Placebo Works Better

Placebo is the best band in the world in my opinion, and it’s one of the most underrated ones. I’ve been an ardent fan of theirs since about 2000, if not earlier (maybe not as long as No Doubt’s, but I stopped loving No Doubt the moment Gwen started whoring herself out). Not only is Brian Molko a handsome fox, but he’s also got quite a big mouth. Oh yeah, and did I tell you he wears make up since 12? A man open about his sexuality, quite a novel, especially back in 1994.

I missed their concert in Vancouver back in 2003, and that made me incredibly sad. But I won’t miss any more concerts, especially since their 7th studio album, Battle For The Sun, is set for release on June 8, 2009! Go download the title track for free, right here or straight from this post. Now I would like to shut up and instead share my favorite Placebo tracks with you. Even if you never listened to this British band before, now is your chance. Click on the link, and you’ll be able to download directly from MediaFire.

• Special K – the slow, acoustic version. Special K is also my nickname. I could barely find the mp3 second time my computer died, and I have since then copied this track in many locations so as to never lose it again.
• Without You I’m Nothing - dear Mr David Bowie, Molko’s friend, has done a swell job here.
• Every You, Every Me – Who can ever forget this track from Cruel Intentions?
• Haemoglobin – first sentence: “I was hanging from a tree / Unaccustomed to such violence / Jesus looking down on me/ I’m prepared for one big silence”
• Slackerbitch – I used to really love screaming “fag hag whore, looks real cute, her lips are sore” during this song
• Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush cover) – simply beautiful, just as good as the original!
• Twenty Years – I’d say this is the song that marks the shift to more grown up material
• Protect Me From What I Want – really a sad song; I’ve grown to think that it has to do with a craving for drugs, thanks to this song painting a bleak vision of our world… or some part of it.
• Nancy Boy – a Placebo classic! Eyeholes in a paper bag / Greatest lay I ever had Kind of guy who mates for life / Gotta help him find a wife
• English Summer Rain – poor L-town. It’s a fun track when you’re on the run or hating Londinium
• Meds – it features VV of The Kills, not that I’m familiar with those, but nevertheless. “Babyyyy, did you forget to take your meds?”
• Blind – I find this song pretty romantic, poignant and utterly emotional… Sob sob sob
• Pure Morning – ok, this is on here because that’s the first Placebo video I’ve ever watched and my first comments were, “wtf, what a weird girl!” Then I inquired further, and everything changed.
• **New!** Battle For The Sun – the title track from the upcoming album!

Filed under: Great Products , mp3, music, obsessions, placebo, pop culture, product

Symphony is the new… err, what do kids listen to?

Perhaps the years of Russian schooling taught me to love classical music. I’d like to think it’s the fact that in grade 6 we listened to, discussed and thoroughly studied Grieg’s Peer Gynt, the fate-knocking-on-your-door Beethoven’s Symphony No 5 and the like. I can appreciate any instrumental music (unless it’s downright whack, nonsensical and devoid of all talent), and am particularly fond of the violin.

Couple of weeks ago it struck me as odd that I haven’t been to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since I moved to Toronto. Two weeks ago I had a wonderful opportunity to see Midori in action, thanks to TSO’s affiliation with our League of Kickass Under 30. Her performance was mesmerizing, a performance that reminded me of a swan in agony or a very skillful 80’s dancer. Her body was part of the violin, the notes sending shocks all over her, making her move to the sound of music. Powerful. We then had an opportunity to talk to the conductor Jun Maerkl at the Lexus Lounge.

Immediately after the performance, I signed up for TSO’s Soundcheck program, which offers discounted (and I mean, discounted – $12) tickets for any seat in the house, provided you are under 29! The guy next to you paid $100+ for his ticket, while you’re enjoying a $12 deal. Jeremy and I went to see The Damnation of Faust by Berlioz, conducted be Dutoit, last Thursday. A showstopper it was – skillful orchestra, and divine choir, as well as the doubly divine children’s choir, not to mention the powerful voices of Faust and Mephistopheles got me hooked. I am already planning my purchases of Mahler’s Symphony No 6, Prokofiev and Ravel, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Bartok and Strauss. now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened (ee cummings)

Filed under: simple life , culture, interests, music, poem, toronto, tso

You Like Girls? You Have to Know About Fashion Too

“…And that’s the way it is. That’s what I wanted to say.” 1 2 3 4 by Miss Kittin & The Hacker (download the MP3). I’ve grown increasingly annoyed with my wardrobe, as I still possessed 4-5 year old items that I would never wear again, despite my stubborn belief that I might use them. Last month I donated 2 garbage bags full of clothes, and I’m not done yet. My current wardrobe seemed disappointing too, as it represented a cool, eccentric university student look too much; the jackets, winter boots and sweaters were becoming a too old or too cute for my liking. So I decided to buy new pieces in line with the hip, sophisticated young woman image.

