Today's DailyOM Offerings...
June 23, 2011
Philharmonics
Agnes Obel
2010
Agnes Obel is a Danish-born singer-songwriter, hailing from the musical epicenter of Copenhagen. She began her piano studies at a very young age, and played bass in a band at age seven. Obel’s mother often played Chopin and Bartók, but it was the folk and European jazz sounds of Jan Johansson that truly inspired her. She founded a local band, Sohio, but it was her solo work that proved to be her true breakthrough. Though Copenhagen has a rich music scene, local success often does translate internationally, which make Obel’s story all the more impressive. The truth and beauty of her stunningly original debut, Philharmonics, which was composed, performed, and recorded all by herself, managed to get her a platinum release in Denmark and much deserved critical acclaim throughout Europe.
Philharmonics is a stoically beautiful record, and has the gravity, beauty, and poignancy of an album that might have come later in a lesser artist’s career. Obel layers perfectly controlled vocals over cinematic and emotive piano for a gorgeously quiet and pensive record with as much resonance as its powerful namesake. The second track, “Riverside,” has a seemingly sparse pairing of vocals and piano that sound remarkably full and utterly haunting as her relatively unaccompanied, icy voice seeps into your consciousness and guides your thoughts to landscapes far from your own, places full of quiet, solitude, and melancholy reflection.
The title track is an ethereal waltz that touches upon death with a distinct lack of fear, similar to the way a child might speak of it. The subject matter is augmented by the music box simplicity of the piano melody. Without fear, Obel’s vocals take on an exploratory quality, and her music instills a surprising sense of calm in the listener, exploring the cool, quiet aftermath of death. “Philharmonics” is followed by a chilling cover of John Cale’s “(I Keep a) Close Watch.” Her rendition is an interesting contrast to the balladlike original, with a distinctly female voice, though no less emotive. Obel embraces the vulnerable nature of the lyrics and comes off sounding like an ingénue, exposed and sensitive. A chiming that mimics a heartbeat and the slightest bit of reverb on her vocals creates an utterly haunting effect, especially when combined with the directness of her lyrics.
June 23, 2011
Life's Lighter Side
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
You may feel like being with friends and having lighthearted and humorous discussions today. Using your humor and sense of fun to amuse others could be a way to share with them your delight in the pleasurable aspects of life, for even though there are times when being serious is necessary, enjoying the abundance you have is equally important. Lifting others’ spirits through humor might help you connect to the joy that is present in your life today. In your interactions you may want to think of seeing the positive side of things, maybe even adding optimistic thoughts or clever banter. By trying to be positive for the day, you could create a bright and happy atmosphere for everyone around you.
Seeing the lighter side of life allows us to delight in the joys of the world around us. While there are many issues that concern us, it is so important to think of life in positive and less dire terms, since there is often very little in our immediate surroundings that is really an emergency. Changing the way we view events through humor and play lets us relish every moment we have, and we will gain more in our lives as a result. Worry and concern will only get us so far; it is our positive outlook that usually carries us through even the darkest times. By letting yourself have fun and be carefree today, your life will be filled with light, cheer, and good-natured energy.
June 23, 2011
Gut Response
In Touch with True Emotions
Our bellies can be wonderful monitors of our emotional health and the truth can always be found there.
So often, emotions that we long to express get stored in our bodies instead. The space where this most often happens is in our bellies. Rather than telling people, our even ourselves, the way we truly feel, we may stuff our true feelings deep inside of us, where they take up space until we are ready to let them go. Stuffing our feelings in our bellies may feel like the “safe” response, since we then don’t really have to deal with our emotions. Yet, doing so can actually be detrimental to our emotional well-being and physical health.
One way to connect with and release your emotions is to do a focused exercise with your stomach area. Take a moment to center yourself with some deep breathing and quiet meditation, relaxing your body fully and turning off the chatter in your brain. With your right hand on your stomach, tell yourself three times: “Please reveal to me my true emotions.” Listen for the answers. Repeat the exercise as many times as you would like, allowing yourself to drop deeper into your body each time. Notice any physical response in the stomach area, whether you have a warm, relaxed feeling in the middle of your body or if you feel tight knots in response to any emotions that do come up. You may even want to write down any answers that come to you. Remember that the body doesn’t lie.
Releasing our pent up feelings from our bellies can prevent disease and allow us to live more authentic and expressive lives. Sometimes, if too much emotional energy builds up inside of us, a blowout can result that can cause discomfort. You can help to alleviate this compression by doing the same exercise and adding sound to your emotional release. The more guttural the sounds released through your mouth, the more emotions you are likely letting go. Releasing your emotions from your belly doesn’t have to be painful and hard; rather, it can be organic and effortless. It’s important not to judge whatever comes up for you. We tend to stuff our feelings in our bellies when we are ashamed of them or not ready to express them. There is nothing wrong with having feelings, whatever they may be. You can’t help your feelings; if anything, you can help yourself by acknowledging the truth of your emotions so you can set yourself free.
