The Smiths

Headphones case

/ josephpatrickrichards / 1 Comment

6 September 2011

Good after 10 PM (Eastern) loves and lovers and loyalists.

Music in headphones. Sometimes the only way to go. But not earbuds. (Like my canals need more pals.) Headphones. The kind that make you look like a real radio disc jockey.

Tonight’s obsession is The Hold Steady. I only own Separation Sunday and Heaven is Whenever, but the solid rock electric guitar is golden with the talk-sing vocals and lyrical storytelling.

When I feel the need to take the headphones experience up a notch I choose to put in post-Transmissions from The Satellite Heart Flaming Lips (especially The Embryonic).

With the need to send the songs directly to my brain, I ordered Scott Walker’s first four solo albums. My new music goal is to listen to his entire solo career in chronological order. I realize I need a method. So, I will listen to each album until is know every bit by heart. Until I hear the rhythms in my sleep. Only then will I move on.

Other albums worth listening to entirely via headphones:

  • The Antlers – Hospice
  • Any Arcade Fire album
  • Bjork – Homogenic
  • Any The Books album
  • Brian Eno – Another Green World
  • Cathy Foy – We Build it Tall
  • Centro-Matic – All The Falsest Hearts Can Try
  • DJ Shadow – Endtroducing…
  • Erykah Badu – Baduizm
  • The Flaming Lips – The Soft Bulletin, Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, At War with The Mystics, The Embryonic
  • Joanna Newsome – Have One on Me (be sure to listen to this album in one sitting)
  • Morrissey – Viva Hate
  • Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane over The Sea
  • Paul Simon – Graceland
  • Radiohead – In Rainbows and The King of Limbs
  • Say Hi To Your Mom – Impeccable Blahs
  • The Smiths – Meat is Murder
  • Songs:Ohia – Didn’t It Rain
  • Suede – S/T
  • Weezer – Pinkerton
Yes, I know this list seems close to alphabetical. That is because I ran through my list to double check.
Clearly this list is missing many albums, but these are some of my favorites to beam into my face.

After an apogee, an apology

/ josephpatrickrichards / 3 Comments

25 August 2011

As I do with many sentences and conversations, allow me to begin with an apology.

I know several of you were huddled around your computer or blog-ready phone to receive a post from me last night. I know some of you were out there in the lonely world, waiting for an electronic missive from my fingers to your heart. I know most of you waited, and realized, as the clock struck midnight (ET), all hope of word from your beloved was dashed like waves on the Cliffs of Dover.

Again, I apologize.

While the glow of your computer lit your frown, making it seem that much more depressing, I was performing improv with several funny people (all more humorous than I, you see) at the DC Improv as part of the DC Improv Comedy School Cast.

Still, I should have written.

After the earthquake and after digesting the misery of a drunk and cowardly Cone Alone, I should have known you would need a bit more comfort. A bit more guidance. Actually, I know you just needed a friendly word.

I apologize one more time. I know I let my life get in the way of our electronic, anonymous life together.

Please forgive me.

If you forgive me, I promise to post video (ACTUAL FOOTAGE) from last night’s performance.

Will that do it? Will that make up for my error?

If my penance seems paltry and does not please you, I will proffer personal puns just for you at your request. I will post these puns directly to your Facebook account if you desire, so all the world can see you are loved and your name is a joke.

Maybe though, “that joke isn’t funny anymore.”