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This GIF
(.gif)
Something something something gray
But I felt my small heart grow three sizes that day
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SILVER place
Nicole Atkins
(music artist)
It's
true I was disappointed to learn that Nicole Atkins' album Neptune City wasn't
a sci-fi epic about a futuristic metropolis on the surface of the blue
planet but named after a place in New Jersey. Still, as soon as I heard the big largeness of "The Way It
Is," whose chorus reminded me of a moody "Somewhere Over The
Rainbow" with extra drama, I knew that consequences would never be the same. Her music is dark and fantastical, and her voice is like a bomb...a real sexy bomb.
I'm not kidding
either when I say she's black like the night. Here's a (somewhat pared down)
list of words I sang in my head as I went through the lyrics of her album Mondo Amore preparatory to writing this example of how dark she is:
Goodness. Now, I hope I'm not overstepping any bounds here, but I've also prepared a list I'd like to have forwarded to Ms. Atkins, for her benefit:
I don't even want to think about the kinds of demented places her art will go when she sees she only got 2nd place on this list. Look: any other year and she would've cleaned up. This was just some extremely unfortunate timing. In my own music life, this year will probably never be beat. This is a sad fact, but it is also happy.
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GOLD place
Pixies
(music band)
This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but, well, I sort of thought the Pixies were one-hit-wonders. (I mean, they sort of are, technically, but you know what I mean.) See, I was on iTunes some years ago (in grade 10) buying "Where Is My Mind," which I used to hear on the radio in the early 2000s and thought was pretty neat, for my brand new iPod Mini gen. 2. While I was there I previewed I think "Crackity Jones" and maybe "Debaser" and decided their other stuff was kinda freaky and not really for me.
Recently though I saw their song "Caribou" on some internet list about underrated songs by great bands. Nothing happened right away, but lo, a couple months later I listened again and found my interest pretty well piqued. Now, after several months of acquainting myself, I can happily report that the Pixies' stuff is kinda freaky and absolutely for me.
And so, so good.
In fact, I just want to say here on record today that if "Velouria" is not the most perfect-ly lovely song written in the history of popular music, I will print out this entire blog - IN COLOR, ON PHOTO PAPER - and eat it.
[the small voice of a baby boomer carries from the back]
"What about Wouldn't It Be Nice?"
"I SAID QUESTIONS AT THE END!" I roars.
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Honorable mentionings
Mr. Gnome
Dudes. Dig this:
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Princess Chelsea
I
was going to put Lana Del Rey in this spot, whose music I quite enjoy, but then
I had an honest talk with myself and gave her the boot...which her lips
blocked impressively. Princess Chelsea will suffice. Oh, and no biggie, but I first watched the video for "Cigarette Duet" back when it only had like 3.5 million views.
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This concludes Good stuff 2012. For other years click here.