SOUNDTRACK: SHARON VAN ETTEN–“Do You Realize??” (2019).
Here’s yet another cover of a great song by an artist I like a lot.
Sharon Van Etten covered the Flaming Lips’ song for the final episode of the Amazon Series Gortimer Gibbon’s Life On Normal Street. This show is quite outstanding. It’s a kid’s show but it has a lot of really great ideas. T. watched most of it although I think maybe she stopped before the end.
Sharon’s take on the song was
When I was asked to cover a Flaming Lips song for Gortimer Gibbons, I was really nervous. But when I watched the scene and heard from the people involved in the music, they really wanted to hear my interpretation of both the scene and the song. The show is sweet and smart and family oriented—and that is really important to me.
I can’t exactly imagine how this song, which is simultaneously uplifting and depressing, fits into this show. I imagine it’s a sad scene, but again I haven’t seen it.
The original of this grows bigger and bigger as the verses continue. There’s backing vocals, swelling strings/keyboards and a really epic feel.
Sharon’s version pulls all of that back.
It opens with keyboards, but they are quiet and soft, almost like a harmonium or accordion. As she sings she strums along on the acoustic guitar. She sings the song mostly faithfully to the original, although she does occasionally alter the melody line a bit. Just before the chorus, a quiet drum beat enters but that’s really it for changes in the song.
It’s really understated and lovely. And although I prefer the original because it’s just so darn good, this is a beautiful cover which brings new elements to the song.
[READ: September 25, 2019] Glitch
Scholastic Graphix is pretty consistently one of my favorite publishers for really good children’s graphic novels. The stories are for kids, for sure, but they are gripping and entertaining for adults as well.
Glitch has a great look and an even better story.
We open with two girls, Izzy and Eric, drooling over a new video game: Dungeon City. Izzy’s copy of the game is arriving this weekend which means VIDEO GAME SLEEPOVER! Better yet, Izzy’s parents are not at home, so it will be snacks and games and pizza all night long.
When Izzy gets home, her game is waiting for her. And while she knows she should wait for the weekend, it couldn’t hurt to see what it looks like. The graphics are amazing and within seconds, she is sucked into the TV and into the game. Literally. After orienting herself, she is greeted by a robot (which is, strangely, missing an eye). The robot offers to rescue her and Izzy rightly points out that she doesn’t need rescuing. However, she will accept guidance from the robot who is named Rae. But when Rae asks to hold Izzy’s hand, Izzy refuses that as well.
Izzy is very concerned but quickly learns that she is neither dead nor trapped in the game. She can leave when she wants. She is just there to be the hero to their world.
After exploring a bit, she returns home to tell Eric. But then she thinks that Eric wouldn’t believe her and then she feels bad about playing the game without Eric so she says nothing.
The next day at school before Izzy can talk to Eric, their teacher (hilariously drawn) is on then to STOP TALKING IN CLASSSSSSS!!
She returns home and leaves herself (and others) a note that she is stuck in the game and she’ll BRB. When she returns to the game, she winds up in a dungeon that is much too powerful for her Level 1 self. And just as she is about to die, Rae is there to rescue her.
It turns out Izzy will need to rank up XP, MG HP and most importantly Friendship Points. The more she trusts Rae the more friendship points she will have which will unlock better adventures. But before Izzy is willing to do anything, she needs a better outfit. Soon enough, she has hair that defies gravity, 88% more sparkle and the ability to float (but not fly, let’s not get carried away).
Off they go on adventures, leveling up and taking on the big bosses. But when Izzy returns to the real world it is time to go to school. When school is over Eric says she was very impressed that Izzy slept through an entire day of school. But she confesses it was really boring without Izzy to talk to. Izzy fees terrible about Eric, but Rae needs her to save the world there! She can’t resist the call to save the world and back in she goes.
But as the battles get tougher, Izzy realizes there is a chance she could die. And what would happen then? And, is it just me or does Rae seem to be acting a little strangely?
She now has to worry about losing her best friend and possibly losing her life.
And wait, what does she overhear Rae saying…and who is Rae talking to?
This was a funny and exciting book with great characters and a really fun message of friendship and female power (and female gaming).
Sometimes Izzy’s choices were peculiar (and rather unforgivable) but that’s what tests the bonds of friendship and ultimately makes the stronger.
Graley has written and drawn a number of books and comics. Check out her site for more.
I Just Read About That... 
We did watch the Gortimer finale (T watched the whole series) and this song was just right for a series finale that was (as best finales are) bittersweet.