Celine cries over Crow Sit on Blood Tree

Could it be? Is it already time for another installment of Celine cries over music? (I haven't been up to much lately and I'm home sick with a cold, so despite my earlier intention to spread these out so that people wouldn't have to deal with my gushing over music too often, I don't have anything else to post about.)


Crow Sit on Blood Tree by Graham Coxon (2001)

As difficult as it was to choose one Beatles album, it was possibly even harder to choose my favourite album from Graham's discography. If I'm honest, I could write a post for each of his albums (and who's to say I won't...). But this, if not consistently my favourite, is always a contender. I can't even properly articulate what it is about this album that makes it a favourite. On the whole it's rather melancholy and quiet, although there are some rock-ier numbers. It just feels honest and sincere, which is what I love most about Graham's music. He always seems to mean it, if you know what I mean. And the guitar playing is, of course, awesome.

My top tracks (without commentary because I've already gushed enough):

- Empty Word (This is one of my desert island discs. I love everything about this song. I love the lyrics; I love the slow build from the quiet start to the rock out at the end.)
- Big Bird
- Bonfires

Awkward

I may or may not wear this sweatshirt and Marimekko shirt all the time.

Two things (because my mind seems to work in lists):

1. I've come to realise I am pretty much incapable of not being awkward in photos. I don't really like taking my picture taken because I don't like smiling for the camera. I don't know why. I don't like smiling if I don't feel like it or something like that. So if I'm forced to pose, I usually make a face and ruin the picture and/or end up being super super awkward. Hands clenched into fists, pulling at the legs of my jeans, or just playing with my fingers.
I carved pumpkins with some friends for Halloween and we took pictures with our creations and for some reason I had fit of giggles and couldn't get it together. It took an embarrassing number of attempts in order to get one where I wasn't ruining it for everyone.

2. At the class I took last weekend, there were a bunch of teenagers and the instructor was talking about how when you're young you have to miss out on all these cool bands that play at 18+ or 21+ venues and he was like, "You guys know what I'm talking about" and pointed to me and the young kids. Um...too bad I was probably one of the oldest people there and am well over 21. Nothing awkward going on there. Just like the time a couple months ago when someone thought I was in the 7th grade.

Good times

Today consisted of: sleeping in, watching Harry Potter while eating cheese-less pizza, taking a long nap, listening to the thunder and rain outside, and turning up my music to drown out the sound of the rain. Not bad.

In possibly more exciting news:
1. Last weekend I went to a concert in a partially finished cathedral.
2. I got a skateboarding Spongebob in my cereal box. Except I didn't remember taking it out of the box and found it on the kitchen counter and then got confused as to who might have put it there. Weird, huh?
3. I found a limited edition box set of 13 at Easy Street. I already have one, but this way I figured I could hang up the poster without worrying about messing it up since I now have two! (It made sense to me at the time...)

Celine cries over Abbey Road

Abbey Road by The Beatles (1969)

It's difficult for me to choose a favourite Beatles album, but when pressed (not that that happens very often), I usually say Abbey Road. Confusingly, while it was the last album they recorded together, it was released before Let It Be. I don't have anything interesting to add to the volumes that have been written about the Beatles or this album, but I'd just like to share some thoughts on why this is generally my go-to favourite Beatles album:

- They were all clearly at the top of their game (although, let's be honest, when were they ever not the best in the biz?). Side one plays like a typical album with distinct songs, while side two ends with a medley of awesomeness.

- Everyone's distinct style and personality comes through - not only on the various tracks (with each member contributing at least one song), but especially on "The End" with Ringo's drum solo and George, Paul, and John taking turns with the guitar solos.

- The three-part (triple-tracked to sound like 9 voices) harmonies on "Because."

- I don't think I've ever listened to "Golden Slumbers" without crying...

I could really go on and on, but in order to maintain some semblance of sanity, I'll leave it at that. Basically it blows my mind how these four guys were able to crank out awesomeness time and time again. And anyone who disagrees that the Beatles were the greatest band that ever existed is just plain wrong. (I feel I should add a disclaimer here: I'm not saying everyone has to love the Beatles or that all of their songs were pure gold, but just considering their influence and the cultural impact they had (especially in light of the short time they were actually producing records), there's no other band that can touch them.)