SOUNDTRACK: BRITISH SEA POWER-Live on KEXP, March 4, 2008 (2008).
The four songs from this set come from Do You Like Rock Music? It’s the only album I have from British Sea Power, so I found the set enjoyable. The band seems to specialize in a kind of chanted heavy rock. This is especially noticeable in “No Lucifer” which has a big chanted chorus (the DJ observes that British fans chant a lot better than America fans–which is very true).
The singer’s voice reminds me a bit of Catherine Wheel (deep and kind of smooth, as opposed to high-pitched and/or screamy) and the music has a kind of Blur feel–very English-sounding. And yet the band is a bit heavier than Blur and much darker as well.
“Atom” is a speedy blast of borderline punk. “Down on the Ground” has a very catchy riff and “Canvey Island” has a building swelling sound that I really like. They would never be my favorite band, but I really like this album.
I also enjoyed that the DJ was sort of fawning over the band since they had gotten about two hours of sleep the night before (after their show). And I must say they sound pretty fine for having no sleep. Check it out.
[READ: November 1, 2012] “This Feels So Real”
Heidi Julavits is one of the founders of The Believer magazine, so naturally I’m drawn to her writing. And I have enjoyed most of her short stories (I haven’t gotten around to reading her novels yet). But I really didn’t like this one.
It is about a contestant on a romantic reality show who has been kicked off the island (or whatever manufactured location they are supposed to be on). He, Ryan P (for there is another Ryan on the show), really loves Ashley. But she has given him the symbol that means she is not interested in him. And we follow him as his love and obsession for Ashley blossoms.
Ryan says that there is a producer on the show, Chris, who is actually responsible for his departure–that he is the one who executes Ashley’s desires, but Chris seems to suggest that Ryan might want to try again (or so Ryan understands it). The story then follows Ryan as he follows Ashley (and the other men remaining on the show–including Ryan M, whom Ryan P assumes is really gay). He tries to avoid the cameras and tries to get closer and closer to his beloved. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 