my internet trash can and storm off. But by the end of track one, weird echoes, is that a percussion instrument or just a keyboard note or what is that? Anyway then the next song is framed by weird effect noises. It's got an odd title. "Take Pills." More of the Beach Boys in the front of it. But somehow the groove they lock into around 3 minutes in is an interesting update - even if actual water sounds make the analogy more apt. By the time you get to track 3, the first of two of the album's tracks clocking in at over 12 minutes, you just have to listen. Describing it just doesn't work. Worth a listen.

More on the rest later, but, who cares? Because this blog has already proved literally invaluable. Wait, what does that mean? Because if it means good, yes! That's what I want it to mean! Good. Rumors of a music movie night portend smiles all around.

Tired.