MOG - Amy E's Posts

Best/Worst Cab Ride Ever

Amy E — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:05:36 GMT

I totally got this from dooce Which you should definitely check out just for the sarcasm factor.

This is one of the most amusing/disturbing music videos I've seen in awhile:

The most interesting aspect is, other than the disco ball and car splitting at the end, that it reminds me of a cab ride I took in small town Texas when I was 16. Yes, there are cabs in small town TX. Or at least there are one or two per county. And actually, come to think of it, this was my first cab ride ever. Probably why I have an aversion to cabs.

Anyway, as you can imagine cabbies in Texas aren't really cleaning up and therefore are some of the most disgruntled employees ever. This one in particular was a dumpy, faded looking middle aged woman with overly large glasses and long ratty hair. Not particularly threatening in other words. My friend and I hopped in fully expecting that we would be home in ten minutes.

We gave her directions and just as we're pulling out her cell phone starts ringing. And ringing. and ringing... She picks up and all of sudden we're in the middle of a screaming, cursing domestic dispute between her and her apparently drunk husband. Mean while in the back, Heidi and I are slowly but surely beginning to cower into the farthest corner, trying to pretend that we can't hear what's being said. Next thing we know, she's hung up and is turned completely around in the seat, while still speeding down the main street in town (i.e. the only one with traffic on it) ranting about how all men should be castrated and what a lousy drunk her husband is and would we mind if she went to get her daughter from him it's just a couple minutes away.

Being sixteen and young and dumb and bored, we say sure, no problem. I mean what the hell else are we going to be doing tonight anyway? It turns out "a couple of minutes away" means a thirty minute drive over to another town into the middle of f-ing nowhere. We end up outside a trailer in the middle of a huge field. When she cuts the car off, its impossible to see more than a couple inches in front of your face. This is when I start to get really nervous. She heads into the trailer and a couple minutes later comes sprinting out holding a screaming three year old in pajamas with hubbie close on her tail. She essentially throws the three year old into my lap starts the car up and begins to back out. Next thing I know, hubbie is banging on my window with both fists hard enough to make my head bounce off it and screaming obscenities.

We managed to get out of there without being shot or beaten and spent the rest of the car ride listening to this woman's life story. Long and hard and saddly not atypical of the place we lived in. And an hour and a half after getting into that cab we finally make it back to my house.

Since then, I've taken one cab ride.

Wow, I suck at posting...

Amy E — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:17:40 GMT

So I haven't posted in three weeks and Mog is looking pretty different. What's this share button about anyway? Anyway aside from talking about how lazy I am at posting, I actually wanted to talk about music.

Right now I'm addicted to this song by Francoise Hardy (who, according to some celebrity face matching site, is the ONLY celebrity I look like. I guess I just don't have a face for the masses sigh). Anyway it's very upbeat and makes me think of a '60's beach party complete with capri pants and helmet hair. It makes me wish I could speak French. Or at least get away with capri pants.

I Hope We Both Die

Amy E — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 05:30:40 GMT

I hope that our few remaining friends Give up on trying to save us I hope we come up with a failsafe plot To piss off the dumb few that forgave us I hope the fences we mended Fall down beneath their own weight And I hope we hang on past the last exit I hope it's already too late And I hope the junkyard a few blocks from here Someday burns down And I hope the rising black smoke carries me far away And I never come back to this town Again in my life I hope I lie And tell everyone you were a good wife And I hope you die I hope we both die

I hope I cut myself shaving tomorrow I hope it bleeds all day long Our friends say it's darkest before the sun rises We're pretty sure they're all wrong I hope it stays dark forever I hope the worst isn't over And I hope you blink before I do Yeah I hope I never get sober And I hope when you think of me years down the line You can't find one good thing to say And I'd hope that if I found the strength to walk out You'd stay the hell out of my way I am drowning There is no sign of land You are coming down with me Hand in unlovable hand And I hope you die I hope we both die

I can't decide why I enjoy this song so much. It's not the usual laughing at the irony type of reaction that most people seem to have.

