BIRTHDAY FAIL

Deciding to forgo any sort of birthday celebration this year seemed like a good idea at the time. Now, on a Friday night with one hour left of birthday time, I realize I may have miscalculated things.

HELLO 29!


This message was brought to you by PMS. Because whining never felt so good.

This Just In

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I am still alive. Apparently.
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TOP ALBUMS AND SHOWS OF 2008

MOST-LISTENED-TO ALBUMS

1. At Mount Zoomer – Wolf Parade
Yes, it’s true. I have a serious hard-on for Wolf Parade. If you ask me about musical faves, I’ll inevitably blather on about Spencer and Dan or, by extension, Sunset Rubdown, Handsome Furs or Swan Lake, even. My love for the band, however, is not unfounded; I think they write fantastic shit -– both lyrically and musically –- and the uniqueness of the two lead vocals solidifies the fact. Apologies to the Queen Mary was, and still is for me, a close-to-perfect album –- one that grabs you with its catchy hooks, and lingers with its lyrical dexterity. So much so that three years later, it’s still on my heavy rotation list. You could imagine, then, how much I was anticipating their sophomore record -– especially after seeing what the two leads were doing with their side projects. Admittedly, At Mount Zoomer didn’t really stick right away -– it took several listens for me to warm up to it. But when I did, *sigh,* I really did. Unlike Apologies’ quick catchiness, ... Zoomer beckons us slowly, almost subtly at first, and has more of an experimental and epic feel to it, revealing that Dan and Spencer have interpolated their side-project musings into Wolf Parade. This is not a bad thing. The tracks maintain an air of unpredictability, many of which build up to gloriously satisfying climaxes (“California Dreamer” “Kissing the Beehive,”). Songs like “Language City,” however, keep up the spirit of the band’s generational-anthem sing-alongs that made their debut so yummy. Oh, and their use of keyboards totally kicks ass. Don’t believe me? Check out “Animal In Your Care” and “The Great Estates.” What else can I say about this album except that it makes me cry happy tears?

2. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
I debated putting this album on my list at all, never mind making it my number two. The controversy surrounding the band gives me a headache, but, unfortunately, they managed to sample their way into my heart. Their use of excerpts from the likes of Death From Above and Van She, and their collaboration with Health yielded some of my most listened-to songs of 2008 (“Untrust Us,” “Vanished” and “Crimewave”). And while at times this album sounds like a schizophrenic Atari console, it finds balance with more mellow and highly listenable tracks. Like it or not, these kids have upped the ante on late 2000’s electronic music, and will have, no doubt, a slew of both copycats and followers.

3. Midnight Boom – The Kills
How do you perfect the lo-fi bluesy goodness of No Wow? You release Midnight Boom, evidently. With hints of Blondie and Peaches, this album has more of a dance spin to it but never abandons the raw feel that the band is known for. Overall, a refreshing and sexy rock release. Oh, and do me a favour and see The Kills live, too.

4. You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into – Does It Offend You, Yeah?
“We Are Rockstars” was swimming around the scene for years without a home, so it was fine time these guys released an album. While You Have Know Idea… consciously combines all that is trendy in dance-punk today, it does it well enough to create a fun, energized album. Sebastian Grainger’s vocal appearance is also *very* welcomed.

5. Welcome To The Third World – The Dandy Warhols
Courtney Taylor-Taylor and his crew continue to what they do best -– self-consciously, and successfully, allude to different rock eras. I still enjoy.

6. We Are The Night – The Chemical Brothers
The Brothers still manage to work it out. A fantastic record to drive to.

7. Dear Science – TV On The Radio
In my opinion, Dan Sitek, Tunde Adempipe and co. can do no wrong. Wait, I lie. Return to Cookie Mountain was a slight downer for me, simply because parts of it felt like a rehash of some of Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes’ finer moments. Dear Science, however, is a step in an exciting direction, and the follow-up album I had been hoping for.

8. Heavenly Bender – Sam Champion
Maybe I have a little soft spot for Sam Champion because they were the first band I ever interviewed (and they were so damn nice!) Regardless, Heavenly Bender houses some wonderfully nostalgic garage tracks.

9. Saturdays = Youth – M83
A valentine to children of the 80’s everywhere.

10. A Heart Full of Sorrow – Yussuf Jerusalem
I have Mike to thank for introducing me to this gem of an album. I’m really not sure how to describe the sound, other than awesomeness, and maybe lo-fi 60’s garage. Not interested? You will be, after you’ve checked him out. No, seriously, check him out. I demand it.

Forgotten Mentions (how could I?):
Modern Guilt - Beck
Trouble In Dreams - Destroyer

Honourable Mentions:
Attack & Release – The Black Keys
?Como Te Llama? - Albert Hammond Jr.
In Ghost Colors - Cut//Copy
Dystopia - Midnight Juggernauts

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MOST AMAZING SHOWS

There is too much to be said about all these concert experiences, so I will save their elaboration for my blog. All you need to know about them is…THEY GAVE ME ONE. (100 points for identifying obscure quote.)

