Skipalong.

Artist of the Day: Better Than Ezra

Now, here’s an old favorite - Better Than Ezra. BTE is an American alternative rock band, so it seems I’m taking a break from indie today. I shuffled into the song “Breathless” and thought, how about giving this old-school alt-rock band the attention it deserves? The song got me at this line:

Come now running headlong into my arms.

There was a time I was purely into alternative rock, and Better Than Ezra is definitely one of the ‘better’ albeit less popular bands in that genre. 

A bit of background: Better Than Ezra was actually formed way back in 1988! I was only three years old that time! Anyway, they did take a hiatus in 1990 when the band’s former lead guitarist committed suicide. They came back and went indie in 1993, but was picked up by Elektra Records in 1995 and the rest was history. 

Their songs are mostly classic alt-rock, but they have this certain laid-back feel that makes their songs feel more natural and sincere. I’ve pretty much outgrown most of the bands I used to listen to in my alt-rock days, but this is one band that still dominates my playlist. Here are my favorites:

• Get You In 
• I Do
• Under You
• Closer
• Cry In The Sun
• Angel
• At The Stars

I think the first BTE song I heard and loved was “Our Last Night”:

You meant more to me then
Than I think you ever knew.
But you were going to be a doctor,
A movie star, a poet at a Nobel seminar,
I hope the world never tore that out of you.

Trivia: They also did a cover of Fast Cars, adding an alternative rock flavor to it, and the result is just beautiful. 

Artist of the Day: The Shins

I had a tough time with this post, mainly because I couldn’t choose a cover photo to use. The Shins, an American indie rock band fronted by James Mercer, is always represented by very nice artwork. The one I chose is a concert poster from 2004. 

There’s something about Mercer’s dry yet poignant voice; it dances between deep sensibility and detached resignation. The vocals give so much more meaning to their songs, as if the songs don’t have meanings enough. Just check out some of their lyrics.

My personal favorite is a song entitled A Call to Apathy (which is actually sometimes also called Gone for Good. I think A Call to Apathy was supposed to be a tentative title, but Gone for Good has a boyband ring to it so yes, A Call to Apathy it is - it’s so much more fitting):

You want to fight for this love
But honey you cannot wrestle a dove
So baby it’s clear
You want to jump and dance
But you sat on your hands
And lost your only chance

I like how it’s a sort of reprimand, a rebuke, that we people just keep letting our happiness slip away by not fighting and always letting our chances pass us by.

Another favorite is New Slang, which was featured in the musical-extravaganza-of-a-film, Garden State. This fact alone should be enough for you to want to check this song out. Zach Braff may not exactly be my favorite actor (haven’t forgiven him for bein’ such an ass on The Last Kiss - HAHA) but he definitely has one of the best musical tastes in the industry. 

Also, check out their other masterpieces:

• Know Your Onion
• Caring is Creepy
• A Comet Appears
• Kissing the Lipless

Here’s an interesting post about them: Music I Want My Children To Listen To. 

If you don’t step outside yourself, you’ll never discover who you are. - Jose Saramago

I came across this quote back in college, when I borrowed the book from the DLSU library. It is so simple, and yet it carried such a strong meaning. I didn’t really understand it at the time, but I took it down nevertheless. There was just something about the quote that told me that someday, I might be able to understand it. And I think it’s a good sign that, yes, now I do understand. 

Oh my, yes! If I had this photo several years ago, it could’ve saved me from a lot of discussion with my former Korean boss. :P

(Source: teachingliteracy)

Artist of the day: Ingrid Michaelson

This one’s for starting the day on a positive note. 

We have fallen down again tonight
In this world it’s hard to get it right
Try to make your heart feel like a glove
What it needs is love, love, love

Happy is the heart that still feels pain
Darkness drains and light will come again
Swing open up your chest and let it in
Just let the love, love, love begin

- Everybody, Ingrid Michaelson

This happy, upbeat song with a poignant yet positive view on life is from Michaelson’s new album, Everybody, which the artist describes as “completely autobiographical, snapshots of my life.”

Also, check out her duet with Joshua Radin, Sky, which is also one of my timeless favorites.

(Source: c-learmind)

I miss Grease! :)

(Source: thekaylabadger)