In our Bedroom, After the War

First things first: My most sincere apologies for the last entry. I was just... frustrated at everything while I wrote it. Twice I thought about deleting it, but a friend mentioned that it's not healthy to censor yourself, so I refrained.
Anyways, now that we're past that (you need not worry about me, the issue sorted itself out, and somehow, the pieces are stronger now then they ever were now that their back together, (somehow)).
Over the course of this week I haven't been up to too much. Mostly just preparation for the three parades I'm marching in this weekend... Other than that though, I've mostly just been wrestling with my mind (as usual) and trying to hold onto my madness in this world of sanity.
Jeez... This is making it's self out to be a rather boring entry... There's gotta be something that I've been doing... I've found a new artist that I've really gotten into, very quickly, which I haven't for a quite a while. Their a Canadian group, with a contract with "Arts & Crafts"... I'm a little embarrassed to say how little I know about this band. I know none of the band members names, only the general area from which they hail (Ontario, I believe). Anyways, the album that I want to give a mention to is their fourth, and newest album "In our Bedroom, After the War" The chemistry between Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan is just amazing. The way that they sing to each other, is beautiful and tender to the point of reminding oneself of two lovers serenading one another. They just have a sort of... peace and tranquility to their music, that isn't heard much (okay, well it is out there, but the kind of people I hang out with, it isn't, really). The one song that I want to make a particular mention to on the album is the third track "Take me to the Riot", a song about the stupid things that people do, but not giving up hope through it all.

Okay, well enough about my music. (Actually, that's a lie, but I don't want to bore any readers away)... I found out today that Vanessa and I practically have the same haircut. Not really relevant to anything, just thought I'd mention it for the sake of mentioning it.
Wait... Do I seem like one of those creepy obsessive boyfriends, that thinks of nothing but their girlfriend? That's not a pleasant thought... I mean, I care about her a lot, but I definitely don't want to be overly clingy or anything like that. I just want to be... Well, her friend... I don't want to take the "girl" part of that to seriously

Okay, I've gotta take off now, someone else needs the computer.
Trying to maintain my madness in a world of sanity.
-Chris

A little frusturation

Grr... Since this thing has become my new journal, I've got to say this. This is an angry entry, and my substitute for beating my head against a wall and screaming at the sky. Right now, I'm mad at, and fed up with everything. I'm not sure if I want to talk about why, but it has to do with stupid oppressive shit that I have no control over. It makes me downright furious that I can't do anything about this! Fuck! No matter what is done, it's not accomplishing anything. I've waited, and worked hard, and simply done my best, but it isn't good enough. I feel so helpless. Why doth thou piss in me so?!? Why can't things just work out the way I want them to! I don't want to say that this is unfair but... It is! I try to be a good boyfriend! I work really hard to do all the right things. I do my fucking best to say all the right things, and to be the kind of guy she deserves, so why do I deserve this? Why can't this just... Work out the way that I want it to. I know I'm selfish, and self-centered, and I hate myself for all my stupid shortcomings, but I want this more than most anything. I love her, and what I have with her, but I hate how it has to be. I've been waiting forever for something to change, but it's not! God, if somewhere, somehow you're reading this, then listen to my prayer. Please. I want this more than anything else. Just... Help everything to work out.
*sigh* sorry for that. If anyone read that, I'm sorry. Just, try to understand how I'm feeling. If anyone wants to ask me, feel free to. I can't say I'll share, but If you feel like it, go ahead.

60-second reviews

Rather than actually piece together intelligent thoughts for this entry, I'll do something that a little voice inside me has been nagging me to do for a little while now: A top 10 list. It took my a while to think of a good thesis for things to make a list of, but I finally decided that instead of actually trying to pick favorites with something, I'd just push the shuffle button on my ipod, and do quick reviews on the first ten songs. So... I guess this isn't really a top ten at all, but whatever. Hope you enjoy!