I find it oddly endearing and sweet. Maybe it's because it reminds me of a particular relationship I once had and those of many people close to me. Most everyone seems to have that one relationship based solely on proving how much you can suffer for the other person.

Or maybe it's because deep down I'm the ultimate pessimist.

Great Hanging Out Mix

Amy E — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:32:51 GMT

I never got around to making that Ohio mix before I headed out for the holidays but thanks to my cousin-in-law Kate, I've found my new favorite mix. We listened to it on repeat for several hours while playing Apples-to-Apples (which I could do another entire post on, expounding on the wonderfullness of this game).

She makes a mix every birthday for her older sister. This one is making me want to ask for copies of all the previous mixes going back to '96.

Playlist posted in the first comment.

Layered Samples...yum!

Amy E — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 01:16:21 GMT

The Go! Team has me hooked. I've only heard one song, Lady Flash, but it's dense with layered samples and instruments on top.

It's so well put together it's hard to tell which parts are the band and which are samples. I haven't heard any indie electronic pop this well done. It's luciously poppy, shake your ass kind of music. Well chosen samples and the lead female vocals exceed most I've heard recently. Plus it sounds like it was all recorded in someone's garage.

Is this a common style of music coming out of Brighton? I'd like some more if anyone can suggest similar bands.

Traveling Mix

Amy E — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 18:44:11 GMT

My daughter and I are headed to Ohio in a couple days and I'm trying to make a mix related to the state (just for the hell of it really). I figure it will get me geared up for 3 weeks in the midwest. Here's what I have so far:

Pretenders-Ohio Modest Mouse-Ohio Neil Young-Ohio (notice a theme yet?)

Songs don't neccesarily need to have Ohio in the title. Maybe some bands from the state? Or any events occuring there?

Anyway, I need your help Mog! Give me some recommendations, pleeeeaaaassse.

Lots of Synth

Amy E — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 04:45:31 GMT

The Fitness have some witty lyrics. Will post in a comment since I feel like I'm taking up half the Mog-o-sphere with my last post.

My First Mix Tape

Amy E — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 03:33:51 GMT

Inspired by Dale's post I decided to review my first mix tape. This was sent to me via snail mail and yes it is an actual tape. My cousin Kelly created this masterpiece in maybe '96 or '97. I was just entering high school and had begun to get involved in the local punk scene (which was surprisingly good for small town Texas). It's been a couple years now since I've been able to listen to it, since I don't own a tape player anymore, but I refuse to get rid of it because I absolutely love it. Plus some of the songs cannot be found anywhere today and I'm convinced at some point I will drag my ass down to Target and spend a few bucks on one of those mini boombox things they sell.

Anyway, so here's a run down of the playlist and some commentary:

1. Chesterfield King-Jawbreaker: Still love this band, though they have been defunct for quite a few years now. There a good straddle of rock and emo, with punk drumming/chords but more intelligent lyrics than anything I had heard at the time. Plus Blake Schwarzenbach has this perfectly raspy yet tender voice I just love. This one has managed to make its way back into my digital collection.

2. Sister-Jawbreaker: see gushing above.

3. 21 Days-Blink 182: Typical Blink 182 fair prior to becoming overly popular with pre-pubescent boys. I love this song though because it always reminds me of one of my first concerts. I'd snuck away from a lame theater conference I was attending at UT Austin and met my cousin Kelly in downtown Austin. Blink was playing on a stage set up in the street and there were maybe two hundred people there. This was '97 just before they broke into major punk-pop stardom. And they were everything that you could ask for from a punk show.

4. Tucked In-Boys Life: I remember enjoying this song but never really listened to anything else by this band.

5. Without Doubt-Boys Life

6. The Ego Has Landed-Shaft El Grupo de Rock: These guys were from my hometown of Lake Jackson, TX. This is one of those songs that is absolutely irreplaceable. The were sent a cease and desist letter when the Shaft movie came out in the late '90s and were forced to change there name and quit selling there old merchandise. Seriously a wonderful band and if any Austinites out there have any of their stuff digitized, I'd love to get my hands on it.

