The OFFICIAL Unofficial Achewood Message Board
Trivial Pursuits => Arts & Entertainment => Topic started by: pmcd9 on May 21, 2006, 09:08:24 am
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I don't know whether to praise this disc or not. I can't decide. I don't like the first part of the disc at all, but it takes a turn for the much better near the middle and remains good throughout, but leaves me with a feeling of sadness that makes me not want to listen to it again.
It started slow for me because I've decided that I just don't like TMBG. I'm sorry about this, but it's the truth. I've heard enough of their music to decide that It just don't do it for me. Wombat's disc starts off with Mammal by TMBG which is basically a dispasionate reciting of various characteristics of mammals. It's followed by Jackie Dressed in Cobras which is possibly my least favorite of the New Pornographers songs I've heard. Basically a by the numbers power pop number that doesn't really go anywhere. That is followed by Bare Naked Ladies which sounds like every other Bare Naked Ladies song. The singer gets lots of fan mail in the form of postcards of chimpanzees. Is there more to this song that I am missing? Bruce weighs in with one of his most inconsequential songs and thus endeth the animal portion of the mix. This is followed by several songs intended to be humorous, but didn't make me laugh.
But then suddenly the mix gets decidedly better when we hear the sweet voice of our own dear Wombat lamenting the pain of unrequited love. This is followed by Ilene Weiss which sets the tone for the rest of the mix. Heartbreakingly beautiful, but terribly sad music. The Roches try to reassure us that we'll always have the true love of music, which is followed by a much better great New Pornographers song. Next is my current favorite The Short Answer by Billy Bragg. I can personally relate to this song as I know what it's like to lose someone you thought you were meant to be with. She should have been the Last instead of just the latest is a perfect line and Bragg delivers it with such melancholy it chokes me up when he sings it. But then Springsteen reminds us that even when you get the girl of your dreams it doesn't work out the way you want it to. Which is followed by Reason to Believe which is just simply a great song and I am digging on this live version. I think it may be even better than the original. As I sit here in Price UT, I too am waiting for the great leap forward. I hope it comes soon. The disc concludes with a quartet of songs about mortality and the afterlife (or lack thereof). They are all good numbers, but they leave me needing some escapist fantasy as a chaser. So let's recap. Love will only break your heart, the one you want will get away from you, and even if you catch him/her you will be disappointed. The world sucks and we are stuck here, but when you die you will either go to hell or simply go to dust. Excuse me while I go shoot myself in the head.
So in summary I'd say that the first part of the mix is pretty meh, but the second part is frikkin' great except for the fact that it makes me want to cry. Did you mean to make it so sad?
Thank you for the mix Wombat.
~Paul
Footnote: Judy, your review is coming soon. Yes Q, your mix arrived while I was away, I'll begin listening to it starting tomorrow. Also, Starlight, your mix arrived as well, looking forward to it very much. I'll be finishing my own mix very soon.
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It seems, when I try to make Paul laugh, he does not like it, but when I make him sad, he is happier?
You're welcome, or I am sorry, I am not sure which!
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That is a pretty good review: completely honest and frank and all. I look forward to my review in which my taste in music will probably be torn to shreds, pissed on and burnt (at the same time). And I'll like it! Either way, respect to Paul.
Wombat, is it too late to order your mix? I sort of missed it first time round, and it sounds too interesting to miss out on forever. It'll be up to your discretion anyhow.
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I am happy to send my mix to anyone at any time. If you would like to reciprocate with a mix that would be most welcome. If you would like to reciprocate with knickknacks, postcards etc featuring your native fauna, that is also excellent. If you would like to never get around to reciprocating with anything, I will probably not notice. PM me with your address.
I hope it does not make you cry, I had really only intended to evoke a sort of satisfying feeling of melancholy. Perhaps you will cry less if you find the first part as amusing as I had hoped. Because of course it is the funny which makes us resilient enough to face the suckiness of life.
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hm. I am not sure if I am capable of making a mix cd which evokes any kind of mood or idea. I was just going to make a cd of songs that I like that you should hear.
Does this get me an F?
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Wow.. this is a really intricate review; nicely done. Though I am kind of frightened for my poor mix now.
Womby's disc did not make me weepy, except the parts with Springsteen because those hurt my ears. The rest of the mix was lovely I thought.
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I posted before about liking Wombat's disc. I didn't even mind the Springsteen, for the most part. I was kind of impressed by how good it was, actually. Wombat to me, while a woman of urbane wit and charm, has never struck me as someone who has good taste in music. The Springsteen of course would confirm that belief, but the rest of the disc just dashed that myth to the ground.
Nicely played, Wombat. Nicely played.
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Hm.. I somehow missed out on this one, too and well, I like sad stuff. I'll get to PM'in.
By Monday, I'm going to link my mix in digital form, by the way... since a friend I had sent it to got a crack in his disc, so yeah, if anyone missed out on mine, well, I'll prob. link it in the mix thread once it's up w/description.
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Too much Bruce, but I have been circulating the disk.
"Postcards" is a horrific earworm. That song makes my head bob left and right every time it's on.
Also, "enormous c*ck" is making the office rounds.