10. Avril Lavigne "Falling Down", B Sides
Jeez. Looks like even the first song on the list is doomed to embarrass me. But, hey, I promised this didn't I? Okay, I'm man enough to admit that I do actually like Avril BEFORE the release of "The Best Damn Thing". After that she just became another sellout, trashing her values and the rebellious, spiritual punk girl she was, just to increase her fanbase... I'm disappointed, to be frank. Oh well. This song, anyways, is more of just a motivational song about how no matter what you are, or what you do, you are damned to make mistakes and "fall down", but it's up to us to make our own way back up. The sweet feeling of earth on my body... I suppose that is a good message though. It's really a shame that she had to go away from this kind of music though. Oh well, next song!

9. Eels "My Beloved Monster", Beautiful Freak
Okay, this one reflects what I would like to call my taste a lot better. Many people actually know of this song due to the fact that it appears in the movie "Shrek" (The first one, that is), but that isn't actually how I came to know this criminally underrated artist. A friend simply told me about them, and lent me the album thinking I would like them. And like them I did! Mournfull, yet thoughtful lyrics, sensetive instrumentals, and a dark, but somehow increadably uplifting feel to it. Anyone into artists like Radiohead, Cake, Coldplay, or the Moldy Peaches should really check these guys out. You won't regret it.

8. System Of A Down "She's like Heroine", Hypnotize
I'm slapping myself in the forhead right now. It's almost like my ipod (named James) is making a concious effort to make a fool out of me. Well... What's done is done. Let's get this over with. Okay, for starters, the odd-ness aside, I have an good (though very strange) relationship with SOAD. The same friend mentioned above who lent me "Beautiful Freak" also lent me this... Actually looking back on him, he is a pretty strong musical influence on me. However, it was Vanessa who actually helped me past the initial gag reflex (I say that in the nicest possible way) of the band. About the actual song though, it's one of those things that you have to try really, really hard not to take so seriously. It's about transvestites, prostitution, and (obviously) heroine. Seriously, the last minute of the song is just Serj Tankien yelling "Ass! Selling ass for heroine!" The only other thing I have to say about the song is that it is almost as addictive to listen to as the drug it mentions. I can certainly say what I'll be listening to after I'm done this list.

7. Superbus "Radio Song", Pop'n'gum
Of all of the songs mentioned so far, this one is differnt from the first three in two ways: 1. It's the first foregin (French, for those of you who didn't know) band on the list, and second, it's by a long shot the band I know the least about. All I really know Jennifer Ayache took a trip to America to perfect her english or something like that, and somehow wound up starting a band. The song is a playable track on GH:III, and is really catchy. What I imagine it's about is probably just about the youth controlling the world, as they're desinted to... From the little I know about this band, all I can say is that I reccomend them to anyone into bubblegum pop, foregin or not

6. Rob Zombie "Living Dead Girl" Hellbilly Deluxe
Yup. This finalizes it. James has decided he hates me. Nothing I do say about Rob Zombie will change whatever anyone else thinks about him/his music. It's not bad in a "backround noise" kind of way. I honestly normally wouldn't be conciously listening to this. This song is a straightforward, cryptic metal song about the undead. No hidden meanings here. The title says it all. If you want to find out more about this (if you havn't heard it already) just check it out. I really don't know what to say about this.

5. Ben Harper "Here Comes the Sun" Live *No Artwork Availible*
Oh man... I don't really know all that much about Ben Harper to be honest, but I'll do the best with this that I can. First thing that that one should know is that although this is a soft acoustic meolody with soft singing, it is NOT a cover of the Beatles song by the same name. Ben Harper's music (generally speaking) is full of mourful melodies not unlike this one, and if I had to compare his style to other artist, I would say... Jack Johnson, Adam Duritz, and (some) Erik Clapton.

4. The Arcade Fire "Ocean of Noise" Neon Bible

First things first. Arcade Fire is awsome. Be prewarned, I have a very soft spot for Win Butler (as I have mentioned in past entries), and will never, ever say anything bad about his band, so this little portion of the entry will be a tad biased. This song is about false love, and lying to avoid breaking someone's heart. I think this song is very strong in following the albums theme of desecrating things that were holy, and in this instance, that "thing" is love, most likely represented by an unhealthy relationship, or a one night stand. Lyrics aside though, the instrumentals are just fabulous. Slow, sollem piano riffs, mandolin genly crying in the backround, and a soft drumbeat tying the voices of Win and Regine together in a beautiful harmony, sure to make even the most savage listeners smile, and relax a little. If you are not familliar with The Arcade Fire, please, get off the computer, walk to your local record store, go find a copy of Neon Bible, buy it, and listen to it in one sitting. Seriously. This album is just... Amazing... Well, lets see if the next song can measure up.

