I'm a man of means by no means

King of the Road (video) ~ Roger Miller

I'm not a big fan of country music. I really don't like much of the country music being created these days, and although I like old school country a lot more, that's not saying a whole lot.

Recently I've been thinking about the country songs I have always liked. This is one of them, it was one of my favorite songs as a little girl.

Here is a video of Roger Miller goofing off with Johnny Cash, wherein they sing this song together.
King of the Road (video) ~ REM

A.

Too drunk to turn the lights out, but too tired to drink more

The High Party ~ Ted Leo

A coworker has asked me to suggest some new music. I was going through my collection, saving songs to my thumb drive for him to sample.

I always have a hard time recommending music to people when I'm not sure of their tastes. He told me he doesn't like new country. That's what I had to go on.

There were a few artists I knew I would include in his sampler, but then I was at a loss. Or, I should say, I didn't know how to narrow things down further.

As I was scrolling through my music collection I stumbled upon this song. This was a song that for a month or two I played at least 5 to 10 times a day, but I haven't listened to it in months, maybe over a year.

It's back.

A.

Just hear this and then I'll go

Last Goodbye ~ Jeff Buckley

I've had Jeff in my head for two days now, singing to me, and following me around my day. It hasn't been bad, let me tell you, as I love his songs, all of them really, though I have a soft spot for the album this song is off of, Grace. It reminds me of so many things, Last Goodbye. The first memory is of the television series My So-Called Life. Back when Mtv used to air the episodes, the summer just following the first (and only) season, this song was in the so-called "buzz bin", and would play often during the commercial breaks.

The song also reminds me of my favourite book, God-Shaped Hole, and the character Jacob Grace who was inspired by Jeff.

I remember this was when I worked at Tower Records, and my friend Shelley and I used to play Grace in the store every chance we had. We had tickets to see him play and I ended up getting sick, and missed the show - I thought I'd have time to see him again, and sadly I didn't.

The song also reminds me of riding the Red Line in Chicago, back and forth to one of my temporary jobs, while I read the 33 1/3 book written about the album Grace. My boyfriend, at the time, used to let me borrow his iPod and I'd listen to this song, and the others off of Grace (especially Mojo Pin), and devour the story of the album, Jeff himself, and the love of music.

And today, well it resonates with me deeply as I realize that I have to say goodbye to someone I hoped to have in my life for years to come, if not forever. Maybe it is not a last goodbye, perhaps it is just a pause in the story, an interlude, or some kind of intermission (the audience going out for a cigarette, or something from the concession stand). Deep down I know I hope it is not forever. But, for now, the friendship (or whatever it was, whatever we were in that undefined place we found ourselves in), is hurting me - and it seems it is hurting him, too. So, for now, I'll let Jeff sing me out of the room, and out of his life - because that is the only solution I can see at this vantage point.

(I think I'll pass on the concellation kiss, I think that is what got us to this point in the first place - and I wouldn't be able to say goodbye if you kissed me again).

L.

I thought I was someone else, someone good

Perfect Day ~ Lou Reed and Luciano Pavarotti

It's sunny, and it's a beautiful day outside. Not too hot.

We went to a cooking demonstration and wine tasting at a neighborhood wine shop this afternoon. Five years ago that never would have happened in this neighborhood. But while there has been a bit of gentrification here, the neighborhood still has its rough edges. Which is exactly how I like it.

I'm looking forward to Lollapalooza more and more, because I can't wait to see Lou Reed. His set is the only untouchable one for me. Part of me feels like a fraud, however. I have some of his albums, but by no means do I know his catalog. I sort of feel like that person who just became punk and acted like they always were punk. I make fun of those people. Now I am one. Although I don't know his catalog backwards and forwards, I've always appreciated his (and the Velvet Underground's) contribution. That has to count for something, right?

Yesterday I watched a Lou Reed performance that I DVRed, and I got goosebumps and a lump on my throat when he sang this song (though on his own, without the amazing tenor). I know I will cry if he plays this at Lolla. Thousands of people singing along. It will be awesome.

And what about this combination? I'm thinking Lou Reed had to be pooping his pants here. I mean, first, to get someone like Pavarotti to sing your song, that has to be the ultimate, right? And to be on a stage with him... I imagine the best singers would be insecure in that situation. I don't know.

A.

I'm here today, expect it to stay on, and on, and on

Waltz #2 (live, video) ~ Elliott Smith

"Tell Mr. Man with impossible plans,
to just leave me alone.
In the place where I make no mistakes,
in the place where I have what it takes.

I'm never gonna know you now,
but I'm gonna love you anyhow."

One-two-three, one-two-three, one-two-three. The rhythm of the waltz, the predictable movement; you expect it, you see it coming, and you keep going - whether you mean to, or not. Something keeps pulling your legs this way, your feet that way, and your arms embrace the form in front of you - but he has turned translucent, disappearing into thin air, becoming something faded and imaginary.

The images fade, just as the memories begin to; or maybe I just tell myself they are leaving because I cannot take the sting of those moments being nothing now except for a rememberance.

I woke this morning heavy with melancholy. The sunlight through the blinds causing me to squint before I've even open my eyes fully. Somehow I've turned toward the window in my sleep, something I usually do not do, I note.

Was I dreaming of those moments not so long ago? interlocking fingers, conversations whispered in a room where so little light streamed in. We were both a little lost in the dark, or I guess we hid there - not that I ever wanted to be hidden.

Now I'm left with nothing to hold but consoling words and the same explanations. All I have left are my memories. Whatever and ever, right? You never meant me any harm. So why does it hurt so much then? I think I'd rather just let it all fade to grey, to cloudy skies, to a place where I can feel good again.

"I'm so glad that my memory's remote,
'cos I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note.
Here it is, the revenge to the tune,
you're no good, you're no good, you're no good, you're no good.
Can't you tell that it's well understood?"

L.

Non-Review of Franz Ferdinand, 4/30/09

The show was great. I can't believe I almost didn't go. I should have known better. I have seen them before, I knew how the should would be. Why was I willing to miss that? What matters is I went, and it was awesome.

See more horrible pics here.

There are no full-length videos up yet, but here are some short ones.

No You Girls
Take Me Out
Tell Her Tonight
Bite Hard

A

But what else can we do?

Time To Pretend (video) ~ MGMT

"I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life.
Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives.
I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin, and fuck with the stars.
You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars.

This is our decision, to live fast and die young.
We've got the vision, now let's have some fun.
Yeah, it's overwhelming, but what else can we do.
Get jobs in offices, and wake up for the morning commute."

MGMT has been one of those bands that I've grown to love more and more as I've listened to them more and more. You know how it goes, you hear a band and you enjoy them, they hit your musical radar, you add them to your playlist shuffle, but you do not fall hard for them (not yet, at least). But they stick around, the pop up randomly and you find yourself singing along, they show up on mixes you make, and suddenly, without warning or provocation, you are seeking them out to listen to. You wake up in the morning with a song stuck in your head, tickling your lips, and becoming what you sing in the shower, or on that morning commute. You have to admit it then, you've sorta fallen.

I woke up singing this song, I sorta love it, and yeah, I've sorta fallen for MGMT.

L.