l'esprit ailleurs.

This is the album I’ve been listening to by far the most recently; full of varied tracks but it’s some of the Eno-style ambient tracks that enthral the most, devoid of a beat but providing particularly striking combinations of tone and tension. It’s especially potent in the pre-slumber stages of the early hours (perhaps my preferred time to listen to most music that requires some ethereal detachment). Link.

Four Tet’s new album has of course been heavily played, though not enough for me to fully formulate my opinion on it, which will almost certainly be positive. Most of my other recent musical endeavour has been devoted to further exploration of those shoegaze bands that I haven’t yet indulged properly (rare Chapterhouse gig at Scala anyone?). Grizzly Bear and Beach House should also be huge, I await eagerly.

I haven’t watched too many memorable films recently, although Departures (おくりびと) springs to mind as a highlight. It’s subtly stirring tale of awkwardness and acceptance particularly tempered by the sort of soaringly beautiful musical score Joe Hisaishi is so adept at creating.

Still trudging through the general post-New Year hangover: although there have been some moments of January hedonism its mainly been the same old. Off to New York (for the first time) in a couple of weeks, however, and I’m suitably excited about popping my Big Apple cherry, until which I will entertain myself with my beer-brewing kit and a book of Japanese.

On an end note, I had just finished reading Catcher in the Rye again thus the recent death of J.D. Salinger carried particular weight. RIP (although I am certain Holden Caulfield will be cynically meandering through the streets of New York and the minds of readers for years to come).

‘The rage for what is called ‘originality’ is pushed to such a length in these days that even children are not considered promising, unless they attempt things preposterous and unparalleled. From his earliest hour, the ambitious person is told that to make a road where none has walked before, to do easily what it is impossible for others to do at all, to create new forms of expression, are the only recipes for genius; and in trying to escape on all sides from every resemblance to his predecessors, he adopts at once an air of eccentricity and pretentiousness.’

Edmund Gosse, Father and Son

One of the books I’m reading for my course at the moment. An incisive view of the overarching desire for novelty; then in Victorian as opposed to modern times. Not that I would prefer banality or complete lack of innovation, of course.

Open both this and this at the same time.

Appreciate result.

unexpected brilliance!

here

Wow.

From snuh.