The Quirky Protagonist

I have always loved this song, despite the criticism of this album and her "selling out". I figure, it's one thing if someone sells out but the record is still enjoyable at least...unlike Liz's latest effort which is both a sell out and crappy...that's not acceptable. But then again, as Juliana says, it's not a sell out if nobody buys it. Anyway, I've really enjoyed this album, particularly this song, it was an early favorite.

I have even more reason to like it now as I seem to really identify with it lately.

Consider this your "song of the month":

Liz Phair - "Rock Me".
(YouSendit.com link)

Song of the month?
Well, it's February 1st, so we can call it that.

Sometimes I actually have to give myself permission to listen to a well-loved album of mine, because I guess I feel like I have SO much music to listen to, how can I go back to the old favorites, there's simply so much to listen to. But so often you really need an old favorite and don't want to break a new one in, it feels good to have something you know is going to be great and that you can sing along to.

Tonight on iTunes I got a few songs off Tanya Donelly's "Beautysleep" album and I just really felt like they sounded extra good tonight, tonight was the night for remembering how good she is, particularly this album. Tanya Donelly, as some of you may or may not know, was the founder of the band Belly (somewhat popular in the 90's with their song "Feed the Tree") as well as a sometimes member of Throwing Muses and The Breeders. Anyway, she went solo in the late 90's and came out with the album "Lovesongs for Underdogs" which is quite a good album, there's some lines on that album I still nod my head at and have to smile at how great they are, and the beats, she's got it down, it's a great rock album. Anyway, Beautysleep is her second solo effort, and a personal favorite. She's put one out since then (Whiskey Tango Ghosts) which I was disappointed with, she's got a powerhouse voice, well, it's a strange voice that can both wail and whisper impressively and effortlessly, let me tell you, after seeing her live...I was blown the hell away, wow...when you stop dancing and just sorta stand there slack-jawed because you're hearing her fill a venue with this noise that you were unaware was possible, and is impossibly beautiful. But I digress...Whiskey Tango Ghosts is more folk, and I love folk music, but it just doesn't show off her talents.

The song "The Storm" from Beautysleep really hit me tonight. Lately I've been a bit down, disappointed with life, with other people and just feeling like "why do we bother?". This song just gives off this great feeling of a story. I imagine two people, both confused, not sure what they want, perhaps fighting because they're confused about how they feel, both fighting it, both not sure how the other will react if they let their guard down, partying to numb the pain, acting stupid, causing drama between themselves, always wearing these facades pretending they don't really care, that they really aren't the vulnerable creatures in need of love that they really are...but after tripping through life on their own mistakes and their own misgivings when they finally fall off, it's into each others arms, they let go. It's been such a fight to hold it in, to pretend they don't care...what a relief it is to just give in to each other.

Can it be that this storm has passed?
I want this to be what growing up is.

Tanya Donelly - "The Storm" (YouSendit.com link)

(cross posted to MySpace)