They always put on awesome shows. Their drummer, my friend Terry, is still one of the best I've ever seen (now with a band called Pretty The Quick Black Eyes, also amazing). They went from Shaft to Superfirst to Pan American Standard, and they were still playing regularly at the Flamingo Cantina in Austin last time I checked.

7. When You Were Mine-Shaft: A Cyndi Lauper cover and my favorite version of this song.

8. Thickass Stout-Skankin Pickle: Hey it was middle of the ska punk era.

9&10. Second Place and Mass Pike- The Get Up Kids: Emo punk at its best. Still one of my favorites. Listen to Four Minute Mile regularly.

11&12. J'nuh and Pillars- Sunny Day Real Estate: I'd hazard a guess that Sunny Day Real Estate could be held up as the epitome of emo. Seriously thought provoking albeit depressing lyrics.

Pillars, for example:

"Don't tell me you've gona astray I talk in circles Everlasting chains that bind my purpose Only I've seen a million things that tell me so"

I mean, can you get anymore emo than that?

13&14. Chinatown and Conrad-Jets to Brazil: Has a couple former members of Jawbreaker. Every decent emo-punk lover should have Orange Rhyming Dictionary. Still in rotation on my iTunes.

15. Rich Kid Shakedown-The Jazz June: Saw them live with said cousin when I finally moved my ass to Austin back in '00. Sadly, this was before I knew my own tolerance so I remember very little of the show. Or maybe that's just because I'm so damn short I can never see over anyone's head.

16. Unspoken Request-Boy Sets Fire

17, 18, & 19. Get Me, Thumb, Even You-Dinosaur Jr.: Everyone needs a little Dinosaur Jr. in their collection.

To top it off this was done on a CD-IT tape, the brightly colored ones that slide out of the case rather than being shut inside (ooh the technology!) and is covered in Japanimation stickers. Which really dates it, if the fact that it's a cassette tape doesn't date it enough.

But seriously, this was a mix that changed my musical tastes forever. It exposed me to a lot of bands I would not have heard of where I lived. And it saved me from the boy band craze that swept my high school shortly after receiving it.

So Dale, there are my suggestions ;)

Accessories

Amy E — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 20:13:49 GMT

So here's my new belt. I know it isn't exactly music related but I'm posting it for several reasons: 1) It makes me feel like a rockstar (especially the having a definable waist thing). 2) The stars make me think of Texas. Cheesey but true. 3) It only cost me $4 at a thrift shop and hey I need to brag to somebody.

But most of all it makes me nostalgic for the leather belt with my last name etched across the back that my grandfather gave me for my 6th birthday. If only it were big enough for me to wear now.

Tilt

Amy E — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:29:46 GMT

For all you Bay Area moggers, does anyone know what ever happened to Tilt? I heard they broke up quite awhile back but I'd especially like to know what happened with Cinder Block and whether she's done anything since.

I hate PayPal

Amy E — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:27:10 GMT

But sitting on hold for ages has allowed me to listen to some of my music for a change. And I love Tegan and Sara. I don't know much about their history but I always associated them with Belle and Sebastian which I don't care for. Maybe it was just the "blank and blank" titling.

Anyway, I really enjoy the clear vocals and lyrics like:

"Look me in the eye and tell me that you don't find me attractive Look me in the heart and tell me you won't go Look me in the eye and promise no love's like our love Look me in the heart and unbreak broken, it won't happen" -Where Does the Good Go?

"I feel like I wouldn't like me if I met me" -You Wouldn't Like Me

Not the most complicated stuff but sometimes some angsty teen love songs are just the thing you need. They remind me of a cleaned up (and poppier) version of this band Sarge that used to be in love with.

Props to 82times for the mix CD with these guys on it.

T-shirt and Panties

Amy E — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:03:07 GMT

Ignore the video, because it basically is just a still shot of a photo. But seriously listen to the whole song. This is my favorite chopped and screwed song because, well, it's completely disturbing. Keep in mind, that's a woman singing.

Monkey music

Amy E — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 01:20:09 GMT

I know this is probably old news to most mogsters, but the Arctic Monkeys are awesome. I got tired of reading all the references to looking good on the dancefloor (thanks anna ;) and decided to finally check them out.

