The Stargazer Lilies - Heaven and Hell

I've been pulled into a swirling maelstrom. I am barely able to keep from drowning under its dreadful violent crushing currents. Even with every ounce of strength that I can muster, I surely must barely appear as more than a limp lifeless corpse, debris. But I know I must persist, for such is the duty of the living. In the cacophonic chaos that compels me, I hear a muted muffle. A sirenic sound that reminds of the world above, piercing into this deafening void. Truly a union of Heaven and Hell.

"Heaven and Hell" by The Stargazer Lilies from their 2016 album Door To The Sun

The Tragically Hip - The Darkest One

RIP John Dunham and Gord Downie.

"The Darkest One" by The Tragically Hip from their 2002 album In Violet Light

Beck - Morning

Woke up this morning ... and that was sort of it. Didn't have to work, didn't have to ... anything. Looked out the window and saw ... nothing ... nothing of significance. Bury me back beneath the blankets.

"Morning" by Beck from their 2014 album Morning Phase

Lotte Kestner - Off White

I've been listening to Anna-Lynne Williams in her various forms over the past few years: Trespassers William, Ormonde, and her solo work under Lotte Kestner. She recently released a cover album shrewdly named Covers. She has a very distinctive voice ... it seems to naturally carry a haunting quality ... and it melds exceedingly well in the acoustic space that Covers fills. There are certainly more than a few recognizable songs on this album but immediately "Alison" (Slowdive), "Fade Into You" (Mazzy Star), and "Do You Realize?" (The Flaming Lips) stood out for me. The certainly isn't a paucity of covers for the latter two songs but these ones by Anna-Lynne certainly have left their marks.

Anyway, I actually can't find any links of the songs to embed here for whatever reason.

Oh, look, she also released a full album recently too. Great.

"Off White" by Lotte Kestner from her 2017 album Off White

Temples - Strange Or Be Forgotten

Oh, never made a Temples post before. Well, here it is. "Strange Or Be Forgotten" ... por que no los dos ... ? ... whatever.

"Strange Or Be Forgotten" by Temples from their sophomore 2017 album Volcano

Japanese Breakfast - Boyish

Finally got to see Japanese Breakfast last night. It's been a long time coming and I've been waiting for this since last April when I narrowly missed them because of work the next day -_-. Well, the show was nothing less than spectacular. They played a great energetic set balanced with a more intimate interlude featuring a mix of songs from their first and second albums. A really great treat for me as they played all the songs I were hoping they would. I really got a feeling of elation that I hadn't felt in a while. Like the Hundred Waters concert, it honestly did not matter one bit that I went alone.

Their sophomore album Soft Sounds From Another Planet features a combination of rock interspersed with electronic elements as well as acoustic pieces. It's definitely one of the albums I can listen from front to back without problem. Songs that particularly stand out for me include "Boyish", "12 Steps", "The Body Is A Blade", and "This House".

Well, I'll certainly keep an eye out for the next time they're here.

"Boyish" by Japanese Breakfast from their 2017 album Soft Sounds From Another Planet

I Have A Tribe - Casablanca

That was not the best staycation I've ever heard. After some fireworks, fire fighting, and reignition, we're now on a definite hiatus ... I guess we finally reached some point of breaking beyond the grasp of our patience. This other song by I Have A Tribe suddenly becomes relevant. I've put the lyrics below. While this is temporary, who knows what will become of us after the smoke settles. Much like in Casablanca when Rick tells Ilsa "Here's looking at you kid" ... he's glad he was able to see her (again) and then wishes her luck ... who would be able to say if they would ever be able to see each other after the departure. So ... here's looking at you kid. Full lyrics below.

"Casablanca" by I Have A Tribe from his 2016 album Beneath A Yellow Moon

i've not been so wild in years
but if you set it out for me
i'll convince you that it's fine

of all the bars in all the world
all the head and all the girls
this resides inside my mind

i know you hurt
i fell apart
they're only words
to trick your heart

here's looking at you kid
here's looking at you kid
here's to everything we did
here's looking at you kid

i hope this letter finds you well
return address is send to hell
baby i won't stay here long

'cause it's a gift of mine to choose
a route with nothing left to lose
where all the pain and shame is gone

you know i think
the next move is wrong
but i'll fix the drinks and put the right records on

here's looking at you kid
here's looking at you kid
here's to everything we did
here's looking at you kid

i think i met her on the moon

i think she came and shared my room

and left a note i later read

it made me strong then i grew weak

it made me long to be asleep

i don't remember what it said

i miss your face

i miss your heart

i miss your taste

i'm in the dark

here's looking at you kid
here's looking at you kid
here's to everything we did
here's looking at you kid

is there a place where we could meet

some place we are not let speak

we only move in the moving slope

a place we go, begin again

a place for open-wounded men

if you get here, let me know

give me your hand

pass me the stone

you understand you will never be alone

here's looking at you kid
here's looking at you kid
here's to everything we did
here's looking at you kid

i see this tide's begun to drift

i see the moon's begun to shift

and i think it's time we moved on

so tell me what it is you know

tell me, please, so i can go

i know i chose to be your pawn

so get back up

go get along

you must stay tough, punk

the road is long

here's looking at you kid
here's looking at you kid
here's to everything we did
here's looking at you kid

Hundred Waters - Wave To Anchor

Went to the Hundred Waters show last night. Went alone, thought it'd be kinda weird, it was not. It was a very good concert, I'm very glad I went ... also, glad I listened to the album beforehand, certainly added to the experience. A very earnest performance from all the members. I would say that about the opener too (next post) so ... maybe that's just a normal thing ...?

The songs I especially enjoyed from last night were songs that I liked from the album as well namely "Wave To Anchor", "Parade", "At home & in my head", and "Blanket Me". It was also nice hearing them play "Murmurs". After the set, frontwoman Nicole Miglis came back for a short but sweet acoustic performance of "Show Me Love" from their first album. After noticing that the couple in front were singing on point with her, they ended up harmonizing together to end off the night. Don't think there could've been a better way to end it.

Great concert. Probably would've been better if it weren't on a Monday but luckily I'm not working this week. Bahaha.

"Wave To Anchor" by Hundred Waters from their 2017 album Communicating

I Have A Tribe - After We Meet

Day 1 of my staycation.

Sitting at the coffee shop waiting until the concert i will be going to alone starts.

I'm going to take this opportunity to be hyperintroverted and hyperpensive.

Not really sure if that'll amount to anything.

Maybe something will inspire in the next week.

Anyway, I sit here waiting. Listening to I Have A Tribe's "After We Meet". It feels like it should mean something to me. I don't know if it does. Couldn't find the lyrics online. So I transcribed them myself.

It's the Soundcloud embed because the version on YouTube with the music video is another more upbeat version ... but that takes away from his piercing howling musical pleas. Also, that version's not actually on the album, which is what I wanted to share in the first place.

"After We Meet" by I Have A Tribe from the 2016 album Beneath The Moon

maybe tomorrow

under some cave

we'll see the future

and i'll look away

the point of beginning is

where we will hide

they give up the chase soon

they rest for the night

after we meet

after we sleep

after we howl

after we grieve

after the fire

burns out the day

we make this love

we cannot stay

maybe tomorrow

we'll plant a seed

and out of the ground grows

all we will need

now after the work's done

he burns the sage

and every thing heavy

is gone on its way

after we meet

after we sleep

after we howl

after we grieve

and after the fire

burns out the day

we make this love

we cannot stay