SOUNDTRACK: MARC ALMOND-“Glorious” (2001).
All the time that I had been seeing David Almond’s name I had been thinking of Marc Almond. I don’t know how common a name Almond is, but it doesn’t seem unreasonable to think that it is not a very common name. Or to think that a singer might become a writer. However, looking at photos of David, it is clear that he is not Marc.
I knew that Marc Almond was the singer in Soft Cell (you know, “Tainted Love”–which I didn’t realize was a cover), but I haven’t followed him at all since then. His name has cropped up on songs from time to time, so i knew he was still singing and that he sounded mostly the same (a bit more glammy). When I did a search I found this utterly fascinating video.
Almond has always had a strong, powerful voice. And as his solo career has moved along it seems to have gotten even more operatic. He can hold long notes and he can really belt those notes out.
“Glorious” is no exception, with the chorus being a big anthem. What’s interesting is that the verses which are fairly simple keyboard notes have a slightly minor chord feel to them giving the verses a vaguely sinister feel. I don’t know if that’s intentional (I feel not given the big chorus, but I sense it). Despite all of the bigness and the disco ball video, this song is surprisingly not that catchy. It certainly has a fun chorus, but the music itself is not instantly hummable.
But I have to respect Marc for that elaborate costume.
[READ: September 29, 2013] Mouse Bird Snake Wolf
I’ve known David Almond for a while but I’ve never seen his children’s books before. I got this mainly for McKean’s art, which is as weirdly beautiful as ever.
Almond has apparently written a few children’s books and I rather assume that they are all kind of dark and “older” like this one.
The story starts in a world long ago and far away with three children, the eldest Harry, the middle one Susan, and the young one Ben. There were marvelous things in the world but the children felt that there were gaps–things missing.
Then we see the gods (I love that the world below is in vibrant color and the gods are in shades of gray). The gods were so pleased with all of things they had created (and they were indeed wonderful) that they basically sat around on their clouds praising themselves, drinking tea and eating cakes.
But the children are unhappy with things–there’s too many unsettling empty spaces. They shout their concerns, but the gods ignore them. Then, one by one, the children begin imagining things that ought to be there. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 