Philharmonics
Agnes Obel
2010
Agnes Obel is a Danish-born singer-songwriter, hailing from the musical epicenter of Copenhagen. She began her piano studies at a very young age, and played bass in a band at age seven. Obel’s mother often played Chopin and Bartók, but it was the folk and European jazz sounds of Jan Johansson that truly inspired her. She founded a local band, Sohio, but it was her solo work that proved to be her true breakthrough. Though Copenhagen has a rich music scene, local success often does translate internationally, which make Obel’s story all the more impressive. The truth and beauty of her stunningly original debut, Philharmonics, which was composed, performed, and recorded all by herself, managed to get her a platinum release in Denmark and much deserved critical acclaim throughout Europe.
Philharmonics is a stoically beautiful record, and has the gravity, beauty, and poignancy of an album that might have come later in a lesser artist’s career. Obel layers perfectly controlled vocals over cinematic and emotive piano for a gorgeously quiet and pensive record with as much resonance as its powerful namesake. The second track, “Riverside,” has a seemingly sparse pairing of vocals and piano that sound remarkably full and utterly haunting as her relatively unaccompanied, icy voice seeps into your consciousness and guides your thoughts to landscapes far from your own, places full of quiet, solitude, and melancholy reflection.
The title track is an ethereal waltz that touches upon death with a distinct lack of fear, similar to the way a child might speak of it. The subject matter is augmented by the music box simplicity of the piano melody. Without fear, Obel’s vocals take on an exploratory quality, and her music instills a surprising sense of calm in the listener, exploring the cool, quiet aftermath of death. “Philharmonics” is followed by a chilling cover of John Cale’s “(I Keep a) Close Watch.” Her rendition is an interesting contrast to the balladlike original, with a distinctly female voice, though no less emotive. Obel embraces the vulnerable nature of the lyrics and comes off sounding like an ingénue, exposed and sensitive. A chiming that mimics a heartbeat and the slightest bit of reverb on her vocals creates an utterly haunting effect, especially when combined with the directness of her lyrics.
June 23, 2011
Life's Lighter Side
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
You may feel like being with friends and having lighthearted and humorous discussions today. Using your humor and sense of fun to amuse others could be a way to share with them your delight in the pleasurable aspects of life, for even though there are times when being serious is necessary, enjoying the abundance you have is equally important. Lifting others’ spirits through humor might help you connect to the joy that is present in your life today. In your interactions you may want to think of seeing the positive side of things, maybe even adding optimistic thoughts or clever banter. By trying to be positive for the day, you could create a bright and happy atmosphere for everyone around you.
Seeing the lighter side of life allows us to delight in the joys of the world around us. While there are many issues that concern us, it is so important to think of life in positive and less dire terms, since there is often very little in our immediate surroundings that is really an emergency. Changing the way we view events through humor and play lets us relish every moment we have, and we will gain more in our lives as a result. Worry and concern will only get us so far; it is our positive outlook that usually carries us through even the darkest times. By letting yourself have fun and be carefree today, your life will be filled with light, cheer, and good-natured energy.
June 23, 2011
Gut Response
In Touch with True Emotions
Our bellies can be wonderful monitors of our emotional health and the truth can always be found there.
So often, emotions that we long to express get stored in our bodies instead. The space where this most often happens is in our bellies. Rather than telling people, our even ourselves, the way we truly feel, we may stuff our true feelings deep inside of us, where they take up space until we are ready to let them go. Stuffing our feelings in our bellies may feel like the “safe” response, since we then don’t really have to deal with our emotions. Yet, doing so can actually be detrimental to our emotional well-being and physical health.
One way to connect with and release your emotions is to do a focused exercise with your stomach area. Take a moment to center yourself with some deep breathing and quiet meditation, relaxing your body fully and turning off the chatter in your brain. With your right hand on your stomach, tell yourself three times: “Please reveal to me my true emotions.” Listen for the answers. Repeat the exercise as many times as you would like, allowing yourself to drop deeper into your body each time. Notice any physical response in the stomach area, whether you have a warm, relaxed feeling in the middle of your body or if you feel tight knots in response to any emotions that do come up. You may even want to write down any answers that come to you. Remember that the body doesn’t lie.
Releasing our pent up feelings from our bellies can prevent disease and allow us to live more authentic and expressive lives. Sometimes, if too much emotional energy builds up inside of us, a blowout can result that can cause discomfort. You can help to alleviate this compression by doing the same exercise and adding sound to your emotional release. The more guttural the sounds released through your mouth, the more emotions you are likely letting go. Releasing your emotions from your belly doesn’t have to be painful and hard; rather, it can be organic and effortless. It’s important not to judge whatever comes up for you. We tend to stuff our feelings in our bellies when we are ashamed of them or not ready to express them. There is nothing wrong with having feelings, whatever they may be. You can’t help your feelings; if anything, you can help yourself by acknowledging the truth of your emotions so you can set yourself free.