Another Contrast Podcast, Another Birthday

     I'm phoning it in the contrast podcast today because the theme is "The Telephone." You can listen to the podcast (including my rambling intro, which, btw, is exactly how I leave messages on answering machines) right here. Next week's theme is "Covers that are very different from the originals," so if that rings your bell, then you should give it a go.

     And yep, I'm another year older, another year bolder, which is actually not so bad. I kind of feel like I'm at a place in my life where I don't have to worry too much about what other people think. It's a good feeling to be free(er) of that type of self-consciousness. I'm not saying I don't give a shit at all what people think--friends' opinions are still extremely important--but the general public can think whatever they want!

     In honor of my day, I've decided to put up a few songs in addition to my c.p. pick this week that express some thoughts that have been swimming around my head lately. Other than that there's no unifying theme. The only message is "I'm going to do what I want to simply because I can." That and "I like these songs."

Frou Frou--"Hear Me Out" mp3 off Details (buy) This is my contribution to the podcast, and it works for two reasons. Firstly because it's essentially a message left on someone's answering machine ("answerphone" if you're British) and secondly because it's from one of my favorite albums of the past few years. I lived for this record the summer of '05. Lived for it. Played it night and day. What more can I say?

The Arcade Fire--"Wake Up" mp3 off Funeral (buy) Funeral is also one of my favorite albums. It never seems to get old (unlike the rest of us!). I love this song for the power guitars, the at-the-top-of-your-lungs "woh-ing," the way it breaks down into an almost Motown-like ditty near the end, and for the lyrics, most especially the line "I guess we'll just have to adjust," which he sings in a wail fraught with angst and determination and that could apply to just about anything, including getting old. Sing it with me!

The Russian Futurists--"A Telegram From the Future" mp3 off Let's Get Ready to Crumble (buy) Don't you just wish, sometimes, that you could have a heads up from the future? Not all the gory details, necessarily, but some inkling or suggestion about which direction to go, what road not to travel . . . no? Well I do!

Daniel Clay--"Things Will Change" mp3 off The Protestant (buy--the whole thing is up on his myspace. Dude needs a label!) I thought for sure I'd posted this song before. It's so lovely. He sings, "Things will change and will you stay the same?" What a wise question he asks.

vintage image from here

tags: contrast podcast  natal days  

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