Mar 12-14: Busy Paper-Writing and Songs I'm Diggin' On Lately

Beef Stir fry!

The best tomato soup I've ever made

Hello again. Sorry for the sparse posting this week - I have been quite busy writing papers these past few days! Luckily, things have been falling into place with that. Other news includes getting refunded a hefty sum that was stolen from my bank account, receiving my senior year housing assignment (Voute 206, BC friends), and making some delicious food, including a dressed-up tomato soup (spices, cheeses, etc), which I may have to make a regular part of my diet. Anyway, I've written a blurb about music I've been listening to lately as a reward for following my posts thus far. Thought you'd enjoy. If not, skip ahead:
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What's good?! Ever hear a new song that you just need to play over-and-over-and-over again? Or maybe re-discover something that has been out for quite sometime...and find yourself blaring every time your in the car, jogging, or just hanging out by yourself? You're not alone. The joy of new and old music is something awesome to experience. Here's some songs I've been diggin' on (click the links to listen!):

"1999" by Prince & The Revolution - (1982)

Look at this beautiful man

Maybe it's because I love synths. Maybe it's because Prince is awesome. I mean, really awesome. For some reason during these past few days, I absolutely CANNOT get this synth-hook out of my head. Oh wait, I know why! Because it's AMAZING. Honestly, I don't think I've ever been happier to have a song stuck in my head. Even if you find the lyrics corny, because, after all, we were able to survive two-thousand zero-zero and 1999 was just like any other year, you can't deny the incredible sonic experience that is music made by Prince. The 80's pop drums, the synth, the hair, the costumes, & THE REVOLUTION....I mean, what's not to love?

On a completely separate, introspective note (though I'm sure many can relate), I wonder if my love of music from the 80's and 90's would hold up had I been born in 1972 or 1982, instead of 1992. What I mean is, I would like to say I love the music of these eras 100% because of it being good music (and it is, don't get me wrong), but part of me wonders how much of that opinion lies in the fact that it is from a different time period than my own and therefore feels "different" or "classic" or "genuine" or "whatever-other-words-people-use-to-be-snobby-about-music". Taking that idea further, if it was possible to travel to the future, would I enjoy that music more or less? How would I assess it? Did I lose you? This is the stuff that keeps me up at night. Sorry. Let's snap back to reality.

"I Love It" by Icona Pop (feat. Charli XCX) - (2012)

Find the missing word!

I came across this song recently watching an episode of the HBO show Girls, where the main character freaked out to it high on coke. To be honest, I'm not sure why I watch Girls. I don't even really like the show. Seriously - it's not that good, it has bizarre and disgusting nudity, most of the characters are a losing combination of unlikeable and boring, and I don't find myself laughing as often I think I'm supposed to. However, in the world of compelling, drawn-out hour long shows, this is a nice 20-30 minute zone-out for me to basically hate-watch because I have this need to know nonsensical information, even if its not that entertaining. You find yourself watching a lot of TV you may not otherwise watch during your 'downtime' when studying abroad.

But enough about Girls. "I Love It" is pure fun. I want it to come on next time I'm on a dance floor. I want the build-up, the heavy bass and electro-beat. One particular phrase that carries on from this song is "90's bitch", which I know induces an odd sort of pride for fellow #90sKids. I'm not sure how my generation will be remembered or what legacy we will leave, but currently, this song basically sums up the live-in-the-moment attitude characteristic of many of high-school and college peers - I don't care/I love it. #YOLO

"London Calling" by The Clash - (1979)

Classic

This gem, without fail, comes on in nearly every pub I have been to in London during my travels. I couldn't be happier. This is what I want as an American in London. (Actually...this is what I want. Everyday. All day...but the world isn't perfect). Anyway, British people love British music. Even though this makes perfect sense, it sort of caught me off guard.

Example: I was recently hanging out with a flatmate the other night, listening to music, when I put "London Calling" on. Part of me expected an eye-roll - the same kind I may give if someone who came to Philly just put on the Rocky Theme Song and looked at me knowingly. Anyway, my flatmate got excited. I mean he was HYPED about this song. There were lots of British flavoured compliments hurled my way - "good call mate", "great track"....maybe the only felt British flavoured because of the accent, but still: this wasn't what I expected. Based off of hard evidence such as that one reaction and the fact that a lot of pubs play this song, I can now say with 100% certainty that British people love British music - as do I!

"Thrift Shop" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Wanz) - (2012)

Weird and Awesome, Inc.

As a student of hip-hop, I didn't think I would like Macklemore. My thought process was this: "Oh great, here's another white-bro-college rapper for white-college-bros" *DISCLAIMER: I may be white and in college, but I am most certainly not a 'bro'* .

However, this song is infectious. I mean...it really just wedges itself in your head. It doesn't take itself seriously, like many bro-college rappers try to do on some level. It's just pure fun. That beat. It won't go away. Now every time I pass by a thrift shop, I will think of this song. I will think about "poppin' tags" and avoid something that "smells like R-Kelly sheets". What I'm trying to say is that, Macklemore, you had me "Cold-Ass Honkey".

"If I Was President" by Wyclef Jean - (2004)

Would you vote for Wyclef?

I recently went through and watched every episode of Chappelle's Show, as I was inspired to be nostalgic by this excellently entertaining bracket-breakdown piece by Grantland's Rembert Browne. One episode from Season 2 that would always find its way onto Comedy Central's reruns was the one with musical guest star Wyclef Jean, later performing "If I Was President".

It's actually a pretty good song that I totally loved back in 2004, and forget about until seeing in passing some odd years later. Relaxing, political, dreadlocks. Wyclef 101, if you will. I miss Chappelle's Show. What a great time of life that was. Middle School  and High School are more and more fun to remember as time goes by. Honestly, I may do a hit list like this again and just go through songs that defined my age-group from when I was growing up. Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share a song you're diggin' on in the comments section!
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The rest of the week and weekend will be dedicated to limited fun and mostly editing my papers to turn in the day my family arrives - NEXT FRIDAY! I can't wait to see them! Hopefully I can continue to be productive until they get here. Enough though, time for bed.

Til then - Cheers.