3. Bella "Camelot" No One Will Know

Wow. Looks like it can. This is probably the most obscure band on my list, and honestly, next to The Arcade Fire, probably my favorite. This 3-man (well, one man, two women) trio from downtown Vancouver came out with their sophmore album in late 2007. This album if chock-full of bouncy pop rythms, and an offbeat, punkish attitude that flows from one track to the next, to the point you'll have a heartbroken, but slightly satisfied feeling when the last tracks are rolling past your ears This band may be hard for someone to find much about, but if you have the opprotunity to, don't pass it up. Okay, about the song it's self, the general message of it (if you pay any attention to the upbeat lyrics, and aren't just mesmerized by the bass and the drums laying out a brilliant bass for the electronic treble sounds, and the voice of Cameron Fraser), are mostly about finding your way in a crowded, confusing world, and staying on the lighter side of life.

2. Linkin Park "Somewhere I belong" Meteora

On the opposite end of the spectrum from the last track, here we have Linkin Park, which I'm pretty sure is the most known song so far... I have no idea how to review a song everybody has heard a million times before. Well, all I can say is this: If you like Linkin Park, and for whatever reason havn't, check out this song. If you don't, then stay away. Sorry to cut this short, but no matter what I say, won't change anybody's opinions on the artis already. (Meteora = L.P.'s high point)

1. Blink-182 "All the Small Things" Enema of the State

I can't think of a single other song that I'd rather end this with. So what if this is the punk anthem of a generation? So what if it's repeditive and catchy? So what if it's heartwarming and thoughtful. This song is one of my personal anthems, and I feel that it embodies the late 90's and the end of an era, and the begining of another. I have nothing bad to say about this song. I don't even care how grossly overplayed it is. I... ugh, simply don't know what to say

"Say it ain't so, I will not go

Turn the lights off, carry me home

Keep your head still, I'll be your thrill,

The night will go on, my little windmill"

And that pretty well sums up what I have to say about "All the Small Things"

And thus concludes my review. If you like this at all, leave a comment, and maybe I'll do another one sometime soon. Hope you enjoyed

Neon Bible

Is daydreaming a sin?... Food for thought I suppose, but it's just one of those things that my mind insists upon wandering to while being subjected to such drivel. I'm trapped in a computer lab with the same class thatG my little brother is in (papercointastical.blogspot.com). Anyways, my apologies for the false promise of an entry on Sunday. Simply put, one thing led to another, and I never got around to doing it. Suffice it to say though, the dance, though it was a crappy school dance, complete with annoying lights, mediocre smoke effects, an awful soundtrack, and the watchful eyes (yet again) of teachers, it still managed to make it's self enjoyable... No small part to Vanessa, yet again.
I don't want to cut this entry short, but I really don't have much to say... No, wait, I lied, I do have one interesting topic I want to get in on. Lately I've been finding myself automatically pondering what/how my actions affect the mindsets of other people. Not their emotions directly, but more their... conscience thinking, and simple (or, rather, not so simple) trains of thought. It's fascinating to try to piece together the psyche of an individual. Anyone from my grouchy, but good-natured finance teacher, to the girl reading this over my shoulder.
Gah... These terrible book reports are driving me mad! Okay, I'm going to go drown this annoyance in "The Arcade Fire's" album "Neon Bible". It's all about the desecration of things that were once holy (love, religion, individualism, sex, and peace) that's meanings have all been twisted by capitalism, and corporations. Well, even with the awesome message, it's still amazing to listen to... Hell, Win Butler could be reading the phone book, and it'd still be way better than most of the stuff I listen to. If you want a good listen, check this album out. It's worth any sum of money, trust me.
Remember, if worse comes to worse, follow your heart, and trust your head. Best of luck!