music: ten albums I can't get enough of lately

[wanderlight]

I come bearing gifts! This thing took forever to put together, so I hope you can get at least an album or two that you like out of it. All I ask is that if you do end up liking something, report back to me and talk to me about it! Very few of my offline friends have similar music tastes, so I never get to talk about music, even though I really love doing so. ♥

These aren't my favourite albums of all time (that post is elsewhere), but they're ten albums that, for the moment, I can listen to over and over again. Warning: superlatives lie ahead.

	REVERIE SOUND REVUE: reverie sound revue This is on my next list of desert island albums. This classifies as Canadian indie pop (the vocalist, Lisa Lobsinger, tours with Broken Social Scene), but it's so much more than that; it's ethereal. The guitar work is intricate, mesmerising, gossamer stuff, and the vocals are beautiful. The album makes me feel like I've been thrust into a modern city fairytale.
	METRIC: fantasies My love for Metric is cherise's fault, she uploaded their acoustic album and I fell in love with it. And then I fell in love with the wall of flawless, overwhelming sound that is Fantasies. I wouldn't change a single thing about this album, which is a rare find. Every single song is good, several are brilliant, and something about Emily Haines' voice makes it transcendent.
	ANNIE: anniemal Annie has been described as Madonna for hipsters, which -- okay, whatever, what does that even mean? All that matters is that this album is sonically amazing and it takes me into huge emotional spaces. It's suffused with melancholy, with desire, with attitude, and awesome beats. As a bonus, here's a non-album that's my undisputed favourite song right now: Two of Hearts.
	ELLIE GOULDING: lights God, I listened to this album so much, I think I have most of the lyrics memorised. Ellie's voice is vulnerable and yearning, and her delivery is completely heartfelt. Sonically it's a combination of folksy warmth and vast electronic beats: listen to it LOUD. And snag this coversong, which has made me cry on multiple occasions: Be Mine.
	HOLLY MIRANDA: the magician's private library Yes, I admit it. I downloaded this on a whim because who can resist an album title like that? And it ended up captivating me. Dreamlike vocals are layered with electronics, a combination I always love; this really is an album to dissolve in. Plus, "Joints" is about Holly's battle with fibromyalgia (!).
	LIBRARY VOICES: denim on denim Yeah, I also gave them a try because of the word "library." Their lyrics really are as geeky & literate as the name promises! Their sound is kind of like chamber pop, but harder-edged: "chamber rock," maybe? Songs like "Bodies of Fiction" and "End Time" (a song about being okay about death!) drew me in, and the catchy, happy-yet-wistful sound kept me there. The album's been growing on me ever since.
	YEAH YEAH YEAHS: is is My favourite Yeah Yeah Yeahs album is actually Fever To Tell, followed by It's Blitz!, but this is the one I'm into right now. Five totally solid rock songs filled with frenetic energy. Also, it's not on this EP, but it's my favourite Yeah Yeah Yeahs song, so here: Phenomena.
	CARINA ROUND: things you should know Carina Round is seriously stunning. I need her next album to come out, stat. She has the sirenlike quality of Sarah Slean and Charlotte Martin, plus a vulnerability and rawness that's incredibly seductive. The emotional precision of her lyrics and of her voice send shivers up my spine. This one's just an EP, but you need it.
	The XX: xx Listening to The XX is like being haunted by a ghost who does really slick guitar work. It's a good thing, I promise. This is a subtle, quiet album, with understated, sensual vocals (most songs feature two intertwining vocalists, one male, one female). Excellent for pensive, late-night listening.
	TORO Y MOI: causers of this I don't know if anyone will even like this, but I'm uploading it anyway because I fucking adore it. This is addictive, schizophrenic electronica filled with loops that make your brain feel like it's tripping over itself. It feels icy and warm at the same time, and listening to it is like being washed clean and left with a feeling of total peace. Although most people tell me it gives them a headache, but what do they know.

I should do this more often, because I get an inordinate amount of joy out of sharing music. I've thought about this a bit and figured out why: it's an easy way to give a part of yourself to someone else. Because words are hard, and saying something true about yourself can make you vulnerable. If a friend's hurting, sometimes words do nothing, but if you can give them a couple of songs that got you through a hard time, and it does the same for them -- then that's communication, that's a meaningful connection. And I mean, it's not always about the angst. Sometimes I just love something and want to make other people happy by sharing it with them. Things don't always have to be (as) complicated (as I make them).

And now I must get back to doing readings for class tomorrow; upcoming post on that! I'm already behind, and this actually fills me with joy, because it's such a return to the familiar. It's been a while since I've had readings to be behind on. (Although ... it's fifty pages of Marx, which is not so thrilling. I hate reading Marx.)

