Real Estate – “Beach Comber”
Real Estate
I think this album has generated some hype; I saw it here and there and it’s easy to see why. It’s very infectious, fun, and jangly stuff. This first track strikes me the most, but I’ve really only given the album a couple listens. Good bouncing around getting stuff done music.
Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
Samuel Warren, Ten Thousand A-Year
You may regard the above document in the light of a deadly and destructive missile, thrown by an unperceived enemy into a peaceful citadel, attracting no particular notice from the innocent unsuspecting inhabitants—amongst whom, nevertheless, it presently explodes, and all is terror, death and ruin.
Samuel Warren, Ten Thousand A-Year
—here his horse, whose sides were constantly being galled by the spurs of its unconscious rider, began to back a little, then to go on one side, and in Titmouse’s fright, his glass dropped from his eye, and he seized hold of the pummel. Nevertheless, to show the lady how completely he was at his ease all the while, he levelled a great many oaths and curses at the unfortunate eyes and soul of the wayward brute; who, however, not in the least moved by them, but infinitely disliking the spurs of its rider and the twisting round of its mouth by the reins, seemed more and more inclined for mischief, and backed close up to the edge of the ditch.
Samuel Warren, Ten Thousand A-Year
Tarantula – “Rail”
Tarantula
If you’ve ever listened to Esmerine, you probably have a good idea of what Tarantula sounds like, though they certainly have their differences. They both, however, are sort of chamber music unbound – cello and violin and glockenspiel mated with drumming and guitar. “Rail” is a good introduction, but hardly all that’s worth listening to from this self-titled album.
“The posters were required to be uniform in style and were to feature a ‘special and handsome’ typeface making them difficult for the enemy to counterfeit.”
I.
Where, O where
Hath gentle Peace found rest?
Builds she in bower of lady fair?—
But Love — he hath possession there;
Not long is she the guest.II.
Sits she crown’d
Beneath a pictured dome?
But there Ambition keeps his ground
And Fear and Envy Stalk around;
This cannot be her home!III.
Will she hide
In scholar’s pensive cell?
But he already hath his bride:
Him Melancholy sits beside—
With her she may not dwell!IV.
Now and then,
Peace, wandering lays her head
On regal couch, in captive’s den—
But nowhere finds she rest with men,
Or only with the dead!
Samuel Warren, “Peace,” from Ten Thousand A-Year