>>last song
This is a crazy thing to say in 2021, but I'm starting to think I've underappreciated Pearl Jam. Eddie Vedder's earnestness kind of cuts through the bullshit. My song of the day is "Even Flow," off the band's 1993 album Vitalogy.
"A little bit of this. A little bit of that. A pot, a pan, a broom, a hat. . ."—Anatevka, "Fiddler on the Roof." This is a blog about everything and nothing. A little parenting, a little humor, some poetry, news, essays, a lot of music. I don't want to waste your time, just send positive vibes into the blogosphere. Oh, yeah, my name is Sarah Torribio. Enough about me, how are you?
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Song of the Day: 'Cheer Up Baby' by Inhaler
Don't get me wrong. These guys aren't derivative. But Inhaler has the sophistication of the Strokes.
My song of the day, their "Cheer Up Baby," is pure and masterful rock--the kind that cleans out your head like a sonic Q-tip. The guitar riff is easy and abbreviated in manner of punk, which contrasts with a wall of sound so dense I have to listen hard to find the bass. And I play bass!
P.S.--I had the impulse to note that Inhaler's lead singer sounded like Bono of U2, but then I second-guessed myself. Come to find out, guitarist Eliza Hewson is none other than Bono's son.
Monday, March 15, 2021
Song of the Day: "Husavik (My Hometown") by Molly Sanden
I can't get the song that serves as the climax to the fine Netflix film "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" out of my head.
Rachel McAdams interprets the hell out of "Husavik (My Hometown)" by Molly Sanden, and Will Farrell chews the scenery even during his most subdued performance.
I keep listening to it and I keep singing it. The only thing is I'm at an impasse with the Icelandic parts. I'm gonna need to find a good immersive school, perhaps in Reykjavík.
While I'm at it, I'll also learn German to master the German versions of Nena's "99 Luftballoon" and Falco's "Der Kommissar."
PS-In another note I think the line, "Where the whales can live, 'cause they're gentle people in my hometown. . ." has nearly cleared me of my longstanding phobia of whales/whalesong.
PPS-Spoiler/cautionary note. When the final note hits, you might want to put down that fragile champagne flute.
PPSS-If this song doesn't win an Oscar for best song I'm gonna pull a Kanye and get up on stage saying, "Really? Really, y'all can't tell this is the best song ever?!"
--Sarah Torribio
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Friday, March 5, 2021
Random Musing: On an '80s Brat Pack masterpiece
Wanna know how much I like cheesy, post-college coming-of-age movie "St. Elmo's Fire"?
Maybe three times throughout the movie, this group of angsty young adults—friends on the edge of a nervous breakdown—chorus together, "A-booga-booga-booga, ha ha ha!" Even Rob Lowe puts down his sax to join the inside-joke refrain.
I'm such a super-fan of this movie, I've come up with a backstory to explain how this unifying ritual came about. It's illustrated fan fiction and it's on my Deviant Art account.
PS-I'm a sucker for Andrew McCarthy's sad and shadowed eyes. His is the very face of heartbreak.
PPS-Am I dating myself if I admit I had the 7" single featuring the Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire on one side and the title track by John Parr on the other?
Song of the Day: "It Ain't None of Your Business"
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"It Ain't None of Your Business" by Missing Persons, off their 1982 album Spring Session M, never got played much on the radio. It's my favorite song by the timeless New Wave band.
It's hard to resist the cute hiccups and growls that comprise the vocal presentation of lead singer Dale Bozzio. Theme-wise, "It Ain't None of Your Business" is an update on Leslie Gore's classic hit "You Don't Own Me," neatly covered by both Joan Jett and the actresses of "the First Wive's Club."
--Sarah Torribio
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Song of the Day: "Why Are Sundays So Depressing?" by The Strokes
My song of the day is "Why Are Sundays So Depressing?" It's off The Strokes' 2020 album, aptly titled The New Abnormal.
As with every song I've ever heard by The Strokes, this tune is layered, stylish, timeless, elegant, melodious and atmospheric. (Are you getting the impression I like this band?).
Lead singer Julian Fernando Casablancas's baritone is like hot buttered rum, smooth, warm and sweet. He also uses his falsetto range to good effect.
I like the video, too, because it epitomizes the intensity and uncertainty of the teen years.
--Sarah Torribio
Monday, March 1, 2021
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