Album Review: Animal Collective

When I first heard Merriweather Post Pavilion, I didn’t quite know what to do with it. It was almost like when I listened to Radiohead for the first time: strange, involved, complex music that was unlike anything that I had heard in a while (or ever) and I wasn’t entirely sure that I liked it. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t say that Animal Collective’s sound is like Radiohead (they remind me more of Sgt. Pepper’s or Pet Sounds ::but maybe that’s just the similar-name-factor::). But, much like Radiohead, I have come to absolutely adore this album. It's upbeat and the perfect thing to listen to while you are dancing around your apartment in the morning. Plus, optical illusion album covers are almost always a plus in my book. Favorite songs: In the Flowers (this is probably my favorite song of 2009 thus far), My Girls and Summertime Clothes.

Be My Baby

As the world’s biggest Ronettes fan (well, at least under the age of 55), I was upset to learn that Estelle Bennett (second from the left in the above picture) passed away last week. What is even more upsetting is this Times article, where you can see the breakdown of one of the key contributors to the 1960s girl groups. It’s hard to believe that a woman who “helped redefine rock ’n’ roll femininity” had to secretly deal with anorexia, schizophrenia and homelessness. Maybe that’s what’s working with this guy and dating this guy will do to you…

Masters of the Universe

This piece in the Times has got me thinking. It breaks down how far a $500,000 salary really goes in the life of a high-power, high-salary, high-spending New York banker. Sure, a person who has worked hard (in an incredibly competitive industry nonetheless) deserves to be well compensated. And the aforementioned incredibly competitive industry does require a certain lifestyle. And should government be putting a limit on business’ salaries? But, I am sorry, living such an expensive lifestyle seems outrageous and unnecessary to me. Why would you want to be part of a culture that required such shallow extravagance? But how much control do we really have over our careers and lifestyle? And who am I to judge someone's lifestyle any way? Unless it is impeding on my lifestyle...which you could argue that bankers are because of the bailout.

Regardless, getting to the point where I am spending $790,750 per year on living expenses is terrifying to me. Almost to the point that I want to pack up my humble belongings and move to a simple farm in the Midwest. But then again, I have that desire approximately 5 times a week.

The quote below (and the whole article, actually) is great food for thought and reminds me so much of when the lead banker in Tom Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities explains how broke he feels even though he makes millions.

“As hard as it is to believe, bankers who are living on the Upper East Side making $2 or $3 million a year have set up a life for themselves in which they are also at zero at the end of the year with credit cards and mortgage bills that are inescapable.”

Whale in a Cubicle

Some time ago, I made a “Work Sucks” CD to celebrate an entry into the working world. Last night, while searching my iPod for the perfect song to capture my mood, I stumbled upon the playlist. And it’s actually not too bad. I added some recent songs to round it out. Fight the man!

1. Bastard: Ben Folds

2. Ghost of Corporate Future: Regina Spektor

3. Paint it Beige: Telenovela ::an Athens band!::

4. A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles

5. The Underdog: Spoon ::I play this song no less than 3 times/week at my desk, typically right before I have to do a task that I hate::

6. That Lucky Old Sun: Louis Armstrong

7. Money: Pink Floyd

8. Proud Mary: Ike & Tina Turner

9. Hip to Be Sqaure: Huey Lewis & the News ::it's hard for me to listen to this song and not think of Christian Bale axing that guy in American Psycho::

10. Total Job: The Faint

11. I’ve Been Working: Van Morrison

12. Maggie’s Farm: Bob Dylan

13. Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud: Elliot Smith

14. 9 to 5: Dolly Parton

15. Step into My Office, Baby: Belle & Sebastian

16. Government Center: The Modern Lovers

17. This Lamb Sells Condos: Final Fantasy

18. Plasticities: Andrew Bird

19. Antichrist Television Blues: Arcade Fire

I think all of these songs are available on iTunes, although I really need to figure out how to make a streaming playlist…

Balloons over Paris

For years (about 15 of them, in fact), I was convinced that I had invented two movies that I could have sworn I’d seen as a child. I vaguely remembered certain scenes, but they were weird and didn't seem to fit in with the Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers shows that I endlessly watched. Were they actually dreams that I had? Did I make up the movies entirely? One, which I thought I’d seen in elementary school, involved a French boy chasing a red balloon around a city; the other was a movie in which Fred Savage travelled around the country to play in a Nintendo tournament. I am, of course, talking about The Red Balloon and The Wizard…two movies that actually do exist. And while I don’t think I will be revisiting The Wizard anytime soon, I did re-watch The Red Balloon this weekend. I can honestly say that I loved every second. It’s simple and almost entirely silent, but it is captivating, cute and inspiring. If you have thirty minutes, you can watch a version (albeit in low resolution) here. Award: Oscar.

And the Pursuit of Happiness

Ever since Amber gave me Maira Kalman’s beautiful book The Principles of Uncertainty, for my birthday two years ago, I have been in love with her organic drawings and simple, thoughtful text. There were a lot of special features around the inauguration, but her piece in the Times did the best job of capturing the spirit of change. If you need a renewal of faith in our nation (or of faith in modern drawing), take a look.

Girl Power! (but not in a Spice Girl sorta way)

From Nike comes a moving video on “The Girl Effect.” Take some time and check it out. From their website: "WHY GIRLS? Because when adolescent girls in the developing world have a chance, they can be the most powerful force of change for themselves, their families, communities and nations. But while those 600 million girls are the most likely agents of change, they are invisible to their societies and the world. So what can you do about that? Get yourself seen, whether you're a girl or just believe in girls."

Album/Concert Review: Andrew Bird, Noble Beast

After seeing Andrew Bird perform on Tuesday night at the 9:30 Club, I was slightly disappointed. Almost all of the songs that he played were from his new album and there were annoying request-shouting-fans that I would expect to see at Hannah Montana shows, not AB shows. For about 15 seconds I pulled the classic hipster move and bitched about how I think Andrew Bird is now more focused on pleasing fans and finding mainstream success than making the quirky music that I so love. But that’s just crazy. On second (and third…fourth…37th…) listen, the songs that he played were from an album that is as adventurous as any of his other ones. I do think that the whistling has gotten a bit out of control (likely due to the fact that fans really do eat it up), but this is a solid album that is perfect for any mood. Also, the deluxe version is 100% worth the extra money. The artwork is gorgeous, the extra instrumental album is hypnotic, and the lyric book is worthy of the finest of coffee tables. Andrew, I still love you and think that you can do no wrong. Favorite tracks are: “Not a Robot, but a Ghost,” “Anoanimal,” and “Effigy.”

Holey Donuts!

Raspberry Fudge, Blueberry Crumb Cake, Banana Cream Pie. How good do these donuts sound? And low-fat, nonetheless! Without any fake sweeteners or Olestra. It's a damn good thing that you have to order these online and they aren't readily available in stores (yet). According to their website, “You'd actually have to eat 4 of our full-sized, delicious donuts to get the amount of fat in just one traditional donut.” Sounds like a challenge. I accept.