On a mission to sync my wardrobe with my new attitude and lifestyle, I randomly stumbled on a Henrik Vibskov unisex black crinkle trenchcoat at Delphic (they’ve got amazing stuff). Luckily it was on sale. I love its lightweight and interesting paper-like texture, metallic tone, and waterproof and windproof features. My interpretation is on the right (the belt makes all the difference), pardon the poor photo quality.

I also found a perfect elongated cardigan online, since the stores had either incredibly expensive goods (Henrik Vibskov yet again), or plain cardigans in boring colors. I found a Grey Ant knit cardigan ($352) at 75% off. More Henrik Vibskov – black stretch twill pant, originally priced at $236, and reduced to $59. If that isn’t great value for wardrobe defying pieces, then I don’t know what is. Can’t wait for them to arrive. Can’t wait for Jeffrey Campbell biz bootie – a perfect flat bootie with buckle detail, – to show up in the inventory, too.

Filed under: moving up , self, music, mp3, photos, changes, improvements, development, fashion, city life

15 years old again

Here is how it is: I laugh at the audience of preadolescent gals – or adolescent? Heck, let’s just say, tweens, – frenzying it up for some teenage vampires. Oh, and I don’t even know what the movie is about, and what sort of hilarity we are destined to see. And hilarious it is. Except that on the 55th minute you rapidly start swaying towards the gentlemanly Edward Cullen. Later on, one clues in that no 17- or 25-year old would ever act so nobly; it takes approximately 100 years to figure out how to treat a woman (girl in this case) right.

And yes, I remember how I used to love, love, love Anne Rice’s novels (that, last time I checked, still held the top of mind place in consumers’ minds), and vampire Lestat, and vampire Armand. I gave up on all of that. Ad then True Blood sucked me back into it. And so did the Lancome Piha Black lipgloss over their red lipstick a la Louboutin sole of a shoe.

And then this Twilight thing came out. I don’t mind admitting that I appreciate Robert Pattinson’s exterior, thank God for our same-agedness. If he was a tad bit younger, I would have to reconsider. All right, Edward Cullen, take me away! I am, too, a fan of Debussy’s.

PS. This review made me laugh so hard, I nearly had to rush to the washroom. Bagels, doom, and proletarian demands. I say, get them while they’re young!

Filed under: simple life , film, fun time, marketing, movies, music, obsessions, pop culture, product, review, twilight

finally, video time

As some of you may know, I have a big pile of videos to plow through and chop up and post. Slowly, but surely, things are happening.

Below are the videos of Egyptrixx and then Alias playing at the CMJ Palms Out Sounds party on October 24, 2008. Cool beans.

Conversations that followed after.

Next Friday, on November 21st there will be partyyyy with Alias, Egyptrixx and Sek One heating things up. Augusta House in Kensington, everybody.

Filed under: simple life , music, new york, palmsout, video

this shit ain’t rocket science

Just because I haven’t had the time to update does not mean that I haven’t been enjoying things.

My midterms and cases reap solid results, and I am happy. I’ve got some more projects and assignments coming up, but I am happy about them.

This Friday Dave, Darren, Jon, Eric and I are going to New York, because the first two are playing at the Palms Out party. If you’re in NY, come see Egyptrixx and Alias play the Whiskey party at the 205 bar (205 Chrystie @ Stanton, Lower East Side). I am happy to show my friends my New York and all the quality places that I approved In the past, I used to go there for a person, now I am going for myself and to have a great time with friends. It’s going to be a blast!. The picture on the left was taken in February 2007 (lower east side, btw).

D and I went to the awesome Full Moon Vegetarian restaurant on Dundas & Denison in Toronto. I was quite impressed by the quality of their food, and especially the “mock duck/pork/beef/etc”. Great options there.

PS. Kid Kudi is not bad. Grab his Day N Nite.

PPS. Please, also subscribe to The Economist. I am addicted myself. And student rates are fabu.

Filed under: moving up , food, memories, music, toronto, travels, fun time, friends, new york, excitement

Stevie Nicks “On The Edge of Seventeen” + Mp3 Download

This would have been more relevant a while back, but it’s nevertheless an amazing song. Ah, the seventeen year old me ! Stevie Nicks “Edge of Seventeen” (click to download)

Just like the white winged dove…
Sings a song…
Sounds like she’s singing…
Whoo… whoo… whoo…
Just like the white winged dove…
Sings a song…
Sounds like she’s singing…
Ooo baby… ooo… said ooo

And the days go by…
Like a strand in the wind…
In the web that is my own…
I begin again
Said to my friend, baby…
Nothin’ else mattered

He was no more… than a baby then
Well he… seemed broken hearted…
Something within him
But the moment… that I first laid…
Eyes… on… him… all alone…
On the edge of… seventeen

Filed under: Quotable , memories, mp3, music