Sinful Attraction / Skoo Skedge
Again? I thought we went thru this with Original Sinsuality back in '05. I'd like to take an opportunity to record for posterity my thoughts on AATS after living with it for the past little bit. First of all, my version looks like this:
01. Give
02. Flavor
03. Abnormally Attracted To Sin
04. Strong Black Vine
05. Curtain Call
06. Fire To Your Plain
07. Police Me
08. 500 Miles
09. That Guy
10. Starling
11. Fast Horse
12. Lady In Blue
Like this, it's flawless. Dark, moody, electronic - with just the right amount of pacing and flow. I have many fave moments on this album already. Where to start? The slink intro to "Give". The moody trip-hop of it (still fresh though this genre disintegrated a decade ago). "Flavor", to me, is about pondering the smallness of existence and comparing the sensations of life to microscopic planets floating in bands of galaxies, though each one contains multitudes. Or it could be about the influence of traditional media. "Give" could be from any parallax. It could be a comment on the current wellspring of creativity, a thought about vampirism (which entrances me), or the life of a prostitute. "There are some who give blood. I give love. I give." It's become sort of a motto for me in these past few moons. I first heard the dashing competition between electronica and piano (new media and fine art) back in Halifazax, and it has since grown in the breast.
The title track has no structure whatsoever. A few lines, a bridge, what seems to be a chorus? Tori, where did that acoustic guitar come from? What also really strikes me is that no one is remarking on the extreme emotional content of this album. This woman is gutting herself, mutilating emotionally in your ears, and no one can acknowledge that? "She may be dead to you"? And you know "Starling" is about her marriage during the ADP tour, right?
"Shattered night
Then I woke.
Not to a lonely lark,
But to a raven's cry."
She wrote "Fast Horse" for me, you know that too, yeah? My ether transcended the sphere of earth, tailspinned past Saturn, and landed in her brain.
"You got you a fast horse, darlin'. But all you do is complain it ain't a Maserati. You had a soul that you left back in Memphis. But your Mama ain't New York - she is pure Tennessee.
On a desert highway, I am struck by my own RAGE. Time-bomb in his palm... augments this advanced shackling."
How, I ask you now, how is that not my life?! Jesus Christ. I cried like a little bitch the first time I heard this song. And sometimes it still gets right to me.
"Strong Black Vine" is my favorite to sing on the street. Especially the "bodies bathe in black gold - your pleasure" part. EEEEEEEE!!!!
"Curtain Call" - a few lines ring very true. "By the time you're 25, they will say you've gone and blown it all. By the time you're 35, I must confide - you will have blown them all. Right on cue, just act surprised when they invite you to take your curtain call."
"Fire To Your Plain" has nice icy jabs of synth, and the synths in this album are amazing. Synths everywhere. Some nice bass moments too. And the musical transitions between and within the songs wrings juice out of the air. This is a juicy album, salival as the reddest wine, audio mescaline. My ears are wet when I listen to this album - in a good way. In a juicy way. And you know I love the juice.
POLICE YOURSELF!!!
I had to say it. Can we talk about "500 Miles". OMG. The lyrics may be a total cheesefest. I'll admit it. The drums plunking plunk de plunk while the synth prattles away witlessly in the background. On paper, it should be a mess. But the "Sad news" bridge is sung with such utter CONVICTION. Holy shit, her vocal is gorgeous here. And it carries thru right to the end. The end of this song is truly a stunning moment. I sorta wish it was in another song, but it's not, right? I really want to dislike "500 Miles". But I feel heart in this song, and now it has mine too.
Then "That Guy" (in my mix). The way she sings with such nonchalance and ambivalence about something so emotionally terrifying gives me chills. The production is right out of the West End (fuck Broadway) and the strings hamper the lyrical content perfectly. The key change and chord progression from the second verse to the end, the way the arrangement dissipates and flourishes back again, and her lovely, unwavering vocal that is the only constant... I really wanted to dislike this song too. But now I love "That Guy".
"That guy swears he will walk. And carries a chip as big as New York. That guy, at night makes me SCREAM. And SMASHES the best possibilities... That guy."
The album focuses on themes of monogamy, distrust in marriage, imbalance of power in relationships (including friendships), suspicion, and betrayal. But there are also enuf life-affirming, grateful, thankful moments to make you realize Tori is world-weary but hopeful. I am constantly struck by how her albums parallel my own life. I can so easily see not fragments or shards, but entire intact pieces of myself in her albums. No other artist... has ever... yeah. Gotten to me like this.
I am really glad I took the time out of my day to write this. I know I'll read it in a year or two and think, "Wow, that was cool" cuz then I can compare my thought processes in the future to the ones I'm having now. And again, this is an extremely emotional album. Her compositional daring and arrangements I'm afraid are curtailing that fact. I can't wait to see her in August! Wheeeeee!!!
______________________________
So yesterday I went to the Museum of Modern Art and sorta realized this is a big crying year for me. Not 2009, but calendar year. From last summer to now, I have cried so much. It's how I know there are still soft spots within me. My mother knows where they are, because my face gives right in to her when I'm talking to her on the phone. I have become adverse to communication lately. If you haven't received a phone call from me, don't worry. I just don't know what to say. I'm constantly transitioning. It's what I ask for, what keeps me updated on myself. But right now... New York... what could I possibly say?
