Split Needles by The Shins
This is the song I can't get out of my head today:
I've done myself an impossible crime,
Had to paint myself a hole,
And fall inside,
If it's far enough in sight and rhyme,
I get to wear another dress,
And count in time,
Oh, won't you do me the favor, man,
Of a giving mind,
A polymorphing opinion here,
And your vague outline,
I'll find myself another burning gate,
A pretty face, a vague idea I can't relate,
And this is get what you get for pulling pins,
Out of the hole,
Inside the hole you're in,
It's like I'm posed on the handle bars,
Of a blind man's bike,
No straws to grab, just the rushing wind,
On the rolling mind,
La la la la la.
They want you to decide,
Eventually, it happens,
Some gather on one side,
With all their pearly snapping,
They close the basement door,
It sets our teeth to chatter,
You never saw it before,
But now that hardly matters,
You're old enough, boy,
Too many summers you've enjoyed,
So spin the wheel,
We'll set you up with some odd convictions,
Cause you're finally golden, boy.
It's like I'm posed on the handle bars,
Of a blind man's bike,
No straws to grab, just the rushing wind,
On the rolling mind.
So good.
Labels: inspiration, lyrics, music, song, the shins
The Year of the Concert
I used to go see a lot of shows when I lived in Windsor... mostly because this one guy I used to go out with, Ryan, was a HUGE music fan with impeccable taste, so we'd slum it over to Detroit every few weeks to see a show at St. Andrew's Hall, Cobo, or the Palace (I don't even know if these places are still called these names). The one thing Detroit/Windsor has over us here in Toronto- more acts go there.
I've seen Elliot Smith, Stereolab, Sonic Youth, the Dandy Warhols, Grandaddy, Sloan, Violent Femmes, the Breeders, Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, George Clinton, Pearl Jam, Coldplay, and of course, the Tragically Hip. Just to name a few. And I've got the concert tees to prove it!
this year, I think, I'll be seeing a bunch of shows. I just get the feeling. So far, I've seen The Shins (last night-
awesome show) and Sloan, and next weekend I'm going to see The Rheostatics. And I'm definitely buying tickets to the Virgin Festival this fall. I'll get to see the Smashing Pumpkins again! And Bjork's gonna be there! I also
need to see Sarah Harmer play live.
I can't wait- it's all gonna be so awesome. There's something about seeing a band play live; it shows us that the band members are real people- they make mistakes (like James Mercer forgetting the words last night- he so cute!), they interact candidly with each other and with the audience. You connect with them, even though they can't see you. I really dig it.
The one thing I've learned from all these year's of concert-going? The closer I am to the stage has a direct affect on how much I enjoy the show. If I can't feel the music in my chest and see the expressions on the musician's faces, it's hardly worth it. So who's up for some elbow action?
Labels: concert, music, sloan, smashing pumpkins, the shins, windsor
THE SHINS ARE COMING THE SHINS ARE COMING!!!
So yeah.
The Shins are coming to Toronto, and I can't wait to go see them. Tickets go on sale starting on Thursday, but I signed up for their fan club, so I can get advanced tickets. That's how much I love them!!! WOOOOOOOT!!!
So, I'm looking through some Shins lyrics right now... I was going to post my favourite song. But honestly, I love ALL of their songs. I also don't really listen to the lyrics all that much- I'm more of a melody girl. I know, I'm missing out. Anyways... here are the lyrics for one my
most favourite Shins songs... but you should listen to it, since the music is why I actually like it so much (also, I'm not sure how accurate these lyrics really are)! It's called
Pressed in a Book.
Doted on like seeds planted in rows
The untied shoelaces of your life.
Nurtured all year, then pressed in a book
Or displayed in bad taste at the table.
Problems arise, and you fan the fire.
While there's a wild pack of dogs loose in your house tonight.
Cut from bad cloth or soiled like socks
Add it up and basically people never change.
They just talk and make plans in the dark.
Or make haste with ideas that can't help but creep good people out.
As you talk to me, too much you're assuming.
We don't always want what's right.
Did I strike the right set of chords? You're annoyed.
The goal is to ignite you then move on.
You feel ill at ease, you got no squeeze.
And the wise cracks won't make you more stable.
You've learned your lines, to scale and to time.
Why must I remind you that I'm only less able.
Cut from bad cloth or soiled like socks.
We're ordinary people, we can't help but to...
Change as we walk and make plans in the dark.
Or make haste with the boy who can't help but creep good people out.
As you talk to me, too much you're assuming.
We don't always want what's right.
Two fallen saplings in an open field.
Snow padding gently on an empty bench.
Old woman's jewelry lying unadorned.
Cold nesting robins allied for the first time.
I know when you hear these sappy lines, you'll roll your eyes and say, "nice try".
Labels: concert, energy, events, inspiration, the shins