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Honestly, be glad you guys don't know what 'too much Bruce' would really be like. And while Bruce will continue getting along fine with no defense from me, I would like to state for the record that I have been a fan since Before He Was Rich And Famous. And when any of you get to be rich and famous I will still be your friend too.
I am glad that my efforts are otherwise being enjoyed. I am pleased to be full of surprises for Jough, and to entertain AD's whole office seems like a particularly fine internet accomplishment to have to my credit.
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is Enormous c*ck the Davinci's Notebook song? That song is pretty great.
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is Enormous c*ck the Davinci's Notebook song? That song is pretty great.
Yes. Goodness gracious, I hope I don't live in a world with more than one song called "Enormous c*ck," do I?
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Yes. Goodness gracious, I hope I don't live in a world with more than one song called "Enormous c*ck," do I?
I don't think so, but there was that "Detachable c*ck" song by King Missle a while back.
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I don't think so, but there was that "Detachable c*ck" song by King Missle a while back.
I thought of that song, too. Interestingly enough, there appears to be a Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detachable_c*ck) for everything. The best part: "Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow."
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I thought of that song, too. Interestingly enough, there appears to be a Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detachable_c*ck) for everything. The best part: "Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow."
Whew! Thank you for bringing that to my attention! I've never actually finished the song, but because of Wiki's efforts my experience will not be ruined! I just can't wait to find out just what happened with the tricky detachable c*ck, I'm certain it will be a surprise indeed.
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SPOILER WARNING:
He finds his c*ck again.
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you whore! I read the second line first! YOu didn't use adequate spacing!
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Yeah V, next time use a blackout tag or something huh?
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is Enormous c*ck the Davinci's Notebook song? That song is pretty great.
I saw three guys sing this in a karaoke bar once. They did a pretty good job. I got the feeling this was not the first time they had sung about their enormous c*ckes.
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The Adventures of the Man with No c*ck (http://70.86.201.113/imageserv2/temporary/PBF076BCtheManwithNoc*ck.gif)...
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Surprise Review!
I said I wouldn't review your mix Wombat, but I think I will. Y'know.
Contrary to Paul's review, I enjoyed the introductory 'At The Zoo' section. While none of it was particularly thought-provoking, rollicking, sad etc. it was a great introduction. When you go to a theme park, no-one gets on the biggest ride firsts. Instead they take the nice, scenic, gentle route. And this is why I liked the introduction; pleasingly light hearted but not inanely so. I further contradict with Paul when I say that I actually liked the Bruce song. Certainly not his best, but it fits the theme of animals and is rocking enough to keep a teenager lacking in Omega 3 interested.
As a strong manly male I found the male bashing section effeminate and wrong. Nah, I kid, but I have to admit that until Wombat's sweet voice is heard I was beginning to lose interest a little. But damn Wombat, you've got a fine set of pipes there. Vocally.
The following lovely acoustic number 'Woman Of A Calm Heart' is a fitting follow up. Is this you Wombat? I do not know your real name! Either way, it's a beautiful song. The next number by the Roches unfortunately didn't interest me, but the New Pornographers and Billy Bragg remedy this excellently. It's really the latter that I love. I've always loved Bragg's work, and this song reinforces that. Great choice.
Onto the Boss. I like Springsteen massively, so the next two tracks are a really pleasant interlude to all these songs I've never heard before. The fact that this is followed by another Bragg track makes this my favourite part of the album. The Bragg track is touching enough to elicit tears (not the scared type either). The religious part of the album keeps things on this plateau of awesomeness. There's always something very beautiful about religious song, and these are especially so. I can really imagine the whole 'late night religious moment'.
The finishing two songs close the album out beautifully. I really couldn't think of a better end myself. The last song elicited my second bout of weeping, which neatly served as a wonderful finish to this at-times beautiful album.
Overall, I was very impressed with the quality of Wombat's mix. She really got the 'phrases' down pat, and apart from the MEN songs I at no point wished to skip to the next song. It was made with care, and I enjoyed it in the same way.
Your score in bold:
Terrible - Bad - Unenchanting - Mediocre - Okay - Good - Swish - Pretty Swish - Very Swish - Perfect
If that's confusing, that's an 8.5 out of ten. Thankyou Wombat!
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But damn Wombat, you've got a fine set of pipes there. Vocally.
Yeah.. vocally... sure that's what you meant.
Be careful womby, he's jailbait!
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The following lovely acoustic number 'Woman Of A Calm Heart' is a fitting follow up. Is this you Wombat?
No, it's not, although if I may say so myself I much prefer my own performance of this song, and if I'd had access to Teodor's new batch of recording equipment I'd have provided that instead. (This is the only song on the planet about which I would say this, so I think I am allowed.)
Thank you for the lovely review. I am glad you enjoyed it and really sorry that I keep making all the boys cry.
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I just wanted to say that I initially didn't like the Enormous c*ck song, but it's uhm... growing on me.
I'm sorry.
~Paul
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/me does that thing where he tilts his head and looks at Paul over his glasses.
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I've been doing a thing on flickr where I take a photograph that illustrates in some way a song. Either the feeling or some literal translation of the lyrics. Well I used several of the songs from this disc.
see here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmcd9/sets/72157603774137269/).