Pretensions

Today I had a horrifying thought. Am I pretentious when it comes to music?

Admittedly, when it comes to classical music I'm more a fan of the darker stuff - deaf or nearly so Beethoven, Mozart at the end of his life when he was all dark, Jenkins for reasons I can't really understand - and when it comes to popular music, I'm the same. Metallica, Apocalyptica, Rammstein, Within Temptation, Iron Maiden, Kamelot, even the odd bit of Murderdolls.

Recently however, I've found that I'm liking more and more non metal. I quite like three of Adele's latest songs, I can listen to Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts on an endless loop, and there's one Florence + The Machine song which I love, I just don't know what it's called. Either way, this made me wonder. Am I truly a metalhead, or am I just fooling myself?

Am I just pandering to my pretensions that I'm more hardcore than that? Ought I give up and stop visiting Utopia (which is probably my favourite store after Dymocks Stationery - the cheapest place to get Calligraphy supplies)?

To test this theory, I went into JBHifi and purchased a CD. Lungs by Florence was $10. If I didn't like it, I could always just give it to my sister.

I stuck it in my computer and listened with trepidation.

As it turns out, I didn't like it. Cosmic Love was alright, but not really to my taste. All of the tracks sounded the same, with the same airy voice and electronic instrumentation. I'm not a pretentious ass. I genuinely dislike the majority of popular music. I don't know whether I should be pleased or disappointed. Who cares?

Either way, I'm off to cleanse my mind of all that ranga music by listening to some music which never fails to perk me up: Amour by Rammstein, Parliament of Fools by Skyclad, Sacra by Apocalyptica and what is probably my favourite piece of classical music: The Allegretto (mvt. 2) of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony.

Because as it turns out, I really am hardcore like that.

Somewhat Dark Creative Visions

Next year, I will be entering the Royal Arts Show, again for calligraphy. This time, however, I'm planning to enter the 'Off the Wall' section; which is basically for 3D objects involving calligraphy.

My bright idea involves me making a music box, and then covering it with a calligraphised version of the Rammstein song 'Spieluhr'.

My only issue is where I'll be able to find ridiculously fine paintbrushes. One of my cousins reccommends those Games Workshop-type stores, but I'd like to avoid actually entering one of those if I can humanly manage it.

So... If anyone has an idea of where I could source them, I would be muchly greatful.

Sigh

Today I finished reading Kristin Ross' 'May '68 and its Afterlives'. It was a good book, if you're into sociopolitical history.

I was reading it for Extension History.

I only complain about this because now I have to read two books which are in french. Apparently, they haven't been translated into english, so I'm on my own.

I'll manage, but still. Why did I choose such a mother-expletivingly difficult topic.

I'll tell you - because I'm an idiot.

And also on the topic of HEX, on tuesday, we're going to be discussing Jews for Jesus. I am so pumped for a religious smackdown.

Watch the ANZAC day parade. I'm the girl in a purple cape with a sousaphone.

I'm listening to 'Wo Bist Du' by Rammstein.
It's lovely.

Ce Que J'aime Écoute

I've been on the internet for a while, waiting for pages to load, and so I think I'll spam a bit by writing down each song I listen to, along with any thoughts I have regarding it.

NB: I'm on the only computer at home which has internet, which has a pretty limited music library. I'm skipping any songs I didn't listen to.

Du Hast - Rammstein

I've loves this song ever since my history teacher played it for us. Till Lindeman (the singer) has a pretty fantastic set of vocal chords, and I love the mix between synth and the heavy guitars and drums.

Rammleid - Rammstein

Because everyone needs a bit of thrash every so often. I'm particularly a fan of the choir in the background of the verses.

Hallelujah - Handel

My sisters and I refer to Handel as 'Handi' because we've all done a hell of a lot of his stuff (we also refer to Purcell as 'Percy', but lets not go there). The Hallelujah chorus from Messiah just has that special something which makes a great choral work.
There's the perfectly balanced SATB score, with the parts playing off each other to create some fantastic layering; there's the rather small selection of orchestration (Harpsichord, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bassoon, Trumpet) which somehow just works perfectly); and there's the way that the accompaniment works with the music, filling gaps, and making it one of the most recognisable choral works ever.

Hot Stuff - Donna Summer

I got this song off the soundtrack of 'The Full Monty'. Good movie. Good song.
There's something fantastic about all the songs which are stereotypically drag queen songs (I Will Survive, I Need A Hero etc.).

O Fortuna - Orff

No comment necessary. Awesome incarnate.

Mrs Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel

I got this off the soundtrack of Forrest Gump before my sister Sarah had the brilliance to buy the 'Best of Simon and Garfunkel'. Whimsical guitars, and some of the best harmony you'll find anywhere, paired with surprisingly quirky and deep lyrics. I love it.

Empty Chairs At Empty Tables - Boublil and Schönberg

One of the most depressing songs of Les Mis. It really encapsulates all of France;s student revolts (May 68, anyone?). They thought it was a good idea at the time, and then looked back at their actions in retrospect and went 'Hmmm. Well. That was a bad course of action.'
To quote Raymond Aron: Once again Paris almost had a revolution, and then finished it as usual by voting conservative.
It was true then, and it's true now.

Valley Girl - Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention feat. Moonunit Zappa

This song is Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention at their art rocking best with Moonunit Zappa's inspired parody of a Sun Vally bimbo in the 80s.
This song encapsulates the entirety of Amy Heckerling's 'Clueless'.
This song encapsulates commercial America.
I grew up listening to this song.

Morgenstern - Rammstein

A choir singing Mass-like cadences in the background. A strong Bass voice in the forefront, underscored by some good industrial metal. Rammstein's great.

Rejoice rejoice. The sheet music of Les Choristes has finished downloading.
Now, should I be granted a school choir, I shall have music for them. Along with Michael Bojesen's 'Eternity', I'll be set (I would have also liked to use his 'Gloria', but that would be far too difficult for one of the school choirs).

Huzzah for downloading PDFs.