Ladies and Gentlemen, We are Floating in Space.

~Spiritualized

G’night all.

Homework jam:

SBTRKT—“Pharoahs”, from s/t debut.

Radiohead—“Gagging Order”, from the Com Lag (2plus2isfive) EP

The Pogues: “Fairytale of New York”

I love Christmas if only for the fact that it’s the only time of the year when instead of our usual popular music, we hear something else; Christmas music. Sure, lots of our Christmas songs advocate greed, commercialism, etc…

Yet, some get more than a few things right.

They remind us that it’s all about family…togetherness…moments shared. If anything, this time of the year we can all hum along with the sentimental statements proclaimed in these songs. Sure, it’s no idealogical shift in our culture—but it feels nice for a change. 

In that spirit, I’ve posted my favorite Christmas song. I love it for its imperfections. After all, we don’t all live in perfect families or have perfect relationships. This one’s about hope, and trust in the future. It’s naive in an adult way…and to me, that’s a big part of what this season is all about.

Two covers: 

Christy Moore

Dustin Kensrue

“I’ve come to know the wish-list of my fathers/I’ve come to know the ship-wrecked where he wished/I’ve come to wish aloud/Among the over-dressed crowd/Come to witness now the sinking of the ship”

“Hymn #101”, from the “Nation of Heat” EP

Joe Pug

     Kate and I visited Maine for a few days last week, these are a few of the photos I took. I didn’t take as many snapshots as I would have liked, but my first priority was relaxing and just enjoying my home environment… not taking a million photos. I’d love to be a better photographer. If sheer force of will could make that happen, I’d try. Regardless, I think the four above came out OK.

     I really miss Maine, and for the first time Kate really feels like she’d love to move there someday. She would probably prefer to live in an area a little less rural than where I grew up; more to the south or near Portland. I still love the chance to visit though… especially in the autumn. More than the scenery, I miss the people and the culture. Time moves slower.

Sufjan Stevens—“I Walked” (From “The Age of Adz”)

     I found a leaked copy of Sufjan’s upcoming album about a week ago… Whenever I find the extra cash, I’ll be ordering this one on vinyl. It’s always nice to have a grade-A album before the critics get ahold of it—you can formulate your own opinions easier that way.

  I just bought “Limbo” for XBLA… I’ve heard it’s awfully short, but I haven’t beaten it yet, so I can’t confirm or deny that. I will say that it’s one of the most atmospheric and (occasionally) frightening games I’ve played in awhile. No story, no tutorial…just you as a little kid lost in a big, mean world. Oh, and you die about a gazillion times. I suppose one word that would describe your character would be fragile. Death in a video game never felt quite so final.

     Anyway, good stuff—I highly recommend it.