art imitates life

You know how it is when songs seem to mirror your life? Back in the day I’d sit there and wallow in my teens listening to depressing music thinking that it was a true reflection of my teen angst. Of course, in hindsight, the angst from the Cure, Joy Division, NIN, et al probably wasn’t a true reflection of my suburbian life in Toronto.

Many people have defined their lives based on their music and I wouldn’t say that’s a false statement in my life. I chose to listen to certain genres and artists based on how they made me feel. Generally the feeling was euphoria, anger, sadness, all required in the rollercoaster of life.

I digress though. Lately, the songs I hear seem to be related to situations in the here and now. As in right now! Yes NOW!

The other day, it was a surreal subway ride in while listening to “Atmosphere” by Joy division. A normally mundane commute became a strange journey where things seemed to slow down and people seemed to drift in and out of vision. Woah, what a trip, and no magic mushrooms to be found.

Today, as I’m walking down the street, a homeless man is running in the opposite direction. Clutching a bike with a pained expression. As he gets closer to me, he’s screaming in anguish. On my iPod at that exact moment? “I’m afraid of Americans” by Bowie/Reznor. Nuff said.

If I hear a song tomorrow about some impending apocalypse, I’m going to run and hide.

Jack Johnson Concert

Where: Molson Amphtheatre, Toronto
When: July 19, 2010
Time: 7pm
Seats: lawns

Marijuana smoke in air: tons
girls in short shorts: tons
'Bro's' from the frat pack: tons
age range: varied
people kicked out of the concert for what i can only call "biligerence": 1 (really? at a JJ concert?)
crappy beer: tons

Review: f*cking awesome concert!

Backspacer - Pearl Jam

I hate Pearl Jam.
hate hate hate
no, it's not what you think.

This hate is the fact that i've had "Just Breathe" stuck in my head constantly since it's come out. I even find myself humming the harmony to the chorus. THE HARMONY!!!! WTF?

Remember the days when Pearl Jam came out? They and Nirvana became the figureheads for Grunge. With grunge effectively gone the way of the do-do, it's interesting putting Ten in whatever medium you listen to your music now and then Backspacer. Maybe it's old age, we all seem to get a little mellower and Backspacer is no exception. It's not like Pearl Jam's given up ROCK, oh no, far from, there's enough rock songs on this album to make a road trip or air guitar party fun, but there's also enough songs on here to be reflective and yes, even make you sing in harmony.

Backspacer - 8/10

Metric - Eclipse - "all yours"

So i got an email saying that Metric's new video for their song on the Eclipse soundtrack was out on their myspace page. Now i had to check it out dear reader since you know that i heart emily haines and metric in general. Was disappointed that some of my fave bands decided to get on this weird tween phenomenon, but understand, it's business, you gotta make a living and get your name out there. I can't take true offence when "Give Me Sympathy pops in my head almost on a daily basis.

The song "All Yours"...is not bad..the video? thankfully Kristen Stewart and faux vampires and werewolves were not actually in it (tween air guitars?), just movie clips.

Tweens, Metric will not be your justin bieber (who?), but if you do like them, buy their real albums.

WTF Toronto?

Granted, it's not actual Torontonians, but kind of made me think of this:

I am an Antichrist
I am an anarchist
Don't know what I want but I know how to get it
I wanna destroy passerby

'Cause I wanna be anarchy
No dog's body

Anarchy for the UK
It's coming sometime and maybe
I give a wrong time stop a traffic line

Your future dream is a shopping scheme
'Cause I wanna be anarchy!
In the city

How many ways to get what you want
I use the best, I use the rest
I use the enemy, I use anarchy

'Cause I wanna be anarchy!
It's the only way to be!

Is this the MPLA?
Or is this the UDA?
Or is this the IRA?
I thought it was the UK
Or just another country
Another council tenancy

I wanna be anarchy
And I wanna be anarchy, know what I mean
And I wanna be an anarchist
Get pissed, destroy!

--
P.s. a meaty middle finger to you protestors who don't know what you're protesting about or know how to do it peacefully.

Stuart Cable - RIP

Former drummer for Stereophonics (up until 2003) was found dead today at his home. He was 40.

So, top 10 songs (random order) from Stereophonics during his career with them:

1. Hurry up and Wait
2. Maybe Tomorrow
3. You stole my money honey - near and dear to my heart
4. step on my old size nines
5. have a nice day
6. lying in the sun
7. Is yesterday, tomorrow, today
8. A minute longer
9. I'm alright (you gotta go there to come back)
10. I stopped to fill my car up

oh for the love of....

I love Metric...I love Death Cab...but why oh why....is there such an insufferable need to make music for the Twilight series of movies? Metric is now co-writing for the 3rd installment : Eclipse.

The songs are great, but there's always a part of me that just can't take it seriously.

Yes, i'd still give up my first born for Emily Haines, but that's another story.

One Week Soundtrack

you know. I've wanted to see One Week for a long time. Not because of Joshua Jackson, (who's come a long way from that Pacey gig on Dawson's creek and has done well on Fringe), but because of the Canadian experience. A movie about a man diagnosed with cancer who decides to ride his motorcycle west from Toronto to BC. In search for the meaning in his life.

Imagine my surprise when I'm listening to the music in the movie. FANTASTIC! A veritable cornucopia of Canadian talent that fit the movie to a tee. It's as if you were hearing Canada and not just watching it. And no, "i'm a lumberjack" is not Canadiana.

Artists:
Emm Gryner
Stars
Joel Plaskett
Great lake swimmers
Melissa McClelland
Luke Doucet

I now regret not seeing this movie sooner, and being able to hear the music too.
check it out.