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| notes from underground - societal whispers all the news that print will fit. |
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Sunday, February 15, 2004 np: sleet on window pane. large, fat flakes of snow in a downpour. they're gone for the moment. but they'll be back. i really don't want to go to school tomorrow. and it's supposed to get worse tonight. having driven a bunch in the last two days, i was digging back through some of my older cds for company. i found fretblanket's home truths from abroad which is a rather lovely little album. fretblanket won one of the first week's of that old mtv show, twelve angry viewers, where they formed juries to vote on videos. the video was for the song "into the ocean," which is a rather spy-movie sounding power-rock song. mid-late 90s sounding guitars. you know the drill. fretblanket was suprisingly reachable back then. i sent them an email via their website at the time and, surprise, actually received a reply. a personal reply. from one of the band members. that is pop music at its finest. it was really cool for me to get that email back. pulp's this is hardcore is also one of the most brilliantly dark records i've ever purchased. jarvis cocker has commented that he's proud of what pulp did on that album, but he would never want to go through what it took to make it again. the band nearly fractured. and it took them nearly four years to release their follow up, the comparitively joyous we love life. but for songs like "dishes," "a little soul," and the title track, the album is a solid, dark, moody gem. these are the albums that are my secret favourites. in each band's catalogue is a record that is either critically blasted or just seen as inferior. pulp's this is hardcore, the replacements' don't tell a soul, son volt's straightaways. maligned because of their juxtaposition to other classic records. pulp's follow up to different class; the 'mats' one, over-produced shot at mainstream success; son volt's follow up to the universally praised trace. art is a bitch sometimes. especially when your mind becomes as focused on how your art will be perceived as it is on what you think of your own creation. -- i was reminded today of the passing of my grandfather c. i was up visiting my grandmother c. today and had to cut my visit short due to the inclimate weather. i remember how heavy his coffin was. he was a large guy. and paulbearer's don't have an easy job always. but there's something about taking that weight on your shoulders that is important. i felt lucky to be there to carry him to his rest. i felt like he'd given me so much to help carry me. it's only proper i return the favor. -- car headlights and snow. the day after valentine's. garbage men adorn heavy gloves and hats. to lift love's labor aloft. like london routemaster buses. passengers, hanging by a pole. to ride the windy, urban river. the city streaked with red refuse. refused. or discarded. it is the momentary spark! that is what is bought at fragarance boutiques lingerie stores candy shoppes and gas station counters, roadside tables. all to be discarded. after love's labor lifted aloft. regained! in bedrooms. and kitchens. and restaurants. and movie theatres. and snowy, hillside blankets with picnic baskets and hot toddy. and out my window snow is cresting waves of enamor. how sweet is nature's sense of us all. edit: i'm listed as a contributer for the winter 2004 issue of 20/20 Proof zine. the topic was your favourite twenty songs of all time and why. i had to go with my top twenty songs of the moment, but it's there. if you'd like to read my contribution (as well as some other fab articles and reviews), the zine only costs $4 + $1.50 s&h. so check it out and tell 'em i sent you. posted by J. Neas | 2/15/2004 04:41:00 PM
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