I love how fast and unapologetic the music is. It's punk-ish without making me want to break things, more like just get up and dance.

This is especially helpful considering that the sun is setting at 4:30 and the grayness is starting to make me seriously depressed. These guys are making me get up and shake it instead of laying in bed moping.

And does the name Arctic Monkeys make anyone else think of that pic of a macaque in a hot spring in the mountains in japan? It was in national geographic or maybe time. Much like this one:

Ok maybe that's just the biology nerd in me coming out.

Slacker

Amy E — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:18:43 GMT

I haven't posted much this week because I've been volunteering at the SF Green Festival! It's awesome. So for all you peeps in the Bay Area you should get your asses down to the Exhibition Concourse Center (or something like that) on 8th and Bryant and check it out. It's $15 at the door but there are so many free samples, it's worth way more.

So far I've found these amazing hemp brownies (and I'm usually not a big hippy, hemp type) and some wonderful organic wine. Oh and soy jerky and tons of clothes I want and just some really great, thoughtful companies. Come check it out!

Aspiring musician

Amy E — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 17:31:55 GMT

Here's a clip of our daughter singing her first hit "Dolly, dolly, dolly, you look so pretty"

And yes, my husband put it on YouTube.

Please stop...

Amy E — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 17:08:12 GMT

I'm going through my music library trying to rate all this music I have. Normally, I wouldn't do this but I have 300 songs from a SXSW mix and some are amazing and some seriously suck. In this process I have started a list of artists I need to check out. Thanks to MOG this list has become ridiculously long. So please people just stop with the posts on good artists. Give me some posts about artists you absolutely can't stand so I can quite spending all my money on new music ;)

Girl Crush

Amy E — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 18:29:25 GMT

I have the biggest girl crush on Allison Goldfrapp. Based on nothing more than hearing Ooh La La. It makes me want to get dolled up and go out dancing. Seriously, I'm in love.

What's all the fuss about?

Amy E — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 17:22:13 GMT

It's been quite awhile since I bought a truly "new" album, i.e. completely unheard. Most albums I own are old favorites I'm replacing or have at least a few songs I have heard.

So I've read tons of reviews about how fantastic Rilo Kiley is and all their records have 4 1/2 stars and they seem to have been just an instant success. Plus, a couple friends have recommended them.

Anyway, I've listened to The Execution of All Things a couple times and I'm just not getting what all the fuss is about. I don't think they are bad or anything but the music just seems a little too "hipper than thou" for me. The really precisely pronounced lyrics, whiney backups, and random twangy background instrumentations...I'm just not feeling it.

They remind me of a watered down version of the band Sarge, which had much more biting lyrics and just overall rocked a little harder. I understand what Rilo Kiley is going for but I just think they over did the whole indie-band-experiementing-with-different-styles of music thing. It leaves the album feeling like a collection of weak versions of emo country songs.

Am I just missing something here? Should I try a different album first? Any body else feeling the same about this band?

White and Nerdy

Amy E — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 16:27:25 GMT

Some ex-coworkers of mine sent me this. I went through a Chamillionaire phase, so this is very appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw

Comfort Music

Amy E — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 21:50:32 GMT

It's odd how music can bring back really vivid memories. Almost like a smell. Since relocating to California, I've become a little homesick. I was trying to think of music/activities/etc. that remind me of home. And it's just really funny what came to mind.

1. Deep Purple- This was on steady rotation in my house as a child. Though I can't name a single album or song in particular, any time I hear them, I instantly think of my parents' living room. The one complete with avocado green couch and matching cut glass decantur set. Very seventies. Except it was the mid-eighties.

2. Led Zeppelin-yes my parents fancied themselves pot smoking rock stars.

3. The Who- I incessantly snuck this record out of my dad's record cabinet and would play it as quietly as possible. I can't recall which one it was, though it consisted of four records and tons of cover art. My father and I fought over ownership non-stop.

Thinking about all this made me seriously miss my vinyl. Or more specifically my dad's record collection which I've pined for, for years. He still refuses to give me even the duplicates. I think he plans to make them my inheritance.

And the smell of the inside of the record cabinet. I used to take naps in there next to the collection. I loved the smell of old paper and vinyl.

