I'll stow away my grays

While I would like to say that I am doing something incredibly fascinating in my periodic absences from this blog, the truth is, I am not. I am having fits of anxiety (which apparently is the root of my bruxism), eating lots of cookies, & talking about how much I have to do instead of actually doing it. But tomorrow I'm skipping school on my mother's leave so I have a pause to say holla.

Here is an immensely satisfying video of Lykke Li & the boys from Bon Iver making pretty music together:

[Source]

Here is a less satisfying video of Snow Patrol & their new single, "Take Back The City." You can watch it anyways though, like I did. Maybe it's just me, but they seem to have gotten more... superficial in they're writing, lyrically & musically. Idk though, I'm no Snow Patrol fanatic/expert. [Source]

I came across an interview with MGMT on doing ecstasy & the creative writing process; muy interestante. [Source]

So someone recommended I give Frightened Rabbit a listen. I've never heard of them (I don't really recall them getting any exposure from Pfork/Sgum) but when I listened to them, I really liked what I heard. Pitchfork gave their album that came out April of this year, an 8.1, if that is the sort of thing to make you more inclined to give them a listen. You should. Regardless.

Omgomgomg, NEW DECEMBERISTS SONG! However, before you get too excited, I have to say that I am not overly impressed. It's still nice, just not up to their "O Valencia" standards, but that's just me. What do you think? [Source]

We're half awake in a fake empire

Helloooo! School sucks, what else is new? Ben Gibbard paying Jenny Lewis a visit, that's what! Here's a super duper cute vid of them & it previews one song off Jenny's new album due September 23rd.  [Source]

Proof that The Strokes will never get back together & my heart shall break forevermore. Albert Hammond Jr. is going to start a clothing line. Yes, you heard me correctly, a clothing line. Not a new album, but a freakin' men's clothing line. I'm actually considering putting The Strokes on the back burner, along with where I put Weezer years ago. I haven't given up on them yet, but if they continue their side projects & other shenanigans, I just may have to. [Source]

Here are two cover songs that aren't particularly outstanding, but very nice in their own way, (besides, I love Vampire Weekend & MGMT!). 

Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac)- Vampire Weekend

Kids (MGMT)- The Kooks

Hurry up & snatch 'em up before the crazy mofos at RIAA or something will kill ya. [Source 1] [Source 2]

Oh, & a quick visit to Patrick Wolf's Mspace as I was updating my Recently Played, revealed that he did a song, "Careless Talk" for the movie The Edge of Love. You can read about the movie here, listen to the song here, & read his blog about how the song has found its way "deep into his heart." 

Coldplay- Viva La Vida Or Death & All His Friends

With the arrival of Viva La Vida Or Death & All His Friends, Coldplay has revealed to its listeners, essentially, nothing new. They've retained the same shimmery sounds present on X&Y, kept a lot of their acoustic bases from Parachutes, and surprise, Chris Martin's voice sounds exactly the same. Depending on where you stand, this can be good or bad. Bad because Coldplay might as well release a compilation CD & call it A Rush Of Parachutes To X&Y & All His Friends for their next album & be done with it. Good because, well, Coldplay as is, is very likable. Just as long as you're not looking for a constantly evolving band (see Sigur Ros) or the new Indie "it" band of next year (see Vampire Weekend). The most experimental Coldplay gets on Viva, is on the track "Yes" & I can't say I'm a fan. A weird key & Chris Martin's low dipping vocals & awkward mix & match of Middle Eastern sounding violins & acoustic guitar; no thanks. I'd rather stick to "Viva La Vida" because of it's accessibility. Not because I'm not open to change, but because it just doesn't suit the material they've been putting out for years. "Lovers In Japan/Reign of Love" is easily the best song on the album, followed closely followed by "Death & All His Friends." Maybe it's the fact that both songs offer a two part breakdown. Maybe Coldplay should follow this format for future success. Which in their case, doesn't necessarily equate to change. Personally, I say good for Coldplay. Look what happened to The Strokes. The hype for their debut, Is This It, was ridiculous. In a good way. They put out Room On Fire, a safe album without much change. But still good. Then the critics got to them or whatever it was, & bam, Julian's voice filter was gone, the homey, genuine guitar riffing was gone & we got First Impressions of Earth. Which no one really liked. But I digress. Moral of the story is, sometimes a band can't be like Sigur Ros or Vampire Weekend. Coldplay is aware of this fact, & it's good to know they aren't pretending to be something they aren't. Viva contains no surprises & that's precisely why, believe it or not,  it doesn't suck. Unless you work at Pitchfork or Urban Outfitters, there's nothing wrong with liking pure alternative pop. & who better to turn to than Coldplay?

I know I said I'd write a review like a month ago. But better late than never, right? Right. If you're so inclined to lend me your thoughts & time for a minute, lemme know what you think of this. 

Alsooo, I'd like just like to say that MGMT, that's what's up. Fourth CD down on the left-menu. Check it! Besides, their website is like the shiz.