Comments

[tigerhearts.livejournal.com]

you are so cute for being attracted to titles/names because of the word library in them. but i do that all the time...downloading albums just because I liked the name!

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

What can I say, I have weaknesses. :)

Haha, it's a legit strategy for finding new music! Sometimes when I download on a whim I end up wondering what on earth I was thinking ... but sometimes I stumble across something great.

[lady-moriel.livejournal.com]

YAY MUSIC. You know I love Metric and was highly pleased when you got turned on to the acoustic album and then Fantasies, but otherwise I have only a passing familiarity with the rest of these or no familiarity at all, and they sound awesome. Downloading everything, will probably be back to gush.

And your last paragraph is beautiful, because yeah, I think that's a lot of why I love sharing music with people too--if nothing else, when you get someone else to love something you love, that's a meaningful connection too. The problem is I can't seem to find words to describe music I like other than "Look, it's awesome, just listen to it".

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

The problem is I can't seem to find words to describe music I like other than "Look, it's awesome, just listen to it".

Me either. I struggled for ages with these blurbs. The great thing about music is that if you can't find the words, you don't have to describe it at all! It explains itself upon listening! *hugs music* :D

I hope you find other stuff that you like!

[labseraph.livejournal.com]

I can't seem to find words to describe music I like other than "Look, it's awesome, just listen to it".

*nods vehemently*

Some artists I love are appreaciable almost across the board e.g. The Bird and The Bee, but others like Rammstein and Depeche Mode, not so.

[cindy.livejournal.com]

Love this post! I'm going to have to get around to downloading these.

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

I hope you find something you like! <3

[lyras.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to find out what Emily Haines was up to, so I listened to some Metric samples on emusic and loved them. Definitely taking that one, thank you!

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

Yay, I'm very glad! :) If you can't get into Fantasies at first, let me know and I'll upload Plug In, Plug Out (the acoustic album) for you. It's much more similar in sound to Emily Haines' solo work, so it might act as a pathway for you like it did for me. Also, if you do like Fantasies, the acoustics are definitely worth having!

[spessartine.livejournal.com]

I have seriously been looking for that Carnina Round album all over! You are my saviour!

I shall be downloading a few of these, because, yay music! And you're so, so right. I don't tend to keep my music in albums because I'm so disorganised, but I think I might put together a mix or something.

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't know you were looking for it, or I would have given it to you ages ago! I'm in your debt, since you were the one who introduced her to me. :)

Please do! I would love to see a mix from you sometime.

[such_heights]

Ooh, I'll be working my way through these - thank you, sweets!

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

You are very welcome, Amy dear! I hope you find something to love in there.

Also, re. health things -- still keeping you in my thoughts. ♥!

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

:D :D :D
(I still haven't decided on one of the classes, though, and the add/drop deadline is Tuesday! Argh!)

[glass-icarus.livejournal.com]

Whee, music! &hearts

Also I should upload some things... augh, once I get more on top of my to-do list.

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

Enjoy, you! ♥

(Oh gods, to-do lists. I have just given up on them entirely. *sigh*)

[ohstarling.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thank you for this! I'm going to mem this entry and come back to it again. I've had Metric's "Fantasies" on my iTunes for months and months, but I've never listened to it before. I am now, and wondering why I never did before! :)

I'm so glad you're back in school! I have to read some Marxist lit theory for class tomorrow, but it's not actually written by Marx, and not even fifty pages of it, either. Can't wait to hear more about your life! ♥

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

It was that way with me & Metric, too! I couldn't get into their album for ages, and then I was obsessed. Enjoy! ♥

[builtofsorrow.livejournal.com]

Eeee, I need to grow more ears! But yay for albums/bands that reference libraries! I'm definitely looking forward to making my way through this list. Thank you, darling! (I need to do one of these posts myself.)

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

I am so easy for artists/albums that have "book" or "library" or anything vaguely related in the title. But who could not be?! :D

Ooh, I would love to have one of these posts from you! Nelle-music! ♥

[bornofstars.livejournal.com]

Thank yooooou. ♥!

I've been wanting that Carina Round EP ever since you gave me "Backseat," as it's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. I'm also taking Reverie Sound Revue, Ellie Goulding, Holly Miranda, Library Voices, and maybe The XX. I shall report back to you with glowing praise, I'm sure.

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! ♥

I thought you might like "Backseat," and it makes me v. v. happy that I was right. I actually have two other Carina Round albums -- have I sent them to you yet? If not I'll do that right away! You're one of my favourite people to share music with. :)

I'm also taking Reverie Sound Revue, Ellie Goulding, Holly Miranda, Library Voices, and maybe The XX.

