Glee, iTunes, and Addictions
Let's be frank: of course Christmas is a wonderful time of year because of the sense of family and the altruism and the attempt to highlight the inherent goodness of humanity, etc. But it is also wonderful because of the presents.
This Christmas, I got an iPod Touch. I was stunned. I hadn't been expecting anything of the sort, but my uncle pulled my name in the family gift-giving draw, and being the wonderful person that he is, he knew exactly what I wanted/needed (?) even when I didn't. Plus, he's some sort of international businessman, so that helps with the affordability thing.
Point being: I have a portable music player. And believe me when I say that is its primary purpose. I know it has interwebs and all, and that's very exciting, but music is my lifeblood, and the ability to carry it with me, while not new (I have an old Zune, which is finicky and full), is intoxicating. I love it to death.
Which brings me to the second point: I have now downloaded iTunes. Now, any program that allows me to buy songs individually, or even full CDs, is incredibly dangerous for me. See, I'm addicted to music. I'm passionate about it in a way even I don't fully understand, with tastes broad enough that my playlists make me look schizophrenic. I can wax lyrical (pun intended) about musicals, classical, folk, rock (modern and classic), techno, opera, pop (if the artist has real talent and isn't just studio noise), indie, metal (especially symphonic), medieval and renaissance, hip hop (see pop note), and very rare instances of country (Dixie Chicks) and rap (some Eminem). You can probably see the problem iTunes presents. It's just too easy.
Predictably, within two nights, I have imported all my music from my Zune, bought two CDs worth of Glee (not counting the Christmas CD, which I got as a present, and a few other songs I really like) and Darren Criss's EP Human, and dug up the massive library of indie music a friend gave me last fall, in the process discovering that I love the Decemberists and Franz Ferdinand. I have promised myself I shall spend no more money on music for a long while, but it's right there!
We'll see how long my willpower holds out.
On a more positive note, this gift has allowed me to fully rekindle my ever-present love affair with music in all its variety. Here, mostly for myself, but also for posterity, are some things I adore.
1) GLEE. God, I love the show, and the music is often amazing. There are some exceptions, and the first season (especially the first half) seriously over-used autotune (a problem it still occasionally falls prey to, which makes no sense, given that almost the entire cast can sing for reals), but the rest is worth it. Some highlights:
...a) I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Rose's Turn, or any other solo sung by Chris Colfer (Kurt). He's a countertenor, which is rare, interesting to listen to, and drop-dead gorgeous. He's also a brilliant actor, and it often comes through in the expressiveness of his singing. LOVE.
...b) Teenage Dream, Hey Soul Sister, and Baby It's Cold Outside. Okay, two confessions: first, I'm head-over-heels in love with Darren Criss (Blaine), and second: I'm a serious Kurt/Blaine (Klaine) shipper. With that said, I also love these songs because the first two manage to turn overplayed pop songs into fun, interesting a cappella pieces, and the third is adorable. Full stop. And beautifully sung.
...c) Hello. Jonathan Groff (Jesse St. James) and Lea Michele (Rachel) co-starred as the leads in Spring Awakening in Broadway, and this song proves they haven't forgotten how to sing together. It's absolutely lovely.
...d) Dream On. This needs very little explanation. It's a rock classic sung (flawlessly) by Matthew Morrison (Will) and Neil Patrick Harris (Bryan Ryan). *swoon*
...e) And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going. A heart-rending song, and Amber Riley (Mercedes) does it justice, which is really difficult to pull off.
...f) Don't Rain On My Parade. Lea Michele has a gorgeous voice, which she doesn't always use fully as Rachel, but occasionally they give her a Broadway classic to belt. Then she cuts loose, and it's amazing.
2) Franz Ferdinand. I know, total opposite of Glee. They're a Scottish indie rock band, generally characterized with rough guitar, strong beats, and talky singing. I find their music catchy and sexy in a very raw way. Especially the songs Michael and Do You Want To. Rawr.
3) I already mentioned Darren Criss for Glee, but he also writes his own music. I really love his voice, and his songs are sweet and pop-y, while still original enough to stick in my head. Not Alone in particular makes me very, very happy.
4) Coldplay. A lot of their music is hauntingly beautiful.
5) This parody of California Girls. Mostly because hearing/watching Seth Green (a.k.a. Oz in Buffy) rap about Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, and other geekery reminds me how much I love geek boys.
