A new season begins. October will be a grand month—my beautiful, heroine-of-a-mother turns fifty-nine, I'm backpacking 50 miles across northeast California next week, my jobby-job's Winter catalogue will be printed & pressed in 16 days, and hoards of Halloween confections will be placed on happy shelves for my eager sweet tooth teeth (who are we kidding here).
This means that I need to start thinking about my Halloween costume. Two years ago, I caked my peepers in heavy black eyeliner and dressed up as Amy Winehouse—a major failure since I was the happiest Amy ever and didn't frighten anyone. (Proof.) Last year, I ran away to Argentina (leaving you with a terrible mime vlog that made much more sense when I had a bunny in my banner), and spent halloween on a flight home with Fergie—who was, by the way, gloriously drunk & stumbling down the aisle en route to the coach-seated members of her entourage. Unforgettable.
Musically, I'll continue listening to this album for the rest of October. London-based the xx's self-titled debut was recommended to me and I've been listening to it every day for over a week now. The band is comprised of four 20-year-olds, and these kids are damn talented. My longtime readers know that I'm a sucker for simple duets, and xx features two very complementary male/female vocals—sticking & flowing, they sound great together. The blasé "cool" component of this album bothers me in short flashes, yet I'm still rendered impressed—and wholly addicted. It's a fantastic, simple album with near-perfect execution. The editor in me loves it so.
As for my shared tune, "Islands," "Crystalised," and "Shelter" are obvious choices yet I love "VCR" the most. "VCR" is the 20-year-old me. Bless that tall, doe-eyed girl (and that tireless, geek-boy) from so long ago. I was always awake, a love story held together with string and paperclips.
We were never this cool though. Listen to the girl's vocals and then imagine her tripping & somersaulting down a flight of stairs at the end. That would be me.
VCR - The xx
ps. The xx will open for Friendly Fires in 2 months. San Francisco tickets, yes please!
(tooth graphic by the small object)
This song makes me well up...
And really hope you weren't awake at 3:20 this morning.
Posted by: Roger | October 01, 2009 at 06:33 AM
Lovely song. Perfect for this rainy Thursday.
I love October too. Next week is Thanksgiving, and I can't wait to put my baking hat on. :)
Posted by: Allison | October 01, 2009 at 09:29 AM
No such girl exists, Roger. No awake at 3am listening to the xx and being writery crazy girl exists here, no sir.
And Allison - I wish our Thanksgiving was in October. Another reason to move to Canada, I say!
Posted by: liz | October 01, 2009 at 11:21 AM
WORD. xx in my hood, at my indy. i'll be there.
Posted by: meg | October 02, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Okay, that first line? I thought you said, "My beautiful, heroine-addicted, mother." And I must admit, I was intrigued.
Posted by: Jill Pilgrim | October 03, 2009 at 08:21 PM
O, Jill, hahahahahahaa,
Meg, let's concert together! Yay!
Posted by: liz | October 07, 2009 at 07:33 AM
I just found the XX's and haven't stopped listening all week! Not only are they on both computers, the CD goes from car to inside player daily. Who do I have to beg to get them over here?!
Posted by: A. Parker | October 11, 2009 at 02:30 PM