\o/!

[ressie-noldo.livejournal.com]

Eee, music! I shall be listening to all of this while I languish etc. etc., you are much too cool -- & I should perhaps do some similar uploads! Mostly because I want to inflict on people the album of Jewish-Spanish-Arabic fusion music I admit fine.

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

Jewish-Spanish-Arabic fusion music I admit fine

... o.O YES, PLEASE DO! My brain cannot even conceptualise of this, so I am guessing it is particularly awesome! :)

[aqueousmist.livejournal.com]

I've been listening to Annie lately, and it's really growing on me...! Thanks, Rita.

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad. ♥ I never thought I'd like music like Annie's, but that was all I listened to for honestly a month, at one point. Did you want any more? I have a couple of non-album tracks which are awesome, an EP, and her second album -- which I don't like as much as the first, but it's still good. :)

[wolfgrin]

Oh, so, I downloaded absolutely everything you posted here, and I'm working my way through it. So far I'm in love with Ellie Goulding, and in particular I can't stop listening to "Starry Eyed (Little Noise Session)" over and over again. It gets stuck in my head when I'm shelving in the evenings at work and the fourth floor of the library is all quiet and outside it's dark and crisp. So thank you.

(Downloading things just because they have the word "library" in them is a totally legit strategy in my books.)

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

YAY.
♥

Honestly, you don't know how much you've made my day. :)

The acoustic of "Starry-Eyed" is a beautiful nighttime song, isn't it? I think I listened to it several times a day for ... probably close to a month, actually.

(Downloading things just because they have the word "library" in them is a totally legit strategy in my books.)
And it's a strategy that's worked for me every single time!

[cherise.livejournal.com]

FANTASIES. It's true, I wouldn't change a thing about it either, and Emily Haines! Love love love. Let's see, I flat-out adore The XX, I've wanted to listen to Ellie Goulding since forever but what that really means is I wanted to hear someone talk about her, so thank you, dear, ta. :)I do have Holly Miranda but rather forgot to listen to it, and yes! Is Is is my favourite as well, though it doesn't count as a proper album. I thought it's what It's Blitz! would sound like, since I like the darker sound.

I snagged everything, because I know I'm just going to come back and grab it all anyway. :D

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

Okay YAY Pauline + music always makes me incredibly happy, no matter what the context or the content of the conversation! :D My response to this is basically:

\o/

so thank you, dear, ta
Hee, my eyes skipped over this and went whaaat, how does she know? I read it as "dear Ta" -- Ta is a nickname that only my sister calls me. It's, uh, the other half of my name, the less nicknamed half.

Oh, that makes sense -- because they're both produced by Dave Sitek, if I'm right? The Magician's Private Library is ... it definitely grows on you; it's so full of light and air, but also incredibly dark and claustrophobic at the same time, if that makes any sense.

[papered.livejournal.com]

hello hello! Random person here who stumbled across your journal - but I just wanted to let you know that I downloaded Ellie Goulding's Lights off you and already love it. ♥ I already have her song Under The Sheets, which I adore and have had on repeat for ages, but I hadn't heard anything else from her until I stumbled across your entry, and I'm so glad I did. :3 Her live version of Starry Eyed is so gorgeous, and I don't know why I didn't think to go find other stuff from her until now.

Anyway, yes - thank you! :3 I might come back for some other albums later too, hehehe. ♥

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

*waves* Hi! I'm glad you dropped by & downloaded the album -- hope you love it as much as I do. ♥ Hee, did you get "Under The Sheets" from the awesome, awesome Arthur/Eames vid that's been floating around? I've loved the song for months, and was pretty thrilled to see it vidded like that. And "Starry Eyed" is indeed gorgeous. I'm pretty sure there were a couple of weeks where I listened to it every night before bed, it's just that kind of song.

Feel free to take as much music as you want! :)

[intomorning.livejournal.com]

Hallo! I'm another person who stumbled onto your journal, and I downloaded Fantasies and Denim on Denim. So far I really like Help, I'm Alive, and I'm making my way through Denim on Denim. Thank you for the uploads; otherwise, I probably wouldn't have listened to these albums. :D

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

Awesome, enjoy! Metric is pretty popular, but The Library Voices are this obscure little band from the Canadian prairies, so I'm always glad when I can introduce people to them. :)

[fiendish-scruff.livejournal.com]

Hi there! Found your journal somehow, and have taken pretty much everything. Really like everything I've heard so far!

[wanderlight.livejournal.com]

Awesome, I'm always glad to hear that people like stuff I've uploaded. Enjoy! :D