I could go on for hours about the music I love (it sort of feels like I already have), but I'll cut it off there. You get the picture. iPod = awesome, Glee = love, music = addiction.
This Christmas, I got an iPod Touch. I was stunned. I hadn't been expecting anything of the sort, but my uncle pulled my name in the family gift-giving draw, and being the wonderful person that he is, he knew exactly what I wanted/needed (?) even when I didn't. Plus, he's some sort of international businessman, so that helps with the affordability thing.
Point being: I have a portable music player. And believe me when I say that is its primary purpose. I know it has interwebs and all, and that's very exciting, but music is my lifeblood, and the ability to carry it with me, while not new (I have an old Zune, which is finicky and full), is intoxicating. I love it to death.
Which brings me to the second point: I have now downloaded iTunes. Now, any program that allows me to buy songs individually, or even full CDs, is incredibly dangerous for me. See, I'm addicted to music. I'm passionate about it in a way even I don't fully understand, with tastes broad enough that my playlists make me look schizophrenic. I can wax lyrical (pun intended) about musicals, classical, folk, rock (modern and classic), techno, opera, pop (if the artist has real talent and isn't just studio noise), indie, metal (especially symphonic), medieval and renaissance, hip hop (see pop note), and very rare instances of country (Dixie Chicks) and rap (some Eminem). You can probably see the problem iTunes presents. It's just too easy.
Predictably, within two nights, I have imported all my music from my Zune, bought two CDs worth of Glee (not counting the Christmas CD, which I got as a present, and a few other songs I really like) and Darren Criss's EP Human, and dug up the massive library of indie music a friend gave me last fall, in the process discovering that I love the Decemberists and Franz Ferdinand. I have promised myself I shall spend no more money on music for a long while, but it's right there!
We'll see how long my willpower holds out.
On a more positive note, this gift has allowed me to fully rekindle my ever-present love affair with music in all its variety. Here, mostly for myself, but also for posterity, are some things I adore.
1) GLEE. God, I love the show, and the music is often amazing. There are some exceptions, and the first season (especially the first half) seriously over-used autotune (a problem it still occasionally falls prey to, which makes no sense, given that almost the entire cast can sing for reals), but the rest is worth it. Some highlights:
...a) I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Rose's Turn, or any other solo sung by Chris Colfer (Kurt). He's a countertenor, which is rare, interesting to listen to, and drop-dead gorgeous. He's also a brilliant actor, and it often comes through in the expressiveness of his singing. LOVE.
...b) Teenage Dream, Hey Soul Sister, and Baby It's Cold Outside. Okay, two confessions: first, I'm head-over-heels in love with Darren Criss (Blaine), and second: I'm a serious Kurt/Blaine (Klaine) shipper. With that said, I also love these songs because the first two manage to turn overplayed pop songs into fun, interesting a cappella pieces, and the third is adorable. Full stop. And beautifully sung.
...c) Hello. Jonathan Groff (Jesse St. James) and Lea Michele (Rachel) co-starred as the leads in Spring Awakening in Broadway, and this song proves they haven't forgotten how to sing together. It's absolutely lovely.
...d) Dream On. This needs very little explanation. It's a rock classic sung (flawlessly) by Matthew Morrison (Will) and Neil Patrick Harris (Bryan Ryan). *swoon*
...e) And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going. A heart-rending song, and Amber Riley (Mercedes) does it justice, which is really difficult to pull off.
...f) Don't Rain On My Parade. Lea Michele has a gorgeous voice, which she doesn't always use fully as Rachel, but occasionally they give her a Broadway classic to belt. Then she cuts loose, and it's amazing.
2) Franz Ferdinand. I know, total opposite of Glee. They're a Scottish indie rock band, generally characterized with rough guitar, strong beats, and talky singing. I find their music catchy and sexy in a very raw way. Especially the songs Michael and Do You Want To. Rawr.
3) I already mentioned Darren Criss for Glee, but he also writes his own music. I really love his voice, and his songs are sweet and pop-y, while still original enough to stick in my head. Not Alone in particular makes me very, very happy.
4) Coldplay. A lot of their music is hauntingly beautiful.
5) This parody of California Girls. Mostly because hearing/watching Seth Green (a.k.a. Oz in Buffy) rap about Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, and other geekery reminds me how much I love geek boys.
I could go on for hours about the music I love (it sort of feels like I already have), but I'll cut it off there. You get the picture. iPod = awesome, Glee = love, music = addiction.