At the MoMa, in the drawing room, there were these beautiful Chagall watercolor and gouache pieces. Everything I fell in love with about Chagall came right back: the stunning compositions, simple but cutting use of color, and the innocence... the child-like simplicity and subtle painful beauty... it was all there. And this is one artist whose work goes right into my blood and pumps thru my heart. There, in the museum, tears streamed down my face looking at these drawings. I walked away for a bit, imbibed some other works... but came back. Again, in the painting room, there was another giant Chagall, and I was paralyzed. GOD. There, again, I had a moment to myself in the middle of New York. Here's some of his work if you care to look:
http://www.myhellokittycollection.com/garlands
I noticed yesterday that he died in 1985. He was 98, and I was well... zero, I guess. To think that for a short moment, we were both alive on this planet... wow.
I have no idea what's going on with the restaurant job. Went thru training last week, did well, made some mon, and now their management issues are preventing me from getting on the skedge this week. You know - whatever. I still have Teh Pag, Chasm, Crevasse... plus I leave for Iceland in two weeks anyway so I royally can't be bothered right now.
Got my grades back from Canadia and did well, again. Which is cool, I guess. Just one more year and I'll be done... nice little scholarships and getting paid to go to skoo. Life is freaking good, mayne.
So off to get a new memory card for my cam (16 GB), an easel, and some more protein. Oh and my summer body is starting to look really stacked. Last nite, I ran longer, harder, and faster than I've ever run in my life. I think I'm getting addicted to running. Does anyone want to run with me when I get back to Chicago? I'm approaching marathon status here.
And as a final thingy thing, I wanna post my skoo skedge for next semester since I already have it. Let me know if we have any classes together.
_________________________________
Monday:
9-12pm 20th Century Art History
1-5pm Contemp. Issues in PRINTMAKIN'
Wednesday:
9-12pm Photography in Chicago Now
Thursday:
3:30-6:30pm Art of Mexico
6:30-9:30pm History of the American Cit-ay
And these two workshops:
Frame & Stretcher Nov. 6-7
Digital Video Editing Sept. 25 & Oct. 2-3
___________________________
Yeah, 17 credits. This will get me done with the core curriculum and then I need to get into 4-D and the last of the art electives and then DUN. Whoo hoo.
Alright, must launch into my tasks on this rainy day in New York. I am so grateful and thankful and happy to be alive. To all my friends, I love you. I'll try to visit around sometime in July.
Besos on ur face,
-H.
01. Give
02. Flavor
03. Abnormally Attracted To Sin
04. Strong Black Vine
05. Curtain Call
06. Fire To Your Plain
07. Police Me
08. 500 Miles
09. That Guy
10. Starling
11. Fast Horse
12. Lady In Blue
Like this, it's flawless. Dark, moody, electronic - with just the right amount of pacing and flow. I have many fave moments on this album already. Where to start? The slink intro to "Give". The moody trip-hop of it (still fresh though this genre disintegrated a decade ago). "Flavor", to me, is about pondering the smallness of existence and comparing the sensations of life to microscopic planets floating in bands of galaxies, though each one contains multitudes. Or it could be about the influence of traditional media. "Give" could be from any parallax. It could be a comment on the current wellspring of creativity, a thought about vampirism (which entrances me), or the life of a prostitute. "There are some who give blood. I give love. I give." It's become sort of a motto for me in these past few moons. I first heard the dashing competition between electronica and piano (new media and fine art) back in Halifazax, and it has since grown in the breast.
The title track has no structure whatsoever. A few lines, a bridge, what seems to be a chorus? Tori, where did that acoustic guitar come from? What also really strikes me is that no one is remarking on the extreme emotional content of this album. This woman is gutting herself, mutilating emotionally in your ears, and no one can acknowledge that? "She may be dead to you"? And you know "Starling" is about her marriage during the ADP tour, right?
"Shattered night
Then I woke.
Not to a lonely lark,
But to a raven's cry."
She wrote "Fast Horse" for me, you know that too, yeah? My ether transcended the sphere of earth, tailspinned past Saturn, and landed in her brain.
"You got you a fast horse, darlin'. But all you do is complain it ain't a Maserati. You had a soul that you left back in Memphis. But your Mama ain't New York - she is pure Tennessee.
On a desert highway, I am struck by my own RAGE. Time-bomb in his palm... augments this advanced shackling."
How, I ask you now, how is that not my life?! Jesus Christ. I cried like a little bitch the first time I heard this song. And sometimes it still gets right to me.
"Strong Black Vine" is my favorite to sing on the street. Especially the "bodies bathe in black gold - your pleasure" part. EEEEEEEE!!!!
"Curtain Call" - a few lines ring very true. "By the time you're 25, they will say you've gone and blown it all. By the time you're 35, I must confide - you will have blown them all. Right on cue, just act surprised when they invite you to take your curtain call."
