Celine cries over OK Computer

It's been a while since I posted and, as usual, I don't have much to say. So here's another favourite album. Again, I feel weird trying to articulate my feelings about music, so it's really just anecdotes that are somewhat-related to this album and the tracks I chose.

OK Computer by Radiohead (1997)

I think I mentioned in a previous post about liking music that has a sort of other-worldly quality to it. Sort of like space music. I have a little analogue ribbon synth that I will sit and play with for ages, just making weird blippy noises and squeaks and stuff. And most of the apps on my phone are drum machines, synths, and even a weird keyboard thing. Basically I'm a big nerd for sound.

And that's what I love so much about this album. The layers of sound, sounds you can't quite recognize, the effects...I get excited by that kind of stuff. And Thom Yorke's voice never ceases to amaze me. I saw Radiohead live for the first time this year and they sound just as awesome live as they do on record.

Favourite tracks:

• Exit Music (For a Film)
• Karma Police - I've sung this at karaoke. Perhaps not the best choice for karaoke.
• No Surprises - One time I wrote a short paper in college about the use of this song in  a movie. I always tried to tie any assignments to music and movies. That time I managed both in one. Success!
• Lucky

London (2)

These are the only photos I could manage since I was pretty much freaking out the whole time.

The highlight of my trip to London was definitely seeing Blur at the Brits, which was the main motivation for my going in the first place. I know they got a lot of negative press afterwards, and yes, I might be a bit biased, but I thought they were amazing and the most exciting performers of the night.

A few days later, we went to the National Portrait Gallery, where there was a Lucian Freud exhibit. I was really struck by the following quote from him: What do I ask of a painting? I ask it to astonish, disturb, seduce, convince.

It reminded me of what I look for in the music and made me consider what it was that I that I love so much about Blur (and all my favourite bands/musicians). I'm not just interested in something that's easy and pretty and safe. I want music that excites me and challenges me and maybe even scares me. Sure, their performance wasn't the most polished of the acts that night, but it wasn't staid and choreographed. It was full of excitement and energy and enthusiasm.

And to be perfectly honest, I was so caught up in everything and excited to be there that I really enjoyed all of the performances, even though I don't listen to any of the other artists and didn't know the songs.

Okay, I always feel super pretentious when I try to talk seriously about music and this happened nearly two weeks ago, but I just felt the need to share this.

Celine cries over The Man Who

I drew this a long time ago and had it sitting in drafts.
My hair is longer (about shoulder-length) now. Just wanted to clarify.

The Man Who by Travis (1999)

I love Travis. I'm fairly certain I've seen them live more than any other group (I've even met Fran, Andy, and their keyboard player Claes after one of their shows and Fran signed his name and drew wings on the back of my shirt. Pretty awesome!) This is my favourite Travis album and I've listened to it consistently since I was in college. I love everything about this album: the production, the arrangements, the artwork (and the artwork of the singles).

Favourite tracks:

- "Writing to Reach You" - Once in a photography class we had to do a project where we had to take one photo for each word of a 7+ word phrase of our choosing and I chose "Everyday I wake up and it's Sunday". No one in the class knew the song.

- "As You Are" - Another of my desert island discs.

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

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.)

Celine cries over 13

Welcome to the first installment of what I shall be calling "Celine cries over music" a.k.a. a listing of my favourite albums. These won't necessarily be in any order (partly due to the fact that I have a very difficult time deciding on a favourite Beatles album) and I don't have super varied tastes in music, so consider yourself forewarned. And as excited as I am to share my favourites, I'm horrible at articulating my feelings about music because mostly I just want to gush and sigh and cry when I listen to music I really enjoy...

First up: 13 by Blur (1999)

Surprise, surprise, I know. A big shocker (especially for anyone who has seen my tumblr) that I'm starting off with this. The penultimate album by Blur (not including compilations) and the last one before Graham Coxon's departure from the group. Cue uncontrollable sobbing.

I suppose the album isn't exactly an easy listen. Even after having listened to the album more times that I could possibly count, it still manages to stir up a whole sea of emotions for me. I don't want to get super pretentious and delve into a review of the album; that's what critics (ha!) are for, so I'll just share the following about my two favourite tracks:

1. When I listen to "Caramel", I find myself wondering how this it isn't everyone's favourite song. It has everything I look for in music: it's familiar, yet otherworldly; it scares me, yet it's oddly soothing. The layers of sound, the lyrics and Damon's voice, the slow build-up to the controlled chaos toward the end of the song, only to have it calm back down and fade out the way it began - it blows my mind every single time I listen to it. I've got chills now just thinking about it.

2. I first became aware of Blur through"Coffee and TV". I remember seeing the video and thinking it was cute and sad and loving the singer's voice. (It came as a bit of a shock when I later found out that Graham wasn't the usual singer in the band, although I love Damon's voice as well.) I like the contrast of the upbeat sound of the song and the rather melancholy lyrics. And the guitar solo? Pure awesomeness.