Media Monday

Sitting in my office (just a few hours every couple days, as per my part-time schedule) with a widescreen monitor, I wait for a phone call.  Not a specific phone call, just any.  Inevitably, even on a Monday evening, someone will call inquiring about the arts organization for which I work—whether concerning ticket prices or subscriptions, or the failings of our website or program choices (as if I have any say in any of this).  But until that ring, I have the entire Internet before me.  And usually I peruse just a few sites regularly while catching up on bits of news, listening to music, instant messaging a friend, or watching a game or video.  This time around, I came across some new bands and interesting videos I would like to share with you.

First, the music.  Once again, NPR exposed me to a few songs that struck me, well, as enjoyable.  Either they were just pure fun—the Smith Westerns—or had a sound and groove that I may like to emulate if I ever get around to making my own music, as is the case with Burnt Ones and Demon’s Claws.  Maybe it’s just a matter of the selected songs outshining their others, but I will certainly investigate the bands themselves further. 

Speaking of back catalog and further listening, NPR provided in their First Listen Series songs from an album of Bruce Springsteen songs recorded in the late Seventies but never released (until now) due to a hiatus in his career brought by on certain lawsuits.  Just as with Bob Dylan, I am familiar with Springsteen’s work, but never really gave it much of a listen.  And just as with Dylan’s bootleg album I mentioned a few weeks ago, these unreleased songs are a fantastic introduction to Springsteen and prompt me to listen to more of his music from this era.  In these songs I was amazed to hear in the E Street Band the precursor to The Arcade Fire and other ensemble bands, as well as to learn that he wrote “Because the Night” and that only because Patti Smith was in the recording studio next to his that she got the opportunity to record this song—one of her most popular singles. 

And now, the vids.  Continuing with the music theme, the November 4^th episode of the Colbert Report featured an interview with Elvis Costello, and closed with a duet sung by Colbert and Costello.  I don’t know why, but I just like this. I do perhaps because it is an uncanny way to end the show, but also for the opportunity to see a sincere Stephen Colbert (singing!) rather than his character.   

One of the sites I regularly visit while at the office, is Andrew Sullivan’s Daily Dish.  Some days, the articles infuriate or intrigue me.  Other days, I’m drawn to his “Mental Health Breaks” or poetic posts.  Although a video, this is not meant to secure one’s mental health.  Watch.  Yeah, I know.  Something that just has to be seen—a message that can’t effectively be conveyed any other way. 

Perhaps you’re sitting in an office yourself, reading this. I hope that I may have improved upon the dull, numbing milieu weighing on your shoulders, your eyelids … Wake up!  Fine, if you're so desperate, maybe Ok GO will keep you entertained:


This Too Shall Pass (Rube Goldberg version):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

and This Too Shall Pass (marching band version):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJKythlXAIY

WTF: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zJw9varYE

and End Love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2fpgpanZAw