smacky and bucky

L recommended a band in a recent post, which reminded me to mention a band I've discovered. The Postmarks are a trio out of Miami, but they definitely do not sound like a product of that area. They are poppy, with ringing guitars that remind you of the Smiths or Ocean Blue, and a female lead singer whose voice recalls Mazzy Star a bit, but more happy and much less mopey. Check out their website HERE. Scroll to the bottom of the "What's Happening" column and you can download my favorite song of theirs FREE. It's called "Goodbye" and the lyrics are the text of a note left for a former lover to find in the morning. But the singer feels liberated by getting away, not sad. It's an awesome tune and prompted me to go to Amazon and purchase their CD. If you're super lazy, or the cynical type and you're thinking to yourself, "Sure, whatever, Smacky. It probably sucks..." first of all, shame on you for not believing me! Second, you can hear the song immediately on their MySpace page. Tell me the song isn't perfect pop. And De, she's cute too. Give 'em a listen and tell me what you think.

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I watched 28 Weeks Later last night, which is about living people infected with a virus nicknamed "rage" so it technically isn't a zombie movie (which is why I put "zombies" in quotes in the post title, but the people have the zombie-like urge to EAT YOU, so it's mostly a zombie movie. It was pretty good, considering it was basically a rehash of the first movie, with a few twists to keep it interesting. The only real actor that struck a note with me was the guy from The Full Monty.

Labels: music, zombies

Well, last night's Lost had two women handcuffed together, beating each other up, and falling in the mud (this last part was after the fighting was over, so no mud wrestling) . Decent episode. We learned a few things, like for instance, in three years, Juliet went from a timid lab worker to someone with lightning-quick reflexes and kick-ass kung fu moves. I could see her still being a spy for Ben if he asked her, but it does legitimately appear she was left behind and is now an outsider. I'm looking forward to the episode that fills in the gaps of the previous night and what happened to Locke (hurt hand, leaving with the Others, etc.).



I stopped by a used CD place after work since I had to pick up some allergy meds from the nearby drug store. I stumbled across Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, 1984-1989. My college years were in the '90s, but this band's music brings back a lot of memories, mostly good ones, but a few bittersweet ones too. One of their songs is called Jennifer, She Said, and we (a girl named Jennifer, naturally, and I) were probably in year two or three of the about six years we were together. The song is about a guy who gets the name Jennifer tattooed on his arm, and of course then they end up breaking up. I never went as far as to do that, but I did purchase an engagement ring (which I later sold during grad school), so I can certainly relate to the overall tone of the lyrics, even without the tattooed reminder:

jennifer we can't go wrong let's put it in writing
jennifer we can't go wrong let's do it right now
maybe you were a little hasty
but they say love is blind
now her name on you
jennifer in blue
did you ever have a bad dream wake up and it not stop?
did you ever feel for a girl for a time and then stop?
well it's written there in blue
with a heart and arrow through
her name on you
jennifer in blue
and forever you said that's forever you said yes forever
and forever she said that's forever she said yes forever
but you change with the weather
you change with the weather
and this is the rain

Anywho, yeah, we ended up formally breaking up, I went to Africa, and she ended up marrying the next guy she dated. Wasn't meant to be. I picked up the CD for $5 and listened to it, and that's what led to this post.

Labels: Lost, music

Is it incredibly sappy of me that I think it's very cute that since the people who play Chase and Cameron on House are engaged in real life, their storyline now has them hooking up in closets on the show? Could you imagine getting paid to make out with your honey (or homey, whichever way you may roll)?

Speaking of House, did you know that the theme song to the show is a song called Teardrop by the group Massive Attack? It's the second song from their album Mezzanine. I recommend the entire CD, or download, or whatever it is you kids today do. Just don't steal it! RIAA is now mailing letters to students at colleges demanding $3,000 to avoid expensive lawsuits. The organization is tracking servers at schools. It's extortion. Ironically, the major record labels have just admitted to "payola," the act of bribing radio stations to play songs by their artists. They'll be paying millions in fines, which will be collected from poor college students who get caught downloading songs illegally. So really, the only ones being hurt here are the students (and of course, the musicians, who are screwed by their labels already).

Yesterday after work, I broke the seal. With temps freakishly in the low 80s, under a clear blue sky, I mowed the lawn. I know I've started a weekly cycle that could last well into September, but this will be the first time since 2004 that I'll only be mowing ONE yard! No more running across town to keep up appearances at the other house (which, you'll recall, we just sold this past December). YAY!!!

Labels: house, music, yard