"Fire To Your Plain" has nice icy jabs of synth, and the synths in this album are amazing. Synths everywhere. Some nice bass moments too. And the musical transitions between and within the songs wrings juice out of the air. This is a juicy album, salival as the reddest wine, audio mescaline. My ears are wet when I listen to this album - in a good way. In a juicy way. And you know I love the juice.
POLICE YOURSELF!!!
I had to say it. Can we talk about "500 Miles". OMG. The lyrics may be a total cheesefest. I'll admit it. The drums plunking plunk de plunk while the synth prattles away witlessly in the background. On paper, it should be a mess. But the "Sad news" bridge is sung with such utter CONVICTION. Holy shit, her vocal is gorgeous here. And it carries thru right to the end. The end of this song is truly a stunning moment. I sorta wish it was in another song, but it's not, right? I really want to dislike "500 Miles". But I feel heart in this song, and now it has mine too.
Then "That Guy" (in my mix). The way she sings with such nonchalance and ambivalence about something so emotionally terrifying gives me chills. The production is right out of the West End (fuck Broadway) and the strings hamper the lyrical content perfectly. The key change and chord progression from the second verse to the end, the way the arrangement dissipates and flourishes back again, and her lovely, unwavering vocal that is the only constant... I really wanted to dislike this song too. But now I love "That Guy".
"That guy swears he will walk. And carries a chip as big as New York. That guy, at night makes me SCREAM. And SMASHES the best possibilities... That guy."
The album focuses on themes of monogamy, distrust in marriage, imbalance of power in relationships (including friendships), suspicion, and betrayal. But there are also enuf life-affirming, grateful, thankful moments to make you realize Tori is world-weary but hopeful. I am constantly struck by how her albums parallel my own life. I can so easily see not fragments or shards, but entire intact pieces of myself in her albums. No other artist... has ever... yeah. Gotten to me like this.
I am really glad I took the time out of my day to write this. I know I'll read it in a year or two and think, "Wow, that was cool" cuz then I can compare my thought processes in the future to the ones I'm having now. And again, this is an extremely emotional album. Her compositional daring and arrangements I'm afraid are curtailing that fact. I can't wait to see her in August! Wheeeeee!!!
______________________________
So yesterday I went to the Museum of Modern Art and sorta realized this is a big crying year for me. Not 2009, but calendar year. From last summer to now, I have cried so much. It's how I know there are still soft spots within me. My mother knows where they are, because my face gives right in to her when I'm talking to her on the phone. I have become adverse to communication lately. If you haven't received a phone call from me, don't worry. I just don't know what to say. I'm constantly transitioning. It's what I ask for, what keeps me updated on myself. But right now... New York... what could I possibly say?
At the MoMa, in the drawing room, there were these beautiful Chagall watercolor and gouache pieces. Everything I fell in love with about Chagall came right back: the stunning compositions, simple but cutting use of color, and the innocence... the child-like simplicity and subtle painful beauty... it was all there. And this is one artist whose work goes right into my blood and pumps thru my heart. There, in the museum, tears streamed down my face looking at these drawings. I walked away for a bit, imbibed some other works... but came back. Again, in the painting room, there was another giant Chagall, and I was paralyzed. GOD. There, again, I had a moment to myself in the middle of New York. Here's some of his work if you care to look:
http://www.myhellokittycollection.com/garlands
I noticed yesterday that he died in 1985. He was 98, and I was well... zero, I guess. To think that for a short moment, we were both alive on this planet... wow.
I have no idea what's going on with the restaurant job. Went thru training last week, did well, made some mon, and now their management issues are preventing me from getting on the skedge this week. You know - whatever. I still have Teh Pag, Chasm, Crevasse... plus I leave for Iceland in two weeks anyway so I royally can't be bothered right now.
Got my grades back from Canadia and did well, again. Which is cool, I guess. Just one more year and I'll be done... nice little scholarships and getting paid to go to skoo. Life is freaking good, mayne.
So off to get a new memory card for my cam (16 GB), an easel, and some more protein. Oh and my summer body is starting to look really stacked. Last nite, I ran longer, harder, and faster than I've ever run in my life. I think I'm getting addicted to running. Does anyone want to run with me when I get back to Chicago? I'm approaching marathon status here.
And as a final thingy thing, I wanna post my skoo skedge for next semester since I already have it. Let me know if we have any classes together.
_________________________________
Monday:
9-12pm 20th Century Art History
1-5pm Contemp. Issues in PRINTMAKIN'
Wednesday:
9-12pm Photography in Chicago Now
Thursday:
3:30-6:30pm Art of Mexico
6:30-9:30pm History of the American Cit-ay
And these two workshops:
Frame & Stretcher Nov. 6-7
Digital Video Editing Sept. 25 & Oct. 2-3
___________________________
Yeah, 17 credits. This will get me done with the core curriculum and then I need to get into 4-D and the last of the art electives and then DUN. Whoo hoo.
Alright, must launch into my tasks on this rainy day in New York. I am so grateful and thankful and happy to be alive. To all my friends, I love you. I'll try to visit around sometime in July.
Besos on ur face,
-H.