I have just spent the last 2 hours or so watching the PandaCam at the National Zoo and scouring iTunes for new music. I have yet to see the new baby Panda, although I believe I've been watching Mom (Mei Xiang) try to nap while holding baby in her arms, because she keeps leaning towards her chest to nuzzle and lick something.
Today I officially love i Tunes. I've had this whole love/hate thing with Apple since I started working at Westwind Computing. Their products piss me off and thrill me at the same time. I'm proud of their success and bitter for their tactics at the same time. Westwind is now officially kaput because of those practices.
But I don't want to be maudlin right now. iTunes rocks today because of the iMix feature. I found so much music this morning by following link after link in iMixes. It all started with StefanoStorm's mention of the Doves, whom I had to listen to for myself. Anyone who knows me at all knows I love Autumn, so I added lots of their stuff to my cart, and then went around poking through Autumn iMixes, which led me to Rachel Yamagata, which led me to Jem and Frou Frou (been meaning to pick those up anyway), Travis and Jeff Buckley and Keane. Somehow Nina Simone and POTUSA got in there too. And Beck's "Sea Change" and "Guero" albums. I've always been more fond of Beck's lyrics than his voice or music, but sampling Sea Change changed that finally.
Actually, I'm surprised I picked up Travis and the Doves, since reviews of them both mention Radiohead and somehow Modest Mouse is linked by users as well. Radiohead and Modest Mouse are bands that are loved (worshipped?) by people whose taste in music I otherwise respect, but at best I can barely tolerate those selections.
Another group I should lump into that is the Pixies. I didn't realize how much I hated their music until they opened for someone. Too much guitar and shouting, which is not usually a problem for me (I <3 NIN & Ministry), but the Pixies really turn me off. Except, hehe, Monkey gone to Heaven (which I am downloading as we speak).
Am also downloading Goodness and Carrie Akre finally. Some Ramones, The Clash, X, Jim Carroll, Henry Rollins. And some 80s guilty pleasures like George Michael and Stacy Q.
OK, I'm sick of trying to type. Downloading from iTunes while listening, watching PandaCam, and surfing/typing on a G4 running Tiger is NOT fun.
maxwellxdemon:
Thank you for the blip above that's very sweet of you. I know it's sort of odd to describe music in a location & smell but to me it's that empacting on me. I would never consider the Doves in the realm of Modest Mouse or Radiohead except to say all three change up there sound each record. Travis for "The Man Who" very autumny. "Sea Change" is one of my favs of his by far. As to the Pixes well, to each is there own. How about "Bloc Party" for a try. By the way the later George Michael is brilliant!!!! Enjoy the tunes & the panda. Cheers.