Teenage Wildlife

[Teenage Wildlife by Cecily Brown]

Doing things a little differently this time.
First: Posting. Now that's a new concept around here.
Second: Decided to do a theme post. The theme is Cecily Brown. And more specifically Teenage Wildlife.





Iron & Wine: The Sea and the Rhythm [zshare]

This was the first song that came to mind. Sad that I didn't discover it till late last year.
With lines like "Our hands they seek the end of afternoons" and "Your hands they move like waves over me. Beneath the moon, tonight, we're the sea" how can this song not be beautiful? S.Beam does a great job at keeping this song [about sex] intimate, romantic. I wish I was in my car in Chicago right now, driving home at 4a, blasting this song with the windows down.


Lauryn Hill: When It Hurts So Bad [zshare]

I've been listening to a lot of L.Hill lately. I love this song so much. Though it makes me so sad sometimes. "I loved real, real hard once." This definitely fits the Teenage Wildlife theme. Figuring out what love is and isn't... the hard way. Listen.


Air: Playground Love [zshare]

Taken from the Virgin Suicides soundtrack [Watch it!]. Obsession, passion, fear, confusion, playground love.


Amy Whinehouse: Love is a Losing Game (Original Demo) [zshare]

Okay. Okay. Yeah I know. Who likes Amy Whinehouse, right?
And yeah, her racist remarks? I know. Did you see/like Apocalypo? Watch Seinfeld? Inspired by Gandhi's teachings? blah blah et cetera. Getting off topic...
I've always glanced over A.Whinehouse. I didn't like Rehab or the other popular tunes she's managed to pump out. But scanning the interwebs I came across this song and it wasn't at all what I expected. The acoustic guitar makes her voice sound so sincere and callous. It's quite nice.


Jihae: Do I Move You? [zshare]

A beautiful trip hop cover of a great Nina Simone song. I was a little apprehensive about it until I heard the horns blend blending into the sensual feedback, ambiance, and drum machine within the first 20sec of the track. Probably a little too mature for teenage love but the passion is there. "When I touch you do you quiver?"


The Stylistics: Betcha By Golly, Wow [zshare]

No explanation needed. Can't you hear it in his voice? Come now.


Anthony Hamilton: Charlene [zshare]

"Come on home to me, Charlene."
Another heartbreaker. Usual ending to teenage romance.
And the last track to this post.
A.Hamilton's voice is so great. I just wish he made 'better' songs, chose better collaborations, and not be so predictable. Sorry for being so hard on ya, boy. I'm just saying is all.
Oh! Trust me. That is not the case with "Charlene."

With the wild wolves around you...

Sigur Rós: Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása [zshare]

"It is good weather for airstrikes." At 10:57min, Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása is a heartbreak waiting to happen. An epic song with a great music video [It was filmed in Iceland, so you know that it'll be beautiful].


Okkervil River: For the Enemy [zshare]

I don't think that I will ever get tired of this song. I judge a song by how well it changes my mood, and For the Enemy does it to me every time.
And I'm a sucker for a song with an organ.


Okkervil River: Maine Island Lovers [zshare]

Another one by the boys down by the river. This was the song that made me a fan.
An affair. Rejected love. Heartbreak.
Just close your eyes and listen.

"When I fell on the concrete it was lovely,
because you could see what’s been running so hot in me.
But when I fell on the concrete, you went white as a sheet
and wished that nothing in this world would ever hurt me.
Well, keep wishing."

Modest Mouse: Baby Blue Sedan [zshare]

Okay okay. It's a little whiny/emo/whatever, but when the mood is right [or wrong], it translates to whatever's going on.
Unless you're looking for a bad trip, I suggest unchecking this on your iTunes' Party Shuffle the next time you and your buds decide to eat some pizza avec de la psilocybine. Trust me.


Lauryn Hill: Nothing Even Matters [zshare]

Now this one brings back some fond memories. More uplifting than a similarly titled song Everything Means Nothing to Me by E.Smith, this song always levels me out when I'm in a rut. It's hard to explain, but the vocals and music just blend together and, sometimes, switch places. The organ, keys, and bass, etc. sometimes say more to me than D'Angelo and Lauryn's words.


Bon Iver: The Wolves (Act I & II) [zshare]

Last, but not least, is The Wolves (Act I & II). I have yet to see J.Vernon play live, but I hear that this song is his best live performance. And I can understand why. His oblique lyrics say the right things [and everything] without ever changing the overall meaning of his songs.
I'm pretty sure that this is my most played song of 2008 [so far]. Solace is my game too, Justin.
[edit]
My roommate told me that I was good at burning bridges.
He [obviously] has never heard this song.
[/edit]

"Solace my game, solace my game
It stars you
Swing wide your crane, swing wide your crane
And run me through"