Varium et mutabile semper femina is the sharpest satire, in the fewest words, that ever was made on womankind; for both the adjectives are neuter, and animal must be understood, to make them grammar. Virgil does well to put those words into the mouth of Mercury. If a god had not spoken them, neither durst he have written them, nor I translated them.

John Dryden, Dedication to the Aeneid

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Laura Gibson – “Shadows On Parade”
Beasts Of Seasons

One part plaintive singer-songwriter, one part… well, no, she’s all plaintive. I think this is a bit like a female M. Ward, perhaps, but it’s not that simple. She has the poetic effect of Tiny Vipers, but a more varied palette of sounds, calling on other instruments, ambient noise, and even the occasional drum. It’s snuggling music, but that doesn’t mean it’s innocuous. (insound)

We are naturally displeas’d with an unknown critic, because we are bitten in the dark, and know not where to fasten our revenge.

John Dryden

The man’s voracious vanity devoured this implied tribute to his local and critical supremacy, with an appearance of the highest relish.

The Woman In White

Vocabulary: Recurring Herder Edition

jument: an ox, mule, or other beast of burden (from the Latin “jumentum”)
recrudescence: revival or reappearance after a period of dormancy
carle: a peasant or laborer (var. carl, from old Norse for karl, “man”)
quartan: something, usually a fever, recurring every fourth day
grazier: a rancher or farmer who grazes livestock on his land
ambage: an indirect method of expression or circumlocution
duenna: a chaperone or governess for a young lady
neatherd: a cow herder (like cowherd or shepherd)
exequy: a funereal ceremony or procession
rissole: a small, deep-fried, meat pastry
calid: warm (same root as calorie)
accoucheur: a male midwife

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White Rabbits – “Percussion Gun”
It’s Frightening

While for much of this album, the band attempts unsuccessfully to hit a sort of Spoon vibe, but the guy’s voice is just too overwrought. On this first track, though, they mostly nail it. The up-front drums are tight, and the guitar is very Hail To The Thief. (insound)