1. Wolf Parade @ Metropolis
I didn’t think I could love Wolf Parade any more. I love them even more.

2. Caribou @ La Tulipe
One of the best shows I’ve seen. Ever.

3. The Kills @ Le Studio Juste Pour Rire
Hot chemistry + hot music = hot concert

4. Radiohead @ Parc Jean-Drapeau
Do I really need to explain? Didn’t think so.

5. Beck @ Theatre St-Denis
Proof that Beck still has it and will always have it.

6. Destroyer @ Lambi
Dan Bejar is really not as pretentious as you may think! He's awesome, actually.

Happy Thanksfusion

It's no secret that I love food/cooking/baking/mixology. The whole deal. Those who know me well enough, know of my slight [sic] addiction the Food Network, my mounds of cooking mags/books, my love of hosting dinner parties and my desire to learn about the origin, science and cultural impact of food (for those of you who share that interest, or have any curiosity about the chemistry/history of gastronomy, I really recommend picking up Harold McGee's On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen. A food-lover's dream.) If it was up to me, I'd spend all day in the kitchen (ideally, one of those cool, top-of-the-line ones with gas ranges and stainless steel everything), preparing meals for the people I love (luckily for you, I love many). Much to the chagrin of the flames of my teenage feminism, I am a domestic soul at heart.

I get especially excited about trying different ethnic cuisines (are we still allowed to say "ethnic"? Do I care?) Montreal has its pick of worldly restaurants, but my philosophy has always been, if you can make it at home, why not? And, thanks to the Internet, you'll find shit* that you would have never tried before, wowing yourself and everyone else in the process.

All this to say that this year's Thanksgiving was a fun one. Yes, I had the huge Turkey-with-the-works meal that my Mom and Nonna make so well, but Raeanne (my radio and Jean-Talon Market partner) and I decided to fuck with tradition and make Indian on Saturday. We're both obsessed with naan and have the hots for Ramasutra (ok, maybe that's just me, but come on, he's hot), and our recent visits to two of my favourite Indian restos, Mysore and Bombay Choupati, just fueled our fire.

One of the most amazing dishes I've ever had, and continue to enjoy, is Bombay Choupati's Chole Chaat. It's a potato/chick pea/tamarind/yogurt/coriander food thing that is as close to a food orgasm as it can get. I can't really describe it; you'd have to try it for yourself (I've tried it at several different places, but none compare to Bombay's version).

Chole Chaat [from Bombay Choupati]

This dish, for the time being, was off the agenda (I didn't want to mess with it just yet); instead, I decided to attempt tarka dal, my other stomach pleaser (for this, Mysore tops the list) and homemade chapatis. Rae was going to try to recreate a potato-spinach curry plate she had (also at Mysore). After a day of shopping at J-T Market and finding out what the hell asafoetida was, we finished the meal.

The result? Success! Not only did Rae and I discover just how kitchen compatible we were (should we ever decide to bat for the other team, we're getting married), but the food was damn tasty. My tarka dal, while not as layered as Mysore's version, was still yummy. Rae's on-the-fly potato curry dish rocked (it was brought to new heights by an improvised addition of pineapple curry sauce she purchased in Amsterdam). The chapatis were a bit of a FAIL, though Rae and her fiance, Denis, were too nice to say otherwise. For some reason, they didn't puff up...I blame the wok I made them in completely. And myself, for losing the war on flat bread. Still, all and all, our experiment yielded awesome results.

What truly made the night, though, was our catapult back into "holiday" spirit with the pumpkin pie Rae had prepared for dessert. While we were knocked semi-conscious by the mix and thus had to rain-check our Rock Band band practice, the meal kept us laughing all night. Therefore, Curry + Lager + Pumpkin Pie = Best Thanksgiving Ever. Next Thanksgiving, I'm making Yemini.

Homemade Indian FTW

"Changes in my life / I've *GOT* you by my side"

I just realized something.

Okay.

I didn't just realized it. Nor did I just realized it. (Confused yet?)

This blogspot hasn't been updated in ages. Mainly due to the fact that life after Facebook is a very strange place. Also partly because after grad-school bitching, what is there to talk about really?

There's plenty. So I will revive this. From the ashes, a new blog will rise...stronger and more outrageously awesome than the last.

Are you ready for it? I hope so.

Oh, and this colour scheme will go. Oh, there will be changes...

* Sad thing is that the only people who understand this reference won't even read this.

Die you zombie fruit flies! Die! Die!

Why is it that I only manage to write (original) notes when I'm just about losing my mind with paper writing? Is that all I'm good at? Complaining about writing (and, therefore, penning my own irony?)

I'm at that point in the evening after having spent all day writing / researching/ eating / writing some more / watching TV / revising / pacing / rethinking / talking on phone / reconsidering / mental exhaustion / descending into discouragement / self-doubt / self-loathing / transference of anger on paper, the Victorians, the course, prof, school, my entire academic career, back to me etc, etc

AND WHERE ARE THESE FRUIT FLIES FROM HELL SPAWNING FROM?

Yeah, it just might be that time to call it a night. I look forward to future ramblings containing light-hearted, happy thoughts.

HAPPY. happy. HAPPY. happy.

Yeah, I like Zoolander. Deal with it.

Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast...hopefully.

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This pointless, self-absorbed blog has been brought to you by the letter Q. Just because it can never stand alone.

Kyss Thys

I hate Malory.

I hate Lancelot. I hate Gwinevere. I hate chivalry. I hate adultery. I hate sexuality.

I hate Middle English. I hate Medieval scholars. I hate this paper.

And as for the Grail, yeah, I hate that too.