I guess I'll just have to save up and buy some seventies rock off of iTunes. It's just not the same as the old record player though.

I heart Modest Mouse

Amy E — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:59:22 GMT

After uploading a good portion of my old CDs, I realized how long it had been since I’d listened to a lot of these. I am so happy to have my Modest Mouse back!

It’s a little bittersweet though. The last time I listened to these guys, my daughter was a brand new little person. In fact I listened to them a lot while I was pregnant. It was a really difficult time. Learning to be a mother, a young mother. Still figuring out this whole marriage thing. Trying to recover from my own upbringing in time to be a good parent to my child. Just struggling to be an adult when deep down I still wanted to be a crazy teenager.

I’m so happy I made it through that period with minimal scarring to myself and to my family. I finally feel comfortable as a mother and wife. And I still love most of the things I did as a teenager.

I think Trailer Trash pretty much sums up where I started from. It’s the Modest Mouse song that gets to me the most because it captures such a perfect snapshot of growing up white trash and the music just elevates that feeling of melancholy.

So if you are one of the ten people who haven’t heard of them, check them out, specifically Lonesome Crowded West.

Damn I miss my CDs

Amy E — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 05:37:20 GMT

I'm finally uploading all my old CDs onto my macbook. Previously I shared a desktop with my husband, who is a total computer nerd (i.e. monopolizes the computer). So the macbook is MINE and I finally get to put my music on it.

Anyway, going through these I realize how many CDs I've lost to exes. Like all my Jawbreaker, Seaweed, The Cure...I'm sure there are others I can't remember, it's been so long. Not to mention my old vinyl. I'm down to only 3 records!

I guess I'll take it as a complement that my normally musically inclined string of exes would deem my CD collection good enough to raid when it was over. But damn I miss my music.

Check out my new bling

Amy E — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:28:44 GMT

I swear, the kid made me do it.

80's night anyone?

Amy E — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 22:40:44 GMT

I am really missing this 80's night I used to go to back in Austin, TX. It was like a New Order, Cure, Duran Duran type 80's night (not Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Poison, etc.). Does anyone know of any clubs that have an 80's night in the Bay Area? I'm in the South Bay but I'd be willing to drive into San Francisco to get my fix.

I like club music

Amy E — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 21:28:25 GMT

And I'm talking the crap most people bitch about. Think Justin Timberlake. Because sometimes a girl just has to shake her ass.

We're Sick

Amy E — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 23:13:29 GMT

And yet, somehow, she's still rocking out.

Laid back music

Amy E — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 17:30:45 GMT

I haven't checked out the rest of Karl Blau's album, but this song is a good drinking beer, just chillin' kinda tune. Makes me want to lay out on the lawn or head to the beach.

The "Rockin' Out to Le Tigre/Damn I Need a Haircut"Face

Amy E — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 17:28:16 GMT

I must be a loser

Amy E — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 22:02:37 GMT

1. This is my third post today. I think I'm officially an addict. 2. My top album is The Backyardigans. Wow, I really need to spend more time listening to my own damn music, instead of trying to appease the kid.

My husband, the feminist

Amy E — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 21:33:55 GMT

I love that my husband loves this song, introduced me to it, and owns an album called Hidden Vagenda. What more could a girl ask for?

Where is this album?

Amy E — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 21:22:51 GMT

So I just heard this great song, Look and Listen, by The Heavenly States. I really like it and I swear the violins in the background are playing the chorus of that Billy Joel song "We Didn't Start the Fire". Anyway, I was going to put a link to it on iTunes to see if anyone on here could verify that the background violins are indeed that Billy Joel song.

But it isn't on iTunes.

Even though I downloaded it from iTunes using a free giftcard given out at SXSW.

Does anybody know where I can get this? I prefer digital sources (hence iTunes) but I can go analog and buy the CD. :)

Amy E — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 23:28:57 GMT

I'm really diggin this song by Abigail Washburn. It's bluegrass, I think. At least the banjo makes me think of bluegrass. I won't pretend to be an expert. Anyway, check her out. Definitely different from my usual tastes.