i tell you miserable things after you are asleep

In the wild land around the farm, there is constant change, yet it feels timeless. The beeches and hemlocks along the creek look the same. The ship-rock that always seems to be sinking in the middle pasture hasn’t sunk an inch in all this time. This is a rabbit year, but these look like the identical rabbits I saw a few years ago.

None of this is true in the garden. You can plant for shape, color, scent, whatever you like. But unless you confine yourself completely to annuals, you’re cultivating your consciousness of time. Every garden leaves the traces of its origin in the gardener, which means that it’s hard to look at even the maturest beds and borders without remembering the digging and planting and waiting it took to bring them to this point.

- Garden Time by Verlyn Klinkenborg


Ra Ra Riot - Boy
Ra Ra Riot having laid low for a little, except for Wes Miles who was active with Rostam Batmanglij as Discovery, are back with a new offering simply titled "The Orchard". Apparently the tracks have been out for a little more than a couple of weeks. A real nippy number, it's perky and Wes Miles' vocals drip with earnestness and longing. The hooks are definitely present but their signature strings are pretty much non existent here. Obviously, these guys are back and ready to roll.

Ra Ra Riot - Too Dramatic
You know what they say about the apple not falling too far from it's tree. Well, it's analogous to some extent. It's real rambunctious pop, with lovely interplay between their strings and drums/guitar. It segues real neatly as he croons about over-dramatic girlfriends that is beyond his comprehension.

Yeasayer - Madder Red
Yeasayer are up with their usual unusual stuff. The tribal melodies that permeate is part of the overall package that is an experimental yet folk-ish sound balanced with some slightly vague lyricism. The might seem pretentious and thought of as trying too hard initially, but I actually warmed up to the song after 2 listens. If you strip away the heavy sounds, the song might actually appeal to even more, but this is Yeasayer for you. Here's the official video. But it is really queer and disturbing (in a non gory/grisly manner). Check it out if you want, but it's highly likely to put one off.

The National - Conversation 16
I'm not exactly sure why I'm only posting this song now. Somehow, their new album "High Violet" didn't register with me. I don't know why. But the odd listens here and there, and suddenly I'm taking to most of this album, particularly Conversation 16. I think it's understated brilliance. Introspective and mellow; sombre yet glorious, the drums fill out the very little space left by Matt Berninger's deep and curiously affecting baritone. It resonates within you, and singing about zombies, be it metaphorical or literal, makes you wonder what is going through his mind. It could be an epiphany, but whatever it is, this is utter satisfaction.